Column: An exciting election
By Atty. Aleckoy H. Lim
Published: November 19, 2006 by The Bohol Standard
There is persistent talk that Jagna Mayor Exam Lloren will no longer be seeking a third term but is instead eyeing a congressional seat through the party list Akbayan. If it is true, Lloren would be a good material to sit in Congress.
The one-time rebel who was arrested and detained for his involvement in the underground, Lloren eventually decided to work for the people in the mainstream. He started at the bottom of the stepladder, working his way up from barangay captain, councilor and eventually mayor.
A low-profile worker who knows how to stand up for his beliefs, Lloren would definitely boost the chances of the poor not only in Jagna but also other towns in Bohol to get access to government assistance if he makes it.
Of course, it is still a long way to go.
At this point, Lloren has not yet made any official declaration about his political plans. Of course, he will also have to consider that he will have to think of his home base because it would be a hollow victory if he makes it to Congress and yet lose control over Jagna. He has to make sure that he will turn over the mayor’s seat to his anointed.
In the event that Lloren decides not to seek for reelection, the probably contenders include his wife Nimfa and his brother Senen. There are also other contenders outside of the family including Vice Mayor Teofisto Pagar.
Lloren however has to consider the talk that former Mayor Marcing Tsurumi is planning to make a comeback. Tsurumi has been out of circulation for a while but this lady wants to be where the action is. A scene-stealer who danced her way not only in Japan but to the mayor’s seat in Jagna, Marcing remains to be a force to reckon with.
If Lloren is not running, she will have a good chance to at least put up a good fight. Although there are those who doubt whether she still has enough resources to run a campaign like she did in the past, there is no denying that she can still draw in votes.
In fact, there are people who believe that Marcing will run even if Lloren seeks reelection. The former mayor is known for her persistence and she had defied the odds several times. She beat two lawyers, former Vice Mayor Adelaido Singco and former Mayor Alex Villacastin, on her way to becoming mayor.
She lost her seat to Lloren in 1998. Obviously, she misses the attention given to her when she was mayor and would like to take that back.
Like many incumbents, Lloren will have to deal with people whom he has disappointed along the way. That is one of the disadvantages of an incumbent. Lloren’s organization is expected to be superior not only because he is the incumbent but also because of his organizing skills. At any event, it will be an exciting election in Jagna.
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