DAVAO CITY — On May 9, 2022, a national election will be held in the Philippines. Except for barangay officials, the country will elect its 17th president and all other national, provincial, and local government officials.
The Philippines, which is seen as an Asian democracy’s bastion, has also seen electoral instability and violence. Gunmen sent by the family of Maguindanao province’s then-governor massacred 58 people, including journalists, in a horrifying attack on an election caravan in 2009.
ON THE FRONTLINES IN MINDANAO
With the impending 2022 elections, expect friends to turn enemies, political allies to turn rivals, and weaponry to be ready in the cache in places with a history of brutal elections, as political history portrays Mindanao elections.
Graduating politicians filed their Certificates of Candidacies during the first few days of the filing period, either seeking a higher position or changing roles, while some chose to recruit family members to fill their vacated seats.
According to the records of the Commission on Elections in the various provinces of Mindanao, many of those seeking elections come from powerful political families, with only a few competitors.
Although the campaign season has yet to begin, the streets and highways are already crowded with names and faces speaking about the Coronavirus Pandemic or programs undertaken by the powers that be, the majority of which are funded by taxpayers.
Clash of Personalities
Take, for example, Zamboanga del Norte, where political commentators describe the political battle as a clash of titans, with the Jalosjoses and Uys once again on the verge of colliding.
At the first hour of October 1, the majority of the Jalosjoses and their allies filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) here and in nearby Dipolog City.
It’s a woman vs woman race for the governorship. Rosalina G. Jalosjos, the undefeated mayor of Dapitan and sister of the province’s political kingpin Romeo Jalosjos, will face off against Evelyn Tang Uy, the wife of incumbent Governor Roberto Uy, who was also an unbeaten mayor of Dipolog.
The governor, who is serving his final term, will campaign for mayor in Dapitan, the Jalosjos’ stronghold. Seth Frederick P. Jalosjos, Romeo Jalosjos’ son and a former congressman will run against Governor again, this time for the mayoralty of Dapitan.
In the 2019 elections, Seth Frederick Jalosjos came close to defeating Governor Uy.
It’s a junior vs junior race for the province’s 1st District congressional seat, with incumbent Representative Romeo Jalosjos Jr. facing opponent Roberto Y. Uy Jr., son of Governor Uy.
In the province’s 2nd District, the Jalosjos group is still betting on Representative Glona Labadlabad, an ally of the Uys, while in the 3rd District, Romeo Jalosjos’ brother Cesar will run against Adrian Amatong, son of incumbent Representative Isagani Amatong, who is serving his final term.
Rommel Jalosjos, Romeo’s other son, will run for mayor of Dipolog against incumbent Mayor Darel Dexter Uy, son of Roberto Uy and Evelyn Tang Uy.
In the town of Pinan, incumbent Mayor Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon, Romeo Jalosjos’ other sister, will run for reelection. Her Vice Mayor, Deogracias Cimafranca, an associate of the Uys, will challenge her.
Clan War
The Mangundadatu’s of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces are facing a political clan conflict as two Mangudadatu clans, cousins by affinity, compete for the governorship, it will be Mangudadatu versus. Mangudadatu.
Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu of Maguindanao’s Second District is running against incumbent Governor Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, the wife of incumbent Sultan Kudarat Governor Teng Mangundadatu.
While Representative Mangundadatu’s wife beauty queen Sharifa Akeel will run as governor against former Sultan Kudarat Governor Pakung ‘Datu pax Ali’ Mangundadatu, the son of of Governor Mariam Mangundadatu.
The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) in Maguindanao has endorsed Maguindanao representative Ismael Mangundadatu for governor.
Allies turn rivals
The third-termer Second District Representative and House Deputy Speaker Congressman Henry S. Oaminal is running for governor in Misamis Occidental, Misamis Occidental, against his erstwhile ally, incumbent Governor Philip Tan.
Ozamiz City Mayor Sancho Fernando Oaminal, Oaminal’s son, will vie for the seat vacated by his father.
Switching
It’s a switch in Sarangani Province. Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon is running for Congress to fill the seat vacated by incumbent Representative Rogelio Pacquiao, who is running for Governor.
In Davao Oriental, there is political harmony, as Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang will not seek reelection. Instead, he agreed to run as First District Representative of the province vice incumbent Representative Corazon N. Malanyaon who will run for Governor.
Families
In Davao Occidental, incumbent Governor Claude Bautista is running as Representative for the Lone District of Davao Occident as his sister incumbent Congresswoman Lorna Bautista-Bandigan runs for Vice Governor with brother Franklin Bautista as Governor.
Governor Bautista’s children are running, his sons; Dinko is running for Sta. Maria Mayor in Davao Occidental; his other son Carl Jason Rama, the incumbent Mayor of Kiblawan town in Davao del Sur is running for Governor in Davao del Sur against Governor Yvonne Roña Cagas, the wife of incumbent governor Mark Cagas; and his daughter DUMPER party-list Representative Claudine Diana Bautista-Lim is vying for reelection.
Governor Bautista’s nephew Bradley Bautista (son of Franklin) is also seeking reelection as Mayor of Malita town in Davao Occidental.
The young Mayor Rama in his Facebook post describes his father Governor Bautista “He comes from a family of public servants who to this day continue the legacy left by my late grandfather, former Congressman, Benjamin V. Bautista, Sr.”
Dividing friends
Vice Governor Emmylou M. Mendoza is competing against incumbent Governor Nancy A. Catamco in North Cotabato, and some of Catamco’s top officials have transferred their allegiance to Mendoza.
Reynaldo Tamayo, the incumbent governor of South Cotabato, is running for reelection against Ferdinand Hernandez, the Second District Representative.
Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao del Norte is challenged by board member Roy Catalan, they are both members of the Brotherhood of the Eagles.
Governors of Lanao del Norte Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo and Lanao del Sur Mamintal Adiong are seeking reelection unopposed as of press time.
The Warning
President Rodrigo Duterte has earlier warned political warlords and rebels to stay out of the elections.
Duterte on Monday issued a stern warning to political warlords and the New People’s Army to stay out of the May 2022 elections and he would not think twice about using the police and military to ensure orderly polls.
“I will not allow fraud, tapos yung mga tigas tigas. May mga ano diyan lalo na yung matagal na sa politika. Political warlords na may mga armas (and those acting tough. Especially those who have long been in politicals, political warlords with arms),” he said in a late night public address.
He made the remark as armed personnel prepares to prevent communist terrorists from collecting “permit-to-campaign” fees from politicians.
“Pati kayong mga NPA huwag kayo sumali. Huwag kayo makialam dito sa elections (Also NPA, stay out of this. Do not interfere with elections),” he added.
Duterte, meanwhile, reiterated that he wanted to give Filipinos “clean” elections before he steps down as president.
“Gusto ko na bago ako umalis, makatikim man lang ang Pilipino ng malinis na election (Before I step down, I want Filipinos to experience a clean election),” he said.
He also appealed to would-be candidates, especially in Mindanao, to keep the conduct of polls peaceful.
“I am appealing to the leaders, sa lahat ng tribo (all tribes), I said, if you do not follow a peaceful path in the elections, papuntahan ko kayo ng Army pati pulis. Disarmahan lahat ng tao at kulungin ka. Ako na ang bahala magsagot kung bakit ka kinulong basta mag terorismo kayo (I will order the Army and police there. I’ll have them disarmed and detain you. I will answer to the reason why you are detained if you are involved in terrorism),” he added.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier backed Duterte’s call to ensure violence-free elections.
“The President’s call for peaceful elections is a powerful reminder to all would-be candidates and their campaigns, to reject violence. The Comelec shares the President’s sentiment,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said.-Editha Z. Caduaya
