Local Political Scenario

In our column last week, we devoted our commentary on the possible candidates at the national level from the President, Vice-President and senatorial level. We ventured to say then that the reported calls from the different sectors of our society for our very own bicolana VP Leny Robredo to run for President is a beckoning light for her to try her luck on the Presidency. This time however, let me focus on the local political scenario more particularly in Naga City where it would seem that the political pot is fast boiling. From latest reports, it appears that the most ballyhood “equity of the incumbent” principle which has been observed since the time of the late then Mayor Jesse M. Robredo will be placed in the back-burner by the political leadership in Naga. Thus incumbent Mayor Nelson Legacion may no longer claim the same in his favor. This is particularly true because recent development would seem to indicate that the mayoralty race in this city will be a three-cornered battle among Legacion-Nene de Asis tandem, Tato Mendoza and new comer Rusty de Quiros and former Mayor John Bongat who has not yet announced his possible Vice-Mayor. But of course the ever perennial mayoralty candidate, my good friend Louie Ortiga will still try his hands on. Some political pundits have aired the view that under this scenario, the tandem of my friend and fellow Rotarian/Jaycee Tato Mendoza and Rusty de Quiros will have the upper hand. Parenthetically, Rusty de Quiros who was a member of the print media in Naga and who used to be with DZRH in Manila (he interviewed me once when I was attending a political conference called by then Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile in one of the five-star hotels in Makati) is not new in politics having been reportedly a former mayor of a town in Catanduanes. Be that as it may, it is barely a year before our next elections in the 2nd week of May 2022 and it seems that we will have an interesting mayoralty race in Naga and may the best team wins.

TRIVIA:

Greetings and congratulations to Ms. Alyana Marga Tricia De Villa (USI high school batch 2012) for placing 5th in the August 20, 2021 Architecture Licensure Board examinations Fondly called “Kata” by her close associates/friends, she is our niece on the Karingal side of the family. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BSCAST).

Happy Fiesta to the parishioners of the Municipality of Calabanga, whose Patron Saint is Nuestra Senora de la Porteria. If our AdeNU high school class ‘54 batchmate Gil Malanyaon were alive, we would have our batch luncheon-fellowship at their residence complete with scotch whisky and red wines from his wine cellar. There is no denying that fond memories always touch the very core of our hearts.

Condolence to our cousin Oning Deocariza and the rest of her sisters of the Cruz family of Vic Marie Compound, Baesa, Caloocan City for the passing away of Oning*s husband Manny after a lingering illness. Oning is the 1st cousin of my spouse Minda. We are consoled by the thought that Manny is now in the warm embrace of our Lord.

Likewise through this column I wish in my own behalf and that of my spouse Minda to extend our deepest and most sincere condolence to the family of former Governor and Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte Sr. whose untimely death caught many with unbelief and surprise. Only last week in this paper I congratulated him on the occasion of his birthday anniversary last August 29. A frank and sincere leader, LRV is a member of AdeNU high school batch :54.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“I COUNT HIM BRAVER WHO CONQUERS HIS DESIRES THAN HIM WHO CONQUERS HIS ENEMIES; FOR THE HARDEST VICTORY IS THE VICTORY OVER SELF.” -ARISTOTLE

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“HEAR ME LORD AND ANSWER ME, FOR I AM POOR AND OPPRESSED.” - PSALM 86:1