LP: “Still anyone’s ballgame”

The Liberal Party (LP) in the province remains confident that they can capture the hearts of voters when the campaign period starts officially.

Perceived as a “third force” and weaker in terms of political infrastructure and machinery compared to the leading Lakas-Kampi-CMD and the other dominant opposition Nacionalista Party (NP), Liberals in the province led by gubernatorial bet actor Cesar Montano is looking at a big surge in the coming months.

“Montano may be trailing in polls against two rivals, Rep. Edgar Chatto (Lakas) and Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, but other independent surveys also shows him (Montano) posting a lead,” said former schools division superintendent Dr. Elpidio Jala, LP candidate for vice governor.

“It’s still anybody’s ballgame at this stage as we still have over two months before the start of the campaign,” Jala said.

In the campaign trail, Jala said Montano is expected to lure the young voters seeking a role model instead of trapos traditional politicians,” he said.

Jala, also relying on his ties with public school teachers, said the power struggle within Lakas is crucial for LP and NP candidates since some administration party bets may no longer toe the party line due to infighting among its members.

Although five are running for governor, Chatto, Herrera and Montano have a strong showing in radio surveys.

Jala said, he and Montano remains optimistic of their chances even with only 14 mayoral candidates out of 47 towns and Tagbilaran City.

Most of young voters, according to Jala, are already vigilant and will eventually make up their minds to support candidates who are not tainted with dirty politics.

“We hope to capture the youth votes. Our opponents may be endorsed by majority of incumbent mayors, but they are not the ones who can deliver the votes,” Jala continued.

While he may belong to the LP, Jala has the support of his brother and Lakas stalwart, former congressman Eladio Jala who is now a commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Meanwhile, incumbent third district solon, Rep. Adam Relson Jala was also heard in an interview over Station dyRD that he will be supporting his uncle, as any family member would do.

“Adam’s support would be a big boost and he could still persuade voters especially in the third district being the incumbent congressman,” Jala said.

Montano is a natural crowd drawer, according to Jala, being a popular movie actor and many young people would want to relate with him.