Lapid - Mikey tandem seen as sure winner

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The four-cornered gubernatorial and three-cornered vice gubernatorial races in this province are not likely to generate much excitement with the Lakas-NUCD tandem of re-electionist Gov. Lito Lapid and his running mate, Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, perceived to be a sure winner.

But political observers here said that apart from the mayoral showdowns in Angeles City and the 22 towns, the race for provincial board seats is likely to be closely watched.

Among those running for provincial board seats are basketball coach Joseller "Yeng" Guiao in the first district, and Lubao Mayor Lilia Pineda, wife of suspected gambling lord Bong Pineda, in the second district. Guiao is with the Liberal Party, while Pineda is running as an independent.

Lapid’s opponents are independent Jose Montemayor, Partido ng Masang Pilipino’s Marcelino Manalansan, and the local party Buklod Capampangan’s Ananias Canlas, incumbent mayor of Bacolor town.

Mikey has been topping surveys despite the candidacy of fellow actor Roi Vinzons, who is Canlas’ running mate. A virtual unknown, Allan Villanueva, is the third vice gubernatorial aspirant.

Fourth district re-electionist Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc is unopposed, while in the third district, Rep. Oscar Rodriguez is being opposed by board member Rosve Henson and Enrique Domingo, son of Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo.

In the first district, the fight is between Rep. Francisco Nepo-muceno (NPC) and Angeles councilor Willie Rivera, while second district Rep. Zenaida Ducut (NPC) is being challenged by former Rep. Emigdio Bondoc (Lakas). — Ding Cervantes