Rico comfortable bet,
Tirol faces V-gov Herrera
By KIT BAGAIPO

SURE WINNERS. Lakas-CMD bets, re-electionists Gov. Aumentado, Vice Gov. Herrera, Rep. Chatto and Rep. Cajes with neophyte Adam Jala, son of last termer Rep. Jala at the Comelec offices. Foto: DANNY REYES

Re-electionist Gov. Erico Aumentado is running for his last term as governor with victory perceived to be in a silver platter despite the entry of six other gubernatorial bets, four of whom are independent candidates. Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, on the other hand, is faced with a strong contender coming from the huge political clan of the Tirols. Last termer Prov'l Board Member Godofreda Tirol who is a consistent winner in the 3rd congressional district filed her certificate of candidacy under PDP-Laban. She is the sister-in-law of former Gov. David Tirol. Her husband is former Provl Kagawad Victor Tirol.

Aumentado who is now on his 40th year in politics holds a major role in the political landscape of the province being the provincial chair of the administration Lakas-CMD. In fact, his political clout covers the entire Central Visayas being the regional party chairman. Aumentado started politics at age 27 when he was elected as the youngest provincial board member in 1967.

Tirol (PDP-Laban), who served as third district board member for three consecutive terms, have been proven in past elections as a strong candidate even when running as an opposition or independent bet.

Her bailiwick in the 3rd district is expected to boost her candidacy.

Although there are PDP-Laban candidates for governor and provincial board members in all three districts, there have been no official alliances among the oppositionists.

BOARD MEMBER ASPIRANTS

In the first district, re-electionist provincial board members Jose Veloso and Felix Uy is joined by Alfonso Damalerio II under the Aumentado-Herrera ticket.

Meanwhile, Loon Mayor Cesar Tomas Lopez is also running under PDP-Laban.

Second district incumbent provincial board members Amalia Tirol and Ma. Fe Camacho-Lejos, both running under Lakas-CMD, are also seeking re-election with former board member and Inabanga Mayor Josephine Jumamoy (Lakas-CMD).

Other provincial board aspirants in the second district are Mario Auxillo (PDP-Laban), Eliseo Boyles Sr. (PDP-Laban) and Felipe dela Torre (PDP-Laban).

In the third district, three of the four provincial board seats will be hotly contested among eight new aspirants with lone re-electionist Ester Corazon Galbreath (Lakas-CMD).

While Lakas-CMD and Kampi had agreed to field common candidates, the two parties are fielding their own bets in the third district.

Third district bets include businessman Mario Balbin (Kampi), lawyer Artemio Cabatos (PDP-Laban), lawyer Salvador Diputado (Kampi), Alicia Mayor Bienvenido Molina (Lakas-CMD), lawyer Aster Piollo Apalisok (Lakas-CMD), graft whistleblower Petronilo Sarigumba (PDP-Laban), Edgar Tac-an (Kampi) and Carmen Vice Mayor Josil Trabajo (Lakas-CMD).

CONGRESSIONAL BETS

Ten aspirants have filed their candidacies for Bohol's three congressional seats.

Re-electionist Rep. Edgar Chatto (Lakas-CMD) will face former Con-con delegate and OIC governor Victor de la Serna (PDP-Laban) for the first congressional post.

Meanwhile Rep. Roberto Cajes (Lakas-CMD), who is going for his third term, will face a retired policeman, Wenceslao Garcia (PDP-Laban) in the second district.

The third congressional district seat to be vacated by last termer Rep. Eladio Jala will be contested by six aspirants.

Jala has endorsed his son Adam Relson Jala as official candidate of Lakas-CMD.

Third district aspirants include former Gov. Rene Relampagos (LDP), senior board member Dionisio Balite (Kampi), lawyer Alexander Lim (Aksyon Demokratiko), Victoriano Inte (Independent) and Rigoberto Madera (Independent).