AT least two of them are prominent Akbars, the other one, to the uninformed, would seem to be a veritable political newbie.
Running for congresswoman of the lone district of Basilan is incumbent Governor Jum Akbar, the first wife of slain congressman and former Basilan Gov. Wahab M. Akbar.
Jum, who is on her third and final term as governor, will be running against former House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Ajul Salapuddin who was implicated in the death of her husband in a car bomb right at the House of Representatives on November 13, 2007 but was later acquitted.
I have seen paraphernalia by Salapuddin’s supporters strewn in some parts of the province, calling him “The Living Pride of Basilan” and a “History Maker.”
There were also writings on cartolinas, saying “We are craving for a congressman that can make us proud,” perhaps a jibe directed at Jum who is known to be a little timid and shy.
Incumbent Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Akbar, who is also on her third term as mayor will be sliding down to vice mayor, while her stepson, Ochoy Akbar, son of Wahab and Jum, will be running for the mayoralty post after serving as councilor.
Isabela City people seem hesitant about supporting the 23-year old Liberal Party candidate Ochoy, considering him still wet behind the ears—young, naïve, inexperienced.
But Ochoy, in my interview with him recently, looked confident about what he was getting into.
The A. B. Political Science graduate of Dela Salle University, a dean’s lister, and for some years educated in international secondary schools in the Philippines, Syria, and the United States, manifested his desire to do something about the “lack of economic opportunities” in the city.
“Of course with the help of my mothers, we will really work together towards building a better Isabela City,” said Ochoy with a very noticeable American twang.
Mayor Cherrylyn said they were aware that Isabela people desire to have a Christian candidate running for mayor.
“Ako nama’y balik Islam. Wala namang problema. Kahit Muslim si Ochoy, Kristiyano naman ako, balanse pa rin. At siyempre kung ano ang gagawin n’ya, alam ko. Lahat din ng gagawin ko, alam n’ya,” Cherrylyn assures.
“Mas maganda ‘yung tandem namin. At saka maganda ‘yung bata pa siyang mag-umpisa upang ipagpatuloy and pangarap ng tatay n’ya for the entire province, starting in Isabela as his training ground,” she added. BEEN THERE DONE THAT/JOSEPHINE JARON-CODILLA
