Political tussle for May 9 vote heats up, battle for hearts and minds and faith on

by Dong de los Reyes March 17, 2022 LUCENA CITY - Quaint tradition of Nine Fridays ending on Good Friday is observed by certain men of faith...

by Dong de los Reyes
March 17, 2022







LUCENA CITY - Quaint tradition of Nine Fridays ending on Good Friday is observed by certain men of faith-- those who keep talismans, sacred texts, or orisons of power plunge themselves into earnest interface with whatever they hold, in high hopes that boons, bounties, or powers be imbued on their person.

Thus, the devotion, the allegiance, the days of quest for discernment and divine grace. It is an act of faith, a reposing of trust in Divine Providence that holds the destinies of men and nations, not political leveraging or bargaining.



Plunging into pledge of support for the candidacy of departed strongman's son, Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and incumbent head of state's daughter Sara Duterte, 10 incumbent municipal chief executives of Quezon province trooped to the Partido Federal ng Filipinas headquarters in Mandaluyong to announce to all and sundry that the BBM-Sara tandem is their hope for a genuine progress for the province.

Not unlike pilgrims or knights on a holy crusade, the local town chief executives are keeping their fingers crossed that other incumbent mayors in Quezon province would join the BBM-Sara bandwagon.



As records have it, Quezon province ranks as the nation's 13th province with the most voters, 1,424,023, (Top five provinces: Cebu including Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City, 3,288,778; Cavite, 2,302,353; Pangasinan w/ Dagupan City, 2,096,936; Laguna, 2,045,687; and Bulacan, 2,007,523, areas where the Uniteam standard-bearers do not enjoy much support.)

Those who declared their unequivocal support for the Uniteam were Lucban Mayor Oliver Dator, Guinayangan Mayor Cesar Isaac, Jomalig Mayor Rodel Espiritu, and Padre Burgos Mayor Ben Uy Diokno.



Also pledging their support were Patnanungan Mayor Roderick Larita, Plaridel Mayor Bernard Tumagay, Burdeos Mayor Freddie Aman, Calauag Mayor Rosalina Visorde, San Francisco Mayor Elvira Alegra and Quezon Mayor Cherry Placio.

Pink bulwark

Guinayangan Mayor Cesar Isaac said that Quezon province is considered a Leni Robredo territory due to its proximity to Camarines Sur, but this doesn't mean that she can get a solid vote from the entire province.

“Marami kami at madaragdagan pa! Antayin nila ang magiging boses ng taga-Quezon dahil daragsa pa ang suporta kay BBM at Sara. (There are more of us and more will come. They should wait what the voice of Quezon populace will be because, there will be more support for BBM and Sara),” Isaac said.

For his part, Lucban Mayor Dator explained: “Saka personal din naming nais maipaliwanag kung ano ang adhikain ng ating Pangulong Bongbong. Ako po ay sumasama dahil pareho kami ng panawagan na magkaroon ng pagkakaisa at siyempre bilang mga lingkod-bayan, ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat ay iyong mga bagay na puwedeng pagtulungan para maipalawig natin ang serbisyo sa mga tao. (We personally want to thresh out what are the goals of President Bongbong. I am joining because we both are calling for unity, and as public servants, the most important are matters where we can help together to pursue services for people)."

“Iyon po siguro ang pinaka-nagustuhan ko sa kanyang panawagan regardless of our political affiliation ang pinakamahalaga ay pag-usapan ang mga bagay na puwedeng pagtulong-tulungan para maiahon sa kahirapan ang tao. Malabanan ang pandemya, maramdaman na mayroong tunay na pagbabago,” sabi pa niya.

He said that he admired Marcos for his humility: "He can set an example in his administration. He will choose among the best so much so that whatever your affiliation, it is important that we help each other to improve service to the people."

The mayors said they expect more mayors from the province who will openly declare their support for the UniTeam in the coming days.

The province is composed of 39 towns, including Tayabas which is a component city, and Lucena which is classified as a highly-urbanized city.

Dator said he has long supported Marcos’ candidacy, even in the 2016 national elections, BBM was the candidate they supported for vice president.

“Die hard Marcos na po ako, mula’t mula,” he added.

He also promised that they will campaign hard in the entire province to ensure BBM-Sara tandem’s victory in the province.