From the look of things, it is 2001 all over again as far as the election in Tagbilaran City and certain parts of the province are concerned. For the simple reason that the joint venture agreement (JVA) for the public utilities is being raised as the election issue. It will be recalled that in 2001, the JVA which provided for the sale of 70% of the light and water utilities owned by the provincial government to Salcon Philippines became the major issue raised by then Rep. Erico Aumentado against reelectionist Gov. Rene Relampagos. As future events showed, Aumentado unseated Relampagos who was bidding for his third term. During the campaign, Aumentado vowed to buy back the public utilities now known as the Bohol Light Corporation and the Bohol Water Utilities Inc. This was interpreted as the public's support for the buy-back option.

In 2004, the two again squared off in a rematch. The issue of the JVA resurfaced to no one's surprise. This time however, Relampagos handily won in Tagbilaran City . Although he lost in the over-all count, Relampagos won a measure of vindication which some quarters interpreted as a rebuff of Aumentado for his failure to live up to his promise. Although a third meeting between Aumentado and Relampagos seems remote since the latter has cast a moist eye on the seat which will be vacated by Rep. Eladio Jala, the JVA issue is being resurrected by Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim and ex-Gov. Victor de la Serna who are among its most bitter critics. From all indications, the JVA issue won't go away. Not with so many key players still very much in the limelight. It could in fact be the major issue in several potential match-ups. Rep. Edgar Chatto, who shepherded the JVA before the provincial board, may yet go up against de la Serna for the latter's seat while Lim prepares for a possible rematch with former Mayor Jose Torralba with their positions on the buy-back move determining their fate to a large extent.

The issue is expected to be raised against Relampagos in the third district by lawyer Alexander Lim who was with the anti-JVA group all the way back. Although there are other aspirants, the JVA issue could be an interesting sidebar in the polls. If there is anything positive about this, it is the fact that this election would be issue-oriented for a change. Unlike past experiences when black propaganda and mud-slinging was prevalent, this could elevate the debate to intelligent discussions. This is an opportunity for people to speak through the ballots.