Alvarez’s strength
already known

In war, the most important factor is awareness of the strength and capabilities of the enemy. And Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez’ strength had actually been announced this early by no less than former NPC head, Danding Cojuangco.

But the thing that remains still unknown is, who are the allies and supporters of Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. He is reported to have chosen his vice gubernatorial bet. But he keeps it close to his chest. Why? Because that may, perhaps, be something that will be surprising to the Nationalist Peoples Coalition and Liberal Party? When you don’t know who it is going to be, there will be speculation and a determined search.

Lest I be misunderstood, I am not asserting that Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. is sure to upend Alvarez. But I am just pointing out that until the final announcement is made, don’t count Marañon out. He has gained the reputation of somebody who often surprised opponents by baring aces up his sleeves.

Until October 6, all eyes will be focused on the candidates named by Alvarez. The surprise was the announcement that Rep. Bebot Mirasol, who had earlier been reported as pro Marañon, had actually shifted his support to Alvarez.

That leaves Board Member Dino Yulo, his own nephew, dangling in mid-air. Will Yulo renew his bid to wrest control of the Fifth District seat currently occupied by Mirasol?

The more predictable is the Bacolod race. Here Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson has the support of Cojuangco as candidate for Bacolod Mayor with Mayor Evelio Leonardia as the candidate for the lone congressional position.

That leaves Rep. Anthony Golez dangling in mid-air, too. Although he claims that he still remains an NPC member, Golez may find himself checkmated since the party is not likely to choose two candidates for the same position.

Will Councilor Renecito Novero be named as the vice mayoralty tandem of Sayson? The mere fact that his name had been recommended to the top NPC hierarchy speaks more than enough for the Sayson group. That means that, despite opposition from the Grupo Progreso, Sayson and company, may still pick Novero as his possible running mate.

***

Oh well, a lot of Aklanons are residing in Bacolod. And it may interest them to known that Florencio Miraflores, the congressman for the lone district of the province, is running for governor of Aklan. He will replace outgoing Governor Carlito Marquez.

Surprisingly, Marquez had just announced that he is running for congressman as the nominee of Ang Kasangga whose congressman is Teodorico Haresco, Jr.

Marquez also took his oath as a Liberal Party member of President Benigno Aquino III.

Haresco, instead, will run as congressman for the lone district against Banga Mayor Antonio Maming.

United Nationalist Alliance member Makato Mayor Ramon Legaspi, Jr. will run against Miraflores, a three-term governor and former Ibajay mayor.

That will be a whale of a fight since the Legaspis also form a formidable political family in Aklan.

But Miraflores reportedly boasts the support of 13 of the 17 mayors of Aklan.

In Iloilo Province, meanwhile, the battle for nomination between former Governor Tupas Sr. and incumbent Governor Arthur Defensor is still the subject of a controversy.

Tupas had been endorsed by Senator Franklin Drilon, the acknowledge LP kingpin of Iloilo.

That controversy reportedly favors the bid of UNA bet Rep. Ferjenal Biron of the 4th district.

Biron, a medical doctor, also owns a pharmaceutical firm.

Tupas is actually the provincial chairman of the ruling LP. But Defensor, although, an outsider, had been invited to join the LP.

Biron, however, said that the present impasse in the LP between Tupas and Defensor, actually works in his favor. It gives him time to campaign harder to win the provincial votes.

He will be proclaimed during a UNA provincial convention on Sept. 29 with Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile as the UNA officials attending.

So, Ilonggos among us will have also the time of their life in watchingthe development in the province across the Guimaras Strait. Actually, it will be very interesting with Biron given the edge over either Tupas or Defensor.*

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