The period for the filing of the Certificates of Candidacy started yesterday and ends on Oct. 5. Many would find some surprises here. But nothing much has changed in the political front where we see political allies turning into foes.
The reverse is true. We have those who opposed the Aquino administration before now candidates of the Aquino’s camp, the Liberal Party (LP).
In the Province of Cebu it is now final that Gov. Gwen Garcia is running for the 3rd congressional district. Provincial Board Member Alex Binghay will remain in the board. Rep. Pablo John Garcia is running for governor with Boboy Durano as his running mate. For the LP, Junjun Davide is running again for governor with Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale as his running mate.
By next week the survey I did for the entire province of 6,000 respondents, conducted with my Political Science 105 class or Cebuano Politics students of the University of San Carlos, will be out. I am very proud of my students for conducting the research without fanfare but with passion and dedication.
In Cebu City, the official LP candidate for mayor is Congressman Tommy Osmeña. Mayor Mike Rama has severed ties with the LP and is running as an independent but I was informed that Team Rama will be adopted by the United Nationalist Alliance of Vice President Jejomar Binay.
For the south district of Cebu City the LP is fielding Councilor Bebot Abellanosa for congress with lawyer Aristotle Batuhan as the candidate of Team Rama. In the north district, former congressman Raul del Mar of LP is making a comeback. He’s up against Team Rama’s talent manager Annabelle Rama.
In Cebu’s 1st district, Congresman Eddie Gullas is running for mayor of Talisay City and has affiliated with the LP with grandson Samsam running for the House of Representatives. The opponents of Gullas are in a quandary as to what national party they will run under.. So far the opposition has not yet declared who will run against Samsam.
In the 2nd district PB Member Willy Caminero is the LP candidate against incumbent Congressman Pablo Garcia. Many say Pabling Garcia, who is in his 80s, is too old to be seeking reelection but I believe he is crucial for the victory of his son Pablo John as governor.
By the way, mayors of the 2nd district maintained their loyalty for One Cebu Party except for a few like Mayor Calderon, who is a relative of the Duranos of Danao City. In the 3rd district the LP is fielding Mayor Gay Yapha for congress against Governor Garcia. Former senator Sonny Osmeña, I was informed, is running for Toledo City mayor against one of the Espinosas.
In the 4th district Congressman Benhur Salimbangon is again running under One Cebu with either Junie or Tining Martinez of the LP as his opponent. In the 5th district former tourism secretary Ace Durano is running for congress and so far nobody has declared he will run against Durano but I bet someone will.
In the 6th district Congressman Luigi Quisumbing is the LP bet against former congresswoman Nerissa Soon-Ruiz. Mayor Jonas Cortes of the LP will have no opponent since One Cebu supports him because of the friendship he developed with Governor Garcia.
I think the 2013 political exercise in Cebu will not be boring or a foregone conclusion because it is packed with very interesting and some hotly contested battles. Cebuanos will have the golden opportunity to carefully choose their leaders.
I hope Cebuanos will vote wisely and not sell their votes.