Tuesday 18 October 2011

The Incumbent Officials

Here are the present officials of the General Santos City:

Congressman:  Hon. Pedro B. Acharon Jr. (South Cotabato)

Mayor: Antonino-Custodio, Darlene Magnolia R.
Vice Mayor: Banas, Shirlyn L.

Councilors:
  1. Rivera, Ronnel C.
  2. Bagonoc, Elizabeth B.
  3. Dinopol, Vivencio
  4. Atendido, Richard L.
  5. Natividad, Nephtale P.
  6. Leyson, Eduardo
  7. Vicente, Dante S.
  8. Llido, Virginia T.
  9. Lagare III, Dominador S.
  10. Oco, Marius Orlando A.
  11. Santos, Margareth Rose N.
  12. de Claro, Remus
Ex-officios:

President (ABC): Casabuena, Lulu
President (SK Federation):  Tablazon, Mac Alejandre M.

Of the present officials three belong to the opposition--Vice-Mayor Banas, Councilor Ronnel Rivera, and Dominador Lagare. For the upcoming 2013 elections, will the majority still be the majority? Or will the minority get more seats? Let's see. The greatest question perhaps is: Who will be the standard bearer of the opposition to run as mayor against Mayor Antonino?

Everybody will likely say that it's Councilor Rivera. He has the well-oiled machinery to run a campaign. But has he the accomplishments that makes him worthy for such position? Are accomplishments important at all to vie for the highest position in the city?

What do you think?






Monday 17 October 2011

Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio

Here's the profile of  Mayor Darlene as posted in her official website: http://www.darleneantonino.com
Full Name: Mayor Darlene Magnolia Ricasa Antonino-Custodio
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth: December 26, 1973
Place of Birth: California, U.S.A.
Religion: Roman Catholic
Father:  Adelbert Welborn Antonino
     Elected Congressman – 1st Dist., South Cotabato 1987
     Elected Mayor – General Santos City 1992, 1998
Mother: Luwalhati Ricasa Antonino
     Elected Congresswoman – 1st Dist., South Cotabato 1992, 1995, 1998
Husband: Benjamin B. Custodio
     Businessman
Children: Aaron Vincent A. Custodio
      Karina Anika A. Custodio
Party Affiliation: Nationalist People’s Coalition
Office Address: Office of the City Mayor, General Santos City Hall, City Hall Drive, General Santos City 9500
E-mail Address: cmo[at]gensantos.gov.ph
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Elementary: O.B. Montessori, Manila (1982-1988)
High School: O.B. Montessori, Manila (1988-1992)
College: De La Salle University, Manila (1992-1996)
      Bachelor of Science in Management
Postgraduate: Cordon Bleu, London, England (1996-1997)
       Masters in Culinary Arts
       Harvard Kennedy School’s Leaders in Development (LID) (June 2008)
       Executive Program Harvard University, Massachussetts
If you notice in her postgraduate data, she has Masters in Culinary Arts. It implies magaling din pala siya magluto. Ganun din kaya kagaling ang pamumuno niya or mas magaling pa? Magaling din kaya ang timpla ng communications team niya to send the right message across regarding her achievements as City Mayor? 

Sunday 16 October 2011

The Race Is On

By now with about 20 months to go before the 2013 elections, the politicos should have at least started visiting more barangays, giving more to donations, attending all Purok and Barangay Anniversaries and Fiestas, and make themselves more available to the media.

The incumbents who are used to stay in their homes "doing homeworks" and busy doing legislative works in the office should have realized that these are not enough to win for reelections. They need to communicate what they have accomplished and their strong positions in various issues.

Those who didn't make it last election and are planning to fight once again should start saving and checking what parties are "winnable", hoping to get a free hitchhike. Or they could ask their previous party-mates updates on their plans.

And for those who are aspiring for Mayorship, they are now in the midway of their campaigns. The campaign started a week after the 2010 elections. In SK Federation and the ABC elections, they were the "testing the waters". The number of Barangay Captains who will support a mayoralty candidate matters especially with those barangays who are known for their command votes.

Finally to the voters, 20 more months to go and you will be once again be the most powerful generals in the city. They will be begging and persuading you to believe in them. 

So be wise! Let's start observing the political climate and how the politicos behave. The race is on!