Old, familiar names win in Bohol

By Leo Udtohan

Your VRS with media colleagues Dave Charles Responte of dyTR and Allen Doydora of dyRD as witnesses of the cavassing of results for the province of Bohol with Ms Malou Cempron of the provicial Comelec office. The provincial board of canvassers are lawyer Eddie Aba, chairperson; lawyer Nilo Ahat, vice chairperson and lawyer Edmar Rodela, member-secretary.  Photo: Leo Udtohan

Political families in Bohol province have regained or expanded their political control and influence after the May 9 elections.

The Chatto family has tightened their grip in Balilihan town and on the province’s first congressional district after Rep. Edgar Chatto was reelected. 

The Aumentado family have also expanded their control of politics in the province and the second congressional district.

For the third district, Rep. Alexie Besas-Tutor, was reelected after beating Valencia Mayor Katrina Lim of the powerful Lim family. 

Reelectionist Balilihan Mayor Maria Pureza Veloso-Chatto kept his seat as mayor. Her daughter, lawyer Esther Patricia, was elected vice mayor.  Pureza's husband, incumbent 1st district Rep. Edgar Chatto, a veteran politician, also won with a wide margin against his opponents.  

However, Pureza's brother outgoing Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso who was running for mayor was defeated by Jane Yap, becoming the first last mayor of Tagbilaran.

Jane, wife of outgoing Tagbilaran Mayor John Geesnell "Baba" Yap II, also defeated Baba's uncle, former Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim. 

Jane's father, former 2nd district Rep. Roberto Cajes was also elected mayor in Trinidad town. Her sister, incumbent councilor Joan Cajes-Imboy was reelected in Trinidad town. 

In Inabanga town, councilor Jose Jono Jumamoy, was elected mayor. His mother incumbent mayor Josephine Socorro Jumamoy was elected vice-mayor. However, Jono's only sister Jaja, a commercial pilot and former provincial board member, lost her bid as representative for Bohol's 2nd district. 

Jaja's rival, Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado, was elected as first woman representative of the second district. 

Winners all. Some Boholano politicians are successful in their electoral bid: Governor-elect Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Vice governor-elect Dionisio Victor Balite, reelected 3rd district Rep. Alexie Besas-Tutor and new 2nd district Rep. Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado.  Photo: Leo Udtohan

Cadorna-Aumentado is the wife of outgoing 2nd district Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado who won by landslide against rival Gov. Arthur Yap.  Erico's niece, lawyer Jiselle Rae Villamor, won a seat in the provincial board in the second district. 

The Relampagos clan was weakened by the deafeat of reelectionist Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos, a veteran politician whose career in politics spanned for three decades. He was defeated by board member Dionisio Victor Balite whose younger brother, Dionisio Neil, won as mayor in Valencia town. 

But other clan members kept their posts: 

incumbent Loon mayor Elvi Peter Relampagos and vice mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez were reelected. Elvi is the older brother of Rene, while Lopez is first cousin of Relampagos brothers. 

It is a bittersweet victory for former Bohol Vice Governor Julius Cesar Herrera who was elected mayor in Calape town. His daughter, Margaux Herrera-Caya, a newcomer lost her bid as board member in the first district. 

In Panglao town, incumbent mayor Leonila Paredes-Montero was elected last councilor. Her daughter, incumbent councilor Amira Alia Montero-Caindec, failed to secure the mayoral seat after defeated by newcomer Edgardo "Boy" Arcay. 

In Dauis town, outgoing mayor Marietta Tocmo-Sumaylo was elected vice mayor. However, her husband, Liga ng mga Barangay-Dauis Chapter president Josever Sumaylo, was defeated by a newcomer Roman Bullen, a seaman. 

Bohol 3rd district Rep. Kristine Alexie Besas-Tutor was reelected, while her husband, outgoing Candijay mayor Christopher Tutor was elected vice mayor. 

It was victory for Camacho brothers in Getafe town. Incumbent mayor Casey Shaun Camacho was elected vice-mayor, while his brother former mayor Cary Camacho regained his former position.

In Ubay, incumbent mayor Constantino Reyes was reelected while his wife incumbent councilor Violeta was reelected. 

Former Carmen Mayor Conchita Toribio- Delos Reyes was elected mayor. Delos Reyes' twin sister Angilita Toribio-Abundo failed her reelection bid. 

Outgoing Garcia Hernandez Mayor Tita Baja won as board member  in the third district of Bohol. Her brother, Filadelfo Jess Baja III, won as mayor. 

Newcomer lawyer Jiselle “Jamie” Aumentado Villamor

 is elected board member in the second district of Bohol. Contributed photo

Some are unsuccessful in their electoral bids. 

Reelectionist 2nd district board member Frans Gelaine Garcia-Devenosa was unable to capture a seat in the provincial board, while her husband Michael Devenosa who was running for councilor in Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (PCPG) failed to secure a seat. Her father, former board member Gerardo Garcia, failed in the race for congressman. 

Incumbent Pilar mayor Necitas Tabaranza- Cubrado failed her reelection bid. Her daughter, Vanessa Cubrado, also failed to take a seat in the council. 

Aumentado was welcomed with cheers from Capitol employees who had lined up to meet him. He also visited some offices before his proclamation.

“My inspiration was to bring change to Bohol. Rest assured, I will protect the money of the people. I will not do something that will anger you,” said Aumentado.

Tutor thanked her supporters who stayed behind her during the campaign and the elections. 

"Thank you third district! We have shown around the world that our district is principled, looks at the actions and deeds of its leaders, and has the love and conscience to vote for a good leader,” Tutor said.

“I feel the pressure because I am a neophyte. But I am confident I can bring the services to the second district of Bohol,” Cadorna-Aumentado said.  “I will serve the people with competence, commitment, passion and dedication.”

"Let’s work hand in hand, and bring to the fore quality service and clean governance in Bohol, which the Boholanos truly deserve," said Villamor. 

Bohol with 1.4 million people has 949,791 registered voters. 

* * *

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

Your vote is your future

By Leo Udtohan

Your vote. Your choice. Your future.

Every election, you have one vote. But that one vote can define the future of our country.

As we vote tomorrow, May 9, we will decide who will run our province for the next three years.  

Your vote is your dignity and respect.

While reading this little corner, read carefully the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)’s 10 commandments for Responsible Voting:

1. Vote according to the dictates of your conscience.

2. Respect the decision of others in choosing their candidates.

3. Seek to know the moral integrity, capabilities, and other personal qualities of the candidates you will vote for.

4. Strive to understand the issues, platform, and programs of candidates and parties campaigning for your vote.

5. Do not sell your vote.

6. Do not vote for candidates using guns, goons, gold, and glitter.

7. Do not vote for candidates tainted with graft and corruption.

8. Do not vote for candidates simply because of “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude), popularity, good looks, or “pakikisama” (peer pressure).

9. Do not vote for candidates living an immoral life.

10. Always put the welfare of the country as top priority in choosing the candidate you will vote for.

 * * * 

Speaking of #5:  Just save your P20 coin.

In Bohol province, where vote-buying and vote-selling still rampant, P20 coin is useless until election period is over.

It was just a usual gathering of at least seven neighbors-mostly women-on Thursday morning in a village in Tagbilaran City. 

Their topic: Uwan-uwan (showers) or "inangayan" (shares) and how much would get they get from candidates.

"Mag-uwan gyud og kuwarta basta panahon sa election. Mao sab ni time nga powerful ang leader (It will always rain with money during elections. This is also the time the leader is powerful)," said Jinky, a resident of Tagbilaran. 

Regardless of the area, the modus is still the same: ward leader lists down the names of registered voters in the purok (sub-village). Payouts were usually done from early morning until noon.

Most of them received P50 last May 1 from  some candidates running for councilors. 

They were thankful that this year's elections offer a higher "rate" from local candidates. 

"Mapugos sila og hatag og P50 kay dili naman mai-stapleran ang P20 (The candidates are forced to give P50 because they can't staple the P20 coin)," Divina (family name withheld) was referring to Philippine twenty-peso coin.

Divina, 49, said she was not selling her vote but she is receiving her "share". 

“Blessing man gud ang uwan-uwan. Karun ra gani mi makadawat sa among bahin. Botar lang ko kinsay ganahan nako botaran (It's a blessing. It’s only during elections that we can receive this amount. I will just vote whom I like),” she justified. 

But some candidates for councilors in Tagbilaran managed to find P20 bill and distributed it.

Paul said that while he wondered by candidates would still bother to give P20 when not much could be bought, he still accepted it. 

“It is better than nothing,” he said.

Not everyone gave cash.

A mayoral candidate gave a health card, while mayoral candidates gave papers with a QR code. 

Aside from P50, a mayoral candidate attached a claim stab of 3 kilos of rice to its sample ballot. 

Some voters received P100 from a vice mayoral candidate last Wednesday. Another P100 for the second round from the same candidate on Thursday. 

"Lipay ko kay ikaduha mi gitagaan (We are happy, we received money twice)," said Hilda, a resident. 

In Panglao town, a mayoral candidate gave P1,000, while another candidate P300. But the amount goes higher two or a day of the election. 

In Tubigon town, some residents already received their money last week.  P200 from a gubernatorial candidate, P500 from a mayoral candidate, while P50 or P100 some councilors.  

In Bilar, P1, 000 to vote straight. It's P4,500 for three voters in some areas like Sevilla. 

In Carmen town, P1,700 for the whole slate including the provincial slate. However, voters should get their money from a barangay captain. 

In Dimiao, P500 were given from a congressional candidate. 

In Loboc town, it's P2,500 each voter. 

A number of residents in Bohol said they were expecting a second wave after receiving cash from the candidates, many as early as May 1.

"We are expecting second wave on Sunday evening or early Monday,” said Cesar, a resident of Dauis. 

The rate for local positions is P50 to P1,000 per voter.  Sometimes it’s a “package deal” for a whole family or household for as much as P3,000 to P20,000 depending on how close the contest is perceived in a particular area.

Dr. Jerome Magallen, a Bohol-based psychologist, said vote buying in the province perceived as normal Bohol because they were used to it.

"It is a sad reality today that every election they are expecting money," he said.

He, however, said there were a handful voters who would not sell their votes.

"This has a big impact to the society. It seems money becomes a barometer for a candidate to win instead of their capacity and qualification. Another thing there is a possibility that if ever they win that is when corruption begins," he said. 

Magallen said voters should think of their future and the community when casting their votes.

"Vote according to your conscience," he said. 

In the past weeks, the Dioceses of Tagbilaran and Talibon in Bohol have discouraged vote-buying and vote-selling. 

The Comelec said it is illegal to buy and sell votes and violators could face prison terms of one to six years and disqualification from holding public office.

VRS wants to hear from you. Tell me what you thought about the election! You can e-mail me at leoudtohan@yahoo.com.

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

Pacquiao, Moreno, Abella ask Boholanos to choose the right leader

By Leo Udtohan

Presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao visits Bohol province on Thursday, April 21, to meet his supporters. Photos: Leo Udtohan

The campaign sorties of our presidentiables have been heavy in Luzon. In the last stretch of the campaign, they are expected to spend some more time in Visayas, Bohol included. 

Last week, three presidentiables have visited the province of Bohol, the 20th rich-vote province in the country. 

Presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao asked Boholanos to stop comparing him to other presidential candidates.

“Dili ko puwede ikumpara sa mga pulitiko  nga kawatan (Don’t compare me with those corrupt politicians),” said Pacquiao during his visit last Thursday, April 21, in a remote sitio of Pundokan Rowena Heights in Barangay Anonang in Buenavista town.

Although he didn’t names, Pacquiao said those thieves were the reasons the Filipinos remain poor.

“Ngano nagpabilin tang pobre tungod kay sige sila pangawat (We remain poor because they keep stealing),” Pacquiao told at least 3,000 attendees who are members of Simbahan Ni Teodorico and Visayas Federal Movement headed by Bishop Romeo Melecio Jr.

Pacquiao also shared about his housing project that he wished to immediately implement if he wins the presidency.

“Akong pangandoy nga ang tanang pamilya sa tubuok Pilipinas dili puwede nga wala kapuy-an nga balay (My wish is that all families across the Philippines would no longer be homeless),” Pacquiao said.

He echoed the same message when he visited Tubigon town with a crowd of at least 2,000. In Cortes town, he had to speak to 1,000 supporters about his platforms.  On Thursday night, he also met ateadt 200 pastors and ministers at Dumaluan Beach Resort. 

Pacquiao’s townhall visits in Bohol only pulled out small crowd compared to rallies he held in other provinces.

On Friday, Pacquiao visited dyRD and dyTR to present his platforms. He also visited the provincial Capitol and City Hall. 

The latest Bohol Poll Survey 2022 revealed that Pacquiao was second in voters’ preference for president in the province. He got 18 percent next to former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with 52 percent.  Vice President Leni Robredo had 17%.  The survey was conducted last Feb. 28 to March 22, 2022.

Around 40,000 people attend the "IsKoncert Rally: Bilis Kilos Bohol" of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Wednesday night, April 20, 2022. Photos: Leo Udtohan

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso  promised the Boholanos who showed up at the "ISKoncert Rally: Bilis Kilos Bohol" last Wednesday, April 20, that if elected president, he would bring in a government that is direct to the people. 

"Gusto niya murang bilihin, kuryente, mabilis na internet, trabaho, bahay, ospital, yun ang gobyernong alay ko. Diretso sa tao para sa kinabukasan sa kabataan sa ating bansa," Domagoso addressing the jampacked crowd that attended the concert-rally held at the old Tagbilaran airport. 

(You want cheap goods, electricity, fast internet, work, house, hospital, that's what my government offers to you. Direct to the people for the future of the youth in our country.) 

Organizers placed attendance to the rally at 40,000.

Moreno urged his supporters to support him and his team. 

"Samahan niyo kami sa May 9 tatapusin natin ang away ng pula at dilaw. Tayong kabataan ang magtatapos sa away ng mga pulitiko," said Domagoso with a hoarse voice. 

(Join us on May 9, we will end the fight of red and yellow. We young people will end the fight between politicians.) 

In between speech, Moreno showed his dance antics, two joints hand gesture and would say "Chill lang" which the crowd responded with applause ang cheers. 

In his speech, Moreno praised the Boholanos resilience especially during the typhoon typhoon Odette (international name: "Rai"). 

Moreno was one of the first responders when Bohol was ravaged by typhoon Odette. He flew to Bohol on December 20 to personally hand over an initial P1 million in financial assistance, four generator sets and food boxes for typhoon victims in the province.

"Anong hirap na dinanas niyo huwag kayong susuko. Nakikita niyo ako? Itong batang ito na kaharap ninyo dating basurero. Sino mag-akala na puwede maging mayor ng Manila, puwede na maging presidente ng bansa," he said. 

(Whatever hardship you have gone through, don't give up. Do you know me? This boy in front of you used to be a garbage man. Who would have thought that he could be the mayor of Manila, he could be the president of the country?) 

Also present during the rally were vice presidentiable Dr. Willie Ong ang senatoriables  Bro. John Castriciones, Carl Balita, Atty. Jopet Sison and Samira Gutoc who also gave their messages.

Domagoso and his team also attended rallies in Catigbian, Carmen and Calape towns. 

Benjie Oliva, overall coordinator of Damagoso’s campaign in Bohol, said that 

as early as 4 p. m. , some 10,000 people were already assembled inside the old Tagbilaran Airport where the huge stage was located for the concert of several artists and bands. 

Singer-musician RnB singer Luke Mejares, a Boholano, performed.  Range 999, J-Blaque, Makii, RKTeq, Kyle Zagado, Freshe, Mocha Uson and Moreno’s actor son Joaquin Domagoso also performed. 

Oliva said between 6 p. m. to 7 p. m. , the crowd ballooned to 20,000 and peaked at 40,000 when Moreno was already on the stage talking directly to the people. 

It was also in his Bohol visit that Domagoso challenged Vice Presidentiable Leni Robredo to tell the truth that he and other presidentiables were offered to back- out from the presidential race. 

He also accused Robredo and the "yellowpink" of being a bully. He cited incidents where pro-Robredo businessmen allegedly threatened to fire employees who are supporting other presidentiables. 

"Ang tanong ko kayo lang ba ang may karapatan tumakbo?  Kayo lang ba ang may karapatan na tumakbo sa pagka pangulo? Kayo lang ba ang magaling? Kasi puro BBS eh-bilib na bilib sa sarili. I challenge the Vice President pasinungalingan niyo kami kung hindi kayo nag-attempt nang makita ng taong bayan ang katotohanan," said Domagaso during an ambush interview with the media. 

Presidentiable and former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella visits Bohol province on Tuesday afternoon, April 19, 2022.  Photo: Leo Udtohan

Former presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella met with pastors in Bohol province on Tuesday afternoon, April 19. 

At least 200 pastors from different denominations attended the "pambansang usapan" with Abella held at the March of Faith Seminary in Barangay San Isidro in Tagbilaran City. 

"I find it very necessary for participatory governance. We're getting more mature. We can have a conversation. A wise approach to governance. They combined faith with wisdom, with logic," said Abella. 

His visit was considered by pastors "a surprise by an angel."

"I am not here because I have great machinery, I am not here because I have enough time.  It's the story of the kingdom of God, let those who have ears let them hear. It's your choice. But I love you Bohol. I wish you the best," said Abella, a pastor from Davao City. 

The former foreign Affairs undersecretary and presidential spokesperson said he has no vice president "since I can work with anybody."

Some pastors told Abella that they have to choose between him and Senator Manny Pacquiao - who are both ministers of God.  Pacquiao had a dialogue with them during his visit to Bohol last year. 

"Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na practise discernment. There is no competition between Manny and me. Mukhang ang problema nila they made a commitment at nahihirapan sila. At the end of the day, people should make the best choice for the nation," Abella said.

Abella also visited Dao Public Market and bus terminal.

"Philippines is a destiny. It will become a light to the (other) nations," he said. 

Despite these highly charged mammoth rallies, however, the political observers said that machinery will still spell the difference on May 9.

* * * 

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.