Labella, Ahong, Duke slay the dragons

I was correct at least in 95 percent of my predictions. I have predicted the victory of my bestfriend, and fellow Visayanian, Edgar Labella, over Tommy Osmeña many weeks before the elections. I also predicted the landslide win of Junjun Davide and Congressmen Eddie Gullas in the First District, Willy Caminero in the Second, Peter John Calderon in the Seventh, as well as of the high-performing Raul del Mar of Cebu City North. I have also predicted the victory of Mike Rama and Jonas Cortes, as well as of Samsam Gullas in Talisay. But I never expected Ahong Chan to beat Radaza in Lapu-Lapu, nor Duke Frasco beating Red Durano. I conducted my own surveys and I had operatives on the ground. But there were margins of error and I accept that my systems were not perfect.

Labella is the best news that we got in Cebu. He is a man of integrity, a man of vision, and a level-headed public servant who exemplifies humility, compassion, and respect. He is a man of dignity and honor. His vice mayor is a perfect match who is full of passion, energy, and enthusiasm. Mike Rama is the personification of the new breed of political leaders who have the gift of charisma and inspiring aura. While Edgar is contemplative and reflective, Mike is the go, go, go type of leader who goes out into the field and meets the challenges and even challenges the opponents with daring boldness. Ahong Chan in Lapu-Lapu was a recipient of the peoples' disenchantment with the Radazas.  Duke Frasco is a shining star that the Duranos underestimated.

The greatest surprise in the last polls was the unexpected victory of Isko Moreno as Manila mayor over the well-funded, well-entrenched Mayor Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada. Isko had less resources, was not endorsed by big parties and high-profile politicians. The President endorsed former mayor, former senator and former general Fred Lim but the latter finished third. Isko is a man from the masses, who was a garbage boy from Tondo. He is the symbol of the new hope in Philippine politics. The same is true with Vico Sotto who ended the decades of supremacy of the Eusebios in Pasig. But the greatest victory was that of Francis Zamora who ended the 50 years of the Estradas lording over the tiny city of San Juan.

The Garcias lost in the Seventh District with Nelson, Gwen's brother losing badly to incumbent Peter John Calderon. But I predicted that outcome months before the May 13 elections. I wrote earlier that if it was Winston who ran against Calderon, there would have been a real fight, because Winston could match or even exceed the money and the organization of the incumbent. Nelson was a poor and a last-minute replacement. He did not stand a china man's chance over the well-organized and well-loved incumbent.

The dragons like the Estradas, the Osmeñas, the Radazas, and the Duranos are no longer invincible. They could be slain in a fair and square electoral fight. That was the best lesson we learned from the last polls.