Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Ibajay Candidates In The May 10,

2010 Elections

Perhaps Cong. Florencio "Joeben" T. Miraflores is the luckiest Aklanon this year and for the next three years. He will be unopposed in his reelection bid for congressman of the Lone District of Aklan. My sincere congratulations for the victory on the May 10, 2010 elections for Congressman. Happy New Year as well!

Cong. Joeben’s third term is not only the triumph of Ibajaynons, it’s the Aklanons’ in general.

Hard Fight

However, the lovely wife of Cong. Joeben will be facing a hard fight for Municipal Mayor of Ibajay. Hon. Maria Lourdes Martin "Lulu" Miraflores is the incumbent mayor who is bidding for re-election. She is facing three (3) opponents who are Abraham Salido Bartolo, Carlito Condez Fernandez, and Hon. Pedro Monfort Garcia.

Among the above three named opponents, Garcia appears hard to bet if not winnable. Garcia is the current member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan and also the former Municipal Mayor of Ibajay.

Scattered Brain

Notwithstanding the strength of the Garcias, their power and resources are perhaps scattered that when it hit the target, there will be less power and impact.

It is true, they are the scions of an influential provincial leader, the late provincial governor of Aklan Roberto "Nono" Garcia. Will the Nono Garcia legacy work versus the Miraflores?

Consider this of the Garcia family of Ibajay whose five (5) members are candidates for the May 10, 2010 elections.

They are Roberto M. Garcia, Jr. for Aklan Vice Governor, Pedro M. Garcia for Mayor of Ibajay, Melrose Garcia Umali for Vice Mayor of Ibajay, and Ferdinand Lucas M. Garcia, and Victor Manuel M. Garcia for SP members, Western side of Aklan.

Moreover, Ms. Rebecca P. Mobo, mother in law of Mr. Roberto M. Garcia, Jr. is also a candidate for SP, Eastern side of Aklan.

A few Madyaas Pen readers asked, is the May 10, 2010 election in Ibajay the election for the clans?"

Perhaps, the candidacies of the Garcia clan. But it maybe incidental. Nevertheless, it appears that there is a family feud between the Garcias and the Miraflores. Again, it maybe incidental. Their passion for politics may have coincided as to the time and the place.

Divine Persons

However, the case of the Miraflores is liken to a three divine persons. The father, the congressman being unopposed for his re-election bid; the mother, the mayor; and the son, the SP member. What more can we ask from them? If they win, they can assure us of their service with integrity, accountability, and transparency. Assure us of "service above self", either Garcia or Miraflores.

Cong. Miraflores is sure winner, Mayor Miraflores will battle for the Ibajay Mayorship with Hon. Pedro M. Garcia, presently a member of Aklan SP.

Can Mr. Jose Enrique M. Miraflores master enough votes to be in the top five of the SP on the May 10, 2010 election in West Aklan? Perhaps.

As to the Garcias, they have proven they have won elections since the 1960’s. They may do it again.

2010 Aklan Ati-atihan

It is now January 2. This is now the Aklan annual Ati-atihan season. However, there is news black out as to the preparation of the annual ‘mardi gras’ in the province.

Almost all the towns in Aklan will be celebrating the Sto. Niño Ati-atihan, however, nothing is heard about their respective preparations. /MP