By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THERE’S exactly 19 days left before the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May 2025 midterm elections begins.
The “political aroma” can be smelled now in every nook and corner of Negros Occidental, including its capital, Bacolod City.
Speculations run rife that one of the most interesting bouts to watch for is in the gubernatorial race.
Incumbent Gov. Bong Lacson is said to be facing a challenge from former Victorias City mayor Wantan Palanca.
Wantan, in truth and in fact, is no ordinary possible political rival. His 27 years of experience in public service – from councilor to vice mayor to mayor – cannot be dismissed. He also has a throng of followers, sympathizers, and family leaders to speak of.
Wantan is witty too. Bong, therefore, cannot simply sit down, sleep, eat and repeat. The incumbent governor must double-time courting the more than two million Negrenses to reelect him for his third and final term.
‘NOT NOW’ IS NOT ‘NO’
I talked to Wantan in a casual interview on September 7, and he said he is seriously considering running for governor.
He, however, cannot ascertain yet when is the final announcement of his gubernatorial bid; he is waiting for the final cue from someone else. What he can say at the moment is “Not now is not no.”
I do understand Wantan’s position. As perceived by others, Wantan’s move to run for governor is kinda “push against the wall”.
But Wantan cannot be dwarfed by any negative comments, more so by the declaration of his immediate relatives – Albee Benitez, Kiko Benitez and Javi Benitez – to support Bong than him.
By blood, Wantan is an uncle of Albee (mayor of Bacolod) and Kiko (director general of TESDA) and lolo of Javi (mayor of Victorias City).
Wantan is the first cousin of Albee’s and Kiko’s mom, the late Betty Palanca Bantug-Benitez.
Wantan’s simple wisdom on the case of Benitezes: “Blood is still thicker than water!”
So, for him right now, if he runs he will see to it that he will win for the sake of the common tao.
Wantan, therefore, is relatable to masa that Bong, a mestizo looking, must also prepare himself for a tedious comparison later.
ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES
Talking of the future “Bong duel”, anyone can plot now the many advantages and disadvantages with both sides.
Bong is in a “vantage point” as he is the incumbent and, probably, with resources to a run and oil a campaign.
Wantan could be an “under dog” but who knows, other financiers might also place a bet for his candidacy, right?
Bong, being an incumbent, has tedious matters to explain, especially on the many brouhahas that rocked capitol since 2019.
Capitol controversies may be used as double-edged swords to inflict harm on Bong’s candidacy. But for sure, Bong is ready to shield himself.
‘BoBeN’
The “BoBen” ticket, or the Bong Lacson-Joeben Alonso for governor and vice governor, respectively, for the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) and Love Negros coalition is not a formidable tandem, as declared by many.
Alonso, incumbent provincial board member in the 4th District, is far par from incumbent Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer.
Ferrer, who is returning to 4th District as congressman, is dubbed as “Darling of the Masa”.
Ferrer’s charisma is beyond compare.
Alonso, therefore, must double-time, appraising his public relations (PR) strategies to endear himself to the Negrenses else his candidacy will be a “potential liability” for Bong.
Granting that everything is already sure for Wantan, and he has his “best running-mate”, then, everyone may think twice or thrice.
BETTER CHOICE
Negrenses are now meticulous.
Yes, money could still be a prime consideration during elections. But the victories of Kabankalan City’s Mayor Benjie Miranda and Silay City’s Mayor Joedithh Gallego in 2022 are proofs that not all madadaan sa pera.
Miranda is a member of an indigenous community while Gallego is a former security guard. Both have no money during the 2022 elections, but they caused political upsets swak for history books re: Negros political landscape.
Question: Can Wantan replicate Miranda’s and Gallego’s fates?
Abangan!/PN
