This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VII, No. 9, April 1-7, 2007
ELECTION WATCH In Baguio,
David vs. Goliath Showdown The
coming elections can be considered a David vs. Goliath story in this city as
Councilor Jose Mencio Molintas of the United Opposition (UNO) battles for the
top position against incumbent Rep. Mauricio Domogan, a very vocal ally of
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. BY
ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW BAGUIO CITY – The coming
elections can be considered a David vs. Goliath story in this city as Councilor
Jose Mencio Molintas of the United Opposition (UNO) battles for the top position
against incumbent Rep. Mauricio Domogan, a very vocal ally of President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo. In this city’s election
history, it was in the 2004 mayoralty contest that the daring crusader Councilor
Braulio Yaranon defeated then incumbent mayor Bernardo Vergara, who was the
administration candidate with exceedingly generous resources for the campaign.
Yaranon made history when he with his simple conviction and limited resources
defeated the incumbent by thousands of votes, a never-before-seen event in
Baguio's election history. The basic issue being
raised for the congressional representation is the institutionalization of a
consultation mechanism for the city constituents on issues of public interest.
Urban poor leader Geraldine
Cacho points out that the basic right of Baguio residents to be consulted on
various issues before deciding in their behalf in congress has been greatly
neglected. Congress records show that
Representative Domogan voted in favor of the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT)
Law, and opposed the two impeachment cases against Arroyo as well as the P125
across-the-board salary increase for private employees. “He voted according to what
was dictated by his party - the LAKAS-CMD – rather than listening to the needs
and views of his constituents,” said Cacho. “In fact, he has failed to adopt
legislations that would address the land and housing problem in the city.” Mayoral free-for-all Yaranon rests his
confidence of victory on his clean records and honest credentials in his bid for
reelection, though he was twice suspended by Malacañang for six months each for
allegedly abusing his power in moving for the closure of Jadewell. The other candidates
challenging Yaranon for the mayoralty include two officials in acting capacity:
acting mayor Reinaldo Bautista (KAMPI) and acting vicemayor Leandro Yangot
(Liberal Party). Other contenders are: Virgilio Baustista (Independent), Ramon
Labo (KBL), Elmo Nevada (PRP), and Felipe Ramos (Independent). With the nine candidates
vying for mayor, votes from votes who can command their membership can serve as
a swing vote, an observer claims. The votes include those from the party lists
who can deliver votes based on candidate/s position on issues. Vice-mayoralty
The vice-mayoralty is being
contested by newcomers. Four lawyers and councilors are contesting the position,
namely, Faustino Olowan (UNO/PDSP), Edilberto Tenefrancia (LAKAS-CMD), Elmer
Datuin (Liberal Party), and Daniel Farinas (KAMPI/NP). The only “oldtimer” is
Datuin, who has already ended his third term as councilor. The other vice-mayoralty
candidates are Antolin Mascarenas (KBL) and former City Police Chief Roberto
“Bungo” Ortega. If the Baguio voters would
vote based on their tribal affiliation, Olowan has an advantage as all the other
challengers are considered lowlanders. Olowan belongs to the
Kankanaey tribe of Mountain Province, who are noted for voting solidly for their
kailyans(tribe mates). In the 2004 election, three councilors whose
ancestors originate from Mountain Province's Kankanaey tribe topped the
Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Council) race: they are Yangot (1st),
Rocky Balisong (3rd and
running for reelection), and Olowan (5th)
from the 12 member SP. Other Kankanaey trying their luck for the SP are Patrick
Dangatan Sr. (LP), Nicasio Aliping (LAKAS-CMD), Fred Bagbagen (UNO), Jeannette
Cawiding (LP), and Joseph Marero (UNO). Their kailyans say
that this election is a test of whether they can elect such a big number of
their own. Sangguniang Panglungsod
The 12 slots for the SP are
being contested by 50 candidates, Commission on Elections (Comelec) lists in the
city show. Only four SP members are
vying for reelection: Balisong, Pinky Rondez, Galo Weygan and Antonio Tabora.
Balisong, Rondez, and Weygan are running under the Independent Baguio Coalition
with other three neophytes. Tabora is running under the Nationalista Party.
Media practitioners throw
their hats into the ring bout for SP membership, namely, Edison Ang (TV,
LAKAS-CMD), Joaquin Carino (freelance print, UNO), and Jogin Tamayo (Print,
KAMPI-NP). The mother of ABS-CBN personality Elaine Sembrano is also joining the
contest under UNO. (Please see election corner for the complete lists.)
Lawyers too have thrown
their hats, namely Balisong, human rights lawyer Richard Cariño, Bagbagen,
former city prosecutor Erdolfo Balajadia, Nic Palaganas, Ronaldo Perez, Rondez,
Betty Tabanda, Richard Zarate, and Reynaldo Cortes. Observers Cortes about his
having accepted as his partymate Ortega, allegedly involved in extra-judicial
killings of suspected criminals in the city during his time as chief of police
in Baguio. The sole movie personality
running for SP is Vinzons. Baguio residents however
say they are politically conscious at present and they are to vote based on
issues and not personalities. “We can vote for personalities who can fight for
our issues, like what we did in 2004 catapulting Yaranon and defeating a rich
politician, says Ignacio Pangket, an transport-sector and urban poor organizer.
“ I think we can do it now.” Northern Dispatch / Posted by Bulatlat
© 2007 Bulatlat
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8
contenders challenge Yaranon for mayoralty
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat