WITH barely two months left to October filing dates of candidacy for 2022 elections, the public need not have a politically keen eye to see the unquestioningly obvious shaping of local political imagery. Even amidst the seeming loud silence of known political personalities, or families rather, the public’s guess on who will it be who will run for this post and that post rarely goes outside the radar of the usual political players. If ever there will be newbies who I would call risk-takers, they’re almost sure losers.
Our brand of local politics really and only belongs only to these classes of political families. A newcomer may risk making it to the fold through time but not without great cost. And once there and has become one among the circle of what I call Political Lords, the newcomer who dances correctly the music of politics can have himself and his political exploits solidified over time until his political stature becomes almost perpetual, and their positions become almost a lasting family enterprise.
Icot comeback
In Leyte, the election contest that is now shaping up for the gubernatorial post is likely to remain as is just like in the previous elections. With still no modest challenger propping up to date, the ruling Petilla will remain uncontested, as it has remained so for three decades now.
The unverified yet highly credible talks I overheard is the likely and anticipated comeback of former Energy Secretary Icot Petilla. My reliable source claimed that he will seek again the Leyte governorship in tandem of former Javier town mayor and Andok’s mugol Sandy Javier as his vice governor. Icot has been very much visible in the province since last year helping his little brother Governor Dominic cope with the vicious Covid pandemic. He too had been instrumental in the quick recovery of the province from the extended aftermath of the Yolanda 2013 disaster. Icot was governor of Leyte for eight years from 2003 to 2010 before his stint as Department of Energy Secretary during the later years of Pnoy presidency.
Tsinoys Vs Meztizo Romualdezes
In Tacloban City, the brewing political intramurals that are happening now will probably result to actual contest between the Tacloban Tsinoys and mestizo Romualdezes. Talks are ripe now that Sambo being an outgoing vice mayor now is positioningfor mayoralty post and challenges head on incumbent Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez, who for sure, will seek his second term in tandem with son Raymund, or so they love us say. Sambo who is heard to be solidifying now its alliance with the formidable block of the Chuas will run for mayor in tandem with Edwin Chua. The emerging force of Sambo and Chua is seen to split the Tacloban Tsinoy community, as the Romualdezes undoubtedly still maintain significant backing from the Tacloban business community that is mostly of Chinese descent.