Electioneering marks 2006 in Manila

The Manila City Hall in 2006 can be summed up as the year when politicians started placing their best foot forward in preparation for the local elections slated on May next year.

The most coveted local seat, the mayoralty, is up for grabs as incumbent Mayor Lito Atienza is set to end his three-term next year and could no longer run for the same position for the fourth consecutive time.

But even after nine years of leading the city, there is still a lot of work to be done, and he would want to pass the responsibility to a chosen successor, preferably one of his sons who would not only continue his programs but carry the family name as well.

At first he eyed his eldest son Kim to be his successor. But he soon abandoned hopes of becoming mayor and instead started making his mark as a weatherman in a television station.

With barely a year to go before the polls, the Atienza camp shifted its attention to the younger son Arnold, more popularly known as "Ali," and with only the few remaining months started grooming him for as a possible mayoral candidate. Apart from heading the Manila Youth and Sports Commission, he is also the presidential adviser on sports.

The 34-year-old Ali is now often seen with his father and frequently wore the Hawaiian shirts, a known trademark attire of the elder Atienza. He became more visible and accessible to constituents.

They also played with the sound of his name for easy recall. They have started sprucing up the secondary sidewalks complete with lighting under his "Barangay Alley (Ali)" programs.

While he has been exposed to government service since his elementary years, it will probably be the first time that he would have to fight for an elective position if he decides to join in the mayoralty race.

Ali had been asked several times if he will join in next year’s election, but he refused to give a definite comment. He often replied that he preferred to work and that it was too early to talk about the elections.

As expected, the second highest local official Vice Mayor Danilo Lacuna has openly announced his intention to join the race since he would also be concluding his three-year term. He is banking on his track record and experience in winning citywide elections to get the desired position.

If his plans push through, the veteran politician will team up with first district Councilor Francisco Dumagoso, a.k.a. Isko Moreno, as his running mate.

Early in the game, he has started identifying his primary programs under his "Danny Helps" campaign, which stands for health, education, livelihood, peace and order, and sports.

Sen. Alfredo Lim is also planning to make a comeback as mayor. Lim, a retired police general, earned the moniker "Dirty Harry" because of his drastic campaign on crime, particularly prostitution and illegal drugs. He earned the ire of human rights groups for spray painting houses of alleged drug traffickers.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, also a former police officer, had earlier applied for residency in Manila and just last month announced his intention to join the mayoralty race. However, recent results of a survey that indicated of his chances of getting re-elected as senator and questions on his residency has reportedly made him reconsider his options.

Another contender is former police intelligence agent Mary "Rosebud" Ong, who allegedly only wants to run and ruin Lacson’s chances.

There are also two incumbent Manila congressmen, Rudy Bacani and Joey Hizon, from the fourth and fifth districts, and former sixth district congressman Mark Jimenez, who have expressed interest in the post.

Just recently there has also been a movement of alliances among the councilors. The once two-faction council has split up into three, namely those who support Mayor Atienza, Vice Mayor Lacuna and the bloc backing Jimenez.

Seven councilors previously aligned with Mayor Atienza transferred to the Jimenez camp, namely fifth district Councilors Ricardo Ibay, Cita Astals, and Robert Ortega, first district councilors Irma Alfonso, Arlene Koa, second district Councilor Edward Tan, third district Councilor Alex Co.