My last column for DIGICAST NEGROS was over a year ago when I decided to take a hiatus from writing to concentrate on my task as Governor for our Rotary International District 3850. And rightly so as I had to go around Western Visayas all the way to the end of Western Mindanao in the province of Tawi-Tawi.
For almost an entire year, I had very little time to follow the news as I was always on the road, thus when my term finally ended, I was surprised to hear of the various developments in our local politics.
Just last week, we read up on a possible husband and wife tandem of Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda and spouse, Divina, who will be up against two Zaycos – former governor and mayor Isidro Zayco and his nephew and current Vice Mayor Miggy Zayco.
Of course it is not impossible to defeat a Zayco as Mayor Benjie has proven that in the last election when he defeated the sitting mayor Pedro Zayco which was seen as among the major upsets in 2022. However, the charisma of Mayor Pedro and Mayor Pidyo (Isidro) is far apart with the latter, always a runaway winner in whatever post he ran for.
Still some observers say that Mayor Pidyo’s age may not sit well with voters who, despite their admiration for him, would rather wish him an easy retirement than be subjected to the rigors of campaigning.
But my sister-in-law, Merci Cavile-Espina who was in town for a vacation and was able to attend the Charter Anniversary of Kabankalan last week said, Mayor Pidyo is still very much popular with the crowd who chanted Mayor when they saw him.
VM Miggy, on the other hand, was poised to run for Mayor against the urging of some local bigwigs who felt he was a neophyte in politics and this recent move to stay put in his position and ally with an institution like Mayor Pidyo, might do him good. More so if his opponent will be the wife of Mayor Benjie because this kind of tandem, although it has been favourable for some couples, is generally unsettling to many.
It remains to be seen which alliance 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez will support as that is crucial. But it is also a given that Mayor Pidyo will get the support of Governor Bong Lacson as they belong to the same political party.
In Bago City meanwhile, Councilor Mayette Javellana-Yao is said to run for chief executive against former mayor and incumbent Vice-Mayor Ramon Torres.
I bumped into Bago City Mayor Nico Yulo over the weekend who confirmed that he was as surprised as many to hear that Mayette will run against VM Torres, especially since they belonged to the same political party in the last election. Ah, I wonder what happened to that alliance.
Of course, one cannot discount Mayette’s popularity since she is currently first councilor but what is surprising is the coalition she purportedly forged with former DPWH Regional Director Lea Delfinado who is running for the congressional post in the 4th District against Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer.
As head of public works and highways in the province and in the region for the longest time, Lea has some clout over the mayors, but this is quite a tall order to run against another institution in that district – Vice Gov Jeff and the support of his wife, Juliet, who is the sitting congressional representative on her last term.
In the fifth district, we have heard of Dino vs. Dina, referring to incumbent Congressman Dino Yulo who is poised to be challenged by Dina Arroyo-Tantoco, the daughter of the late Congressman Iggy Arroyo and currently sits as Deputy Social Secretary of First Lady Lisa Marcos.
We’ve seen no less than former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hosting a gathering for chief executives from the fifth district that fuelled speculations that maybe, the Arroyo’s will reclaim the fifth district after Dino defeated former Rep. Marilou Arroyo in the last polls. Hinigaran Mayor Nadie Arceo was the only mayor not present in that gathering.
When I visited La Castellana after the Mt. Kanlaon eruption, Mayor Mhai-Mhai Mangilimutan who is on her last term said she will be replaced by her brother, Councilor Anejo Nicor. Whether this town will see some action remains to be seen but Mayor Mhai-Mhai said she will be happy to relinquish her post and excited to do further studies, even take up vocational courses after she steps down.
In the third district, there will be some action too with the comeback of former Silay Mayor Mark Golez against incumbent Mayor Joedith Gallego. Running alongside Golez is Councilor Ryan Gamboa and I heard that this is the tandem the Benitez’ will support. I also heard that Talisay will also have a showdown between Rowena Lopez-Lizares, the wife of third-termer Talisay Mayor Neil Lizares, against former Vice Mayor Samuel Siote while EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon will be replaced by his son, Matthew.
It’s probably the first and second district that will have fewer headaches in the next election but we will never know until October when the filing for candidacy starts. It’s even more exciting to hear the rumblings going on in Bacolod City – but that will be for another column.*