With the May 2022 elections only 15 months away, the political landscape is getting exciting and interesting as the fight for the control of the Capitol may boil down between the tandem of Second district Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado and Senior Board Member Dionisio Victor Balite versus  incumbent Gov. Arthur Yap and Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos of the coalition Pundok Padayon Bol-anon.

The scenario came on the heels with Balite’s statemet indicating that he is open to the possibility of running as provincial vice governor, a position that was once held by his father and namesake.

As this developed, Yap, on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, announced during the virtual presscon, that he and Relampagos are running for re-election as governor and vice governor, respectively. Relampagos, during an exclusive  telephone interview with The Bohol Tribune last night, confirmed that Yap will be the coalition’s standard bearer and he will be Yap’s running mate.

Balite, in a separate telephone interview, also with The Bohol Tribune, just before deadline last night, said that his family’s decision for him to run for vice governor is “final”.

“Sa pagkatinood ani, dili pa ta angay mo-istorya bahin ana [running for vice governor] kay ang ato is pagserbisyo sa mga katawhang Bol-anon. Pero kon gusto ang mga Bol-anon nga mulansad kita as vice governor, ang akong pamilya ready na [nga mosuporta],” he told The Bohol Tribune. He added that if the Boholanos want him to run for vice governor, then, he is ready to run for the said position come 2022.

“Kung ready ang mga Bol-anon, ready na pud ko [to run for vice governor],” Balite expressed in the interview.

As far as his standard bearer is concerned, Balite said it is possible that he may team up with Aumentado, as the latter is rumored to be running for governor.

“Possible na mao na ang mahitabo [he and Aumentado running as vice governor and governor, respectively] kay sa pagkatinood sa last elections sa 2019, NPC man ko,” Balite explained.

However, board member Balite did not confirm whether or not Aumentado is running for governor.

The NPC that Balite is referring to is the Nationalist People’s Coalition political party; and both Aumentado and Balite belong to the NPC.

In another exclusive telephone interview with The Bohol Tribune on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, Aumentado said he is not running for governor and said he would rather focus first on the solutions to issues related to the pandemic rather than talk about politics.

PADAYON BARES BETS

Pundok Padayon Bol-anon, the local coalition bannered by Yap, is already making known its congressional bets.

Yap, on Friday also said that first district Rep. Edgar Chatto is running for re-election.

For his part, Chatto, in another telephone interview, confirmed that he is indeed running for re-election and dispelling rumors that he is going to run as provincial governor.

The governor also confirmed that Pundok Padayon Bol-anon is tapping former Senior Board Member Jaja Jumamoy as the coalition’s bet for the second district congressional representative and Valencia mayor Maria Katrina Lim as the third district congressional bet.

The Bohol Tribune tried to reach Jumamoy’s camp for her confirmation but calls were unreturned as of press time.

With the confirmation coming from Yap, Jumamoy is now pitted against the wife of Cong. Aumentado, Maria Vanessa.

On Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, Cong. Aumentado confirmed in an exclusive radio interview over Open Forum on dyTR hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Dave Albarado that his wife will run as second district congressional representative in the 2022 polls.

Meanwhile, Valencia Mayor Kat Lim has also confirmed to The Bohol Tribune that she is running for the post of third district representative in the 2022 elections.

In a text message to The Bohol Tribune, Lim said that her decision to run as third district representative was firmed only on Jan. 28, 2022 and she will be running under the Padayon Bol-anon group.

“Yes, [I am] running under Gov. Art. Last Jan. 28, lang ko ni decide,” Lim added in her text message.

Incidentally, Yap is the former congressman of the third district before capturing the post of provincial governor.

When asked one of her reasons in deciding to run for the third district post, Mayor Lim said that the support coming from the people and the leaders of Valencia is prompting her to run for a congressional seat.

“Ang nakapadasig nako sa pag langsad kay ang dako kaayong suporta sa mga lideres ug mga katawhan labi na sa Valencia nga nakakita ug naka suway pod sa atong pagpanerbisyo,” she wrote in her text message to The Bohol Tribune.

Lim is now on a political collision course against incumbent third district solon Kristine Alexie Tutor, should the latter decide to run for re-election.

In another interview, Relampagos confirmed that San Miguel town mayor Virgilio Mendez will be running for a congressional seat under the party list system. Relampagos said Padayon Bol-anon is supporting Mendez’ bid for a seat in the House of Representatives. The vice governor said Mendez is running under the Ako Bisdak party list. 

PADAYON BOARD MEMBER BETS

Relampagos also bared that incumbent first district board members Ricky Masamayor and Aldner Damalerio are seeking re-election. The coalition is still looking for another candidate for the open slot in the first district board members’ ticket.

The vice governor said that Padayon Bol-anon is working to draw Board Member Vierna Mae Boniel-Maglasang into its fold. Board Member Frans Garcia is also seeking re-election under Padayon Bol-anon, Relampagos added. 

However, the coalition is looking for a candidate for board member to fill the slot of incumbent Board Member Restituto Auxtero. Auxtero indicated to the members of Padayon Bol-anon that he is no longer seeking for re-election, Relampagos said.

For the third district, Relampagos revealed that Board Member Elpidio Bonita will seek re-election. The coalition is looking for possible candidates  to fill up three (3) slots for the third district board members’ ticket as Board Member Jade Bautista told the leaders of Padayon Bol-anon that she is looking at running for mayor in the town of Garcia Hernandez.