Young blood vs 'veterans' for Capitol, City Hall seats
ABS-CBN's candidates' forum dubbed "Sambuwa 2007" started off with a big bang.
From veteran politicians to neophytes in government service, Ilonggo viewers and the Ilonggo electorate will have a field day not only hearing but seeing the candidates in action.
With time constraint set for the question and answer portion, the good speaker is distinguished from the not-so-good one.
For reelectionist-councilors Perla Zulueta and Ed Peñaredondo, decades of public service proved handy in public speaking.
Belonging to opposing political parties, Peñaredondo was all subtle with his fearless forecast of a "12-0" victory saying the administration slate appears to be headed for the big win.
Quick rebuttal came from Zulueta who wasted no words while deriding her colleague in the City Council, "12-0??? Dreams that I hate to shatter..."
Asked on top three problems of the city reason why both appeals for a repeat in the city voters' support, Zulueta cited housing, livelihood and traffic. Peñaredondo for his part acknowledged traffic as among the major concerns, human resource development and education.
Zulueta in the course of the 'sambuwa' appeared though to be on the offensive when asked to "grade" the current administration. Offhand the lady reelectionist-councilor refused to give any while saying "wala ko na ginakilala si Raul Jr" referring to Lone District Congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr., son of Justice Secretary of Raul Gonzalez.
And why should the students vote for her?
"Because we are older and wiser," she began. "We don't have to prove anything because we have done our job and done it well."
Peñaredondo for his part gave a 95% to 97% high grade to his mayor and party-mate, reelectionist Mayor Jerry Treñas saying even with the limited resources the city had, public service was delivered and delivered well.
Meantime, it would be new faces versus old faces in the provincial board particularly the two slots allotted for the Third District.
With the highest in voting population for the entire province of Iloilo at 201,831 registered voters, board member-contenders in Maasin Mayor Mar Malones, corporate-lawyer Arthur "Toto" Defensor Jr., Janiuay Councilor Joseph Lutero and Engineer Pepe Peñaflorida similarly vow and promises to bring change and progress.
Among the four, Lutero appeared to be the 'most aware' that he is on TV, ready with a smile while adjusting his shirt in between takes. Malones at one point had to 'silently' silent his mobile phone when a call came at the midst of the taping. Defensor Jr. was all eloquent and serious in his answers. Incidentally, he wore a blue polo shirt that was the same shade of blue that was in the studio's background thus causing him 'blend' in the set and not 'stand-out.' Engineer Peñaflorida for his part appeared neither nervous nor excited. His answers were also void of semantics and very straightforward. He was also the one with the most overtime every time a question is asked.
In the end, handshakes were exchanged between the four contenders as they went ahead with the day's schedule and campaign including a rush to the nearest television set to view the fight of boxer Manny Pacquiao.
"Sambuwa 2007" is shown over ABS-CBN's morning program Sikat ka Iloilo.