With barely eleven months away from elections, the third congressional district is sizzling with personalities vying for congressman as Rep. Eladio Jala wraps up his nine-year term while declaring he will not run for any position in the May 2007 elections.

There are no less than nine names that surfaced. These include former Gov. Rene Relampagos and three incumbent provincial board members.

EYEING FOR 3RD DIST. POST - (l-r) Former Gov. Rene L. Relampagos, Prov'l BM Atty. Dionisio Balite,Prov'l BM Brigido Imboy, Prov'l BM Godofreda Tirol, & Manila businessman Angelo Balili.

A reunification between Gov. Erico Aumentado and Relampagos has been noted with the latter conspicuously seen at the front tables during the Ruby wedding anniversary of Gov. Erico Aumentado at the Bohol Tropics Grand Ballroom last Monday. It maybe noted that the two clashed in the last two gubernatorial races.

The report of Relampagos running for city mayor fizzled out with more indications that he will try his luck for congressman in the third district where he won in some towns as governor during the last election. Relampagos' wife, Emie Adiong, is a native of Loay town.

Other interested bets for congressman in the 3rd district are Prov'l BM Dionisio Balite, Prov'l BM Brigido Imboy, Prov'l BM Godofreda Tirol, Manila businessman Angelo Balili, former Prov'l BM Alexander Lim, retired Gen. Leo Olegario, Manila based lawyer Abrenilla and S-Bullones Mayor Simplicio Maestrado, Jr.
Simplicio is confirmed to run on the event Balili will not pursue his political plan.

Balite who placed second to Jala during the last congressional race is backed up by his barangay stronghold with the support of his Bohol Institute of Technology which has been giving scholarships to children of barangay officials whom he can tap during elections.

However, to be picked as the official administration candidate could not be assured considering that last termer Prov'l BM Concepcion Lim who is a close ally of Gov. Aumentado will never endorse Balite but Relampagos to be the official administration bet of the third district.

The well fueled political machinery of Balili is holding strong support from the so-called "Group of Ten" incumbent mayors in the district. Rep. Jala also vowed to support Balili being his townmate from Loboc.

However, once Balili will not pursue his bid, Sierra Bullones Mayor Maestrado will run, but is no longer given the assurance that the nine mayors in their "Group of Ten" will support him.

Political observers said that once Relampagos will be proclaimed as the official administration bet, there are at least two among the nine probable bets who will withdraw from the race.

The third district comprises of 19 towns including the vote-rich municipalities of Carmen, Jagna and Valencia.

JALA'S LAST TERM

REP. JALA

The last termer solon told the Chronicle last Thursday that he has decided to "pause for a while from politics," while he likewise said that "retiring from politics" is not remote after serving his district as congressman for nine years. Earlier, Jala surfaced as one of the probable running mates of Gov. Aumentado especially during that time when the governor was at odds with Vice Gov. Julius Herrera. However, political observers noted that an Aumentado-Herrera tandem is perceived as practical and convenient for the administration in next year's elections. Meanwhile, the last termer congressman told the Chronicle that it is not true that he was endorsing his brother, City Deped Supt. Elpidio Jala for congressman in his district.

3 VACANT BOARD SLOTS

The third district is also blooming with probables for prov'l board members since three slots will be vacant during next year's elections.

The last termer BMs are Godofreda Tirol and Concepcion Lim.

BM Balite has one term left but he is determined to run again for congressman.

Tirol is also considered a congressional timber while Lim will run for mayor in her hometown, Valencia.
The lone re-electionist is Prov'l BM Corazon Galbreath..

Four names surfaced as among the contenders for the three vacant seats in the provincial board (third dist), namely: City Kagawad Urbano Lagunay, retired PNP Prov'l Director Sancho Bernales; broadcaster, Loay Vice Mayor Tibbs "Bong" Bullecer Jr and Adam Relson Jala, son of Rep. Jala.