Gloria, Baby and Vilma
More than a year ago I said in this space that it is only barber shop talks that former President and now House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Governor Lilia 'Nanay Baby' Pineda are preparing for the 2019 hustings and running for public office. Running as candidates, not sure. But getting involved in the coming elections? Yes they are. GMA for his favorite son former Congressman Mikey M. Arroyo who wants to succeed her in the second congressional district. And Nanay Baby for his favorite son Vice-Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda who is gunning for the top capitol post.
Lately there are talks that Fourth District Congressman Rimpy Bondoc may no longer run for governor and instead seek reelection and wanted to be the next majority floor leader in the House of Representatives. And the latest buzz is that Bacolor Mayor Jomar Hizon will face Vice-Governor Dennis Pineda. This was assured to me by Ray Olalia Dizon, a relative and close associate of Hizon. Though the last time Mayor Jomar visited his friends at the fellowship of the Monday Club, he was still mum about his gubernatorial plans. This will be an interesting match up in case it will push through.
At this point though, it will be only be known if indeed GMA is ‘retiring’ and Nanay Baby will run in tandem with her son by the first week of next month. In case you don’t know, those running for political office will troop to the Commission on Elections offices to file their certificates of candidacy by then. Both ladies will be finishing their third terms. Nanay Baby will leave Capitol in good hands. Congresswoman Arroyo leaving a fruitful stint in the House of Representatives. And what's next for them? Baby sit for apos?
Lucky enough I frequently meet these two beautiful ladies who served their constituents so well and I also had the opportunity to ask them what most curious people have in mind. Recently I had the opportunity seated in a table with the two over lunch at Mr. Choi’s garden, the resto at the ground floor of the fashionable Royce Hotel Casino. I failed to ask what I really wanted to know. What's next for Nanay Baby after Capitol? Is her running in tandem with her son in the gubernatorial race a done deal? What's next for Madam Speaker after Congress? Will she not reconsider her plan to retire and run instead for a senate seat where she can easily breeze through?
Nanay Baby can fill a library with her accomplishments. Outstanding is the thousands of people she helped in their medical needs. Her genuine care for the Kapampangan constituency will surely be missed if she will retire. I dared not to ask the two gentle ladies because I was requested not to talk about politics. So instead we talked about the history of Pampanga in the early years.
TIDBITS: Dolores San Fernando Barangay Captain Vilma Caluaug who is now a member of the city council will be in the mayoral race in the 2019. Many applauded for her stand, and that’s to give the electorates of the city a choice...Her chances of winning is the same as that of incumbent Mayor Edwin Santiago who is viewed by many for his lackluster performance in the last three years...Senior Board Member Ferdinand ‘Dinan’ Labung may face once again Congressman Dong Gonzales, the fox.