The political opposition of this coastal town had its hands full last elections castigating left and right the Jumamoys of Inabanga, the kind of mudslinging that no family name, even how venerable and illustrious it is, would have survived the massive onslaught, if they were not made of sterner stuff. In social networking sites like blogs, facebook, twitter, etc., the Jumamoys were the favorite whipping boys and girls with the accusations bordering on the absurd and libelous. In campaign rallies mounted by the opposition, the Jumamoys were also at the receiving end of all kinds of tirades that according to Mayor Roygie Jumamoy their opponents already sounded like a broken record because the audience they courted to rally behind their cause just laughed it out and dismissed the same as one big lie. So powerful was the Jumamoys hold of Inabanga that according to jaded political pundits, everything was thrown at them including the kitchen sink during the last political exercise, but still they managed to withstand the verbal missiles unleashed every step of the way. What happened in the last elections as a result of the massive verbal attack defied logic and expectations, a trademark, the Jumamoys were known day in, and day out in Inabanga, election time or no elections.

Just what is the secret of the Jumamoys’ staying power that despite the carpet bombing of insinuations and accusations they still occupy a soft spot in the hearts of the people? When asked of this loaded question, the newly-minted Mayor Roygie was at a loss for words how to response to the query. At the risk of being accused of lifting their own chair, the lady mayor was modest in her assessment why the Jumamoys are still the family to reckon with in Inabanga. Last elections, saw four Jumamoys winning their respective seats they have been aspiring for. They are the come backing Mayor Roygie who chose to hand over her provincial board seat to her elder daughter Jaja, while son Jono, opted to run for councilor. Another Jumamoy, a cousin, Ronnie, ran for vice mayor and won. If all the Jumamoys, won in the last elections, it was because they are well-loved by the people of Inabanga, thus, said Mayor Roygie matter-of-factly.

Speaking of leadership, the lady mayor said, there was no question that they in tested in Inabanga and the people knew it, since they started in politics. And contrary to the allegations of their enemies, the Jumamoys are known of their transparency in local governance, a manifestation that no amount of mudslinging will ever convince the people of Inabanga to believe what was mouthed as lies in the last elections. As for Jaja Jumamoy joining the provincial board, this young lady was known as easy to go along with, considering her unassuming nature. Placing number one in the provincial board elections in the second district, Jaja is a youth leader in her own right. A topnotcher councilor in Inabanga before joining the provincial fray, Jaja was one time president of the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL), Bohol chapter. For his part, Jono Jumamoy comes in full circle when he assumes tomorrow as Inabanga’s number one councilor. His stint in the executive department as two-termer town mayor shall have sit well as a member of the Inabanga legislature.