EDITORIAL – Toughest test for Ouano and Radaza

It is understandable if Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano and his Lapu-Lapu City counterpart Arturo Radaza would fight it out to prove their innocence in the controversy surrounding the overpriced decorative lampposts used for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in January.

After all, the Office of the Ombudsman, which suspended them over the anomaly, has yet to come up with a conclusion that would point to their involvement. However, a serious dilemma is waiting for the two local chief executives over the horizon, which could derail their political train in the coming elections.

Being a third-termer, Ouano is barred by the law from seeking reelection. But his son, Thadeo Jovito, is following in his footsteps, hoping to continue the family tradition of manning the city’s highest post.

In the neighboring city, Radaza is now preparing a major invasion into the barangays in his bid for reelection. Although being the incumbent, he cannot just take the campaign trail lightly, considering the fact that his opponent is the vice mayor who has huge following being a member of a prominent political clan.

Undeniably, the lamppost fiasco and their succeeding suspension could fatally hurt both mayors politically. It is surely one of the central issues circulating in the air that could potentially hamper the political plane they are riding.

Whether Ouano and Radaza like it or not, the lamppost anomaly is a valid concern that their political opponents will take advantage of in order to oust them from power, as the campaign heats up. It will certainly make the May 14 electoral exercises undoubtedly the toughest test the two local officials are facing in their entire political lives.

But as to whether they could hurdle this biggest stumbling block remains to be seen.