HEAD FOR GOVERNOR AUMENTADOLONGCUTS By Atty. Salvador D. Diputado, Ph.D.
issued last November 2009
Governor Erico B. Aumentado has been repeatedly asked who his anointed one will be for the governatorial position - Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera or Cong. Edgar Chatto? And his answer remain the same. He will pick no one, he will let the higher authorities do it for him. His reasoning is simple- his ongoing projects maybe imperiled. If he will pick one, the other will against his projects. Not to mention the possibility of jumping to other political parties. To avoid that- and keep them intact better to be "neutral".
By elevating the task to higher authorities, the governor is now purged of the tough job of explaining his choice. By playing Pontius Pilate, the governor can also avoid potential backlash in the local level. Whoever the choice will be, or whatever action is taken by top officials of the admin party , the governor can face both Julius and Edgar with a straight face.
The premise rests on the presumption that the higher ups will play ball. And they will save the day for the governor. But supposing, the higher authorities will refuse. And there are reasons aplenty like - they will leave local parties to solve local problems or it will set a dangerous precedent. When that happens, the ball is back in the governors backyard. Best recourse is to declare a free zone.
When I called up Vice Governor Herrera and asked him about the possibility of free zone in Bohol, he was non committal. He was also non committal when asked if he was willing to submit to a convention.
What happens when a free zone is declared? For sure, there will be a realignment of mayors, vice mayors and even barangay captains. And Julius and Edgar will be given the chance to test the loyalty of their supporters. But the bigger question in case of a free zone is- who will remain with the admin party and who will bolt to other parties?
The administration party convention is slated on November 20, 2009. One governatoriable told Longcuts yesterday that's too far. He may not be able to wait that long because he's already talking of "other plans" even before November 20.
The President and members of her cabinet will troop to Loboc for their cabinet meeting on tuesday, November 10,2009. The host will be Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who will also celebrate his 44th birthday on that day. Secretary Yap is also slated to formally raise his right arm in allegiance to the admin party.
So on Tuesday, there will be 3 big events in Loboc. The cabinet meeting, the birthday bash of secretary Arthur Yap, And the formal induction of Yap to the admin party inside the Loboc Gym. There are a lot of speculations about this event but this is my reading of the situation.
One, it is foregone conclusion that Arthur Yap will be the anointed admin candidate for the 3rd district congressional seat.
Two, there is no more question that former 3rd district solon Boy Jala will have to yield the choice seat to Arthur Yap.
Three, ith Arthur Yap safely ensconced for the congressional race under the admin party, Boy Jala will have to reconsider his plans. And he has to ponder on these questions, will he still pursue his congressional plans; will he stick with the admin party ; and if he bolts, which party will he turn to?
And four, there is no more question as to the full support that will be extended by the administration to Arthur Yap.
The dilemma facing the governor in the choice for vice governatorial bet under the admin party is evident. There are three 3 contenders, outgoing Congressman Cajes , provincial administrator Tommy Abapo and Conching Lim of the infamous Medicare claims cases of Valencia town. They are all close allies of Governor. Cajes is the governor's heir in the 2nd district. Abapo is the "little governor" when the governor is out of the province. with Abapo, the governor could rest easy that the affairs of the province are in good hands. In fact, this could be one of the reasons why the guv is very productive in scouring for goverment projects. And what better way to reward Abapo than to anoint him. As For Conching lim , well, there's a tie that binds between the kumpare and the kumare. This "tie" has withstood the test of time and their relationship has mellowed with the passage of time. They are so close that that it is difficult to imagine the refusal of the governor to Conching Lim s political plan. Many are in the belief that thre governor will have to agree to Conching's whims and caprices, no ifs , no buts. My analysis of the situation however says that it's a toss-up between Tommy abapo and Conching Lim only. Given the " healthy discussion" between the governor and Cong. Ondoy Cajes over Cajes' parallel organization in the 2nd district, I am willing to bet that Ondoy has already forfeited his chance at getting the nod of the governor. If Conching gets the green light for the vice governatorial position, Tommy Abapo may have to work it out somewhere, with or without the help of the governor.
Naturally, that doesn't mean that Conching lim will have an easy ride down the stretch. I suppose Cong. Ondoy Cajes can easily find a way to continue with his vice governatorial plans in other parties, NP, LP, or PMP for instance. When he does, there will be no shortage of issues. And I suppose , the political battle will be very exciting...
More when we return, stay tune for Part 4 next....
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