Many thought they would be inseparable, yet
they proved once more that in politics “there
are no permanent friend.” Former Sibulan
Mayor now Vice-mayor Tony Renacia has already
crossed over to the administration Liberal
Party leaving 2nd District Congressman George Arnaiz of the Nationalist People’s Coalition after
the latter has expressed his preference to support the
possible re-election bid of incumbent Mayor Marcela
Grampon-Bartoces.
Arnaiz and Renacia were among the closest allies and survived the most trying political
battles that came their
way. However, Renacia’s perceived
desire to return as
mayor of the town and the
possible re-election bid of
Bartoces caused both men to
part ways, politically.
The rift between Bartoces
and Renacia caused a
dilemma among their minority
allies in the Municipal
Council. In 2010, the
Bartoces-Renacia team narrowly
defeated the slate led by
former Vice-mayor Maning
Diputado of the Nacionalista
Party. However, the Municipal
Council was dominated
by Diputado allies who won
seven of the eight seats at
stake.
Nevertheless, the lone
administration councilor victor
last-termer Danny Grapa
was joined by the Presidents
of the Sangguniang Kabataan
Federation and Association of
Barangay Councils in
Decemmber 2010 thanks to
the arrangement Bartoces,
Renacia and Arnaiz.
In contrast, the Diputado
camp remains intact and made
it clear that any party interested
to take them into their
fold must accept its full slate.
This would mean that the Liberal
Party and the Nationalist
People’s Coalition must consider
Diputado as mayoral
candidate and standard bearer
in Sibulan.
The cohesion of the
Diputado group composed of
incumbent councilors Mark
Banquerigo, Roy Calingacion,
Indira Requiron, Job Villaluz,
Felix Fontelo Jr., Leopoldo
Gravador (who lost in 2010),
Attorneys Jose Abierra and
Dino Tanoy; is so strong that
it can afford to run a campaign
even without a party in 2013.
However, Diputado said
that at the moment it is difficult
to really ascertain which
party they would be joining
considering that at the provincial
level it is not also clear if
Governor Roel Degamo will
run for governor, or if LP
would really field
Congresswoman Jocelyn
Limkaichong for governorship
or if former Finance
Secrtary Margarito “Gary”
Teves would really heed various
calls for him to capture the
Capitol’s top post.
