COMMENTARY | BUKIDNON | OPINION | PERSONALITIES | POLITICS – “How is it to fight against a Goliath?”

This was BukidnonOnline.com’s question to Malaybalay City mayoralty hopeful Provo “Jun” Antipasado. Antipasado, a former long-time Malaybalay City Councilor and currently a chairman of one of this city’s barangays, is one of the three mayoralty candidates for the upcoming 2010 elections. He will run under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.

Antipasado will face two other candidates – incumbent Barangay Aglayan chairman Glorio Sajulga (Liberal Party) and incumbent Malaybalay City Vice Mayor Ignacio Zubiri (LAKAS CMD KAMPI).

During the recent Bukidnon visit of lawyer and senatorial candidate Adel Tamano, Bukidnon Online had the chance to chat with Sir Jun and ask him the million-dollar question: “What made him decide to run and fight against a Goliath?”

Of course, we all know that the “Goliath” here is the incumbent vice mayor, whom a lot of people are calling a “shoo-in” to the mayoralty position.

But is Zubiri really a “shoo-in” or do the likes of Antipasado and Sajulga have what it takes to put up an interesting fight at the polls come May 2010?

“I just do what I have to do. I focus on my strengths and I constantly pray to God for guidance,” Antipasado told Bukidnon Online.

Antipasado says that nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself and in the Lord Almighty.

“Modesty aside, I know I have a lot of supporters. I feel that I have proven myself in the many years that I’ve been in the public eye,” he said.

“Right now, however, we can’t go full blast yet because the campaign season hasn’t begun,” he added.

Antipasado likened the elections to a basketball game. These days, he said, the players have already been introduced and the ball has been tossed. In the next few weeks, it will be “dribbling” time and before we know it, the ball will be passed to and fro teammates and the goal is to achieve as many points as possible.

“You must not be too complacent,” Antipasado insisted.

“You might think you’re on the winning side but voters are wiser these days. They know when it’s all just for show or when you’re really sincere in serving them. They remember what you said to them before, they remember how you treated them when they approached you and asked for your help. They remember all those and that helps them decide whom to vote,” he said.

So does he have the resources to put up a strong fight in next year’s elections?

“Honestly, at this point, none yet. I rely on friends, supporters, family and on my belief that I have a good track record in public service,” he said.

When Bukidnon Online asked Antipasado as to why he didn’t have a vice mayoralty candidate, he admitted that he was counting on incumbent Malaybalay City Mayor Florencio Flores, Jr. to run alongside him. As it turned out, however, Flores opted to run for Bukidnon 2nd District Congressman under the LAKAS CMD KAMPI party.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS?

Do you think Antipasado has what it takes to win?

adel-at-malaybalay-market

Malaybalay City mayoralty candidate Provo “Jun” Antipasado with Nacionalista Party senatorial candidate Atty. Adel Tamano (in white) and public market vendors

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