The
favorite past time among Filipinos, next to basketball and boxing, is here again.
Last
Monday, the Commission on Elections opened its doors to accept the certificates
of candidacy for senators, congressmen and all elective local positions in the
province, city and municipal level.
It's
election time and happy days would be here again for electorates who do not fathom
the sanctity of the ballot but rather of the money-making opportunities that the
election brings especially with the start of the campaign period on March 30.
For
perennial and neophyte candidates, this is the period that you've been waiting
for after three short, not long, years.
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In
the local level, jockeying for positions would be the order for every day until
the deadline on March 29.
While
incumbent elected officials will have an edge under the rule on the equity of
incumbent, political aspirants will be like basketball players looking for an
opening for a potential lay-up or even a dunk!
Meaning,
they are ever-ready to scout for a slot which would be left open.
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Take
the case of the third district of Bohol, it would be almost an open sesame as
far as the position of congressman and board member are concerned.
Rep.
Eladio M. Jala is now on his third and final term thus paying a free-for-all congressional
race.
The
same is true for the four slots of board member in the third district now presently
occupied by Board Members Dionisio Balite Corazon Galbreath, Concepcion Lim and
Godofreda Tirol. Only Tirol would be left in the slot if she does not decide to
run for vice-governor. Balite is definitely set to replace Jala as congressman
while Galbreath and Lim are reportedly not keen in seeking for re-election.
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In
the second district, only one slot is available for board member as Board Members
Mafe Camacho-Lejos and Amalia Tirol would likely seek re-election. However, Inabanga
Mayor Roygie Jumamoy is already reserved for the slot while awaiting for the last
and final term of Rep. Roberto Cajes.
In
the first district, only one slot is available for board member and as of this
writing, three aspirants have so far floated including Marikit Derikito, Ae Damalerio
and Purita Soliven. It's gonna be a tight race. Gov. Erico Aumentado and Vice-Gov.
Julius Herrera might end up seeking for re-election unopposed.
Finally,
in the city, only the slot of outgoing City Councilor Urbano Lagunay is available
in the city council. The rest of the city elected officials are all seeking for
re-election. So,
let the political game begin!
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For
comments and suggestions, just e-mail to the following e-mail addresses: obiter@boholchronicle.com | 
