Is the Gang of 4 in Bohol politics a thing of the past?

This question surfaced following the silent but unmistakable polarization of what used to be a monolithic structure in the ruling party. Since 2001, the so-called “Gang of 4” held sway over the fate of Bohol politics that virtually sealed the control of the administration party in the different provisional positions. Gov. Erico Aumentado and Representatives Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Eladio Jala were unbeatable in their respective turfs and ran roughshod over the opposition. Together with Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, their combined forces secured the victory of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the 2004 elections while giving her one of the biggest margins all over the country. And yet, even this has to end. With Aumentado, Herrera, Chatto and Cajes serving the last of their three terms by 2010, a mad scramble has opened cracks that may be difficult if not impossible to restore in time for next year's polls.

Aumentado is bruited to seek his old post in the second district where he was unbeatable for three consecutive terms and which he used as a launching pad to unseat then Gov. Rene Relampagos in 200. Too difficult to resist for those who are within striking distance, the vacuum resulting from Aumentado's exit has attracted thrown two erstwhile political allies into a collision course. Herrera has no pretensions about his desire to become the bride after being the bridesmaid for nine years. Chatto however is not about to give him the post on a silver platter and has himself been laying the groundwork for his own political organization on the provincial level.

Jala, who turned over his seat to his son, incumbent Rep. Adam Relson Jala, in 2007, is seeking to reclaim his post in a projected close race with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.

Cajes is still a mystery. He has not denied reports about his possible entry into the gubernatorial although the presence of Chatto in his district in recent days has raised the possibility that he could be the running-mate of the first district solon.

Trinidad Mayor Judith Cajes, the congressman's wife, is being rumored as a dark horse in the second district seat to be vacated by her husband and a possible run-off with Aumentado is not entirely impossible.

The three solons have remained a potent power bloc but the big question is whether it is over-matched for the combined forces of Aumentado and Herrera. In recent weeks, Herrera has been distributing seedlings bearing the pictures and the names of the top two officials. The governor has also given the task of distributing the barangay aid to Herrera, something many political watchers take as a sign that he will be supporting the vice-governor over Chatto. Although they ran and won on opposing parties in 2001, they joined forces in 2004 in an election where Aumentado lost in the first district.

The governor had to lean on his old machinery in the second district to overhaul his deficit in the first district. If Herrera did not deliver in Calape, the margin would have been bigger – with losses in the towns of Balilihan and Dauis which are known Chatto bailiwicks. The implications of Aumentado's losses in these two towns is not lost to many observers who opine that Chatto did not really sever his old ties with Relampagos while throwing a monkey wrench on his relationship with Aumentado. Many believe this is one of the factors that weighed heavily on Aumentado's mind when he made his decision on whom to support. Although he has not publicly announced his decision, many believe that Herrera's province-wide distribution task showed where Aumentado's heart now lies. These sorties not only give Herrera the political mileage that he needs for his province-wide campaign but also gives rise to the perception that he has been designated heir apparent. If the crack that appears to widen by the day materializes into a full-blown split, it will mean the end of nearly a decade of political control in Bohol . Which inevitably brings us back to the question: is the gang of 4 a gang no more?