Beware the Ides
of September

Shakespeare had troubled generations of people with his warning about the Ides of March. But it seems he must have overlooked the fact that the world has changed much since then. Now, it seems that most far-ranging historic events occur during the month of September.

At least, insofar as the Philippines is concerned, we had Martial Law on September 21, then, we had the series of typhoons, earthquakes and floods that devastated large portions of land in various parts of the country.

And, now, with end of September approaching, tomorrow, Saturday, the Nationalist People’s Coalition under the aegis of former Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco is scheduled to anoint Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez as the gubernatorial candidate against incumbent Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr.

That also signals the mass oath-taking of NPC and Liberal Party recruits into the party fold.

Also there is the disturbing news of the takeover of their conjugal property at Capitol village by Rep. Soraya Jaffar of Tawi-Tawi who had filed for nullification of her marriage with Rep. Tony Golez.

Tomorrow, Alvarez will also officially proclaim former San Carlos City Mayor Eugene Lacson as his vice gubernatorial running mate.

And, naturally, the candidates for congressman and mayors throughout the province.

But Marañon, unfazed by the Cojuangco entry into Negros politics, is also set to convene a bigger crowd of United Negros Alliance local executives and partisans to proclaim their ticket.

But there could be a twist should the local mayors hoist instead La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Ma. Ferrer as their gubernatorial bet and E.B. Magalona Mayor David Lacson as her running mate.

The town mayors had earlier said they prefer a completely new set of candidates for the top positions in Negros Occidental.

That could automatically change the equation and even put up a new party with the possibility for the new faces of gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial bets.

Board Member Dino Yulo is reportedly slated to run for the fifth congressional district seat against incumbent Rep. Augusto Mirasol. It is a contest that could perceptibly change the situation in the district. Mirasol has hardly filled the seat vacated by the late Rep. Ignacio Arroyo.

There are a lot of speculations as to who will be the bets to be fielded by the Alvarez ticket in the various areas of the province.

Based on unconfirmed reports, former Rep. Bebeng Puey is reportedly eyeing to run for congressman in the Second District against Sagay Mayor Leo Cueva. He is also rumored to be running as Cadiz City mayor.

But, as I had said, these are unconfirmed reports that will be known only by tomorrow.

With Rep. Albee Benitez, (third district) reportedly casting his lot with Alvarez, Marañon’s forces may find themselves beleaguered in the district.

Anyway, we can only watch for the latest developments in the political landscape of the province and Bacolod City.

There are negotiations reportedly ongoing in the case of the mayoralty and vice mayoralty race for Bacolod City.

Archie Baribar, the leading councilor of Bacolod, had just announced his refusal to accept a place in the ticket of former Rep. Monico Puentevella.

Newks had reportedly announced his preference for businessman Vladimir Gonzales as his vice mayoralty tandem.

Chances are that, based on the latest announcement by Baribar, he may opt to run as an independent or get himself into the ticket of City Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson.

Although he had painted himself as a possible vice mayoralty choice of Sayson, former Councilor Renecito Novero seems to have painted himself into a corner.

It seems that members of the Partido Progreso, seem to have signaled that they are opposed to his importation into the Sayson ticket.

Al Victor Espino, the chairman of the powerful finance committee of the Sangguniang Panglunsod, insists he is running for vice mayor even if he will be forced to run as an independent.

There has lately been unconfirmed rumors being circulated that City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Newks have reportedly sounded the possibility of linking up again. That would be a miracle of sorts. For years, the two had been at each other’s throats like cats and dogs.

But again, who knows about politics and its intricacies?

That leaves Golez in the lurch.

***

But perhaps, for a time, we leave politics and its complexities to the politicians. Instead, we would like to focus attention on the coming joint induction of officers of the three lions clubs of District 301-B-1 under Lions Governor Faustino A. Yuson, III, MJV, of the Iloilo City Integrated Lions Club.

The three incoming Lions presidents are Honorato Tonogbanua of the Bacolod City Capitol Lions, Lions president Lavender Hipolito of the Sagay Kabingahan Lions Club, and president Julio Memoracion of the Iloilo City Fort San Pedro Lions Club.

PDG Lions Felipe Lim, MJF, of Ilco Fort San Pedro, will charge the new members. But PDG Lions Pompeyo Querubin, PMJF, will induct the new members. Querubin is from Mt. Kanlandog Lions Club.

District Governor Yuson will induct the new officers.

The triple joint induction will be held at the Business Inn on September 29.*

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