I heard someone say that despite his popularity, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s active campaigning for some candidates in Cebu will not improve his chosen ones’ chances of winning but will only serve to alienate him from the Cebuanos.
False. Even if he’s already out of power, Duterte can sway more votes than he can lose them. Any candidate who disputes that does so at his peril. I say that grudgingly, not being a Duterte fan or voter, but if there is anyone I want to be in my corner if I were a candidate, it would be him.
I am not saying that Duterte’s endorsement will guarantee victory, only that it can bring in additional votes that, in a close contest, could spell the difference between a W and an L.
For example, and I say this with all due respect to her opponent, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is so far ahead that not even Duterte or for that matter, President Bongbong Marcos, can make her lose. She does not depend on any national figure to score a win. She does not need them; they need her.
That goes for Mayor Samsam and Congresswoman Rhea Gullas in the first district, the Calderons in the seventh, PJ Garcia’s wife in the third and Duke Frasco in the fifth. Except for Frasco, who is facing another challenge from the Duranos, they’re all running without, or with token, opposition.
The situation in the second and fourth districts is different. There, it will most probably matter if you offended Duterte or his daughter Sara by voting to impeach her. Both Reps. Edsel Galeos and Janice Salimbangon did, and before that, they already had their hands full confronting the strong challenge from Vice Gov. Junjun Davide and former Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura, respectively.
As a former governor, Davide owns political IOUs that he can now call. Both he and Galeos come from one of the district’s most vote-rich towns, Argao. Unlike Galeos who is, or appears to be, the only public official in his family, Davide belongs to a distinguished line of public servants, including his father, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.
In the fourth district, Shimura has reportedly sewed up the support of some town mayors, including Carlo Martinez of Bogo. That could spell trouble for Salimbangon, who should be praying by now that the Dutertes have not taken her pro-impeachment vote personally.
But it is in Cebu City and in Mandaue City where Duterte’s help could prove to be the deciding factor.
Mike Rama, Raymond Garcia and Nestor Archival (not necessarily in that order; sorry, Yogi) are in a tight race as are Jonas Cortes and Jonkie Ouano in Mandaue.
Don’t tell me I didn’t tell you (still grudgingly) if Duterte’s anointed will have their hands raised in triumph after the canvassing in May. He’s still that influential among the Cebuano voters, you better believe me.