The battle for the Third District congressional seat will be a virtual clash of the titans - between two administration figures holding national posts in the Arroyo government. As reports arise that Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap is maneuvering to cut a compromise deal for a single term in Congress, former congressman and now Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary Eladio Jala, who has bared his plans of staging a comeback in the 3rd district, says no such agreement was reached between him and the agriculture boss.

In fact, the two officials have evaded discussing their own political agenda during chance encounters and sorties in the 3rd district, said Jala in an interview with the Chronicle yesterday.

The rumors on Sec. Yap's intention to run in the 3rd congressional district was confirmed after he filed for voter's registration in barangay Buenavista, Loboc town, two weeks ago.

Originally registered as voter in Manila, Yap is a Boholano by affinity due to his marriage to the daughter of Annie Gow, a native of Loboc.

According to reports, the camp of Yap is striking a deal with Jala in order to be given the opportunity to represent the 3rd district in Congress. The congressional mandate will purportedly be Yap's stepping stone for a senatorial bid in the 2013 elections.

The 3rd congressional district will be tendered to Yap "on a silver platter", according to the report, with the assurance that Yap will vacate it after one term in office and run for senator in the 2013 polls.

When asked to comment on such negotiation, Yap in a text message to the Chronicle last night said, "I have not been informed or aware of such arrangement".

"If somebody has to withdraw from this race, it should be him (Yap), not me," Jala stressed.

Jala said his desire to serve again the people in the 3rd district gained momentum as supporters and leaders have persuaded him to seek re-election.

Jala was first elected as provincial board member representing the 3rd district for six years before his three terms in Congress.

The former lawmaker's dominance was put to test in the last election following his son's slim victory over former governor Rene Relampagos. Jala got 65,081 votes over Relampagos' 62,106 votes.

Despite allegations of vote-padding and vote-shaving, the Jalas persevered keeping the congressional post within the family.

"The voters will be the ultimate judge. But as I see it now, I still have the warm support of my constituents in the 3rd district," he added.

"While forging such an agreement allows us to form alliances and ensure that the top leaders of Bohol remain a cohesive force, I don't think I can turn my back to my supporters who have been intact for more than 15 years," Jala pointed out.

GMA'S NOD?

Asked whether Pres. Arroyo would intercede to iron out hitches within the administration bloc especially the looming collision with Sec. Yap, former congressman Jala admitted there has been no official statement from the president on the matter.

In fact, Pres. Arroyo was very cautious to comment on Bohol political positioning during a recent meeting at the Palace with Gov. Erico Aumentado, Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, Rep. Edgar Chatto, Rep. Roberto Cajes, and the Jalas.

"Even before we met with the president in Malacañang, I already informed the other Bohol leaders that in the event Pres. Arroyo would ask me to give way for Sec. Yap, I would readily turn down such proposal," Jala disclosed.

He said Aumentado, Herrera, Chatto and Cajes all agreed to respect his decision but each expressed their intention for party unity.

"I was honestly worried that the president would ask me to yield in favor of Yap, but I'm glad she did not," Jala said.

Arroyo went on to discuss about ongoing projects in the province and simply listened to the Bohol political situationer.

YAP'S VISIBILITY

The DA secretary is always visible in Bohol, especially in the towns of the 3rd district where he had been rumored to run since last year.

One of Pres. Arroyo's designated stewards in implementing the Comprehensive Livelihood Employment Program (CLEEP), Yap has at his disposal some P50-million in DA funds to help farmers.

In another interview, Yap had said his visits to Bohol "must not be injected with political color" as this is in line with his job to implement agri-related production program especially that he was assigned by the President to coordinate the projects in the province

Asked to comment about the use of agriculture funds and Yap's political positioning in the 3rd district, Jala said he is just thankful to the secretary for bringing projects to the district which is represented by his son.

One of the youngest to be appointed to the Arroyo cabinet, Yap, who is a lawyer by profession, held at least five positions in government since 2001.

He first entered government as president of the Philippine International Trading Corporation of the Department of Trade and Industry. He later served as administrator of the National Food Authority for two years. Yap was also designated director general of the Presidential Management Staff.

Pres. Arroyo became the secretary's economics professor when he took management and economics in college.