Ferrer is like a meteor

Even Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. toasted the choice of La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Marie Ferrer as making his bid for reelection unbeatable.

The common perception by majority of those interviewed said Juliet was like a “meteor” that transformed the political landscape into a completely new one.

Even Marañon appeared surprised by the action of about 20 town mayors of the province who upheld Mayor Ferrer as their choice for vice gubernatorial bet for Marañon in 2013.

The last time Negros Occidental had a lady governor was during the time of the late Vice Governor Gloria Esteban and, as expected, she remained for the duration of her term as a faithful leader, meticulous and not succumbing to intrigues.

That was exactly the same points raised by female voters. The leaders seem to be under the impression that a woman politician does not succumb to intrigues or ambitions.

Instead, they pointed out, they are meticulous in following up details of a project as well as the nuances of plans and programs.

In short, Marañon does not need to look back every time he has his program in place or under discussion.

Besides La Carlota Mayor Ferrer has definitely established a name for herself.

La Carlota is on everybody’s lips when they speak of the Pasalamat Festival. And there are a lot of low-key but practical programs for the common tao which are hardly talked about.

Now, look at her reaction to the offer by the town mayors no run as common bet for the vice gubernatorial post. Like any lady, she immediately refers to consultations with her family, especially her husband, Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer. Both are actually considered among the best performers in their respective positions.

If I were Marañon, I’ll have no second thought about Juliet as my running mate. Henceforth, he will not need somebody to guard his back against a fatal stab when the going is okay.

One must admit that Marañon had come up with the best development program for the province.

He has not just made Negros Occidental self-sufficient in rice, but also diversified the provincial economy. He has transformed Negros Occidental into the cattle country of the Philippines. So with goats and sheep. And the swine industry is also now shipping pork and well-cut meat to other parts of the country, including Metro Manila.

There is also Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center which has trained thousands of Negrense graduates for call centers in the province.

This is a program which has helped hundreds land jobs.

Alvarez, however, has not offered any program of government in deciding his bid to be the governor of the province.

Instead, he merely points to former Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco as the one who encouraged him to cast his hat against Marañon. He neither offered any explanation for such a proposition. Just like that. An exercise in political warlordism when the leader states that one must be replaced, he will be replaced.

Negrenses, however, have grown wiser now with Martial Law behind us. Now we know when a politician talks business and must be believed. He will be judged on the basis of accomplishments.

And Marañon, despite his low-key posture, had done many good things for the province. Like for example the transformation of Mambukal Resort into a major tourism destination. Like now, it is promising to bring into the country hundreds of Japanese hot water spring enthusiasts. The district hospitals are now operating, although they still tend to send their patients to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial regional Hospital.

The province has also gained fame as the source of plants and vegetables which are grown without the help of additives.

Yes, there are a lot more Marañon had accomplished during his term of office that I am wondering what misdeed did he do to merit a stab in the back by his erstwhile companion, who incidentally, has never shown anything to counter Marañon’s accomplishments.*

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