Eye Opener
Who will finally reach the finish line first on May 10?
Now that the campaign period for local candidates has begun, who will reach the finish line for the mayoralty race on May 10, 2010? Will it be Gonzalez Sr., Jamora or Mabilog? If the recent survey of a leading radio station in the city is to be relied upon, no doubt Mabilog will capture city hall with a sizeable margin of votes. In the said radio survey, Mabilog and Treñas are reportedly leading their opponents in all the six city districts. But is the survey reliable if it was done scientifically?
In an interview with Dr. Sergio Gonzalez Thursday morning at Jaro Plaza, the respectable dentist said, in their own independent survey report, his brother Raul Sr. is leading in all 164 city barangays and this was confirmed by a barangay captain who arrived when this writer was interviewing Dr. Gonzalez. Sergio who had been city councilor for many terms said that the Ganzon family is supporting his brother’s candidacy for city mayor and also with his nephew Raul Jr. He even said that a former city mayor of Iloilo City now residing in Arevalo is supporting the candidacies of the Gonzalezes.
According to the campaign leader of Jed Mabilog, the vice mayor is popular among businessmen, students, teachers, the professionals and the grassroots. Cecil said that Jed has captured majority of the barangay captains in the city but will not mention the total number for obvious reason. Many of the barangay captains and officials are reportedly backing the candidacies of Mabilog and Treñas and their entire ticket and the duo are confident that they will capture city hall and the lone congressional district of Iloilo City easily. Many of the well-to-do people and big merchants in the city are silently backing Mabilog and Treñas for they like their program of government. The duo are in the best of health and can walk long miles.
Gonzalez Sr. is not worried about the radio report where his opponents are leading the way to victory. The Gonzalezes are backed up by the administration’s well-oiled political machinery and GMA can still move her strong influence on the party. Sergio said that their supporters are working day and night to win the votes for his brother and nephew. Gonzalez Sr. held a big opening rally at the Jaro plaza gym Friday morning where thousands of supporters and friends attended.
Larry Jamora whose popular slogan “Tion na sang Pagbag-o para sa Iloilo” is prominently displayed in big houses in Jaro, Iloilo City, La Paz, Molo, Arevalo and Mandurriao. He and former city mayor Malabor campaign extensively in barangays, house to house and person to person. With people shouting and looking for change in leadership in Iloilo City, Jamora-Malabor tandem may surprise their opponents in a miracle upset. Jamora is popular among young and old voters and so with Malabor who has still legion of backers supporting his congressional candidacy. Jamora and Malabor command the respect of independent voters.
If only the gullible voters will not be swayed by money and false promises, the May 10, 2010 mayoralty and congressional elections bear watching. The final say is on honest and well-meaning electorates who still constitute the majority of voters in the mayoralty and congressional derbies. Remember, that God is watching your votes then your name will be recorded in “book of infamy” and your destination later will be straight to perdition as God hates dishonest and corrupt people.
