And the battle begins

Love Negros bets filed their certificates of candidacies already and got the headline for it. Today the headline will be the full force of the United Negros Alliance led by Gov. Alfredo Marañon and running-mate, Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer.

In Bacolod we've seen Mayor Monico Puentevella leading his own team to slug it out with Rep. Evelio Leonardia who is making a comeback with his own line-up and conspicuously absent in that slate is his ally, (or should I say ‘former' now?), Councilor Carl Lopez.

From what I heard, Carl, whom everybody knew was leading the crusade against Mayor Monico and was allegedly spending for it, was dropped from the rolls after he allegedly refused to back down from his bid for the congressional position.

I was told months ago that Carl has been warned to see through the motives of those who will benefit more from the barrage of cases he has filed against the mayor. I guess the poor-little-rich-boy got sweet-talked into getting his dream fulfilled to run for the higher post if he can make this work against the mayor.

Now let's go to the Love Negros slate led by Vice Governor Bong Lacson who is seeking reelection and will face Cong. Jeff Ferrer from Unega. If you look closely at the names of those who have been filing their COCs in various towns and cities, it is evident that LN has lost some of its turf but has also gained some loyal points for fielding strategic people in their slate.

Escalante Mayor Melecio Yap has been chosen over BM Renato Gustilo to replace Jules Ledesma for congress in the 1 st district. This, despite the fact that they can't easily dislodge Yap from the post if Jules wants to make a comeback in 2019.

Gustilo would have been the easier guy to handle but he opted to accept the post chosen for him – as vice-mayor of San Carlos City.

I guess LN knew, or perhaps Marton (this guy whom everyone knows is the one deciding for or in behalf of Jules in the 1 st district) that if they choose Gustilo over Yap, the latter will still run and may even ally himself with the other camp where he is reportedly close with some mayors.

Escalante is after all a big city and can command votes. Now they have Yap in their slate and I am sure LN might have the advantage over Unega in that area.

Notice I used the phrase “chosen for them” in the case of LN because it is very apparent that some, if not all, of their candidates are not running based on their merits and capabilities but are running because they were told to run for that certain position.

Take the case again of Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen “Carapali” Paduano who has been criticized for posturing that he might just slug it out with Gov. Freddie Marañon for the gubernatorial race.

Again, despite coming from a sectoral group that he is supposedly representing, Paduano continues to think he is beholden to somebody other than the sector he represents.

His statement once again carries a veiled threat that the public will know what position he will run for will depend on whether someone will run against 3 rd district Rep. Albee Benitez.

Oh well, Carapali seems to think he will save the day for Albee, this despite the latter already saying (or should I say ordering) him to run again as partylist representative.

And the message Carapali is sending here, while it will definitely not give Freddie shivers, is that he is a ready pawn to save Albee's face. Is Albee so afraid of an opponent that this option of threatening to field Carapali against Freddie remains dangled?

The bigger question though is – does Carapali even represent a sector here or just one person? I think Comelec should look into this and investigate whether there is indeed a marginalized group he represents or the interest of just one person – a person who cannot accept that someone will actually have the audacity to run against him and will field a nincompoop for a governor if he is challenged.

There is more to this than the scenario some people are creating. In the coming days, let us peruse each candidate, their so-called bailiwicks, their patrons and yes, their chances in the coming polls.*

back to top