Three Election Hotspots
The manipulators of candidates for barangay elections are hard at work. Never mind the youth (SK) polls. They are learning or honing skills of patronage politics in their early career for elective office.
The contest for barangay posts is fiercely fought due to risks and costs involved. The race for SK’s may be settled with burgers and fries.
Today only the brave and fearless insist on getting a shot at the Chairmanship (barangay captain). Required to actively engage in the anti-drug campaign they are duty bound to provide an updated list of suspect denizens in the drug trade.
The Kapitan’s intelligence work will be necessary in identifying suspect users/ pushers. It is in the nature of things, however, that the barangay officials will protect and coddle addicted sons and relatives.
Most village chiefs are not guiltless of this crime.
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Hardnosed observers of the coming elections are focused on three “hotspots” in Pampanga. The first is Mabalacat City where the City Mayor Garbo is a leader diehard of Governor Pineda, and by extension, of her spouse “Kingmaker Bong.” When ex-mayor Boking Morales was toppled his gang of supporters vowed to come back with a vengeance regardless of future consequences and undaunted by the powers and prowess of Nanay Gob whom Boking has beaten in several disputes.. Undeniably Morales will back to the hilt his network of leaders-candidates in the May polls that will compose his invasion forces in the next mayoral elections. He is expected to cut down to size Garbo who has cast his die with the Pinedas.
Our cabalen are watching the outcome in May of the quiet contest in Balibago where the legendary and ageless Tarzan Lazatin Is pitted against the pretty wife of the outgoing incumbent Chairman. Mamac is a PC/ INP combat medallist who has managed village affairs like a Datu from Marawi. The Kong is llamado (favoured) in the fight but Mamac has the most mamasans along with the cura parroco, the senior citizens and workers in the night.
The third hotspot is San Simon town where the strong-willed and feisty Mayor Wong has engaged the parish priest in a running battle. The town folk are heavily in the side of the Reverend because he is a non-politician and a worker of God while Madame Wong is a trapo working for the election of ex-mayor Digos Canlas. “If Canlas loses in his election bid he would know who to blame,” many residents suggested.