Eye Opener
Jamora-Malabor candidacies potential alternative?
Usec. Larry Jamora and former Mayor Mansueto Malabor, mayoralty and congressional candidates in Iloilo City, are reportedly gaining ground in the city proper and the six districts. Voters who do not like either the Gonzalezes and Treñas-Mabilog tandem will prefer the unpopular candidates than the traditional politicians who are full of promises but never fulfill them all. In coffee shops, barber shops and grapevines, the talk of the people is they seldom see Treñas and Gonzalez conversing with the residents while Jamora and Malabor are always visible in public places hugging poor people and attending to their needs. Perhaps the probable reason why the Gonzalezes and Mayor Treñas are not regularly visible in public places is because they still have their duties and are attending to their respective constituents. Raul Jr. is still attending sessions in Congress, Raul Sr. is the chief legal counsel of PGMA, Treñas is busy with his official duties at the city hall and the popular Jed Mabilog is the presiding officer of the city council. Besides, it is not yet campaign period although their political leaders are also busy greeting the city residents.
Jamora and Malabor although not publicly campaigning are visiting friends, poor and afflicted people and businessmen. Larry who has legions of business associates, friends and classmates in the city are remembering them in their birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other special occasions. Malabor calls on his high school classmates, relatives, former government employees and barangay captains and councilors to say hello to them. Jamora has to depend on his integrity as a person and government official while Malabor for his popularity as third timer city mayor and the “best mayor Iloilo City ever had” and “achiever” have to rely on the peoples’ sentiment for “change” and new dedicated leaders in Iloilo City. Survey says that there are many independent voters than the captured ones. The youth constitutes 2/3 of the voting population in the city and should they keep their integrity as independent voters, Jamora and Malabor may still make it to victory in May 2010.
The Gonzalezes, Treñas and Mabilog have well-oiled political machineries and they are still in power with all the resources of the government at their command. Treñas and Mabilog have thousands of supporters plus the sizable forces of government employees and officials in the city. Besides Jed Mabilog is in the bandwagon of Aquino-Roxas presidential and vice presidential tandem who in many reputable surveys have been always at the top. Mabilog’s vice mayoralty candidate City Councilor Jam Baronda commands the overwhelming votes of the women population as she is the lone woman vice mayoralty candidate.
The Gonzalezes have the resources of Malacañang plus the fact the many barangay captains in the city are still with the father and son tandem. But many independent voters say that the barangay captains cannot influence their constituents to vote for their selected candidates as barangay city residents are independent minded and are not swayed by money nor power. The Gonzalezes have the resources to back up their candidacies and the political machinery of GMA is at their disposal.
Jamora has facilitated the supply of water in the city and recently facilitated the water problem of fire victims in Nabitasan, La Paz. Together with Malabor, Jamora distributed goodies to the fire victims. An approachable man, Larry is easily contacted at his Valeria office. Asked his chances of winning the city mayorship “they will be surprised; the voters in Iloilo City are wise and know how to choose their leaders,” a leader quipped.
Will the political machineries of the Gonzalezes and Treñas-Mabilog catapult them to power come May 2010? Jamora and Malabor are hoping their chances on the silent majority voters who want a change in leadership in the city. Let’s witness the battle of the titans in Iloilo City from campaign time to election period.
