Shadow

Who’s in, or out?

As of this writing, the petition to exclude Bacolod mayoralty candidate, former Cong. Albee Benitez, from the list of voters in Brgy. Mandalagan is being heard at the Hall of Justice. The case includes Bacolod Election Officer, Atty. Kathrina Cana and the members of the Election Registration Board that approved the former congressman’s transfer of voter’s registration from the 3rd district, to Bacolod.

The petitioners, Hector Yula, Teodoro Abao and Jonah Abao are said to be allies of Grupo Progreso, the party of incumbent Bacolod Mayor Bing Leonardia.

If this case will be booted out of court, I am sure they will find another issue or venue to file anew, not because they believe they will be victorious, but because any irritant like such, is a strategy to distract your opponent.

Regardless of the outcome of this new case though (because win or lose, there will be motions thereafter) there is more excitement on who will be on the line-up for Grupo Progreso or that of Grupo ‘Change.’

A news item quoted Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran that he will remain with Grupo Progreso. Whether he will run as vice-mayor or not though, we will know in the coming days when their party announces their line-up.

El Cid told me months ago that he is a party-man and will remain with the mayor. El Cid, as I’ve mentioned, is the man to beat and he has a huge head start because of his performance as IATF chair. He was doing a one-man-show managing the city at the onset of the pandemic as other officials were nowhere to be seen.

Whoever will oppose El Cid will have a lot of catching up to do to even make a dent in his popularity. Strangely though, I also heard from the grapevine that he might just settle for a councilor post as he does not allegedly want to be part of the big battle. Hmmmm, I hope not because El Cid will definitely get my vote whether he is with Progreso or will run as independent or even with another party.

Rumors of El Cid transferring to other camps were probably fueled when the vice-mayor and Bacolod Cong. Greg Gasataya were seen wearing shirts without Mayor Bing’s name as they distributed aid that came from businessman and philanthropist, Ian Lo. The posts went viral and talks were rife that it was sending a strong message that alliances may shift.

Then came Albee’s statement that he too, will probably field a full slate. So who will be his congressional and vice-mayoralty candidates? Up to this point, Greg has been mum about the issue but it cannot be denied that he has been conspicuously absent in most of the mayor’s activities. That, plus the fact that he is a close friend of Albee as well, sparks the guessing game.

Grupo Progreso may field three new councilor bets to probably replace outgoing Councilors Ana Marie Palermo, Elmer Sy who passed away, and Al Victor Espino who left the group and will seek re-election in Albee’s camp.

Councilor Jun Gamboa is also ending his term and may run as an independent candidate for vice-mayor. I like Jun and he remained true as the lone opposition in that council but sadly, without a machinery, his effort may not be enough to bring him close to whoever Bing or Albee will field.

City Administrator Em Ang has signified she will run again and she, like El Cid, will be runaway winners because whether we like it or not, their efforts during this pandemic have made them popular.

Incumbent Councilors Archie Baribar, Renecito Novero, Carl Lopez may well remain with Progreso. Cindy Rojas and Israel Salanga are allegedly being wooed to transfer to the other camp but may remain with the administration. Dindo Ramos will probably stay with the mayor as they are cousins. But there are strong rumors that Simple Distrito and Bart Orola may not? Hmmm. If so, GP may need five new bets.

I am not sure with Bart as the Orolas are known allies of the mayor…unless? But if it’s true that Simple will not be with the administration party, then talks of former Coun. Caesar Distrito running as Albee’s vice-mayoralty candidate may also be true.

Also seen in the company of Albee’s group are former Vice-Mayor Thaddy Sayson, former Councilors Sonya Verdeflor, Homer Bais and Kalaw Puentevella, former provincial Board Member Patrick Lacson, businessman Vladimir Gonzales and youth leader, Jason Villarosa and of course, Espino, even though he continues to claim he is still pondering his decision.

In a couple of days, we will know who else will join Albee’s team but from what I gathered, this will be a mix of past, present and newbies.

Outside of Bacolod, although there has been an agreement between Love Negros and Unega that the equity of the incumbent will be followed, there are areas where it seems it will be Zona Libre.

In La Carlota City, both allies of Vice-Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer will face battle. Incumbent Mayor Rex Jalando-on has been given the certificate of nomination by the party, but former Mayor Demi Jonrado will still challenge him. Why? Those issues will surface after the filing I am pretty sure.

In Himamaylan, Mayor Raymund Tongson will be facing former mayor and incumbent Board Member Tinto Bascon and who allegedly has a largesse from big contractors? There are talks that some contractors were not happy with the present mayor. However, I am not so happy with these rumors either because it goes without saying that the contractors will expect a return of their investment, somehow.

We may also see a fight in Isabela for the top post while in Kabankalan, it will be for the vice-mayoralty seat between former allies.

Two more days of guessing game and then…let the battle begin.*

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