Wednesday, November 25, 2009

2007 Mindanews Special Report: It's still all in the family

12,395 Mindanawons vie for 4,930 posts

1st of a series

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/03 May 2007) – Twelve thousand three hundred ninety five Mindanawons are vying for a total of 4,930 posts across Mindanao’s 27 provinces and 27 cities, many of them bearing the same family or middle names. 

Two new provinces were created in Mindanao as of December 2006: Dinagat Islands, carved out of seven towns of Surigao del Norte and Shariff Kabunsuan, carved out of Maguindanao.

Of 56 seats for Mindanao in the House of Representatives, six are new – one each for the new provinces of Dinagat and Shariff, and additional one each for Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga Sibugay, Cagayan de Oro City and Zamboanga City.

Lawyer and provincial board member Solema Jubilan, who died from accidental gunfire on April 28 was substituted by her younger sister Zaida Jubilan-Rinsulat, the provincial social welfare and development officer.

Mindanao’s candidates are vying for 56 congressional seats; 27 city mayors; 27 vice mayors; 27 governors; 27 vice governors; 422 municipal mayors; 422 vice mayors; 256 provincial board members; 300 city councilors, 3,366 municipal councilors.

Seventy-nine candidates are running for the 27 city mayoral seats while 69 candidates are running for the 27 gubernatorial seats.

In Agusan del Norte, the Amantes versus the Plazas dominate the political scene with the Amante patriarch, Edelmiro and Plaza matriarch, Valentina, running for governor.

Incumbent Governor Erlpe John Amante is running for representative while Angelica Rosedell Amante, former governor and incumbent representative, is running for Butuan City mayor against incumbent mayor Democrito Plaza II.

In Agusan del Sur, Governor Adolph Edward Plaza is seeking a third term while brother Rodolfo Rodrigo is also seeking a third term in the lone congressional district.

In Basilan, three-term governor Wahab Akbar is running for congressman while his 1st wife Jum is running for mayor against three-term Basilan Representative and former governor Gerry Salapuddin. Akbar's 2nd wife, Nur-in is running for mayor of Lamitan while 3rd wife Cherry Lyn Santos is running for mayor of Isabela City.

Akbar’s two nephews, Waluso Mayor Sakib Salajin and Lantawan Mayor Tahira Ismail are running for reelection. Also, a new municipality has been added to Basilan’s seven – Akbar, carved out of Tipo-tipo and Tuburan towns.

In Bukidnon, it’s Zubiri vs Acosta with Zubiri patriarch Jose seeking reelection as governor against Rep. Nereus Acosta who is completing his third term in Congress.

Zubiri’s son, Juan Miguel is running for senator while another son, Jose III, is running for the congressional seat his brother Miguel is vacating. Nephew Ignacio is seeking reelection as Malaybalay City vice mayor.

Acosta’s sister, Malou, is running for the seat he is vacating while his mother, Socorro, a former three-term representative, is seeking reelection as mayor of Manolo Fortich. Malou is facing the controversial former Comelec commissioner Virgilio “Hello Garci” Garcillano.

In Camiguin, the Romualdos are still lording it over but the patriarch, former Camiguin Governor Pedro Romualdo, who is running for Congress is now facing his own son, Mambajao Mayor Noordin Efigenio "Gogo" Romualdo, as opponent.

Gogo is allied with former governor Antonieto Gallardo who is making a comeback against three-term Rep. Jurdin Jesus, Gogo’s brother.

In Compostela Valley, three-term governor Jose Caballero is running for the 2nd congressional district seat against Rommel Amatong, son of former Davao del Norte governor and Compostela Valley Rep. Prospero Amatong.

Caballero’s daughter, Kristina Mae, a provincial board member, is running for governor.

In Davao del Norte, it would have been an uncle versus nephew race had not the family intervened. Three-term Rep. Antonio Floirendo, Jr., backed out of an earlier plan to run for governor in favor of his uncle, Rodolfo del Rosario, a former governor and congressman. Taking over Floirendo’s congressional seat is Anton Floirendo Lagdameo, whose wife is actress Dawn Zulueta.

In Davao del Sur, it’s still the Bautistas versus the Cagas family with Rep. Douglas Cagas, a former governor, eyeing that seat again against Rep. Claude Bautista.

Governor Benjamin Bautista, Jr. is running for the 2nd congressional district while Cagas’s son, Mark is running for the 1st congressional district.

In Davao Oriental, Governor Elena Palma Gil (Lakas-CMD) is seeking reelection against Rep. Corazon Malanyaon (Kampi).

Former three-term representative Thelma Almario is staging a comeback in Congress while her son Mayo, who is completing his third term in Congress, is running for vice governor.

In Lanao del Norte, it’s the Dimaporo family, still.

Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, who is completing her third term, is running for 1st district representative while husband Abdullah (Bobby), also a former governor, is running for 2nd district representative.

Their eldest son, Khalid, is running for governor.

The elder Dimaporo’s brother, Marcos Abdulrahman, is also running for the 2nd congressional seat.

Three-term representative Cirilo Alipio Badelles (1st district), and son of the late congressman Mariano Badelles, fielded his daughter-lawyer Angelique Badelles-Bacareza to run for the seat he is vacating. Badelles’ daughter is facing Imelda Dimaporo who is finishing her gubernatorial term on June 30. (Carolyn O. Arguillas with reports from Violeta M. Gloria and Walter Balane/MindaNews)

Source: http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2315&Itemid=222


More political dynasties

2nd of a series

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/04 May 2007) – Years ago in Mindanao, political dynasties were mostly associated with the Moro. These days, they’re more associated with the non-Moro.

In the past, they ruled in succession -- e.g. father first then the eldest son. These days, they rule altogether - husbands and wifves, fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, mothers and daughters, mothers and sons, brothers, sisters, uncles and nephews.
Here’s a continuation of the list of candidates in Mindanao, many of them bearing the same family names.

In Lanao del Sur, Gov. Aleem Basher Manalao is running for reelection against three-term Rep. Benasing Macarambon, Jr.; three-term Marawi City mayor Omar Solitario Ali and Mamintal Adiong, Jr.

In the first congressional district, it’s a choice between reelectionist Faisah Dumarpa and Hamid Barra. The second district is contested by lawyer Pangalian Balindong, Macabangkit Lanto, Aleem Abdulmalik Laguindab and laweyr Saduddin Alauya.

In Maguindanao, Governor Andal Ampatuan and 21 of his 22 town mayors are running unopposed. Only the town of Pagalungan is contested.

But the congressional race in the first district is another story. Didagen Dilangalen wants to return to his former seat while his wife, the incumbent Rep. Bai Sendig Dilangalen, is running for Cotabato City mayor against Muslimin Sema, whose wife, Bai Sandra, Didagen Dilangalen is facing at the polls.

In Misamis Occidental, Governor Leo Loreto Ocampos is running unopposed.

In Misamis Oriental, Governor Oscar Moreno (Lakas CMD Coaltion) is eyeing a second term against three-term Rep. Augusto Baculio Jr., (Kampi/2nd district).

In the 1st congressional district, it’s Rep. Danilo Lagas (Lakas) against Kampi’s Michael Angelo Paderanga.

Vice governor Julio Uy (PMP) is running for 2nd District representative against Tagoloan town mayor Yevgeny "Bambi" Emano (Lakas CMD), son of Cagayan de Oro City’s mayor Vicente Emano, Paul Andy Calingin, son of The elder Emano is running for vice mayor. The son of former governor Antonio Calingin,

Kampi's Rex Baculio, son of Augusto Baculio Jr., is also running for 2nd district representative along with Paul Andy Calingin (NPC), son of former Misamis Oriental Governor Antonio "Bong" Calingin. The elder Calingin is running for mayor of Cagayan de Oro City.

In North Cotabato, three-term governor Emmanuel Pinol is running for vice governor against three-term 2nd district Rep. Gregorio Ipong. Pinol’s younger brother, Bernardo, Jr., the provincial administrator, is running for Congress in the 2nd district against former Rep. Gregorio Andolana, Evaristo Gana and substitute-candidate Zaida Jubilan-Rinsulat, provincial social welfare officer.

Another brother, Efren is running for reelection as mayor of Magpet while yet another brother, Joselito, incumbent vice mayor of M’lang town, is running for mayor.

Three-term Carmen Mayor Rogelio Talino is running for governor against Pinol’s outgoing vice governor, Jesus Sacdalan. Four others are running against them. Talino’s wife, Noemi, is running for Carmen mayor while daughter, Emmylou Talino-Santos-Mendoza, is seeking a third term as representative of the 1st district, against three-term Kabacan mayor Luzviminda Tan.

In Sarangani, Governor Rene Miguel Dominguez (Sarro-Kampi) is seeking reelection against Francis Martinez, who listed “NGO-practitioner” as his profession.

Vice Governor Bridget Chiongbian-Huang (Lakas) is seeking reelection against his cousin, Steve Chiongbian Solon (Kampi).

Bridget’s father, Erwin Chiongbian is seeking reelection against former governor Miguel Escobar.

Solon is supported by Bridget’s father, Erwin. Bridget fell from grace after asking someone to withdraw her certificate of candidacy for vice governor in favor of governor. The shift of candidacy did not push through.

In Shariff Kabunsuan, OIC Governor Bimbo Sinsuat, former Maguindanao vice governor before Shariff was carved out of Maguindanao, is running for governor against three-term Sultan Kudarat town mayor Tocao Mastura and Zacaria Candao, former governor of Maguindanao and the first governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In South Cotabato, Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes also doesn’t need to campaign as she is sure to win against fellow South Cotabatenos, Nane Rotone Neulid alias “Power Neuli” and Ephraim Paradao Defino, Jr.

In the congressional race in the second district, Rep. Arthur Pingoy Jr. is facing former three-term governor Hilario de Pedro III while Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio who is seeking a third term is facing international boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

In Sultan Kudarat, three-term governor Pax Mangudadatu (Kampi) is running for congressman in the first district against former Rep. Angelo Montilla (NPC) while Mangudadatu’s son, Rep. Suharto Mangudadatu, is running for governor.

In Sulu, Governor Benjamin Loong is running for a second term against former governor Sakur Tan and detained Moro leader Nur Misuari. Councilor Cocoy Tulawie, a member of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, is running for congressman against former governors Tupay Loong and Yusoph Jikiri.

In Surigao del Norte, the potential Barbers versus Ecleo clash has been avoided with the creation of Dinagat Islands for the Ecleos’ turf. Geraldine Ecleo Villaroman, daughter of Rep. Glenda Ecleo who was appointed OIC Governor is running for governor.

Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers is seeking reelection. He will be facing former governor Francisco Matugas whose brother, Ernesto is running for Surigao City mayor. Barbers’ brother, Robert Ace is seeking reelection as representative.

In Surigao del Sur, Governor Vicente Pimentel is facing a relatively unknown opponent while his brother Alexander, mayor of Tandag town, is running unopposed.

Rep. Prospero Pichay is running for senator while his brother Philip is running for the post he is vacating, against Dr. Greg Murillo, son of the late governor Gregorio Murillo, Sr. and brother of former Governor Primo Murillo, and human rights lawyer Antonio Azarcon, whose streamer reads: “dili garboso, dili kawatan.”

In the other congressional district, Jesnar Falcon is running for reelection against Mar Alvizo, Enciong Garay and Alejandro Asis. Falcon’s son, Jed, is running for mayor of Bislig City.

In Tawi-tawi, Governor Sadikul Sahali is facing former governor Rashidin Matba while in the lone congressional district, Rep. Nur Jaafar; Hajji Annuar Abubakar, lone district representative who was removed a few months ago after an electoral protest showed he actually lost to Jaafar; and former ARMM regional speaker Pocholo Abubakar. The two Abubakars are not related.

Governor Sahali’s daughter, Ruby, former ARMM Social Welfare Secretary, is running for vice governor against Itin Usman.

In Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes is running against Dipolog City Mayor Roberto Uy of Lakas (whose wife Evelyn is running for Dipolog City mayor) and an independent bet named Roberto Yang Uy.

But the Jalosjos presence is still felt despite the detention of Romeo Jalosjos. His sister Celia Jalosjos-Carreon is seeking reelection in the 1st congressional district while brother Cesar is seeking reelection in the 3rd. Another brother, Dominador, is seeking reelection as mayor of Dapitan City.

Another Jalosjos, Seth Frederick Pal Bullet, is running for provincial board member in the first district.

In Zamboanga del Sur, Governor Aurora Cerilles (Kampi) is seeking reelection against Tirsendo Calamba Poloyapoy. The governor’s husband, Antonio (NPC), a former governor, is seeking reelection as representative of the second district against Filomena San Juan. In the first district, former governor Isidoro Real is seeking reelection against three opponents.

In Zamboanga Sibugay, Governor George Hofer (Kampi) is seeking reelection against Alfredo Chu. The governor’s daughter, Dr. Dulce Ann K. Hofer, is running for Congress 2nd district against incumbent Belma Cabilao. Cabilao was a three-term representative of the 3rd district of Zamboanga del Sur before it was carved out of Zamboanga del Sur. [Last part tomorrow: the city mayors] (Carolyn O. Arguillas with reports from Allen V. Estabillo and Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews)

Source: http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2316


Not only in the countryside but in the cities, too

Last of three parts

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/05 May 2007) – It’s not just in the countryside but in the cities, too, these families lording it over the political landscape in Mindanao, with Davao City as the latest entrant – a father and daughter team in the executive and a father and son team at the legislative.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is running for a third term as mayor, his sixth actually since 1988, with a three-year term as Davao City representative of the first district between. His daughter Sara, 28, single, also a lawyer like him, makes a first bid at politics as his running mate.

Sara does not think they’re building a political dynasty. "The people have a choice whether they will vote for us. That is why we cannot impose ourselves upon them," she earlier told MindaNews.

"We are in a democracy where the people are assured of choosing their candidates," she said.

Sara’s grandfather, Vicente, the father of Rodrigo, was governor of the undivided Davao province.

In the first congressional district, Representative (1st district) and Deputy Majority Floorleader Prospero Nograles is running for a third term while his son, Karlo, a laywer and his chief of staff, is running for Congress, too, via a party-list group believed to be backed by Malacanang, Kalahi.

In Bislig, Rep. Jed Falcon is running for mayor against Mayor Alberto Tan. Jed is the son of Jesnar who wants to return to Congress, having served there from 1995 to 2004.

In Butuan, it’s still Amante versus Plaza with Democrito Plaza II running against former Agusan del Norte and former Rep. Angel Amante. Plaza’s mother Valentina, and Angel’s father, Edelmiro are running for governor of Agusan del Norte.

In Cagayan de Oro City, three-term Mayor Vicente Emano is running for vice mayor. Former mayor Pablo Magtajas (PDP-Laban/ UNO) is running against three-term Rep. Constantino Jaraula (Lakas CMD), former Misamis Oriental governor Antonio Calingin, and independent candidates Felix Borres and Rhona Canoy. Rhona is the daughter of former Cagayan de Oro mayor Reuben Canoy who is running as an independent candidate for the city’s 1st congressional district, against vice mayor Michelle Tagarda-Spiers, Antonio Soriano, Annie Daba, Camilo Miguel Montesa and Henry Bacal.

Emano’s son Yevgeny, Tagoloan mayor, is running for congressman in the 2nd district of Misamis Oriental against Calingin’s son, Paul Andy; Misamis Oriental Vice Gov. Julio Uy and Rex Baculio, son of Rep. Agusto Baculio, Jr.

Cotabato Mayor Muslimin Sema is running against Rep. Bai Sendig Dilangalen, wife of Didagen Dilangalen who wants to reclaim his former seat in Congress; Estrellita Juliano, who filed a protest against Sema’s proclamation in 2004; former city fire marshal Samad Candao, Banginda Sapi and Habib Ibrahim.

In Dapitan, it’s a toss-up between James Adasa and Dominador Garcia Jalosjos, Jr. for mayor. Jalosjos is seeking reelection. His brother Cesar is running for 3rd district representative of Zamboanga del Norte while sister Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon is running for 1st district reprersentative.

In Digos City, it’s Mayor Arsenio Latasa (NPC) versus Toto Ymalay.

Dipolog’s three-term Rep. Roseller Barinaga wants to return to the city as mayor against Evelyn Tang Uy, wife of three-term mayor Robert Uy.

In General Santos, Mayor Pedro Acharon is running against former mayor Rosalita Nunez and Shirlyn Banas.

In Gingoog, Mayor Ruthie de lara Guingona is facing former mayor Romulo Rodriguez and Ernesto Rodriguez, who is facing a petition for disqualification for allegedly being a nuisance candidate.

Guingona is the wife of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona and mother to Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Teofisto Guingona III.

In Iligan, it’s a return bout between Mayor Lawrence Cruz (NPC) and former mayor Franklin Quijano (Lakas).

In Isabela City, Cherry Santos-Akbar, third wife of three-term governor Wahab Akbar, is running for mayor against Mayor Rodolfo Tan, who ran and won the vice mayoralty in 2004 but assumed the post of mayor of Isabela after Mayor Luis R. Biel II was killed in March last year. Number one councilor Luis R. Biel VI, assumed the post of vice mayor.

In the Island Garden City of Samal, three-term mayor Rogelio Antalan is not running for any post but his brother, Aniano, a former mayor of Kaputian town, is running for mayor.

In Kidapawan, Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco (Kampi) is facing four opponents: Rosalio Bombeo (Lakas), Marilou Mahinay (Ind), Efren Lapore (Ind), and Alfredo Purugganan (Ind).

Koronadal Mayor Fernando Miguel (Kampi) is running against Atty. Jose Ledda, Jr., last-termer vice mayor.

In Malaybalay, Mayor Florencio Flores, Jr., is running against a political unknown.

In Marawi, three-term mayor Omar Solitario Ali is running for governor of Lanao del Sur. Running for city mayor are his cousin, Sultan Fahad “Pre” Salic (some identify him to be a brother of Omar); Vice Mayor Yusoph Khosbari “YK” Salic, cousin of the mayor; former mayor Abbas Basman, and Engr. Nata Pangarungan.

Oroquieta City mayor Jorge Almonte is seeking reelection against vice mayor Lemuel Acosta.

In Ozamiz City, Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog is running unopposed.

Pagadian mayor Samuel Co is seeking reelection against former Rep. Sandy Urro.

Panabo Mayor Rey Gavina is completing his third term. Running for city mayor are vice mayor Ruperto Cagape and councilor Joe Silvosa.

Surigao mayor Alfonso Casurra is running against Ernesto Matugas, brother of former governor Francisco Matugas who is running against Governor Robert Lyndón Barbers.

In Tacurong, Mayor Lino Montilla of NPC is running against Jonald Lagon of Kampi and Ralen Bernardo of Lakas. Mayor Montilla’s brother, Angelo, is running for 1st district congressman of Sultan Kudarat province, against outgoing governor Pax Mangudadatu. Mangudadatu’s son, Suharto is running for governor.

In Tagum, Mayor Rey Uy is running against Davao del Norte board member Meliton Lemos.

Tangub Mayor Jennifer Wee-Tan is running against board member Morpheus Agot

In Valencia, Mayor Jose M. Galario, Jr. is running against former mayor and former representative Berthobal Anceta.and former vice mayor Leandro Jose Catarata, son of a former mayor while Valencia was still a municipality.

In Zamboanga City, Mayor Celso Lobregat is facing a priest in the elections: Msgr Crisanto dela Cruz. (Carolyn O. Arguillas with reports from Violeta M. Gloria, Samira A. Gutoc, Williamor A. Magbanua, Walter I. Balane and Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Source: http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2325

No comments: