DURING a recent coffee talk with new acquaintances, an old-timer invited this writer to join his circle of friends. Naturally, I settled for a cold mocha — being more of a chocolate fan than a coffee addict.
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“Let’s talk politics and elections in Negros Occidental,” said the sugar planter. “There was more excitement there. I’m from Kabankalan City in the southern part of the province, and during meals, you could hear people whispering about the elections.”
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“The incumbent mayor of Kabankalan is a simple man — an ordinary person who was once a barangay official, if I remember correctly. He campaigned alone, traveling to far-flung barangays on a motorcycle. He won his first term that way and ran again for a second. This time, he faced tough opponents: two prominent political clans. One of them included a former governor who had also served as Kabankalan mayor. The other came from a powerful family whose members included a congressman, a board member, and an incumbent congresswoman,” the planter explained.
“Oh yes, I’ve heard about that,” added the real estate broker. “And that simple man won again! Both power clans lost.
And amusingly, the mayor’s wife also ran for vice mayor — and she beat another political heavyweight.”
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Money isn’t as powerful in campaigns as it used to be. People have wised up — they may sell their votes for a few hundred pesos, but they know the winner could gain hundreds of millions over three years.
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“In Silay City, up north,” said a retired banker, “the current mayor there is also an ordinary guy who once toppled a sitting, prominent mayor. He just won his second term — beating that same political figure once again.”
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“It seems big money is now no match to humble resources,” said the sugar planter. “Money is no longer the name of the game.”
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Said the broker, “I heard the campaign strategist of the ruling party actually advised their leaders not to pursue efforts to impeach Inday Sara. But they didn’t listen. That’s why only a few administration candidates won in the recent elections.”
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“There’s another exciting tale from Bago City,” chimed in a Chinaman sipping his cappuccino. “That city, just south of Bacolod, had been ruled by the same family name for nearly five decades — just rotating the leadership from one relative to another. Can you imagine? Fifty years!”
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“But this midterm election, the city’s first councilor — a woman — challenged the dynasty,” the Chinaman continued. “She pledged to bring real change and better governance. To everyone’s surprise, she won! It was a political earthquake that probably left her rivals in tears. Interestingly, the new mayor-elect is the granddaughter of four single-status philanthropist sisters, known for helping underprivileged families send their children to school decades ago.”
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“Yes, friends, it was a decisive win — no room for protests or recounts,” he added. “And people in the city are rejoicing. For the first time in a long while, even Chinese businessmen now see opportunities to invest in the city. Before, they were reportedly barred. That’s about to change.”/PN
