EDITORIAL - Testing the claim of intelligence

Cebuanos always claim, with a straight face it may be added, that they are intelligent voters. This is the reason why, they point out, Gloria Arroyo won in Cebu and not Fernando Poe. This is also the reason why there is no such thing as a Cebuano vote, even for a Cebuano.

There had been little or no reason to challenge such assertions in face of the foregoing circumstances that are self-evident. But the 2013 midterm elections have shaped up to become what might be the first real opportunity to test those assertions.

There are at least three political fronts where the so-called intelligent voting capacity of the Cebuanos can be challenged and tested. These are in the races for governor, for Cebu City mayor, and for representative of the north district of Cebu City.

The gubernatorial race is a toss-up between two men who bear their illustrious fathers' names -- Pablo John Garcia and Hilario Davide III. Will the Cebuanos vote in time with the ring to their fathers' names or will they strip the two men down to size and measure their true worth.

For mayor of Cebu City, the fight is between comebacking Tomas Osmeña and sitting mayor Mike Rama. Often, when the chances of both are assessed, the talk always gravitates to machinery and resources. Will intelligent Cebuano voters get around to judging their individual persons?

At the north district of Cebu City, the face-off is between an also comebacking veteran in Raul del Mar against a political neophyte but strong showbiz personality Annabelle Rama. How will Cebuanos put real value to their vote?

To these three contests can be added several more political fights where intelligence can matter long after all the votes shall have been cast. How Cebuanos will vote on each of them will test the validity of the Cebuano claim to intelligence at the polls.

In fact, in at least one aspect, real intelligence can be measured not in a face-off between one candidate against another, but in the circumstances surrounding the candidacy of just one -- Jun Pe, who switched districts just to keep running. So, are you brighter than Jun Pe?