BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
BARELY two months before the official filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2022 elections, Negros and Bacolod politics seem to be like a “chop suey” now.
Chop suey, per the Wikipedia, is a stir-fried dish in American-Chinese cuisine, consisting of meat and eggs, cooked quickly with vegetables such as bean sprouts, cabbage, and celery and bound in starch-thickened sauce. Or in Bisaya, saksak-sinagol.
Starting in the province, the “romance” between United Negros Alliance (Unega) and Love Negros (LN) appears to be “unsweetened” and “inefficacious” still. Though they have a binding covenant to honor the “equity of the incumbent”, such tenet is “zilch” to those who can afford to finance their candidacies sans party support. So it’s no longer remote that clashes in towns and cities might as well lead to zona libre (free zone).
In the 5th District, the wheelchair-bound Cong. Marilou Arroyo might find this poll season hard. If current negotiation bogs down, former Provincial Board member Alain “Len” Gatuslao could be her tinik sa lalamunan.
According to Unega insiders, Len, a lawyer by profession, is contemplating of running against Marilou, sister of former First Gentleman Mike and the late congressman Iggy Arroyo.
Both Len and Marilou are Unega members.
Pressed for comment, Len safely answered: “Actually, ang akon gid first priority ang role ko sa isa ka upcoming presidential campaign. Second priority lang ang makandidato ko liwat.”
Len, however, is now active on Facebook (FB). He’s actually patok among millennials and professionals.
But Marilou, sources said, already scouted somebody whom she’ll support for vice mayor in Himamaylan against Len’s brother, incumbent Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao.
But what’s funny is Marilou’s choice for VM won’t ally with Himamaylan mayor Raymond Tongson, added by the source.
Both Justin and Raymond are also Unega members, and still have good “political chemistry”.
Commented Len on the Justin case, “Honestly, damo ko nabatian pero at the end of day, basta election ma-focus gid si Vice (Justin) in his own campaign and not so much sa iya kontra kun sin-o man ang backer.”
In case there’s truth on the matter, this could be the moment that the fragmented Gatuslao clan might unite in Himamaylan.
This, as Tongson is also up to be challenged by former mayor-turned-board member Tinto Gatuslao Bascon (LN). Tinto is the cousin of Len and Justin.
In Binalbagan, the showdown between incumbent Mayor Bebot Mirasol and his long-time political buddy, former vice mayor Emmanuel Aranda, is also expected to be “exciting”. Both are Unega members, too.
Another “problematic” area is the Isabela town. Vice Mayor Renato Malabor Jr. (Unega) can’t be pacified, too, in running for mayor against incumbent Mayor Irene Montilla (LN).
Asked for comment, Cadiz City mayor and Unega secretary general Bading Escalante said, “It’s really a headache.”
Though he confided that this coming August they will meet up and resolve once and for all the “kinks” in Unega.
Amid “nasty talks” against their party, Escalante stressed Unega remains “solid as a rock” still.
Escalante promised not to allow Unega, the party founded by the late governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., to be “ruined” by the upcoming elections. “So, we take good care of our members up to the lowest position of Sangguniang Member.”
In Silay, up to collide for mayor, are both LN members. Former vice mayor Judith Gallego is now ready to challenge his former ally, incumbent Mayor Mark Golez. While former mayor Oti Montelibano (Unega) is reportedly throwing his all-out support to Gallego.
Talisay is also projected to have a close fight for the top post. Vice Mayor Samuel Siote (Unega) also gets “ready to rumble” with Mayor Niel Lizares (LN).
If this cannot be remedied, too, Victorias will have two LN members clashing for mayor – outgoing Vice Mayor Eduardo “Didi” Jover against Albee Benitez’s son, Javi.
In Bacolod, “cracks” were noted on the ruling party Grupo Progreso (GP) of Mayor Bing Leonardia. Bing and his seasoned poll “generals” are now busy doing a loyalty check among their members.
GP’s Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya is said to be playing “hide-and-seek” at the moment.
Greg, my sources said, was nowhere to be found during GP’s signing of Oath of Allegiance last week.
Others theorized the solon seems to be acting like “bulag, pipi at bingi” or like Hollywood actor Leonardo de Caprio in the famed movie “Catch Me If You Can”.
But it’s no longer surprising if Greg is acting bizarre right now. Everybody knows he’s one of Albee’s “political scholars” in Bacolod. So, it’s not shocking anymore to see him anew “gluing” with Albee from sun-up to sun-down.
But Bacolodnons really wanted to hear Greg’s final decision. Will he defect to his “Boss Albee” or will stick with Bing’s GP? Quite interesting!
But if Greg decides to be with Albee, GP, per report, is ready to field someone against him. It could either be Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran or Councilor Cindy Rojas. El Cid could also be a “shoo-in” for Congress. And if he says so, GP’s choice for vice mayor will also change. It could either be Cindy or Councilor Renecito Novero.
Albee, on the other hand, is still on the process of picking his final choice for VM. In the list are former vice mayor Thaddy Sayson and businessman Vladimir “Vladi” Gonzales.
Others said former councilor-turned- freelancer Cano Tan is also being considered as Albee’s possible running mate.
Councilor Wilson “Jun” Gamboa, Jr. is also running for VM as an independent candidate. But he’s amenable, too, to tandem with Albee if the latter’s picks him up.
For councilors, GP’s Al Victor Espino, also a noted Albee “political scholar”, is reportedly playing a see-saw right now. But his dad, Atty. Alex Espino, remains “loyal” with the GP people.
Still, the elder Espino has the final say for his son’s political destiny.
Former councilor Homer Bais is also “desirous” to run anew. But he’s unsure yet of his bank savings, thus, he’s seen “trailing” Albee from time-to-time.
Former Provincial Board member Patrick Lacson has the same dilemma. Patrick, acting as Albee’s current mouthpiece, is also willing to run for councilor, but his pocket also says otherwise.
Also up for grab is former mayor Sonny Coscolluela of Murcia. Sonny is said to be interested of running for councilor in Bacolod. But Albee’s camp is yet to finalize their slate.
Meanwhile, Gov. Bong Lacson (LN) and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer (Unega) are not yet off the hook. Both might have their respective opponents, too.
Though they’re good at each other right now, they could have “spat” later as to their choice for president. Ferrer was vocal to support Sara Duterte while Lacson keeps mum still. Lacson even refrained from endorsing President Rodrigo Duterte to run for vice president.
Ferrer’s Unega, however, refuses to make a final choice yet. Said Escalante, they will meet first and decide as one whom to support for president. Puzzling, but the clock is ticking. August is the month to finalize everything for funding purposes.
So, que sera, sera, one thing is sure: Negros and Bacolod will have another exciting “political fiesta” to look forward to.
My prayer though is for everyone to somehow reflect on what American political journalist and historian Theodore Harold White had warned every time there’s an election: “The flood of money that gushes into politics is a pollution of democracy.”/PN
