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Talks over gubernatorial dispute postponed again
Published January 31, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      The conciliation talks between Reelectionist Gov. Rene Relampagos and Rep. Erico Aumentado were put off anew yesterday morning due to the sudden call of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to all Lakas-NUCD officials as part of the consultation process.
      Meanwhile, Gov. Relampagos was designated last Monday as concurrent chairman of the Provincial Party Chapter of the Lakas-NUCD in Bohol. Earlier, Rep. Aumentado was designated as chairman of the same party last Jan. 23. Lakas Secretary General Heherson Alvarez signed both their designations.
       Another round of consultation talks are expected to be held this morning in Manila over the gubernatorial dispute between Relampagos and Aumentado.
       The conference called by Pres. Arroyo yesterday clarified some questions raised by Lakas officials on issues concerning the local  political camps. The Chief Executive, in answer to several questions, clarified the policy stating that all party disputes in the provinces will be decided by the national arbitration committee of the Lakas-NUCD.
      The designation of Relampagos followed after Rep. Ernesto Herrera strongly questioned why the Lakas national headquarters issued the named Aumentado as the provincial chairman when there was still the negotiations going on to settle their gubernatorial bids.
      A highly placed source said that the designation for Relampagos was issued as a compromise for the "lapses" which created confusion among leaders of both gubernatorial timbers.
      During a long distance interview last Monday, Relampagos simply said that "this is what a real democratic process really means," referring to the fact that there are now two provincial Lakas chairmen.
      However, the same source told the CHRONICLE that the designation of a party provincial chair can be settled only if Lakas national headquarters will declare either of them (Relampagos or Aumentado) as the official party candi-
date for governor.  However, while the matter remains hanging, both were given the liberty to claim that they are both Lakas chairmen in the province.
     Rep. Herrera made a closed door meeting with Aumentado last Monday 
evening, details of which remain to be under wraps until presstime.

                                        HERRERA DECIDES
       It became evident that Rep. Herrera will eventually decide on the guberna-
torial bid under Lakas.
      Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was quoted as saying that she "could have wanted Relampagos in the welcomed Relampagos in any national position as she wants young leaders under her administration."  However, "it seems Herrera wants Relampagos to finish his last term," the President was quoted as saying.
      The offers for national posts remain to be the bargaining points until yester-
day.  Positions like commissioner of the Civil Service Commission or DILG undersecretary were the posts mentioned as having been offered to the Bohol officials, or whoever will be off from the gubernatorial race.

                                     ENDORSEMENT RACE BEGINS
      Reelectionist Gov. Rene Relampagos and last termer Rep. Erico Aumentado 
are in a mad race for sectoral endorsements as both anticipate a do-or-die for Bohol's most powerful position.
      The incumbent governor has the support of 34 mayors while the solon has 14 at his disposal.
      To "overtake," Aumentado asked the Lakas vice mayors to manifest support or the party's municipal chairmen to endorse his gubernatorial bid if the mayors or vice mayors in certain  towns are leaders of the other camp.
      In Sevilla, Provincial Board Member Severino Caberte and his son, Vice Mayor Emmanuel Caberte, who is the vice mayors' league head, reportedly signed the Aumentado endorsement.
     But Mayor Serapio Bucag, a source said, inked his backing for Relampagos.
      Aumentado's men have reportedly been convincing the school teachers, 
particularly principals,  and even priests to also endorse his bid.
      Teachers are supposed to be neutral, although their right to vote should be respected, since they  are deputized in election times to man the polling centers.
     The priests, on the  other hand, are expected by the voting flock to help them choose the "lesser evil."
      The Aumentado camp has further been reported giving neon lighting mate-
rials to churches.
     Earlier, Relampagos admitted to the media he had consulted his "friends" in the Church, business community  and non-government organizations before going to Manila for the series of crucial talks with Rep. Ernesto Herrera and Aumentado.
      Reports indicate that both camps have distributed rice as another strategy helping to cook up election.
     At capitol, three board members are reportedly playing safe by not endor-
sing any gubernatorial aspirant.
     They are Kagawads Concepcion Lim, Renato Lim (her brother), and  Godo-
freda  Tirol, reportedly.
      The Lims,  although long politically aligned with Relampagos, could not turn their backs from Aumentado reportedly  for strong reasons.
     Tirol's brother-in-law, former Gov. David Tirol, has been wooed by Aumen-
tado to be his campaign manager.
     At the same time, Aumentado promised the former governor's wife, Amalia, 
a second district provincial board seat.
      In addition, Godofreda's husband, former board member Victor Tirol, is supporting the third district congressional bid of Manila-based businessman Angelo Balili who may be running under the Aumentado banner.

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