EYE OPENER
Defensor-Garin heading for victory
Supporters, campaigners and leaders of Art Defensor and Richard Garin are rejoicing since their gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial bets are now heading for glorious victory. A close supporter of Congressman Defensor told this writer in an interview that aside from the result of an independent poll survey showing Defensor and Garin ahead in the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial race, some 35 municipal mayors out of 43, majority of vice mayors, councilors and barangay officials are supporting the Defensor-Garin tandem. The strong supporter, our informant told us, comes from the four congressmen of Iloilo, Janette Garin of the 1st district, congresswoman Judy Syjuco of the 2nd district, congressman Defensor of the 3rd district, and congressman Ferj Biron of the 4th district including the popular personality of the 5th district Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico. There is the strongman and influential politician of the 1st district of Iloilo PCA Administrator Oscar Garin and former TESDA Director General Boboy Syjuco including prominent bigwigs of Janiuay, Pototan, Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara, Passi and Banate. Our informant says that a landslide victory of Defensor-Garin tandem is now in the offing!
In a chance interview with Cong. Defensor at his Mandurriao residence the other day, the one time third-term Iloilo Governor, Deputy House Speaker and occupying other key positions in the House of Representatives said that in his sorties in all Iloilo towns and many barangays, the change for leadership at the Provincial Capitol is the “cry of the hour”. The cool and unassuming intelligent lawmaker said that the people of Iloilo want an “honest leader, untainted with graft and corruption and utmost decency in public service.” Asked what his program of government will be when he assumes the governorship of Iloilo, Art as many of his friends call him, said that he will give the good people of Iloilo honest, transparent and responsible administration free of graft and corruption. “I have done decent and honest government to the Ilonggos before when I served for three consecutive terms as Iloilo Governor and I will do it again,” enthused the future Iloilo provincial executive. As to his economic program when he becomes governor, Art said that he and his elected colleagues will go back to the plenary table and work on and review Iloilo’s economic and social policies and implement good economic measures that will redound to the welfare of the Ilonggos and progress of our beloved Iloilo province.” Defensor said further that he will work on the master plan of Iloilo’s agricultural development, improve Iloilo’s water reservoir and give solution to the province’s electric supply.
Meanwhile, Gov. Tupas is busy campaigning for his congressional candidacy in the 4th district with incumbent Rep. Ferj Biron as his strong opponent. Tupas is confident that he will wrestle the congress seat from Biron since he has still the support of the people in the district. His son Raul, the candidate for Iloilo governor, is also fighting for his survival. Being president of the Iloilo Mayors League he is eyeing the full support from his colleagues in the 43 towns and one component city to win over popular and leading gubernatorial bet Art Defensor. Since there are about seven Tupases running for various elective positions in Iloilo city and province, the attention of Gov. Niel Tupas is spread out to his sons and nearest of kins. Will the charisma of Niel still work? His son Raul has reportedly two towns in the first district supporting his candidacy, Miagao and Tigbauan as Igbaras’ popular mayor is no longer running; Sta. Barbara in the second district as Mayor Ramon Yee of Cabatuan has retired; non in the bailiwick of Rep. Defensor in the 3rd district and Banate and Passi City in the fourth district. In the 5th district, Vice Gov. Suplico told us in the interview that he has six to seven municipalities supporting his congressional candidacy and that of the Defensor-Garin group. Rolex is merely reclaiming his congressional seat in the 5th district which he served for three consecutive terms. Rolex is reportedly strong among the masses and his name is a byword of accomplishments among his people. A leading opposition member in Congress during Erap and Gloria’s term of office, Suplico chose to run in his district rather that be a winning senatorial bet of the opposition. With Niel Tupas busy in the 4th district, the chances of the candidacy of his son Raul is reportedly in jeopardy.
The camp of Gov. Tupas is saddened by the recent promulgation of the Ombudsman, finding Gov. Tupas of grave abuse of authority, dishonesty and grave misconduct in office. The criminal liability against Tupas will be filed by the Ombudsman in due time according to Assistant Ombudsman in the Visayas, Hon. Virginia Palanca-Santiago. Will the Ombudsman’s conviction of Gov. Tupas affect his candidacy and that of his other nearest kins running for public offices? Let’s wait and see after the May 10, 2010 elections.
