By Joe Espiritu
Bohol Sunday Post
It has been predicted that the celebration of the EDSA I anniversary will not be the flash point that would cause the fall of the Arroyo government. The people are tired of EDSAs. Some officials are not in favor of ousting the present President on the reason that the leaders of the past administrations have no confidence in the abilities of the legal successor. It is expected that after the furor of the EDSA celebrations, the streets will be quiet again barring further exposes.
The unrest, if we may call it that, is confined only in Metro Manila. However the effects are far reaching. It has been said that when Manila sneezes, the provinces shiver. That is also true with Bohol. Since the national directorate of the political parties controls the action, all eyes are in Manila. The situation in Manila is fluid. So is it with Bohol.
The ruling party was not a party but a coalition of the Lakas CMD and the Kampi of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The coalition is falling apart with the ouster of Jose de Venicia from the House Speakership. Although JDV is not holding any national position of the Lakas, since the party chairmanship fell to Rep Luis Villafuerte of the Bicol region, the chairman emeritus and still the kingmaker is the Lakas founder Fidel V Ramos a fellow Pangasenense of de Venicia.
Here in Bohol, many politicians of note are graduating, prohibited by the Constitution from running the fourth time. Among them are Governor Erico Aumentado, Vice Governor Julius Herrera, first District Congressman Edgar Chatto and Second District Congressman Roberto Cajes. To keep their political career from fading, they must still be in the limelight so they have to run for some position.
Not many of our top politicians could run for senator. They had not made enough waves. They will be fighting for local positions. Barbershop rumors say that Edgar Chatto will run for governor. His opponent will be Julius Herrera. Tuba store or patentehan stories say that our friend Atty Tommy Abapo will be the vice of Chatto. Or it may be that since the First District Congressional seat is to be vacant, Herrera might be interested in it. Or Atty Tom will contest the Second Congressional District seat, which will also be vacant. What of Gov Aumentado?
The logical choice is he will run again as Second District Congressman and help Atty Tom in his bid for vice gov.
The Third District situation is unclear. The situation might not be the same as in the first time. Eladio Jala had succeeded where Isidro Zarraga had failed. Either the present Congressman Adam will rerun or he will defer to the senior Jala. That depends upon the situation. If the opposition is stiff, the senior Jala must take the field to keep the position within the family.
It is not sure to what party banners will the politicians carry or what party will allow their banners to be carried by whom. A text message said the Congressmen voted "yes" because GMA bought "yes". Many Lakas congressmen voted yes. If the stories were true that all Bohol congressmen voted yes then they will be in an uncomfortable position. GMA's Kampi popularity is going, going, gone. FVR may take over from Villafuerte and give the Lakas back to JdV. Should he regain the Lakas party chair it would be interesting to know how he would react to those who voted against him.
As we had said before, Congressmen Chatto and Cajes are graduating so they will not have to deal much with Lakas on the national level. Besides, they might have their war chests ready in case. Or they have strong grassroots organization to be able to assume a position of strength. If Adam Jala had voted yes, will JdV still trust him? Or will he move over to Kampi? Whoever will gain the good graces of the Kampi will never lack logistics, as GMA will be likely to pack both Houses with friends to avoid embarrassment when she steps down.
Atty Dioning Balite had been the Kampi candidate last time. He had edged out Bicbic Abrenilla for the Kampi nomination. He might try again or he might field someone. There is yet two years to go to mend fences. However, early birds are the ones that get the worms. Rene Relampagos lost when he spent too little in a field, which he had entered too late.
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