By: Joe Sprite

It is past the muddle of November and thee local political scene is heating up. Aspirants for the congressional seat of the Third Political District of Bohol are starting to jockey for the most favorable position in the starting line. Judging from local news ads and stories, Angelo Balili is committed to run. Although Eladio ‘Boy' Jala is in his last term, he still manages to be in the news and ads. He seems to be paving a way for a Jala, either his brother or son. Rene Relampagos had indicated interest in running but has not made his intention formal through a statement. Fortunato ‘Bicbic' Abrenilla never fail to greet town fiesta celebrators but he lags exposure in news stories. Besides spending most of his time and efforts in Manila where he is working, his thrust is more in the grassroots. When he decides to go all out, he would be more visible in the local papers.

There are others said to be interested in running like Brigido Imboy. Dionisio Balite, some third term provincial kagawads and several others. Perhaps, some are only testing the temperature of the water before taking the plunge. Some are biding their time. This is true of politicians. They or their followers float rumors about entering the race and gauge the nature of the voters response. It they find it favorable, they proceed. However, the information that they may receive would be unreliable. Opportunistic leaders would urge the candidate so they will be able to enter the game.

On the Jagna scene, the picture is not quite clear. As of now, there is no organized opposition. Eksam Lloren is facing a clear field. Eksam is like the ice giant of the Icelandic folklore. His presence prevents water from boiling even when subjected to intense heat. As long as he runs for mayor, the opposition will be hard put to field a real opponent. There had been stories that he will run as congressman under the party list Akbayan banner and his wife Nimfa would run for mayor, We do not know where that story came from. It could be from the other side in order to weaken his leadership or it may be from his followers so Eksam could test the waters. Anyway, the story died down.

Of course, in the coming electoral contest, there will be an opposition. National and provincial opposition leaders would not allow Jagna to be a clear field for the administration party. That will be the time the disorganized leaders to group up and field a token candidate. Each opposition member will have to tolerate strange bedfellows and work together even just for once. The nucleus would be Alfonso Gales, Cesario Cagulada. Lucresio Sajulga, Mamerts Jimenes and perhaps Maximo Jumaoas. If Marciana Tsurmi declares herself, she would be the opposition candidate. The picture will clear up in the next few weeks.

Mayoralty timber can come from the long term or last municipal kagawads. However, they are from the administration party and perhaps would not like to run against Eksam. Bonifacio Virtudes, Victorino Nayga, Albrto Café and Senen Lloren are there for a while. The last would not run against his brother, the two would not run until Eksam has served out his third term.

There had been moves to draft Paris Macarayan to run for mayor. He keeps receiving long distance calls urging him to take a stand. Paris is in China for Magsaysay Lines. He is not there to learn Chinese cuisine. He can hardly distinguish a pot from a pan or a wok. He may be negotiating for ship chandlers to supply ships with provisions since Chinese foodstuff is cheaper in the international market. He is not there to recruit Chinese to crew Magsaysay ships. Inland Chinese can get seasick just by looking at a basin of water. At any rate, he is there. It is unlikely that he will give .up a lucrative job to be a mayor.