If and when Gwen runs against Jun-Jun

The Cebuano voters, all the way down from Santander up there to Bantayan, are excited for the forthcoming return bout between the soft-spoken, mild-mannered, and exceedingly cautious son and namesake of former chief justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. from Colawin, Argao, and the eldest daughter of former governor and former congressman Pablo Paras Garcia, from Bitoon, Dumanjug, and Barili. Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia is seen as a dynamic aggressive, action-oriented woman who is always in a hurry to get things done. They already ran against each other before, and Gwen, who then the incumbent, won. This time, Jun-Jun is the incumbent, and he has beaten two of Gwen’s brothers, Pablo John and Winston, who are both lawyers. Will Gwen beat Jun-Jun again? I am not too sure.

Well, if this is going to be party politics, Gwen has the advantage, being a leading pillar of the administration coalition. Although in 2016, the Garcias supported then vice president Jejomar Binay, belatedly, they shifted to support President Duterte. Davide is a solid Liberal Party member. His father was appointed by former president Benigno Aquino III to a Truth Commission, which was nullified by the Supreme Court.

Former chief justice Davide Jr. opposed the ouster of chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno via Quo Warranto. He also opposes the shift to a federal government which is the centerpiece of Duterte’s vision. Thus, the Davides have not endeared themselves to Duterte. And Digong wants all Liberal Party members out of Cebu, his late father’s homeland.

The announcement of Vice Governor Agnes Magpale that she will run for re-election is not good news to Jun-Jun Davide. Magpale belongs to the Durano Clan. If the Duranos shift their support to their relative, Rodrigo Duterte, (and this includes Peter John Calderon of the seventh district), then the Liberal Party may lose in 2019.

The Durano factor can break the Davide stronghold in the south and will trounce him in the north. And we should remember that Gwen is from the south too. The vote from Dumanjug and Barili can neutralize the Argao and Dalaguete solid votes.

Personally, I am in a quandary. The Davides are very difficult to dislike, very warm, likable, pleasant, and admirable people. But I am surprised that my relatives and friends are now open to consider a more action-oriented, energetic, and fearless go-getter, which is Gwen. Actually my 94-year-old father, who is a US citizen, was a high school and elementary classmate of Noy Pabling and says that we are distantly related. But my late mother who was from Argao, also claimed affinity to the Davides. If and when Gwen challenges Jun-Jun my mind may be for Gwen, but my heart is for Jun-Jun. I would want them not to run against each other.