Battle at the 2nd District

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea
 

Battle at the 2^nd District

 

The buzzer has already sounded for 2013, challenging the leadership of Cong. Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco in the Second District of Iloilo. There are two protagonists fitted against Cong. Syjuco in the upcoming May 13 election.

 

One is graduating Pavia Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta. The other is Cong. Salvador “Kiting” Cabaluna III of Partylist, I Care. Both have pedigree from their respective clan who have served the province of Iloilo.

 

It is seen to be a good fight between the three protagonists. Mayor Gorriceta of the administration’s Liberal Party, Cong. Syjuco of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) and Cong. Cabaluna, independent candidate,

 

Rumor mills, however, are grinding overnight that Cong. Cabaluna is supported by majority of the big leaders in three towns of Leon, San Miguel and Alimodian. What a great advantage if indeed true.

 

But Mayor Gorriceta also claimed that he has the support too of the incumbent mayors from Zarraga, Leganes and Sta. Barbara. In which case, where does Cong. Syjuco stand in this regard?

 

For sure the congressman of the Second District cannot be taken for granted. He has the ability and capacity to tilt the balance of election trend in his favor. In fact, he and wife Judy has always won the race for Congress.

 

It was only a misfortune that this time, the barrel of Mayor Gorriceta’s gun is centered on the congressman as a marked target. Take a look at the towering billboards the mayor has erected for public viewing at the roadsides going to the Iloilo airport.

The printed lines say; “Stop Graft and Corruption. Be honest. Don’t Lie. Don’t Steal. Don’t Make Promises You Cannot Fulfill.” The people know the insulting message is intended for Cong. “Boboy” Syjuco.

 

But that is not only what we are looking for. Mayor Gorriceta also said Cong. Syjuco is facing a plunder case and will be soon served a warrant for his arrest. To date, however, the congressman is still visibly seen at his turf and in the city.

 

What’s more, Cong. Syjuco cannot be intimidated by issues. He even retaliated too, by citing the corruption of the mayor on projects at the latter’s town. He also linked the name of Sen. Franklin Drilon on the air for his unreleased CDF as the handiwork of the senator.

 

But in their desire to pin down each other, they forgot the third player in the race. Mayor Gorriceta has the edge over the two being a bet of the administration’s Liberal party but he cannot say Cong. Cabaluna is a weak candidate compared to UNA’s Cong. Syjuco.

 

The public believed the mayor has an advantage over his two opponents and another favorable condition for him is the hanging threat of the plunder case against his nemesis Cong. Syjuco. Likewise, he believes that Cong. Cabaluna lacks the sufficient logistics to finance his election, this gives him the confidence to win the congressional race this time.

 

But political animas believed otherwise. If the warrant of arrest for the plunder case is true and shall be served to Cong. Syjuco before election, the dream of Sen. Drilon for the Pavia mayor to become a congressman may redound into a nightmare.

 

Cong. Syjuco had been an undefeated congressman for nothing. He can give his adversaries the taste of what it takes if the push comes to shove. The congressman still had loyal supporters in the Second District and you know what that means.

 

He has the money and it can command his followers to sway their votes to Cong. Cabaluna - not to the Pavia mayor. The end-result could put the right senses of both Sen. Drilon and Mayor Gorriceta in the brink of insanity. Nobody may believe it, but this claim makes sense!