By Anthony S. Allada
DON’T look now, but there is a possibility of having not just two Ibuyans, but two Edgar Ibuyans in the Davao City Council in June, 2013 when the newly elected officials of the city will take their oath of office.
How will this amazing situation occur? Here’s how: In 2013, when Paolo Duterte assumes as vice mayor (he is the only candidate for the position), he will have to vacate his post as president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), the position that automatically qualified him to be a member of the Davao City. His vice president in the ABC –Edgar Ibuyan Jr. of Barangay No. 5-A, will become the president, and replace Duterte as member of the city council. He will thus be joining his father, Edgar Sr. who is as good as re-elected to the position, being a topnotcher (Top 3), next to Wendel Avisado and Leah Librado, in the 2010 city council derby.
Advincula family feud
Aside from having two Edgar Ibuyans, there is also a possibility of having two Victorio Advinculas in the city council. This is brought about by the fact that both Sr. and Jr. are running for councilor in the third district. Victorio U. Advincula Jr. ran and won in 2010 as his father, Victorio S. Advincula Sr., was barred from running again after exhausting his three consecutive three-year terms then.
Now that he is qualified to run again, the elder Victorio Advincula filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) as an independent against the not so muted objection of Junior who is running for reelection under the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod.
Niece vs uncle
As it is, there are also two Councilor Bonguyans (Louie John, the twice topnotcher in the second district and Joanne, in the first district), first cousins who are both running for reelection. Louie John is the son of former vice mayor Luis, while Joanne is Luis’s niece, who told the media she is campaigning for re-electionist Rep. Karlo Alexi B, Nograles, not for his uncle who has been fielded by Hugpong to challenge Nograles as first district congressman.
Two Vergaras
The possibility of two Ibuyans, two Bonguyans and two Advinculas are nothing unusual as far as the history of the Davao City Council is concerned. It has happened once before in the cases of the Vergara brothers –Antonio who won three times as councilor in the first district and older brother, the late Alfredo or Fred who became councilor in the second district for two terms.
Really, as they say, what else is new? (ASA)
