EDITORIAL - Diamante’s congressional bid

Of all the personalities in Cebu province who are rumored to be running for elective positions in 2019, it is Tuburan town Mayor Democrito Diamante who is making the loudest noise about his political ambition next year.

Diamante, president of Cebu chapter of the League of Municipalities (LMP), did not hide his intention to run for congressman in the Third District, hoping to replace Representative Gwendolyn Garcia, who is reported to be eyeing for a return to the Capitol.

In fact, Diamante is reportedly planning to establish his own political party exclusively for the Third District. The party, he said, will have a framework similar to that of Alayon in the First District and Bakud in the Fifth District.

As he starts his quest for Congress, Diamante is reportedly busy organizing local chapters of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), as he hopes to become a member of the national party affiliated with President Rodrigo Duterte.

Diamante, by making waves this early, may have been sending a message to his constituents in the district that he is a force to reckon with in the congressional race, that he is a sure winner to represent them at the Lower House.

But that remains to be seen as Diamante will be going up against a familiar name who was once a district congressman. He is expected to face former congressman Pablo John Garcia, the brother of the current district representative.

Can Diamante have the means to defeat Pablo John? Well, as far as financial resources are concerned, Diamante is more than capable of waging a district-wide campaign. But that doesn’t give him the edge against a scion of a politically-entrenched family.

Pablo John is more popular since he was once the district’s congressman, a thing Diamante must contend with. While election is not a popularity contest, being popular remains one of the biggest assets a candidate must possess if he wants to emerge victorious.