Upcoming Manila elections: A battle of veterans and rookies

An exciting and tightly-fought election will showcase Manila’s electoral tussle this May 14 as veteran politicians and neophytes trying to establish their own names vie for various local positions.

Among those seeking the mayoralty post are former First Lady Imelda Marcos, US fugitive Mark Jimenez and former mayor and now Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim.

At least three former congressmen of the city’s six legislative districts may also make a comeback and at least four councilors are aspiring for higher positions.

The mayoralty race will most probably be narrowed down to incumbent Mayor Lito Atienza, the 71-year-old wife of the late strongman, and Lim - should President Estrada fail to convince him to join his Senate slate.

For Vice Mayor, two are already sure of gunning for the post - incumbent Danny Lacuna, City Council presiding officer, and council minority floor leader Roger Gernale - who often trade sarcasm during sessions.

In the congressional race, Manila’s vast Tondo area, divided into two districts, the contests appear just as interesting.

In District 1, the battle may be an epic with three-term councilor Gonzalo Gonzales going head on against reelectionist Banzai Nieva, with Roland Lim, the DILG chief‘s son, joining the fray.

There is no report yet, however, if former three-term congressman Martin Isidro, would try to retake his post.

In the second district, there have been unconfirmed reports that former Rep. Jaime Lopez, who lost in the 1998 mayoraltry polls, will make a return. Two politicians told The STAR, though, that he may do so.

No councilor in this district is expected to challenge the brother of former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez, as four of six councilors are only on their first terms while the two others are on their second.

In Manila’s third district - the Sta. Cruz, Quiapo, Binondo and San Nicolas area - incumbent Rep. Harry Angping’s reported challenger will be two-term councilor Miles Roces, son-in-law of Atienza.

Angping is one of two Manila congressmen who refused to join Atienza’s Liberal Party which boasts that almost all of 36 city councilors are members.

For the fourth district, which covers Sampaloc and some parts of Sta. Mesa, the tussle will be between incumbent Rudy Bacani and former three-time Rep. Ramon Bagatsing, who confirmed to The STAR he declined Marcos’ offer for him to run as her vice mayor.

In the fifth district (Ermita, Paco and portions of Sta. Mesa), former Rep. Amado Bagatsing has confirmed his plans to run again. His opponent will be his successor, Joey Hizon, a former top district councilor.

The last district is the most interesting, with former presidential adviser on Latin American affairs adviser Jimenez going against either Councilors Julio Lograta and Casimiro Sison, a former Manila fiscal.

District 6 covers most of Sta. Mesa, plus, Pandacan, Sta. Ana and San Miguel. The congressional race here will be more exciting if Marcos changes her mind and runs for the congressional seat. A relative of outgoing Rep. Sandy Ocampo has been reported to be interested in the post.