Re-electionist Rep. Art Yap of the third congressional district is still ahead over upstart politician former Carmen Mayor “Cheche” Toribio delos Reyes who, after her failed attempt to become Bohol’s governor is now aiming high to become a congresswoman.
During a radio survey conducted yesterday by top-rated “Radyo Merkado” over dyRD, the second termer solon pooled 69% of the 50 respondents against De los Reyes’ 31%.
Most of the respondents cited Yap’s performance during his six-year term as their reason to re-elect the solon. In fact, they compared Yap’s projects to the previous solons who served the 3rd congressional district. The respondents who said will vote for Yap cited the solon’s visibility in their respective barangays as the second reason why they want him retained as their representative to Congress.
The survey results indicating Yap’s victory in the coming election came even as reports from the field showed that several town mayors left the solon to join the bandwagon of Delos Reyes. Like what she did during her gubernatorial attempt in the 2013 polls, de los Reyes is again showing her heavy financial backing in this congressional bid. In fact, Bilar Mayor Tata Palacio who is a known trusted ally of Rep. Yap is now with de los Reyes.
Of the 31% of the respondents who opted for de los Reyes, majority cited the “need for a change” as their reason behind. The second prevailing reason to support de los Reyes is her being “so accommodating as compared to Yap.”
Of the 17 mayors in the 3rd district, Yap has eight incumbent mayors while delos Reyes has nine.
The mayors who remain loyal to Yap are Anda Mayor Metodio Amper, Alicia Mayor Marnilou Ayuban, Candijay Mayor Cristopher Tutor, Duero Mayor Conrada Amparo, Jagna Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla, Valencia Mayor Ma. Katrina Lim, Lila Mayor Regina Salazar and Sevilla Mayor Nene Digal.
Yap is reportedly having the support of the vice mayors of Sierra Bullones, Pilar, Garcia Hernandez, Guindulman, Batuan and Carmen who are running against the incumbent mayors.
The mayors who are now fully supporting de los Reyes are Batuan Mayor Francisco Pepito, Carmen Mayor Ricardo Toribio, Dimiao Mayor Danilo Guivencan,Garcia-Hernandez Tita Gallentes, Guindulman Mayor Ma Fe Piezas, Loay Mayor May Imboy who is her gubernatorial timber, Loboc Mayor Helen Alaba, Mabini Mayor Esther Tabigue, Pilar Mayor Necitas Cubrado, Sierra Bullones Mayor Simplicio Maestrado and the former Yap ally, Bilar Mayor Palacio.
Reports reaching the The Chronicle revealed that de los Reyes town sorties are getting sizeable crowd as the attendees are reportedly given P200 and P1,000 to the barangay leader after every meeting. Unconfirmed reports bared that de los Reyes committed no less than P5 million each of her mayoralty candidates at the start of the campaign period. This is aside from the other expenses to be incurred during the campaign trail.’
Because the congressional race is hotly contested, the campaign for the four-slot membership in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in the 3rd district is likewise getting tough.
Yap’s slate includes re-electionist Board Member Elpidio Jala, former PNP Prov’l Director Sancho Bernales with new comers Jade Bautista and Alexie Tutor.
De los Reyes line up incudes re-electionist Board Member Godofreda Tirol, and neophytes Victor Balite, Nathaniel Binlod and Noel Bongolto.
Independent bet Larry Omac is also running for board member in the district.