Of THE Three congressional districts in Davao City we believe that the election for House Representatives will be most exciting, and possibly even heated up, will be in the first and the second. The third may not reach to the level earlier mentioned but the contest may pull some surprises.
And why are we saying that the electoral contest for congressmen may be exciting and perhaps heated up in the first and the second? It is because of the personalities involved.
In the first it is a known fact that the Nograleses have, for a time, been dominant figures. A Duterte only came in after some kind of a rapprochement succeeded to temper the heat of the rivalry of the Dutertes and the Nograles shortly before then City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte made known his desire to run for President and leading Davao politicians, including the Nograles family came together and rallied for the former city mayor’s cause.
Besides, it was also publicly acknowledged that both the younger generation Dutertes and Nograleses were known friends, specifically now Vice President Sara Duterte and then Cabinet Secretary and later Chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Karlo Nograles.
Rubbed in on Karlo and Sara’s friendship are without doubt, Polong Duterte and lawyer Migz Nograles. So it was not surprising that when Karlo was methodically “boxed in” at his highly influential positions in the Duterte Cabinet Congressman Polong’s rise was unhampered. And he is now the new political overlord in the city’s first district.
But as they say, in politics there are no permanent friends, only permanent interest.” Corollary to that, loyalty to some personalities is alien in the world of politics.
Thus, in this year’s midterm election we now find the Nograleses abandoning their erstwhile friends and allies – the Dutertes – and joining the Marcos Jr.’s alliance, even running as mayor (Karlo) and congresswoman (Atty. Migz Nodrales) opposite incumbent Polong in the First district.
Given the sudden change of the political scenario there may be a chance that Migz Nograles, an incumbent lawmaker under the Partylist PBA, will be able to navigate the route of the Nograles comeback in the first district.
That is, if she can pinpoint the weak areas in Polong’s handling of the first district. Also, lady Nograles lawyer might be able to get back the dominance in the first if she will be able to harness back the support of the late former Speaker Boy Nograles’ loyal followers and re-lived the strategy during his campaign years.
Also, we have this feeling that if she will be able to shed her ways and personal attributes looked upon by many first district voters as “elitist,” she’ll find herself a much worthy political nemesis to the Duterte incumbent.
Amidst all these Migz has to show true grit if only to show her opponent that she cannot just be bullied around. And, if at all, her run will be truly backed with logistics from her supposed patrons, her wise utilization of the same would definitely see her through to her objective – wrestling the Congressional seat from the incumbent whose campaign may be hampered by the arrest of his father and his incarceration in the detention center of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
Meanwhile, in the Second district it will be another squabble between a political neophyte scion of the Dutertes, and another relatively new in the political field, Javi Garcia Campos, a scion of the long second district dominant Garcia family.
Javi though is about to complete his first term in the City Council where he made a name for himself. He has shown savvy in local politics enough to keep the Garcia image well afloat and embedded in the consciousness of the Second district voters.
But even as Javi Garcia Campos is enjoying a relatively better advantage over his rival Omar Duterte in terms of experience, he has to face the reality that the endearment of Omar’s grandfather Rody Duterte to the people of the Second district is one advantage that could upset the Garcia dominance.
Yes, Omar may not have the personality that could draw thousands of voters to write his name on the ballots. But unfortunately for Javi, Omar has the family name that rings even a giant bell with decibel enough to call on the voters of the second district to rally in his favor.
But again, like in the first district the manner with which both Omar Duterte and Javi Garcia Campos conduct their campaign could be a factor that will determine the winner in their electoral contest.
In the third district though we could see a smoother navigation of incumbent Sid Ungab’s reelection. Why, because there is no arguing that Ungab’s many infrastructure and other projects in the third district will surely carry him through. Besides, the Ungabs have a strong grip of at least four of the city’s administrative districts.
Congressman Ungab’s wife, a member of the famous Calolot family – hails from Toril district. The lawmaker, on the other hand, belongs to a family with strong influence in Calinan, Baguio, and Marilog administrative districts.
Nonoy Al-ag’s family, on the other hand, is known to have connections mostly in Toril. He could also possibly have close ties with some families in Tugbok district. But his experience/s in the city council may not be apt for the position he is gunning this time.
But again in politics, surprises can happen.
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