In the Visayas, festive colors mark start of local campaign
CEBU CITY—The drum beats were loud. Campaign posters were everywhere.
The Visayas, like any other part of the country, was in a vibrant atmosphere starting on Friday, as the local campaign period for the May 12 elections began.
Most of the candidates started the campaign period by attending Masses in churches, followed by sorties in the different localities.
In Cebu, reelectionist Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and her One Cebu party offered a Mass at the Santa Ana Parish Church in Barili town in southern Cebu accompanied by four administration senatorial bets—Manny Pacquiao, Bong Revilla, Francis Tolentino and Benhur Abalos.
Garcia and four relatives are running for different positions in Cebu. Her sister-in-law Karen Garcia is running for representative of Cebu’s third district to replace her husband, outgoing Rep. Pablo John Garcia, the governor’s youngest brother; her nephews, Raymond Alvin and John-John, are running for mayor in Cebu City and Barili town respectively; and her youngest daughter, Carissa, is second nominee of the Ako Bisaya party list.
In Iloilo City, Team Uswag’s kickoff rally was held at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand led by Mayor Jerry Treñas whose daughter Raisa is the mayoralty candidate in tandem with reelectionist Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon. On the other hand, Team Sulong Gugma started the campaign with a Mass at the Arevalo Church, with former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog in attendance.
In Eastern Visayas, candidates, who included Tacloban City’s reelectionist Mayor Alfred Romualdez, launched their campaigns by also holding Masses before engaging in motorcade, house-to-house visits and proclamation rallies.
Also among them were the sons of Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez: Ferdinand Martin “Marty” Romualdez Jr., who is vying for a council seat in Tacloban City; and Andrew, is the first nominee of Tingog party list.
In Southern Leyte, Gov. Damian Mercado and his brother, Roger, who is running for congressman, also attended a Mass before launching their campaign.
In Samar, reelectionist Gov. Sharee Ann Tan joined the proclamation rally of Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy and his slate.
Degamo vs Teves
In Negros Oriental, all eyes will be on the fight between Mayor Janice Degamo of Pamplona town and Janice Teves-Gaston for the province’s third congressional district.
Gaston is the aunt of former Gov. Pryde Henry Teves and expelled Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. who was tagged as the mastermind in the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo, Janice’s husband, on March 4, 2023.
Pryde Henry is running for governor of Negros Oriental against Degamo-allied incumbent Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria, and Joemarie Jao.
In Bacolod City, Team Asenso, led by Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who is running for congressman, and Rep. Greg Gasataya, who is running for mayor, held a kickoff rally at the Paglaum Stadium at 4 p.m. on Friday. Team El Cid, led by Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, a candidate for mayor, was held at the Bacolod Public Plaza at 3 p.m. on Friday. —WITH REPORTS FROM ALLAINE KATE LEDA, NESTLE SEMILLA-DAKAY, JOEY GABIETA, LEO UDTOHAN, CARLA P. GOMEZ AND KAYE BRIER
