NEWS: No Lakas decision yet on Ramil-Maricar toss up- Chiongkee

The Lakas party in Compostela Valley has not yet made a decision on who to anoint between Vice Governor Ramil Gentugaya and Boardmember Maricar Zamora-Apsay for the District 1 congressional post for the 2010 polls, breaking the party leaders’ pledge late last year that they would announce the decision by January 2010 after a party caucus.

In a text message, Comval Lakas party provincial chairman Gov. Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy said that “it is still too early” in reference as to when the party decision would be handed down to resolve the Ramil-Maricar row over who between them becomes the Lakas standard-bearer.

Vice Gov. Gentugaya in separate text message confirmed on Monday that no party decision yet has been made on the issue.

In a news report November last year Uy was qouted as pledging that the Lakas party would convene a caucus to resolve the issue that has already become a major party headache while there has been no competition among partymates in the District 2 congressional post currently held by neophyte Cong. Rommel “Bobong” Amatong.

District 2 Cong. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora, father of Maricar, is serving his last term at present.

Both Gentugaya and Apsay have still one more term for reeelection in their respective posts.

Gentugaya is a kin of Uy by Chinese blood while Cong. Zamora has been a political ally of Uy.

Sources said that the issue has already tried to rock the unified Lakas party about two weeks ago during a meeting of provincial party leaders for the Uswag Comval, a local political aggrupation being pushed by the governor.

Sources said that at one time during the affair when Cong. Zamora introduced his daughter as the incoming congresswoman to affix her signature to support Uswag Comval, former Cong. Prospero Amatong stood up and said it would be Ramil as the next congressman of District 1.

The elder Amatong is a voting member-emiritus of the Comval Lakas provincial directorate.

Earlier, Uy said that both “stand in equal footing if the choice is baeed on the Lakas party rules”. He did not not enumerate the rules.

He said it would be the Lakas provincial directorate which would decide the official bet for the post. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News)

Filed under: chiongkee uy, comval news, comval officials, maricar zamora-apsay, ramil gentugaya, chiongkee uy, comval news, comval officials, maricar zamora-apsay, ramil gentugaya

OPINION: The agreement

BLOGISTA
By Cha Monforte

Now it can be told that Compostela Valley Vice Gov. Ramil Gentugaya had earlier pledged not to run for Congress. I finally chanced upon Cong. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora at his base in Compostela town the other day and I got what I’ve long wished from him – to interview him tete-a-tete. To me, it was one of the rarest so I threw questions or lose him again.

There I got news right from the horses’ mouth, and what struck me was his information that VG Ramil, Gov. Chiongkee Uy, Boardmember Maricar and Cong. Way Kurat had already forged a prior agreement to avoid wrangling in the future and this is for VG Ramil to seek for his reelection as vice gov and for BM Maricar to run for the congressional post that his father is finishing to serve until 2010.

“That was the day after we took our oath of office,” Cong. Way Kurat recalled. And “I’ll stick to that (agreement),” he added.

I surfed the net when was really that, and lo, the joint oathtaking of newly elected Comval officials was June 30, 2007 (the twilight sky on that festive day was so colorful compliments of the fireworks display heralding the new administration themed in by Uswag Comval slogan). And so, the Ramil-Maricar-Chiongkee-Way Kurat agreement must be July 1, 2007. (Sorry, in my rush of writing a so good news the other day at an internet café in the interior Compostela town I missed to include the date, especially that a paying time is running against me).

When I reached his base at Compostela, Comval’s most popular politician Way Kurat, for ostensibly putting the province in the country’s map by his down-to-earth, newsworthy scenes and brims, was there in shorts and shirts calling up the Singapore embassy chancellor in Manila to help a distressed Comvalenya from Barangay Ngan, Compostela who was earlier imprisoned there but who could no longer be contacted by her relatives. The Singaporean official Cong. Way Kurat called as “my friend” pledged to help.

Things are revealing now particularly when reports were heard for sometime  that the governor had confided to several Lakas partymates and allies about his difficulties in walking in a tightrope just to keep the Comval unity surging given that he had already a prior commitment to BM Maricar. Ostensibly, this must be the continuation of the Cong. Way Kurat’s revelation that the governor has already “said his piece” and “Maricar is his choice”.

Cong. Way Kurat must have been optimistic still that the fortified Lakas-CMD would remain united with a powerhouse unity slate and that for the present running tiff between VG Ramil and BM Maricar over his post to end.  “The solution was already made,” he said referring to that July 1, 2007 agreement. He quipped that after I offered a scenario of BM Maricar running for the vice governor’s post and him for Compostela mayoral post, to keep the peace. It’s no-no, but for a win-win, VG Ramil must stick to the agreement.

But verily, Cong. Way Kurat is quite confident that VG Ramil will honor the agreement. “He is a good gentleman who has a word of honor… as well as the governor.” He knew VG Ramil too much, “from a good boy to a good man ….to a good politician and good leader in the province.”

With modesty, the congressman said that he molded VG Ramil in his political career starting when he was still the SK federation honcho after BM Maricar’s SK stint in the erstwhile undivided Davao del Norte. No wonder that the VG in his 2004 inaugural speech at Nabunturan Compre gym singled out and paid tribute to Way K with words as “my idol, my mentor”. That was the time when Gob. CK was first elected as a BM allied with ex-Gob. Joecab who defeated a token gubernatorial bet Trino Tirol.

From that interview, I also learned that the congressman and Monkayo Mayor Manuel “Junjun” Brillantes have no running feud between them and that they are seeing eye to eye and with a twosome of them leveling off . And that’s a far cry compared to the vice governor talking to the mayor only with a group, he said. But maybe the congressman is referring to the Friday Club at Marco. BM Maricar, too, is accordingly in constant communication with the mayor’s brother Lito and sister Olaycon Kapitana, Diel. I stand too apprised and updated now, thanks, but for a couple of weeks or so, I’ll wait for VG’s statement after the honeymoon with his beauteous, intelligent, Unilab executive better half- Joanna Ang-Gentugaya.

BLOGBUZZ: We still have to hear news after the scheduled meeting of the provincial directorate of Lakas-CMD in  Comval. Its chair is the governor, being the provncial Lakas chairman, with the other officers: vice chair- District 2 Cong. Rommel “Bobong” Amatong, secretary- BM Maricar, treasurer- VG Ramil, and the chairmen of the 5 committees held by Cong. Way K, Compostela Mayor Rey Castillo, New Bataan Mayor Lorenzo “Boy” Balbin, Nabunturan Mayor Macario “Dodong” Humol,    and Laak Mayor Rey “Reynab” Navarro, and provincial elder Pros Amatong as a member emeritus with also 1 vote like the rest…. Heard from the rounds after the NBI raid on the suspected culprit establishment where the UM Tagum sex scandal was camcorded. A lass just informed me, “Kuya di man to sex toy penis sa sex scandal nga na-mention nimo sa imong series of news ato, but a plastic container of Her Bench lotion.” I thought that Bench is only known of selling branded shirts and polos. For that, Bench company should better review the forms of its product containers at the risk of selling unwanted objects that someone may hold dear. (For online edition, visit my blog at: http://cha4t.wordpress.com, email: ruralurbanews@yahoo.com, or chamonforte@yahoo.com)

Filed under: boardmember maricar zamora-apsay, brillantes, compostela, comval congressmen, comval officials, comval politics, comval unity, cong way kurat zamora, cong. bobong amatong, congressman rommel amatong, laak mayor rey navarro, maricar apsay, new bataan, new bataan mayor lorenzo balbin, ramil gentugaya, ramil gentugaya wedding, trino tirol, vice governor ramil gentugaya, way kurat, way kurat zamora, boardmember maricar zamora-apsay, gov. chiongkee uy, nbi tagum tagum sex scandal, provincial elder pros amatong, tagum sex scandal update, tagum sex video scandal, vice gov ramil gentugaya

NEWS: Born-again BM prays over to Ramil, Maricar

oct 6

COMPOSTELA VALLEY- District 1 Boardmember Paul Galicia, who is known to be a born-again Christian, has called on everyone to pray for an  enlightened decision in resolving who should be anointed between Lakas partymates Vice Gov. Ramil Gentugaya and Boardmember Maricar Zamora-Apsay for the congressional post they have been vying at this early for the 2010 polls.

Galicia said that he has since then been praying hard for Gentugaya and
Apsay “kay prayer na lang gyud ang pag-asa ani” in reference to the early row between Gentugaya and Apsay that is becoming divisive to the so-called Comval unity in the present political configurations.

He denied earlier Sidlak reports that he has already sided with Apsay
saying that he is treating the two in the same respect- Gentugaya, who is his “kadugo kay may dugong Insik ug Ilonggo like me” and to Apsay, who is his “igso”.

He said that the consensus reached by his colleagues and Governor
Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy was that whoever is endorsed and chosen by Lakas party as the administration standard bearer for the post will be respected by them.

As to his reported verbal wrangling with Boardmember Moran Takasan in
the past week over the issue on “shadow slates” of both congressional wannabes, he said that those were just made in friendly jests as colleagues in the provincial board.

He said they are taking as just normal the broadside “kantyawans” occurring within them from time to time.

Galicia also bared that he has already initiated spiritual and moral
recovery and development program in the province’s 11 municipalities as
encouraged by the executive order issued by Gov. Uy.

Following his advocacy, the governor’s directive has resulted to the
formation of spiritual and moral development councils in municipal government units, he said.

Galicia is civil engineer in profession and a preacher of Forever Life Ministry, a born-again Christian group. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News) http://ruralurbanews.blogspot.com

Filed under: boardmember paul galicia, comval governor, comval news, comval officials, comval website, maricar apsay, ramil gentugaya, boardmember paul galicia, comval news, comval official, comval politics, comval sex scandal, maricar zmora-apsay, rmail gentugaya

NEWS: COMVAL UNITY THREATENED

Potential congressional bets form shadow slates

The much-touted political unity of incumbent leaders in Compostela Valley especially in the District 1 is continued to be threatened with the reported formation of “shadow slates” of both Vice Gov. Ramil Gentugaya and Boardmember Maricar Zamora-Apsay, who both earlier confirmed to run for the congressional post by 2010.

Sources said that recently both of the camps, although feigning to be friendly in public gatherings, have recently formed their respective “shadow slates” in the scenario of break-up of the merged Lakas-Kampi administration party in choosing the standard-bearer for the post that is being finished for serving by the last-termer Cong. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora.

The shadow slates that have been much-talked of have divided the incumbent boardmembers and mayors in the district.

Earlier, Boardmembers Dexter Lopoz, Neri Barte and last-termer Armando Codilla and Monkayo Mayor Manuel Brillantes and Maragusan Mayor Cesar Colina Sr were reported to be supporting the congressional bid of Gentugaya.

Apsay on the other hand has reportedly got Boardmember Paul Galicia, former Maragusan Mayor Arsenio Yanong and former Boardmember William Andres in the initial list for her “shadow slate” while taking the support of Montevista Mayor Teofista Jauod and last-termer Compostela Mayor Reynaldo Castillo.

In this scenario, both Gentugaya and Apsay might end up fielding non-Lakas rivals in towns where they have no support of incumbent mayors.

As this developed, reports said that in Compostela town opposing councilors are reportedly blocking the plan of Mayor Castillo of getting a P35-million bank loan for an infrastructure project for his last term.

Reports said that the tiff involved councilors allied with the former Vice Mayor Joerge Rapista, who was defeated in 2007 for mayoralty bout with Castillo.

Sources also said that current Vice Mayor Jesse Bolo, who ran in tandem with Rapista in the last polls, had already pledged as Lakas member, but is entertaining to run for a mayor still if he would not be endorsed as official mayoral bet of the administration party.

Bolo, for becoming a Lakas member, becomes the most senior incumbent official who could claim for the administration’s mayoral bet but sources said that Cong. Zamora has not been endorsing Bolo yet for the post even in jest during public gatherings where both were present.

Sources also said that the influential councilor Dolfo Ang is also aiming for the mayoral post if Rapista would run with him as his vice mayor.

Otherwise, Ang would run as vice mayoral bet of Rapista if the latter decides for a comeback, sources said.

In the last polls, Castillo and Rapista had only more than 1,500 votes between them as a margin.

Councilor Haidee Suarez is also reportedly eyeing the mayoral post.

On the other hand, Mayor Castillo because of health reason is now contemplating to run as vice mayor than as vice governor especially after provincial officials have not earlier given support to his plan of running as vice governor, sources added.

But sources said that since Bolo is not being endorsed yet by Cong. Zamora and the latter is the Lakas district chairman, the congressman might have the mayoral post for himself as the administration’s party standard bearer with Castillo as his vice mayoral bet

But that scenario might pull a hometown decision of voting a mayor really coming from Compostela, sources told Sidlak.

Zamora’s town is Monkayo while he has his congressional office on his three terms located at Compostela, which he considered as his second hometown. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News) http://ruralurbanews.blogspot.com

Filed under: maricar apsay, ramil gentugaya, chiongkee uy, maricar zamora-apsay, ramil gentugaya

NEWS: Ramil confirms bid to run for Congress

aug 2

Compostela Valley Governor Ramil Gentugay has confirmed reports that has been circulating and heard even by well-wishers during Thursday’s fiesta of Monkayo town that he is running for congressman in the 1^st District by 2010.

“Since the position of the congressman is open in the upcoming election, I am making myself available to the possibility, “ he said.

The vice governor has for several times shied away from the local press to elude answering the query of whether he would be taking a crack for the congressional post since the recent weeks after the Boardmember Maricar Zamora-Apsay went ahead declaring her own to be interested to get the post of his third-termer father Cong. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora.

Over two weeks ago in at least two public gatherings attended by barangay officials and Cong. Zamora’s scholars, Apsay had made known early her bid to run for the district’s congressional post.

Instead, Gentugaya was quoted as saying it was still too early to talk for his running. He was always seen to be accompanying Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy in various barangay visits and public gatherings. “It’s all for official functions, trabaho muna tayo,” the vice governor once said.

Last month, the governor was quoted as saying that “Ramil is most senior than Maricar” although sources said Uy also often talked to his allies that “he had prior commitment to Maricar”.

Sources said apparently the governor is in a difficult situation in breaking an early impasse on where to side in a brewing contest between Gentugaya and Apsay as both now have publicly made known their interests for the congressional post.

In the Lakas-Kampi party’s rule on the equity of the incumbent, Gentugaya appears to be the rightful party member who is most senior in terms of position and number of terms. He has four terms earned since 1999 as provincial official, two of which as vice governor. Apsay has only two terms as regular board member since 2004 and one term as Sangguniang Kabataan federation chair in the undivided Davao del Norte.

Ramil became a full-pledged Lakas member in 2001 while Apsay became one in 2004.

But Apsay has the full backing of his father, who is completing his last term.

Cong Zamora is reportedly gunning for the mayoral post in Compostela town where he established his congressional office cum second residence after his Monkayo residence since his first term in 2001, while lobbying his daughter to become the next district’s congresswoman.

“Everytime Way Kurat is in Compostela, he sleeps there,” a town resident said.

Last July 21 during the turnover of the Lakas provincial chairmanship of former Cong. Prospero Amatong to Uy at Nabunturan, the provincial elder Amatong spoke before party officials and partymates saying at once that the political unity in the province should be protected from intrigues coming from among themselves and that unity demands one to make personal sacrifices.

Uy in that gathering on the other hand had declared that nobody would be left behind in the merged Lakas-Kampi party that he is now heading. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News) http://ruralurbanews.blogspot.com

Filed under: ramil gentugaya, compostela valley, comval, comval sex scandal, maricar apsay, ramil genugaya