Buenavista mayor Dave Duallo admitted that the group of mayors aligned with Governor-elect Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado are forging a possible term-sharing plan for the presidency of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Bohol chapter.
Duallo confirmed in an interview over Open Forum on June 14, 2022 that he is keen on taking the challenge of becoming the next LMP president.
However, it was decided by the group that the 3-year term of the LMP president will be shared between Duallo and Pres. Carlos P. Garcia mayor Fernando “Eping” Estavilla.
Duallo is the incumbent vice president for 2nd district of the LMP.
While, Estavilla is a last-termer mayor of the island town of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia.There was a third mayor who expressed intent to run as LMP president, Jagna mayor Joseph Rañola.
Duallo said based on the latest development, Rañola opted to focus on his town, leaving Duallo and Estavilla as the ones who are contending for the LMP presidency among the mayors aligned with Aumentado and possibly would split the 3-year term among themselves.
There is also a possibility that a mayor not belonging to the group of Aumentado who may opt to run as LMP president, as there a plenty of town mayors in Bohol who are interested to run for the presidency.
Currently, the LMP-Bohol chapter president is Dauis mayor Marietta Sumaylo. Sumaylo is no longer eligible to run as she is the incoming vice mayor of the town
He said that the term-sharing plan is a. way to settle differences between those who are interested to run as president.
“Usahay usa sa win-win solution nga magkakuyog ming tanan, mao muabot na diha nga apil sa option ang gitawag nga term-sharing,” Duallo said.
The term-sharing plan is a practical solution but will be subject to the approval of the members of the group.
Duallo said being the leader of all the town mayors in Bohol is a “privilege not everyone will enjoy”.
He said the election of the next LMP president will involve politics.
The next LMP president needs to get support from other mayors, Duallo stated during the interview.
Duallo, being an incumbent LMP official, knows how important the organization when it comes to promoting the welfare and interests of the town mayors.
“Dako gyud ikatabang ang liga, sa pagtabang pod sa mga mayores sa pagdumalasa ilang kalungsuran. At the same time, it is a vital linkage between the mayors and the governor sa probinsya sa Bohol ug sa national level sa kinatibuk-ang LMP,” Duallo said.
BELONGING TO THE RULING PARTY
Duallo said that it would be difficult for an LMP president is not aligned with the provincial leadership or belonging to another group not aligned with the provincial leadership.
“Murag lisod gyud nga situation, murag balikwaot, awkward kaayo nga ang governor ug ang LMP president dili kaalyado. Kay kinahanglanon man pod nga ang governor has a full trust sa LMP president kay mao pod ang iyahang mahimo niyang bridge between the mayors ug niya [governor], Duallo quipped.
He added the LMP president should be able to work to the benefit of the governor.