TAGBILARAN city councilor Nick Besas is unopposed to be the runningmate of reelectionist Gov. Aris Aumentado in the mid-term elections in 2025 as the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) is fast approaching in first week of October this year, according to incumbent SP member Nathaniel O. Binlod (3rd dist, Bohol).
Besas, the father of Congresswoman Kristine Alexie Besas Tutor (3rd dist. Bohol), is the incumbent president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Bohol chapter and sits as ex-officio member of the provincial board, the highest policy-making of Bohol.
Abante has also adopted advocate for good governance Emmanuel “Willy” Ramasola as one of the group’s bets for provincial board member for first district. He is slated to join reelectionist Lucille Lagunay and Goldie Herrera, the daughter of Calape Mayor Atty. Julius Caesar Falar Herrera.
Another neophyte is President Carlos P. Garcia Mayor Fernando “Eping” Estavilla, who is now on his last term as mayor, for board member of the second district.
His co-candidates are reelectionists veteran Board Member Atty. Tomas “Tommy” D. Abapo, Jr. and BM Atty. Jamie Aumentado Villamor.
Another rookie is Dionisio Joseph “DJ” V. Balite, son of the late Vice-Gov. Dionisio Victor A. Balite, for board member in 3rd district as agreed by partymates. He is expected to be with reelectionists BMs Tita V. Baja, Crispinito “Greg” Jala and Nathaniel “Atan” O. Binlod.
It was not known, yet, why Dr. Arnold Cagulada was apparently sidelined in the slate. Cagulada, along with then Loboc vice-Mayor Pablio “Bebot” Sumampong did not make it in 2022 elections. Sumampong has already said he won’t run for BM to give way to his fellow Lobocanon Greg Jala.
Abante still kept mum whether to carry, or not, the candidacy of then city Mayor Baba Yap, who already made known his intention to run for congressman in first district. If he’ll make true his intention, Yap will be facing his mentor incumbent Cong. Edgar Chatto, who has yet to experience defeat in his political career.
Incumbent Congresswoman Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado (2nd dist) and Congresswoman Tutor (3rd district) are for reelection. Congw. Aumentado for her second term while Congw. Tutor for her third and last term. (rvo)
ARIS: PFP BET
IF plans won’t go erratic, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) Bohol chapter, the political party under the UniTeam that catapulted Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to presidency, is likely to field incumbent Gov. Aris Aumentado as its official candidate for governor in mid-term elections next year.
PFP Bohol chapter chair Dimiao Vice-Mayor Jessie Paluga said this may likely to happen if the governor becomes a member of the party and the PFP endorse him to be its official party bet for governor in 2025.
This surfaced as the party is welcoming new members for PFP Bohol chapter during a press conference held at Reyna’s Resto sometime last week.
PFP Bohol was told that Aumentado has been a member of the party, which is a part of UniTeam alliance of Marcos and Vice-President Sara Duterte, along with Lakas-CMD, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Partido ng Masang Pilipino and some guest candidates from other parties.
Aumentado along with other governors in the Visayas regions took his oath sometime as PFP member before South Cotabato and PFP national president Gov. Tamayo last week.
Other governors who did the same were Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, Gov. Lacuasan, Gov. Villa of Siqujor, Gov. Pimentel of Surigao del Norte; Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr.; Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado; Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone; Siquijor Governor Jake Villa; Guimaras Governor Joaquin Carlos “JC” Nava; Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores; Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson.
The governor bared this during his attendance of the 455 foundation of Cebu City sometime last week upon the invitation of Gov. Garcia.
Philstar news report said that other provincial governors had already taken their oath sa PFP members. They are Bukidnon Gov. Rogelio Neil Roquel; Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco; Aurora Gov. Christian Noveras; Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.; Occidental Mindoro Gov. Eduardo Gadiano; Camarines Norte Gov. Ricarte Padilla; Albay Gov. Edcel Greco Lagman; Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado; Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Dimaporo; Davao de Oro Gov. Dorothy Gonzaga; Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib; Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr; Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Abdulraof Macacua; Laguna Vice Gov. Katherine Agapay; National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) lead convenor Secretary Lope Santos III; Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arlan Mangelen; and NAPC Office of the Deputy Director General officer-in-charge Girlie Amarillo.
Also a new party member, who took his oath last year was Marcos’ son Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, who used to belong to the Nacionalista Party.
Among the public officials who join the PFP as new members include Albrquerque Mayor Dondon Buates, Panglao Vice-Mayor Noel Hormachuelos, Tubigon Mayor William Jao, Tubigon Vice-Mayor Villaber, Loon Vice-Mayor Lloyd Lopez, former Dimiao Mayor Danny Guivencan, former City Vice-Mayor Toto Veloso and former Bien-Unido Vice-Mayor Ramon Arcenal and others who took their oath before Paluga during the said gathering.
Paluga said that the oath-taking should be done as the chapter is required to submit to the national office of the party new members’ names.
PFP chapter president Angie Hoffman told press conference that the party is preparing for the activities during the elections, like appointment and assigning poll watchers as it did in 2022 polls.
But the party has yet to confirm if it’s fielding complete slate in the municipalities where it has its chapter. (rvo)
