Contribution
City politics at a glance
From the looks of it, balloting for the forthcoming local elections in this city could safely be dispensed with -- the Comelec could resort to simply voting by acclamation and nobody would probably object.
In a mighty show of rippling political muscle, the city administration candidates -- led by re-electionists Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr., and city mayor Jerry P. Treñas, mustered more than enough diehards and staunch supporters during the simultaneous filing of their respective certificates of candidacies last Friday to give the opposition not only doubts and second thoughts about their prospects but also a chance to reconsider their options. Spending their money on a cruise rather than a campaign could be the more prudent and worthwhile choice.
In a kilometer long parade with some 10,000 gung-ho participants and thousands more cheering in the sidelines, the Gonzalez--Treñas camp turned a usually staid and serious political act into a virtual street party reprising the city's most participated events -- the Dinagyang and Chinese New Year festivals. Following a mass at Sta. Maria Church, the parade headed for the Comelec office at the Terminal Market and quickly metamorphosed into a carnival atmosphere accompanied by an explosion of fireworks, the unceasing staccato of drums and two yellow and red street dragons cajoling the gods of bounty and good fortune. Green (said to be Mayor Treñas's lucky hue in this year of the boar) was the predominant color. But there were also enough reds, whites, and blues to give the parade a scintillating air.
Making their presence felt were leaders of all but a handful of barangays in the city as well as other groups and associations -- from the well-heeled business and civic groups to the hoi poloi consisting of sidewalk vendors, pedicab and tricycle drivers, women's groups and other sectors comprising a broad cross-section of the city's socio-economic profile. The motley crowd openly and spontaneously displayed such a massive outpouring of support for their beloved congressman and mayor they might as well have also invited the fat lady to already render the closing song for the coming polls.
15 strong
With Senator Franklin Drilon placing himself out of the local races, the city opposition bloc has become like a headless chicken frantically begging to be slaughtered. Former Mayor Mansing Malabor gave his allies a classic display of indecision by easing himself out of a clash with Treñas and is now crowding out Drilon's anointed, former city councilor Benjie Gengos, in the attempt to unseat Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr. Mansing lost to Raul Jr. in their first head to head in 2004 while Benjie couldn't even make a dent against the well loved Vice Mayor Guiling de la Llana. A three-cornered fight makes the congressional race a mockery for the opposition.
Running against Mayor Jerry is former city councilor Joshua Alim. As a three-term city councilor, Alim was a consistent topnotcher. Like Benjie, however, he fared poorly in 2004 when he ran for vice mayor. Against Treñas, who can now be described arguably as the best mayor Iloilo City ever had, Alim's chances are about as good as winning the super lotto. It can probably be said that Alim wants to end his political career in a blaze of dubious glory.
Running for vice mayor, in lieu of a retiring Guiling, is number one city councilor Jed Mabilog. whose meteoric rise in Iloilo City politics is a mesmerizing phenomenon. He could be running unopposed. At least, in this respect, no one is foolish enough to mount a futile challenge.
With a virtual no contest for the top three positions, the administration party is gunning for a sweep in the 12-man city council, asking their barangay leaders to campaign for a full ticket with ample rewards for those who could deliver a 15-strong outcome in their barangays. This has never happened before. Even during the monolithic days of the KBL, a maverick or two has always managed to sneak into the city council.
But with Mayor Jerry enjoying an approval rating in the high 60s, he could easily make the case for a straight vote. When (not if) this happens, it will become the crowning glory to Treñas's unparalleled leadership and a revalidation of Justice Secretary Raul Gozalez Sr.'s uncanny political acumen.
DAPAY flies high
The administration slate is comprised by 7 re-electionists -- Councilors Armand Parcon, Ely Estante, Tongtong Plagata, Jeffrey Ganzon, Ed Penaredondo, Jamjam Baronda, and Joe Espinosa III. All are virtual shoo-ins for another term. Even the mock, unscientific surveys say so.
This leaves five slots open. Four will be vacated by Jed who has set his sights a notch higher, Erlinda Liberiaga and Ramon Locsin are ending up their third terms, and Merci Drilon is returning to private life. The only stumbling block for an administration sweep will be re-electionist Perla Zulueta. But Zulueta was at the tail-end of the winning column in 2004 narrowly edging out Mandrei Malabor. A negative campaign against her could do it.
But the administration is running on a positive note, putting at the front end of the juggernaut its non-incumbent candidates who are now referred to as DAPAY. Dapay is the local name for hawk but is also the acronym which stands for Divinagracia, Acap, Pesina, Antiquiera, and Yee.
Lawyers Pesina and Antiquiera are no strangers. The diminutive but voluble Pesina has already served and performed well at the city council. Antiquiera, now a consultant of the Department of Justice, has also run for the council twice though without success. He should make it this time.
Bobby Divinagracia and Lyndon Acap are barangay captains from the City Proper and Arevalo districts, respectively. They represent a yearning by the punong barangays to have voice in the council which they didn't have in Marietta Orleans for many years. Professionally Bobby is a civil engineer while Acap is a medical technologist.
Finally Edward Yee is President of the Federation of the Association of Barangay Kagawads. He also represents a voice in that sector which is chafing at all the attention their barangay captains are getting. A mechanical engineer who finished school on a basketball scholarship, Yee is a successful entrepreneur and is also a leader in the business community. More importantly, Ed Yee is a personal choice of Mayor Jerry Treñas who wants someone who can shepherd his visions for the city, particularly in tourism and entrepreneurship, in the halls of the city council.
With a massive groundswell of support from the city's barangay leaders, DAPAY could soar high enough to lead the Gonzalez's and Treñas's coveted sweep into the city council.