Interesting match-up in Antique

SAN JOSE, ANTIQUE – At the close of the filing of Certificate of Candidacy last Friday, only two candidates will fight it out for the position of Governor of Antique with incumbent Rhodora “Dodod” Cadiao and disqualified Governor Exequiel “Boy Ex” Javier as lone challenger.

Cadiao is running under the National Unity Party (NUP) which is in coalition with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the province of Antique while Javier is with the Liberal Party (LP).

In 2010, Cadiao and Javier first ran against each other for governor. Javier won by a few thousand votes. In 2013, Javier ran for re-election and won while Cadiao ran and won for Vice Governor. In January this year, the Comelec disqualified and removed Javier from office for violation of the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code and installed Cadiao as governor.

The take-over of Cadiao was marred by a microphone grabbing drama right at the steps of the Antique Provincial Capitol as Javier insisted the Comelec could not remove him pending resolution of a Motion for Reconsideration he filed before the Supreme Court.

“This is going to be a very exciting political contest since we can liken to be between the good and evil. We will see how Dodod Cadiao’s charm, integrity and sincerity as a public servant would fare against the vast financial resources of former Governor Boy Ex,” said Atty. Cornelio Aldon, the campaign manager of the NUP-UNA coalition.

“This will be a big test for the Antiqueños. The result of this election will determine how far we have matured as a people,” Atty. Aldon said, adding that he and the rest of the people behind the UNANUP coalition in Antique will be doing their best to have a clean, peaceful and orderly election in the province next year.

Meanwhile, six persons will be contesting the lone district of Antique in Congress. They are incumbent Paolo Everardo Javier of the LP, Provincial Board Member and former PCSO Director Raymundo Roquero of UNA, lawyer Narzal Mallares, retired PNP General Robert Delfin of NPC, retired Judge Alfonso Combong, Jr. and Atty. Antero Villaflor of KBL.

Three are running for Vice Governor – Edgar Denosta of NUP, Board Member Victor Condez of LP and popular lawyer Atty. Eduardo Fortaleza, an independent candidate. (PNA)