Barring a major, unforeseen catastrophe, Governor Rico Aumentado, with little opposition, will run his last lap around the proverbial oval, till 2010.

His reelection bid, with apologies to well-meaning opponents, could all be over but the counting. This is not an editorial endorsement of his reelection bid - but a statement of hard, realistic political reality.

Despite his faults, Gov. Rico has done much for Bohol - not because he is superman, but because he is the alter ego of the president when it comes to provincial governance. He heads that Group of provincial governors. And you only head that if you have passed the test of unalloyed, undivided loyalty to the President of the Republic.

Governor Rico's power extends beyond the frontiers of the province's geographical confines. Not bad at all for a poor orphan who worked his way to a lawyer's toga with sheer grit, determination and talent. His political destiny - from a gangling campus star to the provincial capitol to the halls of Congress - and back - is written in the stars.

Up to midnight Friday, the political opposition identified with the ERAP camp, tried to persuade personalities to go lock heads with the Governor - just so his last term will not fall on his lap on a silver platter. However, it seems, saner heads did determine the nuances of a political suicide.

We have had many differences with the Governor - in policies and politics - but we would lose our objectivity if we put a blindfold and not see the blessings Bohol has derived under his wake. The concreted highway across the province, the smart, bustling seaports and soon the Panglao International Airport, among others.

Too, Governor Rico has marketed Bohol as a "tour destination" to the USA, Canada and China with the enthusiasm of an insurance man on his first field day.

It goes without saying, too, that the trio of representatives Chatto, Cajes and Jala - sang, if not in unison, at least in blended voices that serenaded GMA's heart with Rico at the baton. Let the other provinces die with their faces green with envy. Some provinces are smarter than others.

This has translated into a pre-dominance of the pro-administration influence in the province's political arena, that somehow the "genuine" opposition seemed to have faltered. What is happening is that in many parts of the province, there are friends of the administration (who could not be part of the official Lakas-CMD official bet list) who had to don the Kampi or NPC uniforms - in many instances, same dogs of different collars (no derision, meant).

This is not to discredit the political qualifications of former governors Rene Relampagos and bar-topnotcher Victor de la Serna. They are experienced, polished politicians who are bucking the odds of a powerful tsunami of political preponderance of the administration in the third and first districts respectively. And we have to listen to what the Opposition has to say. No administration is ever perfect, to say the least.

The issue of progress amid corruption, for instance, is a valid one - that the Opposition can exploit. Corruption is prevalent in this country - an internationally acclaimed survey affirmed that, since we are the most corrupt nation in Asia. The vigilance must continue and the proofs documented so that we do not remain as "Asia's shameful king of dishonor." For verily, man does not live by bread alone. What happened to our values?

It is also quite foolish to equate the province's blessings as achievements of the Team Unity or Genuine Opposition senatorial slates. They are asking to be voted as senators-lawmakers, primarily - and they should be evaluated from their past and their potential, whether they are qualified to be so - regardless of their party affiliations. It is simply stupid, to vote 12-0 for either party. That is the end of reason.

When both GMA and Rico end their respective terms in 2010 - much will depend on their last three years in office. Already, a lot of tectonic earthquakes are shaking the foundation of this administration - the echoes of which have reverberated through even up to Washington and the United Nations. It won't be a picnic from her on.

We won't venture to put a value of a GMA or Rico endorsement of the latter's successor in 2010 - because that is a very "iffy" proposition. But already the names of third-termer Edgar Chatto of the First District and Vice Governor Julius Herrera who had held his horses for the sake of unity - are both being floated with equal gusto.

What about dark horse - Cesar Montano or others unknown yet to this date?

Certainly the elections of 2007, to our mind, is just the end of another era in Philippine politics. The next chapter could be mighty different.

Vote wisely. Vote for your country's sake.