BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’DELILAN
THE classic biblical story of a “mismatch” fight between David and Goliath is happening soon in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
And this is between outgoing Vice Mayor Jerry “Didi” Jover and actor-billionaire Javier “Javi” Benitez.
Didi has reportedly firmed up his mind of running for mayor in the 2022 national and local elections against Javi, son of former congressman Albee Benitez who is also running for mayor in Bacolod City.
Then, banners and streamers made of empty rice sacks bearing the slogan “Run Didi, Run” scattered all over the city proper.
So on June 15, 2021, Albee, my source said, met with all the barangay captains and incumbent Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) members of the city in their family rest house in Toreno, Victorias City. He asked them to ensure Javi’s convincing victory against Didi.
Javi, 26, is said to be the next Vico Sotto of Victorias.
Though he’s young and physically handsome like Vico, he’s “inexperienced” yet in politics or public service.
In his previous public engagements, the public noticed him as always saying “according to daddy (Albee)…”
Thus, Didi is unfazed even though he knows he will be “fighting against the wall,” my source said.
Quite interesting and, perhaps, a battle to watch for! Much more when my source said that Didi’s inspiration is the 30-year-old American Got Talent contestant Jane Marczewski, also known as “Nightbirde”.
Nightbirde’s famous quote: “Two percent is not zero. Two percent is something.”
And that really inspired Didi, added my source.
But Nighthbirde referred the two percent to her ultimate chance of survival when she was stricken by a deadly cancer in her lungs, spine and liver last year.
Didi, though, stressed it’s timely for his quest to run against a formidable foe not for himself but for their beloved city to be freed from the control of the Bantug, Palanca and Benitez families for quite so long, my source furthered.
Yes, it’s undeniable that Didi’s chance against Javi is only two percent. Political logistics and manpower, Didi is just “sisiw” compared to that of Javi’s. Though it neither “dwarfed” nor “chickened” Didi.
Instead, Didi, my source said, is still banking on his political tagline: “Kung may DIDIkasyon sa ubra, may DIreksyon ang syudad.” Simple, but catching and meaningful!
Well, Didi started as councilor of Victorias in 2007 until 2013 before becoming a vice mayor.
A city councilor of Victorias (who refused yet to be named) told me that Didi is so focused with (all) his tasks as VM of Victorias City.
As a loyal party mate, he also supports all the programs and projects of outgoing Mayor Frederick “Wantan” Palanca.
Both Wantan and Didi are “kapartidos” or party mates under Albee’s Asenso. But why he’s going against Albee’s son?
That’s because he ended up as victim of “sweet promises,” the councilor said, adding, “Albee once publicly promised that after Wantan, it should be Didi.”
But before Javi’s announcement to run for mayor was made, rumored to be teaming up were incumbent Councilors JunB Bantug and Derek Palanca, for mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
JunB is the cousin of Albee while Derek is the son of Wantan.
But when Javi finally came into the picture in February to be the official mayoral choice of the three powerful clans, JunB reportedly conceded, and will just run for vice mayor.
Derek, on the other hand, opted to seek re-election as councilor.
Such arrangement then terribly “hurt” Didi.
The councilor described Didi as ultimately “broken”.
Didi can’t believe that with his loyalty to the party, he would end up like a “basahan” (rag).
Nevertheless, the councilor said, Didi immediately started to pick his broken pieces up and decided to fight – win or lose sans reservation.
His “armaments” are simply his untarnished credibility and integrity coupled with sincerity in serving his fellow Victoriahanons.
And the rest, “bahala na si Batman,” the councilor said.
Pitiable but heartening!
And having a brave heart to fight a “giant” might be providential. In the Bible, David toppled Goliath even though the former was an underdog and a misfit against the latter who was a giant.
And take note, God gave the smaller and weaker David the wisdom and the techniques to beat a much bigger and stronger adversary.
Didi, who’s now entrusting his fate up to God’s will, could also be like Moses or Abraham.
Meanwhile, Victorias, then a municipality, was lorded by the Fermins before. It was in 1992 when the Palancas, Bantugs and Benitezes had politically set foot in Victorias through the late Severo Palanca, who won as mayor.
Severo was then instrumental in making Victorias as one among the component cities of Negros Occidental through Republic Act No. 8488, which was signed into law by former President Fidel V. Ramos on February 11, 1998.
After three terms as mayor, Severo’s elder sister, Remedios “Idiong” Palanca- Bantug, succeeded him.
Due to old age, Idiong lasted only for one term, then Severo returned anew as mayor with his nephew, Wantan, as vice mayor and later as his successor.
For 29 years now, the Palancas, Bantugs and Benitezes also keep on lording Victorias City.
Now, the question: Is Didi heaven-sent to put an end to the Palancas, Bantugs, Benitezes reign?
Who knows? No one could ever question God’s purpose for anyone. God’s timing is always unprecedented. If He wants it, He’ll find a way really.
So if Didi is “the one” for Victorias in 2022, for sure, God will work in a “mysterious way”.
After all, Didi’s “gut feelings” will surely serve as his “guardian angels” later./PN
