INQUIRER.net Eleksyon 2007

Misamis Occidental remains Arroyo country, local execs say

Mindanao Bureau

Ryan Rosauro

OZAMIZ CITY -- In the administration coalition's bailiwick province of Misamis Occidental, the local polls is at best a mundane game.

In 13 of its 17 localities, there is virtually no political contest to speak of, especially for top local seats.

The setup allows the administration coalition utmost leverage in campaigning heavily for the Team Unity senatorial ticket.

This order of things is attributed in part to the political muscle-flexing of Governor Loreto Leo Ocampos, Lakas-CMD provincial chair and Rep. Ernie Clarete.

Although in other places there is a Lakas-Kampi row, in Misamis Occidental, both parties became an instrument of pooling within the administration wing even politicians which have strong rivalries. One could be Lakas while the other is Kampi, or the other way around.

Even as early as last month, Ocampos announced before local reporters that "in 80 percent of the province's localities," there is "no conceivable competition" against the administration coalition's bets.

Ocampos managed to engineer the alignment of potential political opponents, especially those who are known to be up against incumbents, under the administration coalition. With this, they all became subject to the equity-of-the-incumbent rule.

Ocampos himself parried a potential gubernatorial challenge from vice governor Francisco Paylaga Jr., Kampi provincial chair. Both are now running unopposed for their third terms in office.

However, Kampi has a slate for provincial board members in the second district alongside Lakas.

In Clarin town, there is heated rivalry between Lakas and Kampi, from the mayoral down to municipal council bets.

In Ozamiz City, incumbent mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. is running unopposed for a third term along with incumbent vice-mayor Carlos Bernad. However, Parojinog's 10 bets for city councilor are squaring off with nine Lakas bets.

Only in Oroquieta City and Sapang Dalaga towns has the Genuine Opposition been showing a political presence. This is in addition to a contender for representative of the first congressional district.

In the second congressional district, Rep. Herminia Ramiro faces opposition from a retired teacher, a virtual political unknown.

Given the mundane scenario, high-profile local politicians busied themselves building their base and preparing the field now for possible match-ups in 2010.

By then, the seats of governor, vice-governor and representative of the second congressional district will be open for contention.

In 2010, Paylaga is expected to fulfill his postponed ambition for the gubernatorial post. Also by then, Parojinog, Bernad, Ramiro and Ocampos will be seeking new seats after their respective three-term limits are up.

Another potential personality in the running for higher posts in the province is lawyer-businessman Henry Oaminal. He is currently seeking a seat in the provincial board as an independent candidate.

During the past three elections, Oaminal has sought the gubernatorial and congressional seats but lost.

For now, Clarete has decided not to pursue a third term but slid down to become mayor of hometown Plaridel. This allows him a fresh shot at the congressional seat of the first district. His two-termer sister, incumbent mayor Edilma Bulawin, guns for a seat inthe board of the first district.

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