Quadrathlon political race

LETTTERS FROM THE AGNO

March Fianza

I imagine a unique Quadrathlon of hiking over hills and mountains, crossing rivers and streams by wading or by boat; an open car race of all types of vehicles; and high hurdles by mudslinging, character assassination, vote-cheating and deceit.

The race begins. It’s a unique sports event of its kind scheduled every three years. Starting gun fires at 8 AM Monday October 12, 2015 for the race for different elective posts from the President down to the last municipal councilor all over the country.

Finish line will be reached by the runners on the Sunday May 15, 2016 while judging by the voters will be done the following Monday whole day. Results may be known in the evening depending on how the counting machines hired by the Comelec will finish cheating itself.

As soon as the results are out of the machines, Comelec officials will declare the winners and losers in the race. I am sure, partying and thanksgiving rites with wines and animals will be offered even before the official awarding and national oath-taking day by the end of the following month of June.

In Baguio, Congressman Nick Aliping will have Isabelo “Poppo” Cosalan for vice mayor with newsman colleague Arthur Alladiw, incumbent councilors Joel Alangsab, and Leandro Yangot; Engr. Jun Orca, Jojo Cabato, lawyer Ron Perez, environmentalist Fred Fangonon, businessman and civic leader Rudy Paraan and businesswoman Mylene Yaranon.

Under the Timpuyog ti Baguio, the slate includes former congressman Bernardo Vergara for the same position, incumbent mayor Morris Domogan for re-election, councilors Lourdes Tabanda, Bobby Ortega, Elmer Datuin, Elaine Sembrano,  lawyer Benny Bomogao, former councilors Bong Mandapat and ErdolfoBalajadia; and newcomers Lawyer Orate and Lilia Farinas.

The other unofficial LP slate includes businessman Mark Go for congressman, former councilor and Indigenous Peoples rights lawyer Jose Molintas for mayor, incumbent vice mayor Ed Bilog for the same position, and incumbent councilor lawyer Tino Olowan for councilor.

I heard that Retired RTC Judge Del Claravall and incumbent councilor lawyer Peter Fianza are the running as independent favorites for mayor and councilor, respectively, while incumbent councilor Richard Carino who is on his last term is gunning for a party-list seat for congress. We have yet to find out more about them.

In Benguet, it will be an interesting race between incumbent Congressman Ronald M. Cosalan and Governor Nestor B. Fongwan who finished his last three-year term. Both are outstanding performers as public officials of Benguet.

But many say it is better for Benguet for the former to be allowed to finish his third and last three-year term as congressman so that he will continue the excellent job he has been doing on socio-economic programs and infrastructure. If so, there is a big chance that he will retain his chairmanship of the vital public works committee in congress.

When asked, what about Gob Fongwan? The same advisers who seem to know politics in Benguet like the back of their hands say that Governor Fongwan is destined to be the people’s choice and undefeated candidate for congressman in the next coming elections after 2016.  

Cosalan who is the Liberal Party head will have incumbent Benguet Vice Governor Nelson C. Dangwa for governor with board member Florence Tingbaoen of Mankayan as the party’s vice gubernatorial bet.

Under them, Amor Moresto from Bokod and Kabayan will take a second run for a seat in the provincial board representing District 01. I also heard that Pandong Balaodan of Bakun and Zee Radio is supporting the LP in Benguet and will run for a seat in the provincial board representing District 02. We still have to wait for the others to decide.

The other unofficial bets in Benguet are for Governor – Board Member Jack Dulnuan, former vice governor Crescencio C. Pacalso and Itogon mayor Oca Camantiles. For vice governor, the unofficial list includes board member Concepcion Balao, Kabayan Mayor Faustino Aquisan, Tuba Mayor Florencio Bentres and former board member-lawyer Coy Nazarro.

In nearby La Trinidad, incumbent mayor Edna C. Tabanda will be challenged by vice mayor Romy Salda and former mayor-lawyer Greg Abalos Jr. We have yet to find out the vice mayoralty bets who are running under who, although I heard councilors Joey Marrero, Dr. Horacio Jun Ramos and John Botiwey have indicated their intentions.

Businessman Kaloy Ham said that a n unofficial list of bets for councilors under Salda’s slate include incumbent councilors Estrella B. Adeban, Roderick C. Awingan, Renato B. Tereng; and businessman Nestor “Bobot” Fongwan Jr., and fellow newsman Jimmy Laking.

Let the race begin and may the best man win!