By BGLante of Sunday Post
Although Gov. Erico Aumentado is on his way out as provincial executive because the constitutional ban will catch him up in 2010, nobody is saying that he is a lame duck.
Whether enemies or friends, they all agree that the governor is still a force to reckon with, his last days in office, notwithstanding.
As titular head of the ruling party, he will still call the shots when the time comes to decide who will represent the party in power in high positions up for grabs.
Who is the ambitious politician eyeing for a particular position, be it provincial or congressional, who is not enlisting the unequivocal support of the governor.
Take the case of the much-publicized rivalry between Cong. Edgar Chatto and V-Gov. Julius Ceasar Herrera to succeed Aumentado as Bohol governor.
While the two administration stalwarts are prepared to slug it out against each other no matter what, a blessing from the top provincial executive is still considered a plus factor. This means that an Aumentado anointment, whether a candidate likes it or not, will still spell the difference between winning and losing in the election.
But if one is to go beyond Aumentado's inner sanctum, the governor is hoping that no such thing as a Chatto-Herrera bloodbath will ever take place.
Why?
The governor being a stickler of consensus and unity, dreads to see the ;light of day that two formidable candidates like Chatto and Herrera will tangle in a gubernatorial duel that will imperil his own clout and influence in Bohol.
If we trace the history of Bohol politics in the last three elections, there's no argument that the name of the game is unification.
Although the so-called politics of convenience (read: unification) in the past was more honored in the breach than in its compliance, the Bohol experience in its entirety was still a resounding success.
The possibility of another unification monster rearing its ugly head in the coming elections is not far-fetched.
Our prognosis is, it is to the selfish interest of Aumentado that he will be able to assemble another unity ticket in Bohol in order to preserve his popularity ratings with the Arroyo administration.
The results of the last 2007 elections were a case in point. Although overall in the national scene, administration candidates got clobbered against their opposition counterparts, the Bohol results were something to crow about as far as local leaders are concerned. Thanks to Aumentado and his cohorts who were able to make the sagging administration machinery delivered the much needed votes expected of it.
And the good showing of administration candidates in 2007 was not lost to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Why do you think Aumentado and company still enjoy the trust and confidence of GMA if not of their unquestionable loyalty in delivering Bohol votes to the lady President's fair-hared boys running for senator in the last polls.
With the 2010 elections drawing closer by the day, again, GMA is expecting no less from Aumentado and his ilk the same canine subservience. That explains the title of this essay.
How in heaven's name will Aumentado tame the clashing ambitions of positioning Bohol politicians? In addition to Chatto and Herrera, what of Arthur Yap and ex-cong. Boy Jala for third district legislator. What about the fate of Aumentado's protegee' Tommy Abapo, Jr in the fight for vice governor? If Abapo is pitted against Cong. Roberto Cajes where will Aumentado place his bets.
If the governor frustrates Cajes' overtures, his own victory in the second district as he makes a comeback bid will be in danger.
Speaking of headaches, all of the above are indeed is of king size proportion. We are not privy just as yet what is in store in Aumentado's bag of political tricks. As one who followed his political career since he started as a provincial board member until becoming governor aside from a three-term stint as second district congressman, no political problem, even how big it may be, escapes Aumentado's skillful handling.
He succeeded before, then why on earth will he fail this time.
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