OZAMIZ CITY--The Nacionalista Party (NP), the country’s oldest political party, is currently consolidating its forces in Mindanao provinces, taking Misamis Occidental too by storm as several mayors from the first district jumped ship towards the NP bandwagon.
A report relayed to this paper last week stated that 11 out of the 14 municipal mayors of the province and one city mayor bolted the Lakas-Kampi coalition and took their oath of allegiance to NP.
The move in the local scene is seen as part of the aggressive campaign to support NP’s head and presidentiable Manny Villar and his priming for 2010.
The NP, according to its website, “has the distinction of being the most enduring political party not only in the Philippines but also in Asia.” The said party has already in its roll six Presidents as well as a stellar cast of congressmen and senators.
The same source who provided this paper with the documents of the oath-taking and its meeting held in Plaridel said that among those who took their pledge as new NP members are Vice Gov. Francisco Paylaga Jr. and board members Inocencio Pagalaran Jr, Franklin Omandam, Rolando Regalado and Edilma Bulawin, all from the first district.
Also, Oroquieta City mayor Jorge Almonte and his councilor son, Jason took their oaths along with Vice Mayor Henry Famas.
Meanwhile, the mayors who bolted from the ruling party were identified by the source as Mayors Jimmy Regalado of Aloran, Rey Limquimbo of Jimenez, Roxannie Marie Paylaga of Panaon, Zenaida Azcuna of Lopez Jaena, Agnes Villanueva of Plaridel, Luisito Villanueva Jr. of Calamba, Haneya Theresa Chiong of Baliangao, Benjamin Pelota Jr. of Concepcion, Virginia Animas of Sapang Dalaga, Delia Lood of Sinacaban and Estella Obut of Tudela.
Vice mayors Tayo Dulalas of Lopez Jaena and Agne Yap Sr. of Baliangao also joined forces with Villar’s party.
It was learned that the new NP members, in a caucus held during their conference, decided to field Jimenez vice-mayor Jim de los Santos to run for board member.
The same source likewise intimated that Villar, in his attendance during the said conference, wanted former political enemies in the province to reconcile “for the sake of development”, thus former Oroquieta mayors Ernie and Nancy Bandala and ex vice-mayor Lemuel Acosta is said to be amenable with the approach of Villar’s group.
Meanwhile, two political figures always seen with Villar nowadays is Mayor Ernie Clarete and Paylaga, who is rumored to be runniNg for his dreamed gubernatorial seat soon to be vacated by Gov. Loreto Ocampos.
Last week, the camp of Vice Mayor Carlos Patricio Bernad has announced his bid for the Capitol seat. Such declaration was confirmed by Bernad’s media staff George Anngot and Fernando Dumanjug.
Ocampos, chair of the 80-man provincial governors’ league and a favorite of President Gloria Arroyo is rumored to be eyeing the representation of the second district next year, which will also to be given up by the graduating Herminia Ramiro.
In 2007, Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, himself a three-termer, would joke mediamen that he is aspiring also for governor. “Hulata ko ninyo didto,” he would say in jest.
This late, the mayor said he is losing interest in the Capitol, a statement which gave birth to grapevines bouncing back and forth inside City Hall that the chief executive is also eyeing Bernad’s post.
First rumored to run for congressman, then city mayor, Bernad’s ambition in politics is difficult to keep track, according to media pundits and political analysts.
But DxSY announcer Antonio Lago, in a conversation with this paper last January, predicted he is sure Bernad will surely aim for the highest provincial seat.
“A Bernad will definitely make a comeback in the Capitol,” Lago explained, recalling that Kaloy’s grandfather, the indefatigable Don Anselmo, once served as governor in the 1940’s.
“Another Bernad sitting in the Capitol is possible, kay kining apelyedoha kaluha na sa politika,” Lago said, narrating the Bernad’s family tree of politicians.
The late Fernando Bernad, Kaloy’s father, served as this city’s mayor for a time before tasting defeat in the late 80’s when he ran for congressman in the second district against Hilarion “Nonoy” Ramiro Jr. by an insignificant margin.
As for Herminia, no pronouncement was made by her yet although she jokingly acknowledged media’s hint last December that she will probably throw her hat in the race for the Capitol.
As this developed, Mayors Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and Jennifer Wee Tan of Tangub City are the only executives still with the Lakas-Kampi camp.
With Parojinog and Tan are Mayors David Navarro of Clarin, Samson Dumanjug of Bonifacio and Don Victoriano’s Annabel Hamoy.
March 15, a new survey conducted by University of the Philippines students showed Villar leading the top presidential race in the May 2010 polls with majority of the respondents saying they will vote for him as president.