Political fand party cracks

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March Fianza

            In 2013, people heard the term “AliDom” which stood for Aliping-Domogan who were candidates for congressman and mayor, respectively. The duo, although not partymates, were suspected of having aligned secretly against their opponents congressman Bernie Vergara and businessman Mark Go who filed for congressman, and Atty. Jose Molintas, Ramon Labo and three others who were running for mayor.

                Like this time’s contest, Vergara and Domogan ran under Baguio’s local party “Timpuyog” in 2013 while Aliping ran as an independent candidate for congressman. Go and Molintas ran under an LP-NPC alliance then, have maintained their tandem today, but are now running as NP and NPC bets under Grace Poe’s party with a “heart”.

                Three years past, Molintas and Go who is as healthy as an elephant are as united as ever and might upset any pair on May 9 because they have maintained decency in campaigning despite attacks on social networks apparently sponsored by any of their opponents.

                Three years past, incumbent congressman Aliping who has all the resources at the tip of his fingers and who successfully wrestled the administration party from genuine LP members surprisingly does not have a mayoralty bet. Your suspicion is as good as mine that the position has to be kept vacant because there is no mayoralty bet other than Domogan.

                   Three years past, on Vergara’s back, the “AliDom” tandem is still on. Today, I see a widening crack in “Timpuyog”, the proverbial “i-it” (broomstick) is about to scatter.

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                In Benguet, the Ronnie Cosalan-Nelson Dangwa (CoDa) tandem is as strong as ever even with nasty attempts by other camps who apply unsuccessful intrigues. The latest effort by the opposing camp was to spread a supposedly Crescencio Pacalso-Nestor Fongwan (PacWan) duo.

                But Fongwan who is running for congress against Cosalan is in tandem with Buguias Mayor Melchor Diclas who filed for governor.

              In 2013, former vice governor Crescencio C. Pacalso was convinced to aligned with Gov. Nestor Fongwan and ran for congress against Cosalan. He was unsuccessful. Political analysts say, Pacalso was merely used by Fongwan.

Apparently this time, Pacalso’s name is again being used in the “PacWan” tandem to boost Fongwan’s votes in the southern district of Benguet. Some Diclas supporters who took notice of the “PacWan” posters and stickers felt cheated and started posting the gubernatorial bet’s streamer minus Fongwan.

                As election nears, new political tandems and cracks become more noticeable. That is unavoidable as every candidate along with their supporters want nothing less than to win. That, as long as dirty tricks, like mud, are left on the ground.

                Meanwhile, there are reports that a government-owned Montero and a Starex SUV in Benguet was seen going around to ferry politicians during their campaign sorties. The politicians who are involved in this are more fortunate than their opponents as they are using tax payers’ money for fuel and driver’s salary.

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          On May 6, 2016, a common stage for all candidates will be set up at Poblacion, Bokod, Benguet. That is how friendly and peaceful elections is in this Ibaloy town.

              Ms. Anita Navalta, Commission on Election representative for Bokod said, at least 25 councilors - 13 of which are independent bets confirmed their willingness to join the common rally. There are three bets for Bokod mayor and four vice mayors.

             In Kabayan, it is a fight for mayor between two retired policemen. It is peaceful enough in the land of the mummies so that there is no worry that the two end up shooting each other with their retired firearms. Peace!