BONTOC. Mountain Province– The political campaign in the province has started as the various protagonists launched their separate kick off rallies.
There are seven candidates for the position of congressman and six candidates for governor.
The candidates for congressman are Amangyen, Avelino (Ind), Dalog, Maximo Jr. (NP), Dominguez (Ind), Jupiter, Libang, Abrian (PRP), Ocden, Allen (PFP), Paday-os, Albert (Ind), and Wooden, Anthony (PDP-LABAN).
For governor are Chiyawan, Mateo (LP), Dominguez, Harry (Ind), Grupo, Antonio Jr. (AKSYON), Lacwasan, Bonifacio Jr. (PDP-LABAN), Latawan, Eduardo Jr. (Ind), Limliman, Magine (PDDS).
The vice governorship is a toss up between Gomez, Ezra Samson (LDP), Lapon, Raul (Ind), and Tauli, Francis PDP-LABAN).
For the governorship, Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. is being stronly challenged by Mateo Chiyawan and Eduard Latawan, among others.
Lacwasan, an advocate of Barangay Muna program, had his kick-off rally last March 29 at his residence in Otucan, Bauko.
The Barangay Muna program prioritizes the needs and concerns of the barangays such as chairs, utensils, and funding assistance, among others.
Chiyawan, a lone candidate from the eastern part for the position, is banking on his being the only candidate from district 1 as against his opponents who are all from the western front or district 2 of the province.
This has also reportedly made the incumbent “nervous” for the first time.
He conducted his kick off rally in Natonin last March 30 banking on the eastern united vote and on the mantra that “it is now or never for anybody in the eastern towns.’
There are no reports from the other candidates on their political activities as of press time.
This early in the political campaign, it cannot be said that one candidate is favored or the other way around.
As a political wag puts it, the road it still open for new developments.**
