Between the two Nograleses running for elective positions in Davao City – Karlo Nograles as mayor, and Migz Nograles as Congresswoman for the city’s first district – the one who could possibly pull a surprise win is PBA Partylist Congresswoman lawyer Mgz.
First, it is a known fact Davao City’s first district used to be a domain of the Nograleses starting from the time of the late Patriarch Lawyer Prospero “Boy” Nograles. He even went on to become the House Speaker for a considerable length of time. When the family decided to field the young Karlo to “wear the shoes” of his father, he still got the approval of the majority of District 1 voters.
For a time many Davaoenos believe that Karlo will continue representing the city first congressional district in the Lower House. But the wise former mayor Duterte who ran and was elected President in 2016 national polls, tactfully eased him out from their turf by taking him (Karlo) in his Cabinet. Karlo went on to become the Cabinet Secretary and later Chair of the Civil Service Commission, a constitutionally-created body in the government.
Karlo quit upon Former President Duterte’s exit. However, he was reappointed by then newly-assumed President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. He then resigned later.
Meanwhile, another Nograles lawyer, Migz Nograles, went on to become a Congresswoman without doing battle with the incumbent Polong Duterte in the May, 2022 elections. She did it without passing the normal precarious and even tumultuous route which is the election right within the District 1 arena. And she made it like her other brother Koko who came in ahead of her using the Partylist route.
Now Migz wants the normal but very challenging route. That is, running directly right at the jurisdiction of the city’s first district and pleading for the district’s votes. Of course we will not deny hearing talks about Migs being prodded to take the plunge by certain irresistible force. And whether the talks are true or not, it really doesn’t matter much to us than it matters most to candidate Migz.
What matters to us though is whether or not lady lawyer and incumbent PBA Partylist Rep. Nograles will be able to grab back her family’s once political domain from incumbent Polong Duterte, former President Rody’s scion who seems to be a silent worker with accomplishments to show in terms of infrastructure projects and not in terms of significant legislation which is the primary responsibility of a congressman.
And whether we have to admit to the fact that many Nograles leaders shifted support to the Dutertes, especially when Patriarch Rody was elected President and Karlo was drawn to serve under his administration, we are certain that there are still many who prefer to keep silent and just contented being keen local political observers.
It is in lawyer Migz capability in having these former Nograles’ loyalists active again that could propel her contest with incumbent Polong into her favor even if the possibility is far-fetched
And just like elder Karlo, Migz need to seriously study the ways of his father in dealing with people in the first district as well as the manner with which the Dutertes are doing their own scheme. Again, alongside Karlo they can introduced innovations in the strategy and applies the same in her day-to-day engagements with the constituents in the first district, it is possible that many will believe she is the better bridge to the national legislature and to the seat of power of decision makers and fund providing agencies of government.
We have no doubt about candidate Migz’s courage of meeting head-on issues that may affect her relationship with her constituents like the Quiboloy’s ultra-heated controversy. And definitely, it will come out as an issue against her in the May congressional elections. How well she can justify her action and position on such issue to Quiboloy’s followers in the first district would lead them to take Migz as one better alternative to the incumbent.
In other words, between Karlo and Mig, the latter has the better chance of upsetting their Duterte opponents.
After all, the Nograleses have some notable projects implemented during their time that they can show the first district constituents.
But is Migz willing to learn the lessons of the past first district congressional derbies? Will she agree with the opinion and recommendations of some seemingly “insignificant” first district political observers that there are weak areas in her potential campaign plans and that there is necessity to realign it to the changing political landscape before it gets too late?
