Ang Dabawenyo

Pretty soon the Comelec will be announcing the victors of the last Philippine elections. Namfrel Davao wrapped up its operations last Saturday, having canvassed almost 90% of the city’s 3,600+ poll precincts. It was a very successful effort, considering that we had only 5 days of lead time to organize the citizens’ quick count.

A new trend appears to have evolved in Philippine politics this midterm elections. Senatorial candidates who are/were also celebrities gave a surprisingly poor showing. It would seem that Filipino voters are now wising up and junking wannabe politicians who have nothing to offer but their popularity.

World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is a case in point. General Santos City’s incumbent candidate for Congress, Darlene Custodio, has apparently knocked out the Pacman. He had it coming.

Locally, in the race for Sangguniang Panlungsod seats in the second district, TV personality Michael Aportadera isn’t likely to make it. According to Namfrel’s partial and unofficial results, Michael is probably in 9th or 10th place. The Davao City Council is made up of 8 councilors per district.

On another note, administration senatorial candidates fared poorly in Davao. I fervently hope this doesn’t translate to delayed funding for the repair of Bankerohan Bridge.

Bridges, highways and such are the domain of the national government, specifically the Department of Public Works & Highways. In the interest of Davao’s progress and public safety, the DPWH must restor the bridge to functioning capacity in the soonest possible time. But looking at the bridge now, restoration efforts seem to be going at a turtle’s pace. Completion is nowhere in sight. And the schoolyear is starting in less than a month!

Let’s see how the father-daughter tandem in City Hall handles this potentially explosive crisis.

Yes, folks, Dabawenyos have catapulted into power the city’s first political dynasty. We don’t have to wait for Comelec — Namfrel’s partial and unofficial canvass is definitive enough — the Dutertes are now Davao’s mayor and vice-mayor.

And the adventure continues….