Last week, this writer wrote about the three-cornered mayoralty fight in the City of Tagbilaran for May 2007 election. Two Administration slates will be fighting against one United Opposition slate. The Administration slates are the Lakas CMD headed by former Mayor Jose V. Torralba and the Kampi slate led by incumbent Mayor Dan N. Lim. The United Opposition slate under the PDP Laban will be headed by retired PNP Gen. Alberto Olario.

Unfortunately, in Item No. 2 of this column last week, there appeared typographical errors. The second paragraph of Item No. 2 should read as follows: "Under Olario's slate are probable candidates, incumbent Councilor Edgar Bompat, lawyers Nerio Zamora II, Cristifil Baluma and Rene Paredes, Cogon Kagawads Jeremias Pabe and Charles T. Cabalit, and former City Councilor Felipe dela Torre, Jr."

The third paragraph of Item No. 2 should read as follows: "With Mayor Lim are incumbent Councilors Danilo Bantugan and Edgar Kapirig."

Our apologies!

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Leaders of the Administration coalition are clamoring that only one slate should be recognized as official Administration bet. In case this pushes through, the equity of the incumbents will apply. In case, there are no incumbents, the Administration coalition will be holding a convention to select their official bet.

One political analyst said that in the case of the City of Tagbilaran, incumbent Mayor Dan N. Lim who claims to be a card-bearing Kampi member would be the official candidate for mayor come May 2007. This will be true in case the clamor of leaders of Administration coalition will be acted favorably.

A political analyst said that in case one candidate will be recognized in the City of Tagbilaran who is likely Dan Lim, the incumbent mayor, Torralba would be compelled to back out from the race. Ultimately, the three-cornered fight will become a two-cornered fight between Lim and Olario, the political analyst said.

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Rep. Eladio Jala has supported the statement of Gov. Erico Aumentado, provincial chair of the Lakas CMD that there will be a convention to select the official candidate of the Administration for the congressional race in the Third District of Bohol.

This early, several political figures have cropped up to gun for the much-coveted title of Third District congressman. Among them are former Gov. Rene Relampagos of the United Opposition, businessman Angelo Balili, incumbent Board Member Dionisio Balite, former Board Member Alexander Lim, City Division Supt. Elpedio Jala, and lawyer Bicbic Abrenilla of NEDA, all of the Administration coalition.

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The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has spoken. What is needed in our country is Character change, not Charter change.

For several issues, this writer had been writing about Character change. Now, the bishops officially said that what is needed in our country is Character change.

But Press Secretary Bunye said that Character change applies to everyone, not only the politicians, but also the bishops.

Perhaps, Bunye is right. The stand of the bishops that it is all right for the voters to vote according to their conscience if given money by the candidates should be changed. This is not a correct stand. This writer has suggested that the CBCP should declare that it is a mortal sin to receive money from candidates. At the same time, it is also a mortal sin for candidates to give money to voters to entice them to vote.

It is very basic that corruption starts during election day. Save for some exceptions, voters will not vote unless they receive money, often called "inangayan" or "uwan-uwan." Whatever this money-giving ritual is called, it is still vote buying and vote selling.

Unless the voters themselves change, we expect our election to be still "money-politics."

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Next year will be the Year of the Pig. Seers say that the series of fires are the scenario of the incoming year.

Fortunetellers predict a bad year for 2007. They warn political figures and even boxer Manny Pacquiao to watch their health.

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Despite the grim prediction for 2007, there is still hope for our land.
The Bible is clear:

"Continue your kindness toward your friends, your just defenses of the honest heart" (Psalm 36:11)

"Trust in the Lord and do good that you may dwell in the land and live secure." (Psalm 37:3)

"Better the poverty of the just than the wealth of the wicked." (Psalm 37:16)

"Turn from evil and do good, that you may inhabit the land forever. For the Lord loves justice and does not abandon the faithful." (Psalm 38:27-28)

"Observe the honest, mark the upright; those at peace with God have a future. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off." (Psalm 37:37)

"Cast your care upon the LORD, who will give you support. God will never allow the righteous to stumble." (Psalm 55:23)

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For comments and reactions, send mail to Atty. Jorge D. Cabalit, Cabalit Law Office, 74 Belderol Street, Tagbilaran City or send e-mail to: viewpoints@boholchronicle.com