Perhaps egged by the histrionics of American politics and the positioning of senators for the 2010 presidential derby in the past couple of days, several e-mail writers, both here and abroad, prodded us to come up with our own forecast of the next local polls believing us to be a true-blue political animal too.

The prodding was not only tempting. It was also irresistible because truly, the political inclination and the body language of the local incumbents as well as those politicians who are still in a state of suspended animation will help us understand the electoral direction that they are charting.

For lack of material space and for purposes of brevity, we shall classify this political forecast cum subjective analysis to be the dream scenario in 2010. Others may consider this to be far from reality but it does not necessarily mean that this is impossible. Politics, after all, is the art of possibilities.

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Taking into consideration the looming creation of a new 4th district in Bohol, a three-cornered gubernatorial fight is not far-fetched.

Of course, outgoing 1st District Rep. Edgar M. Chatto has undeniably cast his moist eyes for the top post of the province and must lead a complete campaign slate en route to the Capitol in 2010. Ripe for his picking as running mate is another outgoing solon, Roberto Cajes, of the second district or former Rep. Eladio Jala of the third district. Cajes acquiescence would largely depend upon the accommodation of wife, Baby who is now Trinidad mayor, in the second district congressional race. After all, outgoing Gov. Erico Aumentado can also go back to his turf in that district.

The best scenario for Rep. Chatto's gubernatorial bid is to have Vice Gov. Julius Herrera take over his post in the first district. Otherwise, if Herrera sticks to his own game plan and form his own ticket too, Chatto's brother Efren or wife Pureza, would stand out to carry the surname in the polls gauged on the Jala experience in the third district between the father and son exchange. City Vice-Mayor Toto Veloso would then be a hands down choice for the city mayoralty race in the Chatto express.

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If Vice Gov. Herrera forms his own ticket, it would be wise maneuver to get Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr. as his running mate. Abapo is not only an influential figure in the Aumentado camp, he also commands awesome influence not only in the second district being the incumbent little governor.

In Herrera's ticket, Chito Castillo may be considered for the first congressional post due to his clan's reverberating influence. Outgoing Mayor Jimmy Torrefranca of Sagbayan would be too willing to waggle the Herrera banner in the second district. Prodding former Gov. Rene Relampagos for a much-needed rematch with Adam Jala in the third district to settle the issue once and for all is a good item in Herrera's action plan.

With Veloso as a shoo-in for the city mayoralty race under Chatto's ticket, Herrera may pick either incumbent Mayor Dan Lim or "Smokin' Joe" Torralba, to redeem his lost glory in 2004.

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Then a third force may finally succeed in getting the nod of movie actor and director Cesar Montano to join the gubernatorial race. For sure, Montano's slate would be up for consideration by businessman Angelo Balili.

Come-backing Conching Lim would not be a remote possibility as Montano's running mate if Loay Mayor Mae Imboy waives such right in exchange for fielding, either herself or husband Boy Imboy who is a two-term PCL president, in the third district congressional fight. Businesswoman Purita Ramirez-Soliven can level the playing field in the first district in Montano's slate. Ditto for second district's political heavyweight, Roygie Jumamoy who, for quite a period of time now, showed a lot of patience in taking the congressional crown long overdue to her.

With his flamboyant politics and an election strategy that he himself understands, it would not be remote for City Mayor Dan Lim to join this women-powered Montano slate especially if all the seats are apparently taken.

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