Political battle lines drawn in Cordillera,Ilocos regions

La Union pols join LP bandwagon 

BATTLE LINES are now being drawn on political fields in Cordillera and Ilocos regions with top incumbent and former officials slugging it out for the May polls next year even as a bunch of political leaders from La Union including Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil moved to the Liberal Party (LP).

In Baguio, former long-time congressman Bernardo Vergara declared his intention to run for his former post with incumbent Mayor Mauricio Domogan saying he would support the former as they would return their tandem with him running as mayor under the local political party Timpuyog.

Incumbent first time Rep. NicasioAliping Jr. and businessman Mark Go were earlier reported to be running for the same position which put the LP where they both belong in a quandary on whom to support with some Baguio members proposing a “free zone” wherein both could run if their differences are not patched.

Vergara and Go both ran for congressman in Baguio last election but lost to Aliping who was city councilor before he ran for Congress.

In Benguet, Gov. Nestor Fongwan, who is in his last term in his present post, aired his intention to run for congressman against incumbent Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan who said anybody could run for any position, considering people are living in a democratic society.

Political analysts said however Fongwan would have a hard time against Cosalan considering that the latter is aligned with Vice Gov. Nelson Dangwa of the influential Dangwa clan.

Cosalan is married to Cara Viterbo who traces her roots from Antique and is a cousin of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas who is running for President under the LP.

Both Cosalan and Dangwa belong to the LP. Lawyer Andres Cosalan, Ronald’s father and Samuel Dangwa, Nelson’s father, had been perennial opponents for the congressional post with both holding the position at times.

But last election, the Dangwas supported the Cosalans in Ronald’s congressional bid.

With the merging of the top two political families in Benguet, political observers said Fongwan has a lot of catching up to get the needed votes. Fongwan was a former vice mayor and mayor of the capital town of La Trinidad.

In Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog and Gov. Leonard Mayaen and Vice Gov. BonifacioLacwasan Jr. would be running for the same positions, reports said.

In Kalinga, incumbent Gov. JocelBaac would be running for the same post with Vice Gov. Allen Jesse Mangaoang keeping his cards close to his chest whether he will run for Congress or as governor.

In Ifugao, reports said former Rep. Solomon Chungalao would try to make a comeback for his former post against Rep. Teddy Baguilat.

The Bersamins of Abra and the Buluts of Apayao are still the political families to beat next elections I the provinces.

In Region 1 (Ilocos), a bunch of political leaders from La Union have moved to the LP.

From the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Bataoil told media he has joined other leaders in Region 1 jumping over to the LP.

“My belief in the party principles and advocacies, the welfare of my constituents and the future of my district are my primordial considerations in my selection of party affiliation. I hope and pray that our district will continue to benefit from the many services rendered by this administration,” said Bataoil.

Last month, eight mayors of the NPC in the 1st District of La Union and one independent mayor took their oath as members of the LP before Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric D. Singson, LP regional chairman, in Candon City.

Last Monday, they took their oath as new LP members before Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya, LP president, at the LP Headquarters in Quezon City with LP standard bearer and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte as witnesses.

They were Mayor Orlando Balloguing of Pugo, Mayor Ruben Valero of San Juan, Mayor Joy Pinzon-Merin of Bangar, Provincial Board Member Francisco Ortega, San Fernando City Mayor Pablo C. Ortega, Board Member Bellarmin Flores Sr., and Mayor Francisco Fontanilla of Bacnotan.

Apart from Bataoil, at least seven other members of the House have joined the LP: House Deputy Minority Leader Carol Lopez of You Against Corruption party-list; Rep. Ana Go of Isabela (Nacionalista Party); Rep. Philip Pichay of Surigao; Rep. Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte; Rep. Frederick Abueg of Palawan; Rep. Catherine Barcelona Reyes of Camarines Norte (National Union Party); Rep. MagtanggolGuniguindo of Valenzuela City (Lakas-CMD). – With a report from LiezleBasaInigo