STO. TOMAS CITY, Batangas -- THE die is cast and there is no turning back.
The 2022 national and local elections are on!
And with it, local candidates tried to beat the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy last Friday (8 October 2021).
Surprises
The final day of the filing of COC revealed a lot of surprises, same old faces seeking higher elective posts, political rivalries renewed, and, oh, some family members had to face the bitter reality they are pitted against each other in their own turfs.
Such is the case between top Malvar, Batangas Councilor Carla Reyes, and aunt Malvar incumbent Mayor Cristeta Reyes who are both vying for the town’s highest elective post come May 9, 2022.
Popularly known hereabouts as “Ate Carla” because of her closeness to people and devotion to public service, Councilor Carla Reyes filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) last Tuesday under National Unity Party with a complete slate.
Her running mate for vice-mayor is no other than former mayor Bert Lat (2018-2019) while Councilor Carla’s bets for Sangguniang Bayan include incumbent Vice Mayor Matt Louie Aranda, together with Kurt Abu, Bong Kalaw, Arnel "Zaldy" Lantin, Emil Lat, Ralph Morcilla, Jeric Malabanan Platon, and Aileen Pitogo Saludo.
Not to be outdone, Mayor Teta Reyes, who is seeking a second straight term, also filed a complete eight-man lineup that includes Karina Reyes, Dra. Delia Latayan Tagle, Gisseil Malabanan, Jovie dela Pena, Lemeul Samboy, and Popoy Mendoza.
However, Team Tita’s slot for vice mayor was still vacant as of press time.
Intergenerational fight
Both camps are capable of winning and some observers believe that it will be an intergenerational fight since the two most deciding factors would be experience versus youthful enthusiasm.
Teta Reyes has reigned supreme as mayor of Malvar for three full terms from 2001 to 2010, and 2010 to 2018 before it was cut short when Ombudsman Samuel Martires charged her with graft for selling a 5,000 square meter lot owned by her children to the municipal government in 2009.
The case was later dismissed and in 2019, Mayor Reyes wrested anew her post.
Another in-house tiff
Meanwhile, up there in the First District of Batangas another “family affair” is brewing.
Former bemedalled swimming athlete and former Games and Amusements Board and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Eric Buhain on Saturday filed his certificate of candidacy to represent the First District of Batangas, eyeing to replace his wife, Rep. Eileen Ermita-Buhain.
There is nothing wrong with it.
It’s just that, he is running against his wife’s younger sister Lisa Ermita, who is greatly endorsed by dad former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
Political pundits hereabouts believe the spoils from this looming “in-house fight” might favorably go Gerry Manalo’s way, the third force who is also aspiring to represent Batangas’ First District in 2022.
Tanauan battle
That’s exactly what happened to academician Sonny Collantes who finally made a breezy path to the House of Representatives in 2010, when then Rep. Vicky Hernandez and brother Dennis Hernandez both filed their COC for congress.
Now Sonny Collantes and his wife, incumbent Third District Rep. Maite Collantes, are set to square off with the brother and sister tandem of Tanauan City Mayor Angeline “Sweet” Halili and Kuya Mark Halili.
Mark Halili, a.k.a. MarkAng Halili” wants to replace “Sweet” at Tanauan’s top post against Sonny Collantes.
“Sweet” Halili will be seeking her seat in Congress opposite incumbent Rep. Maite Collantes.
Biggest surprise
The biggest surprise proved to be the sudden turnaround of Sixth District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto from it all.
She’s a shoo-in to grab her third and last term of Lipa’s lone congressional district according to political observers in the province.
While she begged off from joining any candidacy in the national arena, she had to give way to hubby Sen. Ralph Recto who will be making a return to the Lower House next year.
And so far, only the following local candidates have filed their COCs with incumbent Governor Hermilando Mandanas and party mate Vice Governor Mark Leviste looming to run unopposed.
Complete list of bets
For Governor
Hermilando Mandanas
For Vice Governor
Mark Leviste
For Board Member
3rd District
Fred Corona
5th District
Claudette Ambida
Arthur "Bart" Blanco
6th District
Lydio Lopez
Bibong Mendoza
For Congressman
1st District
Gerry Manalo
Eric Buhain
Lisa Ermita
2nd District
Jinky "Bitrics" Luistro
Reina Abu
3rd District
Ma. Theresa "Maitet" Collantes
4th District
Lianda Bolilia
5th District
Mario Vittorio "Marvey" Mariño (Nacionalista Party)
6th District
Ralph Recto
Cities and municipalities
Agoncillo
For Mayor
Cindy Valenton Reyes
For Vice Mayor
Dan Reyes
Balete
For Councilor
Edwin Caguitla Magpantay
Batangas City
For Mayor
Beverly Dimacuha (Nacionalista Party)
For Vice Mayor
Alyssa Cruz (Nacionalista Party)
Bauan
For Councilor
Ren Mendoza Maramot
Calatagan
For Mayor
Peter Oliver Palacio
Cuenca
For Mayor
Faye Endaya-Barretto
Lipa City
For Mayor
Eric B. Africa
For Vice Mayor
Makmak Luancing
For Councilor
Gally Angeles
Junjun Gozos
Mike Lina
Percival Lojo
Aries Macala
Venice Manalo
Mikee Morada
Avior Rocafort
Nicole Ronquillo
Merlo Silva
Spye Toledo
King Umali
Lemery
For Mayor
Lamrry Alilio
For Vice Mayor
Geraldine Ornales
For Councilor
Jacris Bello
Hana Bustos
Hannah Cabral
Napo Piol
Zeni Vidal
Bien Villanueva
Aris Kenneth Punzalan
Roger Eguia
Mabini
For Mayor
Noel Bitrics Luistro
For Vice Mayor
Pablo Jun Villanueva
For Councilor
Richard Dieza
Nelson Hernandez
Sonny de Leon
Jojo Bueno
Catalino "Boyet" Arago
Alex Kenny Fabila
Sweet Magnaye
Marcelo "Mar" Castillo
Malvar
For Mayor
Carla Reyes
Cristeta Cuevas Reyes
For Vice Mayor
Alberto "Bert" Lat
For Councilor
Kurt Abu
Matt Louie Aranda
Bong Kalaw
Arnel "Zaldy" Lantin
Emil Lat
Ralph Morcilla
Jeric Malabanan Platon
Aileen Pitogo Saludo
Mataas na Kahoy
For Mayor
Janet Magpantay
For Vice Mayor
Jay Manalo Ilagan
For Councilor
Lourdes Orozo Calinisan
Merlyn Caraan Laqui
Lemuel Benedicto De Ocampo
Herwin Del Mundo
Melven Moreno Lucero
Jerry Reyes
Angelito Nino Subol
Aga Vergara
Rosario
For Mayor
Joel Panganiban Alvarez (PDP-Laban)
For Vice Mayor
Arnold “Budda” Austria (PDP-Laban)
For Councilor
Angel Alvarez (PDP-Laban)
Malou Villapando (PDP-Laban)
Luzviminda Austria (PDP-Laban)
Clemencia Maglaqui (PDP-Laban)
Virgilio “Kap Biyo” Pitel (PDP-Laban)
Rodjelo “Jelo” Hernandez (PDP-Laban)
Ann Catherine Calingasan (PDP-Laban)
Jose “Joey “ Galicha (PDP-Laban)
San Juan
For Councilor
Poling De Chavez
Tanauan City
For Mayor
Mark Halili
For Vice Mayor
Jun-Jun Trinidad
For Councilor
Angel Castillo Burgos
Sto. Tomas City
For Mayor
Arth Jhun Marasigan
Severino Harina
Armenius Silva
For Vice Mayor
Catherine Jaurigue
Reynante Arcillas
For Councilor
Arlene Manebo
Danilo Mabilangan
Ross Allan Maligaya
Gerardo Malijan
Raquel Maloles
Helengrace Navarro
Leovino Villegas
Donna Marie Sanchez
Victor Bathan
Jonathan Castillo
Tom Reyes
Maureen Dimayuga
Ermina Centeno
Harold Nora
Adrian Carpio
Danilo de Mesa
Hernando Navarez
Reginald Manito
Kim Balitaan
Edwin Ascano
Ryan Molina
Rosalina Mabilangan
(IAmi/OpBats)