(Third of a series)
TACLOBAN CITY—Old political enemies in Eastern Visayas have learned a new trick for next year’s elections: Be friends.
For the first time in Northern Samar province, former Gov. Raul Daza and outgoing Rep. Emil Ong (second district) have set aside their fierce rivalry and forged an alliance instead. Daza, who is also a former congressman, belongs to the ruling Liberal Party (LP) while Ong is regional chair of the National Unity Party (NUP).
As agreed upon, Daza will run for representative in the first district, unchallenged by any Ong-supported candidate. Incidentally, the incumbent lawmaker, Rep. Harlin Abayon, is a political ally of Ong.
Daza will not field or endorse any candidate against the Ong brothers. Emil Ong wants to switch places with his younger brother, Jose, the incumbent governor. Jose will be seeking the congressional seat in the second district.
In the 2013 elections, the Ong brothers deprived Daza and his son, Paul, from getting a fresh mandate. Raul ran for a third term as first district congressman and Paul, for a second term as governor.
Eastern Samar
In Eastern Samar province, Rep. Ben Evardone of the province’s lone district and Gov. Conrado Nicart, who are both seeking reelection, have also set aside their political differences to work as a team in next year’s elections. Both are LP members.
In 2013, Nicart joined forces with former Mayor Annaliza Kwan of Guiuan town, who challenged Evardone for the House seat. Next year, Kwan will again run against Evardone, but this time, ex-Rep. Marcelino Libanan, a former immigration commissioner, will seek the gubernatorial post.
Libanan’s daughter is the wife of Kwan’s younger brother, Guiuan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales.
Samar
It’s a different story in Samar province, where the Tans are again expected to dominate the polls.
The family matriarch, Rep. Milagrosa Tan (first district) will not seek a third term but will reportedly run for governor, replacing her daughter, Sharee Ann. Milagrosa had been governor for nine years before running for Congress.
Sharee Ann is said to take her mother’s place as representative. Her brother, Vice Gov. Stephen James Tan, will be seeking reelection.
Leyte
In Leyte province, the Petillas are also expected to continue their run in the province.
Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla may run unopposed in his quest for a second term. His brother Jericho, a former energy secretary, plans to run for senator in the LP slate, while their mother, Remedios, will seek another mayoral term in Palo town.
Their aunt, Mayor Carmen Cari of Baybay City, will seek reelection. Her son, Jose, is an incumbent congressman (fifth district) and is said to be seeking another term.
The Romualdezes will try to extend their dominance for three more years. Outgoing Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (first district) is seeking a Senate seat, while his wife, Yedda Marie, may take his place in Congress.
Yedda Marie is a niece of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza of Cebu province.
Cebu
In Cebu, the gubernatorial race will be a proxy war between President Aquino and his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Winston Garcia, Arroyo’s trusted man during her term, will challenge the reelection bid of Gov. Hilario Davide III, an Aquino ally.
Garcia served as general manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) during the Arroyo administration. He was embroiled in several controversies during his stint in the GSIS, including buying expensive paintings and receiving huge salaries and benefits.
In August, Garcia launched his campaign by presenting to the public his vision and programs if elected governor. His projects would include reclamation projects from Talisay to Carcar cities, as well as on Mactan Island to create thousands of jobs, and the transfer of the Cebu International Port to either Consolacion or Liloan town.
Davide said his good governance would prevail over criticisms against his administration.
In Cebu City, it will be a rematch between incumbent Mayor Michael Rama and former mentor and ally, former Mayor Tomas Osmeña. Rama, who now belongs to the United Nationalist Alliance, gave Osmeña his first election defeat in 2013.
It will also be a return bout in Talisay City between Mayor Johnny delos Reyes and veteran politician Eduardo Gullas. In 2013, Delos Reyes defeated Gullas, a former governor and congressman for several years in the first district.
Iloilo
In Iloilo province, the Tupas family has traditionally dominated politics in the fifth district, its members catapulted to elective positions in the provincial level.
Next year, however, the race for district representative is expected to take place within the family. Rep. Niel “Junjun” Tupas Jr. is serving his third and last term, and has anointed his wife and chief of staff, Yvonne Angeli Lee-Tupas, to be his successor despite the intention of his younger brother, Vice Gov. Raul Tupas, to occupy the same post.
Guimaras
In Guimaras province, a head-on clash between former Gov. Felipe Nava and his elder brother, Rep. JC Rahman Nava, looms. Felipe has announced his plan to reclaim the gubernatorial post against JC Rahman, who his on his third and last term in Congress.
The brothers have been at odds since the 2010 elections but avoided running against each other in past elections.
Antique
In Antique province, Exequiel Javier is expected to seek his former post as governor against the incumbent, Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, and possibly another candidate. Last year, the Commission on Elections removed Javier from his post over an election offense.