GAUGING by the results of the just-concluded elections, it can be said that Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo will be formidable in the next elections in 2022 and beyond.
Despite being deprived of the vaunted INC vote, he still eclipsed the votes of his rival, Christian C. Halili. Ditto with Atty. Geld Aquino who swamped his opponent Boking Morales. This can be attributed to the joined Christian votes (including Catholic) which proved to be overwhelming.
Mayor Garbo, therefore, is off to three consecutive terms of three years each term for a total of nine years. Again, gauging by his voting strength, he is unbeatable given that he performs and delivers well.
At noon of June 30, 2019, the new set of leaders will officially begin their new terms of office.
There will be a new presiding officer at the Sangguniang Panlungsod: Atty. Gerald Guttrie P. Aquino while the members of the SP are relatively new in local legislation, except reelectionist Councilor Win win Garbo. In due time, I hope they would acclimatize themselves on the workings of local legislation.
I just hope they would serve the people well.
On the national level, senators friendly to the Duterte administration are lording it over in the yet unofficial canvassing. Here, all hopes are anchored on the independence of the new Senate and that they will not become rubber stamps to any Duterte issuances and pronouncements.
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On hindsight, it can be said that the INC bloc vote is no guarantee to a victory at the polls. Look at what happened to the Estrada clan candidates: they were all wiped out. The same is true to other political dynasties.
The Christian (and Catholic) votes can match the vaunted INC vote and, in fact, overwhelm it. By next elections, the voters should know better.
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The big surprise of them all is Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso who trounced political giants, incumbent Manila mayor Joseph Estrada and Alfredo Lim.
The once basurero climbed up the political ladder through sheer hard work and steely determination to overcome all odds.
Poverty, in the case of Isko Moreno, is definitely a hindrance to success. It can be a sound motivation to succeed. Lesson learned.