Barring “for sale insinuations”, it appears that the candidacy of former board member Concepcion Lim to inherit the title of president of the provincial federation of the Association of Barangay Councils from her late brother is “not all sugar and spice and everything nice.” Lim's brother won the ABC presidency in 2002 but death overcame him three years ago. This developed over the week as a strong contender came out of the blue to express his willingness to contest Lim's bid. Once elected, an ABC federation president will become an automatic member of the provincial board earning him the perks and privileges of any elected member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The sudden appearance of Kagawad Cereno Hormachuelos surprised not a few ABC handlers as his name was not among the probables that could give Lim a run of her money. Hormachuelos was an elected Panglao kagawad in last May's polls who chose to run as barangay captain of barangay Bil-isan and went on to win the ABC presidency of the town. As it turned out, for Hormachuelos, the ABC presidency in Panglao was part of an elaborate game plan to make a go for the top ABC post in the province. Handling Hormachuelos bid is Mayor Benedicto Alcala who said in an interview that it's about time that Panglao will have its own representation in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. He said he has already sounded off many municipal mayors and they “appeared receptive” to Hormachuelos bid.

BACKER

Just what kind of candidate Hormachuelos is if pitted against the formidable firepower of Lim. According to Mayor Alcala, the Panglao ABC president is no pushover in the race to clinch the provincial ABC presidency. Although he may not be as moneyed as Lim, he is also as solvent as the Central Bank given his backer counting among others the likes of hotel and resort magnate Anos Fonacier. Sought for his reaction given Hormachuelos ambition to challenge Lim's bid, Fonacier was quoted as saying that it “if was for the good of Panglao, why not? As Panglao kingmaker, Fonacier appeared titillated of the monicker after he successfully led the forces that toppled the hold of former mayor Doloriech Dumaluan in Panglao. When the hotelier entered the picture in Panglao politics last May, unknown to him, he succeeded in changing Panglao's political landscape forever.

NO OPPONENT

Lim's candidacy in the ABC is loaded to the max. Where before businessman Angelo Balili was a regular fixture to whoever the Lim dynasty fielded in the ABC race, the Loboc millionaire was always at the other side. The late ABC derby saw Balili backing the candidacy of the opponent of Renato Lim, the late brother of the ABC contender, Concepcion Lim. In a sudden twist of fate, Balili, this time, made a surprise move by supporting Lim's candidacy. Asked to comment regarding his sudden turnabout, Balili said he was convinced that Lim got what it takes to become the head of Bohol 's barangay captains. Aside from having the incumbent ABC president Romulo Cepedoza prevailed upon to pave the way for Lim, she could have won the coveted post uncontested. Until Hormachuelos decided to join the fray and the fun begins. As the incumbent, Cepedoza decided to slide down to become Lim's executive vice president.

The elections is set on December 29 and as of last night, the momentum of an Hormachuelos bid is still as its highest. There are those who suspected that the Panglao kagawad's positioning is all for show to attract attention for any backdoor negotiation resulting in a buy-out. But reports in the field showed that Hormachuelos is serious. Reports reaching the Post last indicated that the reason why he was emboldened to try his luck in the ABC was that he has sold a prime property earning him a sizable war chest to fight Lim. Meanwhile, the race for the provincial federation of the Sangguniang Kabataan is set tomorrow. The daughter of Cong. Roberto and Trinidad Mayor Judith Cajes will run uncontested. Jane Censoria Cajes will succeed her sister Frances Bobeth Cajes-Auza