ITSA PWERA
By Cha Monforte
The coming election in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley is not at all monotonous and non-interesting because of some real electoral fights that would surely come in some of the places, that would have repercussions to the provincial unity espoused by incumbent provincial political ward leaders.
******
In fact, when Tagum City Vice Mayor Allan Rellon drew a battle line to Mayor Rey Uy and his son Councilor Oyo, Governor Rodolfo Rosario was immediately suspected by jaded quarters to have blessed the mayoral run of Rellon. The governor was out of the country when Rellon made a 360-degree turn of his decision- from running for boardmember to running for city mayor (if he doesn’t change again his mind as of his writing).
******
But it was clear middle last week when GMA TV interviewed the city mayor and the vice mayor that Rellon had seriously drawn his battle line when he questioned why the mayor did not choose him as as the city LP mayoral standard bearer given that he is the person next to him. For that, Mayor Uy was qouted as saying that Rellon counted much politics than their friendship.
******
The next news report was that the governor, city mayor and city Councilor Tete So partaking bread at the Tahanan ng Gobernador in Mankilan Capitol last week. It seems there was a good deal done when So was inserted to the first district lineup of boardmembers, edging out LP applicant Boardmember Dr. Fred De Veyra. Also, it seems there was good deal of unity talks between the governor and the city mayor, nothwithstanding the news of the earlier mayoral run declaration of Rellon.
******
But really the Oyo vs. Rellon mayoral fight is seen as good skirmish, despite the lopsided logistics favoring the moneyed Uy family. Second-termer councilor Oyo is no longer neophyte in politics. He is professional, a manager and has been known to be civil and gentleman, the same traits known to Rellon.
******
It was said that Rellon has an obligation of running for city mayor, win or lose. Who knows the vice mayor will win ala Yayong (in that distant past), with the active support of the city’s landowners who were affected by the city’s high-rate policy on real property valuation and in an automated election?
******
Pundits said that the large political unity for the coming electoral season in Davao del Norte is due to the reconciliation of exCong. Tonyboy Floirendo and Gov. Del Rosario.
******
As Monday is the start of the filing of the certificate of candidacy, fresh reports heard in the rounds said that in Compostela Valley- Pantukan and Maco would have serious mayoral fights. Maco Vice Mayor Atty. Mario Sapilan would square off with the sister of outgoing Mayor Volter Rimando, Dr. Eva Rimando Arancon. Chino, son of outgoing Pantukan Mayor Celso “Tok” Sarenas, would not have an easy way of getting the mayorship as he will have a sure Caballero rival. We don’t know who’s Caballero is this? Councilor Juan Jr., exGov.Joecab or BM Kris? Will exCong. Way Kurat Zamora really get the Comval vice gubernatorial administration’s standard bearer? We’ll wait on Uswag Comval’s CoC filing this week. That’s the sure answer. Senior BM Lito Brillantes, a first-termer, was long reported to be running for Monkayo mayor to replace outgoing Mayor Junjun Brillantes, his older brother, who was recently reported to be running for vice mayor. The way his FB account profile is being regularly updated with photos, it seems that outgoing Comval Vice Governor Ramil Gentugaya would be concentrating to being a good businessman, husband and father after the coming polls. (E-mail reactions to: chamonforte@yahoo.com, or txt 0392218348)
CHA MONFORTE REPORTING 