Enrile’s son drops out of Cagayan gov race

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan – While most of the country’s incumbent local officials face stiff opposition from their challengers, the reelection bid of Cagayan Gov. Edgar Lara would likely be a walk in the park.

This, after three-term first district Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. has reportedly withdrawn from the governorship race, leaving Lara unrivalled in the May elections.

Lara, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, is seeking his third and final term as governor. He had served three successive terms as second district congressman before becoming the governor of this northernmost province.

Late last year, with the backing of third district Rep. Manuel Mamba, Enrile, the only son of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, signified his interest to run for governor "to put the province back in the forefront of development."

He also got the support of Alcala Mayor Alvaro Antonio, president of the provincial mayors’ league.

Mamba’s cousin, Leonides Fausto, chairman of the provincial barangay federation and an ex-officio member of the provincial board, was being eyed then as Enrile’s running mate. Fausto ran in the 2004 gubernatorial race but lost overwhelmingly to Lara.

However, due to still undisclosed reason, the young Enrile, now on his last term as congressman, begged off from the gubernatorial race. He instead plans to field his wife, Sally Santiago-Enrile, to succeed him.

Like Lara, Enrile’s wife is also running virtually unopposed in the first congressional district.

On the other hand, Mamba, provincial chairman of the Liberal Party wing of Sen. Franklin Drilon, is facing Malacañang-backed, three-term Mayor Randolph Ting of this capital city.

Mamba, who is also seeking his third and final term, figured prominently in the failed impeachment bid against President Arroyo in the House of Representatives.

Administrations allies were reportedly all-out in supporting Ting in their bid to oust Mamba for his pro-impeachment stance. Lara is also reportedly supporting Ting’s bid.

Mamba, however, is unfazed by the possible administration’s juggernaut, expressing confidence that his constituents are still behind him and his advocacy in the House of Representatives, including his strong support for the impeachment move against the President.

Mamba’s partymate, second district Rep. Florencio Vargas, is facing former three-term Claveria town mayor and congresswoman Celia Layus, whom he defeated in the 2004 elections.