Incumbent Cebu congressmen, almost all invincible

In the Philippines, and perhaps all over the world, politicians don’t win based on merit and fitness. They win because of money, organization, logistics, and a famous name. The real bright and honest ones shy away from politics because they don’t have the means and gall for this dirty game. Good boys don’t always prevail. Many of them are beaten by more moneyed mediocres.

In Cebu, incumbents are staying. We aren’t saying they are all high performers in Congress. We don’t hear much about them. They’re all silent even in the midst of this pandemic. While ordinary folks undertake community pantries, we haven’t seen any of our Cebu members of Congress, except Rep. Eddie Gullas of the first, and PJ Garcia of the third, taking a very active and visible role in the war against the virus. All these notwithstanding, we don’t see any emerging alternative, no emerging challenger strong enough to unseat them. Most probably, they will remain in Congress.

The 2019 election results are indicative of the next year's polls. In the 1st District, with 431,872 voters, the 90-year-old undefeated (as congressman) Eddie Gullas garnered 236,944 votes (54.86%) against Ron Del Mar's 48,131 and Solomon Paypa's 6,291. In the 2nd District, out of a total of 161,417 voters, Rep. Willy Caminero got 66,166 (41%), against Ronnie Cesante's 48,918 and Kintanar’s 2,125. In the 3rd District, with a total of 364,931 voters, Deputy Speaker PJ Garcia garnered 128,878 (35.31%) against the late Sonny Osmeña’s 77,068 and Yapha's 43,416, In the 4th District having a total of 282,172, Rep. Janice Salimbangon got 136,582 (48.40%) over Junie Martinez with 103,493. Martinez has some hopes with a little more hard work.

In the 5th District, Rep. Duke Frasco should really prepare for the coming back of the Duranos. They are determined to take back their exclusive kingdom held tightly for 50 years. In 2019, the Duranos were shocked by the feat of Rep. Duke. Out of a total of 349,470 voters, Duke got 152,435 (43.61%) against Red Durano's 116,826. In the 6th District, I think Rep. Emmari Lollilpop Ouano Dizon is a sure winner if and when she runs in the new district of Mandaue as a standalone constituency. Nobody can beat any Ouano in Mandaue. The question is who will run in the remaining 6th District of Cordova and Consolacion? In 2019, out of a total of 350,166, Lollipop got 177,791 (50.77 %) against my friend Dodong Estenzo's 41,477.

In the 7th District, out of the total of 154,031 voters, Rep. Peter John Calderon (a grandson of the late Ramon Durano of the 5th District), got 71,129 (46.17%) over the late Nelson Garcia's (brother of the governor) 36,147. Today, no one is strong enough to challenge Calderon. I think the governor is having an alliance with him and all the mayors in the 7th District. Live and let live. But if Ace Durano challenges the governor, I don't think an alliance can be consummated. Cebu City north is a toss-up among Rachel "Cutie" del Mar, Aven Piramide, and Niña Mabatid. In Cebu City south, Rodrigo Abellanosa may face Aristotle Batuhan or Joy Pesquera, if Joy doesn’t run for vice mayor. In Lapu-Lapu City, no one can beat Rep. Paz Radaza.

The bottom line is: The following are totally without any chance of losing: Eddiegul of the first, PJ Garcia of the third, Lollipop in the sixth, (Mandaue City will have its own representative), and Radaza in Lapu-Lapu. The rest should work very hard. Junie Martinez may finally win, and Duke should watch out, the Duranos will come rampaging like bulls. In the second, we hope Junjun Davide will give Ronnie Cesante or Tata Salvador a run for his money. Next year's polls will see the same faces again. Non-performers triumph because the real good ones don’t have the will and the money. Tsk, tsk, very sad. When will all this evolve into something better?