Presidential visit boosts Gonzalez vs Drilon

Of course, nobody thought it was just an impromptu drop-in by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the joint birthday bash of Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr., Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas Tuesday.

But among Ilonggos the message was loud and clear. She was backing their respective candidacies for next year’s elections — regardless of whether the elections will be in May or November.

The Iloilo Grand Hotel was filled with the guests of the three officials. And the guests included the mayors of Negros Occidental, headed by acting Gov. Isidro Zayco.

Among those who greeted GMA at the Iloilo City airport upon her arrival were Western Visayas presidential assistant Lito Coscolluela, Secretary Gonzalez, Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Ricardo Tan, Mayor Treñas, Guimaras Gov. Rahman Nava, Regional PNP chief Geary Barias, and TESDA Secretary Augusto Syjuco.

Although the President was supposed to discuss Charter change, it seems that with the House still deliberating how it could ram through its resolution calling for constitutional change through con-ass, it seems that was discussed.

But, of course, there was the usual talk about supporting the administration bets in their re-election bids. And there was talk about the extension of their terms until November, although that remains highly debatable.

But most of the Negros local officials failed to explain what the President had discussed with them. The details, I mean.

Of course, there were also the governors and mayors of the various provinces of Western Visayas. It was Antique Gov. Sally Zaldivar-Perez, who recently landed as finalist in the title of Outstanding Governor from the council headed by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Aklan Gov. Lito Marquez, and Gov. Vicente Bermejo.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia headed the group which included Mayors Eric Saratan of Talisay City, Severeno Palanca of Victorias, Salvador Escalante of Cadiz City, Santiago Barcelona Jr. of Escalante, Rafael Cueva of Sagay City, and Oscar Montilla of Sipalay City.

Among the city and town mayors were Cauayan’s Gerry Tabujara, Ilog’s Paul Alvarez, Kabankalan City’s Pedro Zayco, Himamaylan City’s Menchit Bascon, La Carlota City’s Jeffrey Ferrer, Pontevedra’s Joven Alonso, San Enrique’s Jilson Tubillara, Isabela’s Renato Malabor, La Castellana’s Enrico Elumba, Pulupandan’s Luis Mondia, and Don Salvador Benedicto’s Cynthia de la Cruz.

Among Ilonggos, the common talk has focused on the forthcoming battle between former Senate President Franklin Drilon and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez. Local media had published the results of surveys which showed that Drilon was way ahead of either the son or the father in the joust for the city’s lone congressional seat.

Thus, the common talk here is that the Justice Secretary may opt to personally pick up the flag from his junior.

Sen. Drilon recently had his voting credentials relisted in Molo, his district. That, despite opinions that he may contest Rep. J. Syjuco for the second district post; this was considered impossible because of the lack of time to transfer his residence from Molo to the second district.

Treñas, however, seems to have been outmatched by former Iloilo City mayor Mansueto Malabor, who is reportedly vying for Iloilo City’s top post.

But it is difficult to match Treñas’ achievements as mayor, although he has also a lot of issues against him. For example, he has to explain the city employees’ housing project in Pavia and the controversy over whether the city should pay the contractor for the aborted project.

There is also the city boundary ordinance for out-of-town jeepneys still plagued with a lot of problems and difficulties.

Still, one must admit that Treñas has succeeded in drawing more visitors to Iloilo during his term. And he has introduced more projects to the city. Points out one of his handlers: "Trenas has put back Iloilo City as the capital of Western Visayas."

Political speculations in Bacolod

Despite the fact that the elections may be deferred if the House has its wishes realized, there is no gainsaying that elections will have to push through next year. The issue is the timing, although legally the terms of office of the current officials will end by June.

Naturally, no one is taking things lying down. Most, however, are being coy about their plans.

That starts with Mayor Leonardia. He still seems to be quiet about his choice for his vice mayor as well as his choice for congressman of the city’s lone district.

But one thing sure is that speculations are turning riotous regarding the possibilities of political pairings and polarization.

Rep. Monico Puentevella, for example, has been mentioned as having settled for former Mayor Luzviminda Valdez as his choice to lead Bacolod. News, however, said he is still keeping quiet about his plans. One thing sure, though, is he had supported Leonardia for the mayoralty in the last balloting. So the question that is often asked is, what gave rise to the speculations of a fallout?

Then, we have Transportation Undersecretary "Cano" Tan announcing that he is definitely running for mayor of Bacolod against Leonardia. The issue is, who will he support as his congressional bet? There are rumors that he may opt for Vice Mayor Renacito Noveno. But how can he when both he and Noveno belong to the same club — the favorite boys of GMA?

So far, the announced congressional bet is Babes Alvarez, a businessman-banker who has been vocal in his posture as a scholarly lecturer of Philippine political dynamics.

Leonardia is also hounded by former Bacolod PNP director Vicente Ponteras. The latter, although originally a Masbateño, has been going around Bacolod with zest in his quest for the mayorship.

Well, as they say, Filipinos are just politically inclined and there seems to be no rest from political speculations until the candidates are finally registered with the Commission on Elections.

The only possibility, though, is that no one so far has emerged as a possible contender for the governorship against re-electionist Gov. Joseph Marañon and Vice Gov. Zayco.

Marañon is noted as a decisive provincial executive. Even his former critics seem to have developed an admiration for the governor and his common-sense approach to problems.

The Majority of the United Negros Alliance (UNA) seems to have been doing well during their term as local officials. And it will be an uphill battle for the challengers.

But then, who knows? The situation remains fluid for the time being.

Antique Gov. Sally Zaldivar-Perez recently landed as one of the finalists for the award as outstanding governor of the country. She received a plaque of appreciation and P100,000 cash grant last Thursday from Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, chairman of the 2006 Local Government Leadership Awards. This was also the 16th anniversary of the Local Government Code.

That explains why Senate President Manuel Villar and Senators Edgardo Angara and Mar Roxas were present during the awarding ceremony held in the Senate in Manila last Nov. 29.

Actually Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz bagged the award as Outstanding Governor of the Philippines for 2006.

Gov. Perez is also the Region VI Development Council chairwoman. She also chairs the Western Visayas Historical and Cultural Council which is busy preparing for the 150th birth anniversary of Graciano Lopez Jaena on Dec. 18.

Gov. Perez incidentally has won kudos for her promotion of Kinaraya literature and music which has also been taken up by the residents of Iloilo’s first district.

Well, kudos to Gov. Perez for her revival of interest in the culture and history of Western Visayas.