Overrated

Bencyrus Ellorin .

CHANGE may be the most abused theme in an election campaign. It may be boring, cliché, but could also be compelling given the right context.

Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental have produced magnificent politicians that the mere mention of their names automatically connects to a sterling act and/or performance.

Nene Pimentel and Bono Adaza – martial law opponents.

Nene Pimentel has added memory recall: Local Government Code, Senate president who resigned at the height of the Estrada impeachment, father of Koko Pimentel.

Reuben Canoy – Mindanao independence, federalism.

Maning Pelaez, of course.

Then we have House representatives who were so so. Erasmo Damasing was an interesting person. Gregarious. Tino Jaraula had shining moments as head of the Constitutional Change committee during his time. The two are now comfortably retired, accomplished gentlemen.

Then in Misamis Oriental, we had the erudite Mayor Oscar Moreno showing his mettle in the Estrada impeachment, providing vital intervention in the game changing Clarissa Ocampo testimony.

At the other side then was Rufus Rodriguez who had resurfaced in the public eye as Estrada’s spokesperson. He was thought to have left Cagayan de Oro in a hush after serving the Capitol in the 1980. The Capitol, at about that time, faced a controversy over the alleged missing and misused funds of the Patafa, a sports association for the development of track and field athletes.

As congressman, the way he represented Cagayan de Oro is not so so. He thought he had the material to become senator. The rest is history. He has been projected as a brilliant lawmaker, good at floor debates. Maybe average. He was there on the floor, but there were congressmen and women in his batch who were better. They have become senators like Chiz Escudero, Allan Cayetano, Risa Hontiveros and Joel Villanueva.

He was given a chance to show his real mettle in the proposed Bangsamoro Law but failed.

What I am saying is that his billing to local populace as a heavyweight is not matched by real performance. Compared to District 1 congressman Klarex Uy who is the silent type, but in in terms of projects implemented, the tale of the tape could be telling.

Yes, Klarex has been silently building roads, drainage, flood control projects and attended to the welfare of his constituents. In contrast, the other one claimed as his own virtually all projects with giant orange tarps.

Being a good orator does not translate to good legislation. In fact, in the House of around 300 lawmakers, you can count with your fingers the glib speakers. The rest are silently studying proposed legislations and mobilizing projects for their constituents.

The myth about this ex-congressman was exposed in 2016. He was thought as a heavy weight. He ended poor third behind Dongkoy Emano. In his victories he defeated junior pols. Councilor Benjo Benaldo in 2007, a nobody in 2010 and Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya in 2013.

Now, he is again portrayed as unbeatable. Not for long, I think.

He may have truly met his match in Councilor Alam Lim, the only Liga ng Barangay president to win a second office term here.

Alam Lim may be silent but his connection to the masses looks deep and expansive unlike the other whose idea of service is confined to his family… getting political positions and if there is any surplus, only to Barangay Nazareth.

Yes, change as a theme could be boring but this race in the 2nd District sure looks interesting and the outcome, cool.