Did the Capitol’s eavesdroppers hear him right? If they did, then City Mayor Dan Lim is in trouble, yes, real trouble. Amid the mayor’s honest pre-poll analysis of the outcome of the classic United States presidential clash where he correctly predicted Barack Obama’s re-election, will it be true in the case of his protégé’ Carmen Mayor Conchita Toribio de los Reyes who is running for governor? On the contrary, if Capitol sleuths heard him right, he was hinting of a smashing gubernatorial defeat of Mayor De los Reyes? According to the main handler of De los Reyes during his favorite radio broadcast, the US election between Pres. Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney would have a “reflection” in Bohol politics. Apparently referring to their winning chances, Lim compared the incumbent Democrat president to reelectionist Gov. Edgar Chatto and the contender Republican to De los Reyes.

Lim’’s analysis was heard here when the 120-million US electors, who included Filipinos, were about to cast their votes as president of the world’s only superpower. “Change is the name of the game,” Lim said, obviously attempting to convince the Boholanos that they, like the Americans, must have to also replace their present capitol leader come the May 2013 election for governor. But Obama got reelected, smashing Romney’s bid most notably in the final vote count by electoral college. The sitting president also defeated his foe in the popular vote tally. Reversely said, Lim’s candid pre-election assessment of the clash for the US White House top seat did effectively predict the victory and reelection of Chatto against De los Reyes in Bohol next year. His admission that Chatto is far, far more popular in gubernatorial surveys further endorses the first-termer governor for another three years. Chatto, however, is one tested political titan in this part of the country who does not believe that being popular makes a good leader. He is also of the belief that politics is not all about money.

A good, effective leader is measured according to his experience, wisdom, track record, competence, hard work, performance, and even the magnitude of respect he has gained from the people. Boholanos have noted that while Chatto has been extra-ordinarily focused on his mandate and practically tireless in his public job, De los Reyes has left numerous concerns in Carmen neglected in her ambition to rule the whole province. The lady mayor, along with Lim and few other “blind” fanatics, would go elsewhere outside their present LGUs of responsibility, poisoning innocent minds with garbage propaganda. Their trash talks have become the cult mark of their so-called Bag-ong Bol-anon, which otherwise champions old discarded bad ways. Chatto just works as he applies more government program and service innovations to secure inclusive growth for the Boholanos. In stark contrast, the other camp has intensified its street-dog attacks on the working leader and his development allies that De los Reyes and Lim think are thorns on the way to their interests.(Ven rebo Arigo)