I saw it coming. This was the reaction of V-Gov. Julius Ceasar Herrera after learning that the dominant Lakas-Kampi CMD in Bohol was threatened with rebellion with 11 Lakas mayors expressing disgust of how the party was being ran. Herrera is running for governor under the Nacionalista Party. Led by Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas, 11 Lakas mayors hinted of bolting the party if they continued to be treated like second class citizens by their own peers.

Salinas became “ a congressman that never was” when he was waylaid by a non-Lakas member in former governor Rene Relampagos on the way to be anointed as Lakas first district congressional bet. Relampagos has since became the Lakas congressional contender in the first district instead of Salinas under a fragile coalition with the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and Lakas. The LDP is Relampagos' party. In the center of the Lakas mayors' attack was their gubernatorial bet Rep. Edgar Chatto.

Chatto however, reasoned out that he was not privy to any manipulation of the party he heads. According to Herrera, he knew that there were a lot of manipulations going on so “I decided to get out before it was too late”. Herrera said that Chatto was a sleek operator who gets what he wants from party bigwigs so he knew from the start that he would be eased out. He also revealed that during a meeting last year, it became obvious that the national party leaders were partial to Chatto. In that meeting, Herrera said he witnessed the heated argument between Gov. Erico Aumentado and Rep. Roberto Cajes. “Right there I knew who calls the shots in Lakas Bohol,” he recalled.

The vice-governor said it was not his style to butter up so it was not surprising that Chatto would earn the nod of Lakas national officers. “I don't know, but maybe that was one of the reasons why Secretary (Gabriel) Claudio resigned because he could no longer take the pressure,” he added. Herrera admitted that he already feared the slow death of Lakas Bohol due to the machination intended to cement Chatto's control. He said that with Chatto and Cajes calling the shots, loyalty to the party was no longer important. “For as long as you commit to them, it does not matter if you are loyal to Lakas or not,” the vice-governor said. Herrera said that when Aumentado got the jolt of his life when his certificate of nomination and acceptance (Cona) was revoked, the vice-governor said he knew he made the right decision to leave Lakas.

“They can chop the head of anybody who will not play their game,” he added. The vice-governor said he is just sad that many loyal Lakas party members in the towns in the second district are falling victims to the Chatto-Cajes group.  “Could you imagine incumbent mayors either declared as independent or seeking refuge in other parties?” he noted.  Herrera said that while he was saddened by the turn of events, he was comforted by the thought that no such thing will happen in the Nacionalista Party under him.   “As head in the provincial level, I will see to it that no party member of good standing will be prejudiced,” he declared.  Herrera also gave an unsolicited advice to Lakas members. “Protect your back. You will never know who is going to stab you,” he warned.