BY: DAVE SUAN ALBARADO

A major political realignment is underway in the province of Bohol as Governor Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado has broken ties with his former ally Leoncio “Toloy” Evasco Jr. and pledged support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., sources close to both camps said.

The split comes as Aumentado took his oath as a member of Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) party on August 8, 2024, effectively ending his association with Evasco, a trusted ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Governor Aumentado’s decision to join PFP marks a significant shift in Bohol’s political landscape,” said a senior provincial official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. “It pits him directly against Evasco and the Duterte camp ahead of next year’s elections.”

Evasco, who served as Duterte’s Cabinet Secretary, was instrumental in Aumentado’s election as governor in 2022.

Their alliance, however, has been strained in recent months as Aumentado moved closer to the Marcos administration.

The governor’s oath-taking in Manila was preceded by a meeting of mayors aligned with Aumentado’s Abante Bohol group on August 4 in Panglao, where they reportedly discussed plans for the 2025 elections.

Sources said the group is consolidating its forces to ensure a strong showing next year.

RESIGNATIONS AND REALIGNMENTS

In a sign of the widening rift, Willy Ramasola, a known Evasco ally, resigned from his position as member of the Center for Government Accountability and Review (CGAR), which operates under the Office of the Governor.

In his resignation letter dated August 6, Ramasola cited a “lack of cooperation and support from other senior members of your administration which renders our work very difficult” as his reason for leaving.

“I believe it is time for me to go,” Ramasola wrote in the letter addressed to Aumentado. “Perhaps in a different capacity I will continue to serve our province under your leadership this coming 2025.”

Ramasola’s departure has raised questions about the future of CGAR, which was created by Aumentado shortly after taking office in 2022 to investigate alleged corruption in previous administrations.

Political observers said Ramasola’s resignation is likely linked to Aumentado’s growing ties with the Marcos administration, which has put him at odds with Evasco and other Duterte supporters in the province.

“This is clearly a realignment of forces in Bohol,” said a Capitol insider, a political science instructor. “We’re seeing the unraveling of old alliances and the formation of new ones as politicians position themselves for 2025.”

BUILDING A MARCOS STRONGHOLD

Aumentado’s decision to join PFP is part of a broader effort by the Marcos administration to strengthen its political base in Bohol, a vote-rich province of over 1.3 million people.

In recent months, several key political figures in Bohol have expressed support for Marcos and joined parties aligned with his administration:

– Congresswoman Maria Vanessa Aumentado and Congresswoman Kristine Alexie Tutor joined Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, a party led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin.

– Congressman Edgar Chatto, a member of the National Unity Party, signed an alliance pact with Marcos in June 2024.

– Several mayors, including Don Ritchie Buates of Alburquerque, William Jao of Tubigon, and Noel Hormachuelos of Panglao, have taken their oath as PFP members.

“President Marcos is consolidating his support in Bohol,” the political analyst. “By bringing Governor Aumentado into the fold, he’s effectively secured the backing of the province’s most powerful political figure.”

However, observers noted that Marcos still faces challenges in winning over Bohol voters.

A recent poll conducted by Holy Name University researchers showed the president with a -8 net satisfaction rating among Boholanos, while Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president, enjoyed a favorable rating.

IMPLICATIONS FOR 2025 ELECTIONS

The political realignment in Bohol is expected to have significant implications for the 2025 midterm elections.

Sources said Aumentado will seek re-election as governor, with Philippine Councilors League-Bohol chapter president Nicanor Besas as his running mate.

This decision has reportedly sidelined Vice Governor Tita Baja, who was seen as a potential vice gubernatorial candidate.

The Aumentado-Besas tandem is expected to face opposition from the Duterte camp, although no candidates have been officially announced.

“We’re looking at a potential showdown between Marcos allies and Duterte supporters in next year’s elections,” the political analyst told The Bohol Tribune in a phone interview. “It’s going to be a test of President Marcos’ political clout in the province.”

The split between Aumentado and Evasco has also affected local political dynamics.

In Tagbilaran City, reports indicate that businessman Gerardo Madanguit will run for city councilor under the ticket of mayoralty aspirant Melvin “Atoy” Torralba, who is seen as aligned with the Duterte camp.

Meanwhile, the Asenso Pa More party of Mayor Jane Yap, an Aumentado ally, is still finalizing its lineup for the city council elections.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

Amidst the political maneuvering, environmental issues have emerged as a key concern in Bohol, particularly following the controversy surrounding the construction of Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort near the UNESCO-recognized Chocolate Hills.

Aumentado, who was briefly suspended over the issue before being reinstated, has vowed to be a stronger advocate for environmental protection.

“I learned some lessons that we need to focus more on protected areas,” Aumentado said in a recent interview. “We will no longer allow these to be disturbed.”

The governor’s stance on environmental issues could play a crucial role in shaping voter perceptions ahead of the 2025 elections, analysts say.

NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS

The political developments in Bohol are being closely watched by national leaders, as they could provide insights into the shifting allegiances of local politicians ahead of the 2025 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race.

On August 5, Aumentado joined other Visayas governors in signing a manifesto of support for President Marcos during Cebu’s founding anniversary celebration.

The event in Cebu, attended by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, was seen as a show of force for the administration in the central Philippines.

“The realignment in Bohol is part of a larger trend we’re seeing across the country,” sources said. “Local politicians are increasingly aligning themselves with the Marcos administration, which could have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress after the 2025 elections.”

However, sources cautioned that these alliances could shift again as the 2028 presidential election approaches.

“Philippine politics is fluid, and today’s allies could be tomorrow’s opponents,” sources said.

ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

Beyond the political implications, the split between Aumentado and Evasco could also affect Bohol’s economic trajectory.

The province, known for its tourism industry centered around the Chocolate Hills and pristine beaches, has been working to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a devastating super typhoon Odette in 2021.

LOOKING AHEAD

As the dust settles on this political realignment, all eyes are on how Aumentado will navigate his new role as a Marcos ally while maintaining his base of support in Bohol.

The governor’s ability to balance local interests with national political considerations will be crucial in determining the province’s direction in the coming years.

“Governor Aumentado is walking a tightrope,” said a source. “He needs to deliver results for Bohol while also proving his loyalty to the Marcos administration. How he manages this balancing act will shape not only his political future but also the fate of Bohol’s development.”

With the 2025 elections on the horizon, political observers expect further realignments and surprises in Bohol’s political landscape.

As one local politician, speaking on condition of anonymity, put it: “In Bohol politics, the only constant is change. We’re in for an interesting ride in the months ahead.”