When one searches the records of those who filed their Certificates of Candidacies(CoCs) at the Commission on Elections, many would notice familiar names in the list of candidates vying for different positions.
In Negros Occidental, most of the candidates for the 2010 polls are related to one another with several unopposed.
In the First District, Board Member Nehemias Dela Cruz, his son Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Marxlen Dela Cruz, and wife Vice Mayor Cynthia Dela Cruz are all seeking reelection unopposed.
In the Second District, Sagay City Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva is running for mayor unopposed. Cueva is the nephew of Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon Jr. who is seeking the gubernatorial post against former Gov. Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela.Second District Rep. Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III is also seeking reelection while Joseph Gerald Marañon and Donato Marañon are running as vice mayor and councilor, respectively.In Cadiz, running for mayor is Councilor Patrick Escalante. He is the brother of incumbent Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. who is running for Board Member of the Second District unopposed.
In the Third District, outgoing Cong. Jose Carlos “Kako” Lacson is the uncle of incumbent E.B. Magalona Mayor David Albert Lacson and Board Member Patrick Lacson who are both seeking reelection. Patrick has no opponent while Rep. Lacson is running for mayor of Talisay City against incumbent Mayor Eric Saratan.In Victorias City, Mayor Severo Palanca and his nephew Vice Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca are seeking reelection. Mayor Palanca’s nephew, businessman Alfredo “Albee” Bantug-Benetiz, will run for congressman of the Third District.In Silay City, cousins Carlo Gamban and Edwin “Bigot” Velez, who are former mayors, will challenge incumbent Mayor Roberto “Oti” Montelibano.In Murcia, Judith Coscolluela, wife of incumbent Mayor Esteban “Sonny” Coscollula, will run for mayor against Andrew Montelibano. Mayor Coscolluela will run for congressman.In Manapla, running for mayor is Lourdes Socorro Escalante, wife of incumbent Mayor Manuel
“Manolet” Escalante III, who is not running for any position in 2010.
In the Fourth District, Board Members Mae Javellana and Jose Benito Alonso are also seeking reelection unopposed.In Pulupandan, Mayor Magdaleno Peña and Vice Mayor Antonio Suatengco, who are brothers-in-law, are seeking reelection.In San Enrique, incumbent Mayor Jilson Tubillara is expected to be replaced by his wife, Florenda Tubillara.Incumbent Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso, who is the twin of Board Member Alonso, is seeking reelection.
In the Fifth District, Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer is seeking reelection unopposed, while his wife Juliet Marie Ferrer will run for mayor of La Carlota City.In Isabela, running for mayor is Francis Malabor, who is the brother of incumbent Mayor Renato Malabor who is now on his final term.In Himamaylan City, Councilor Agustin Ernesto Bascon will run for mayor against his uncle, Antonio Gatuslao, while incumbent Himamaylan City Mayor Carmencita Bascon will run for vice mayor.
In the Sixth District, running for Congress is lawyer Mercedez Alvarez while her father Rep. Genaro “Lim-ao” Alvarez is running for vice governor.
Incumbent Ilog Mayor Joyce Alvarez, who is on her final term, will be replaced by her husband John Paul Alvarez who is running unopposed.In Cauayan, incumbent Mayor John Rey Tabujara and his son, incumbent Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara, are expected to swap posts.In Sipalay City, incumbent Mayor Soledad Montilla is expected to be replaced by her son, incumbent Vice Mayor Oscar Montilla Jr., although he will be challenged by Gary Alejano, who is a member of the Magdalo soldiers who staged the foiled Oakwood mutiny.In Kabankalan City, incumbent Mayor Pedro Zayco Jr. is expected to be replaced by his brother, incumbent Gov. Isidro Zayco, who has decided not to run for governor after succeeding the late Gov. Joseph Marañon last year.
In this part of the world where patronage politics, that dispense favors in return for blind loyalty and votes during elections, is the name of the game. Not democracy.Not ideology. Filipino political scientists say that the Filipino tends to perceive things wearing a family lens.
As pointed by the different stories posted on its website, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism said that the "influence of the familiar-sounding families can keep us mired firmly in the problems of the past."
If change is to take place,the right leaders should be voted into office.And we the people should make the right right demands from them. It is easy for us to be pessimistic about not only of the 2010 elections but the country as a whole. Many have made the choice. they packed their bags and fly out of the country.
It is now high time for us to get the government we want. Not what the landed elites want us to want and need. The challenge for us is to create the country we deserve.
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