A tough political battle front is expected in the 2022 election as it will be a presidential and local election while a high record of 39,000 new voters beat last Monday’s deadline of filing at the various Comelec offices.
Electorates will vote for a new president as well as local officials, from governors down to mayors during the next election.
Provincial Supervisor Eliseo Lavaria told the Chronicle that there are 39,298 new voters who made sure they can vote in the 2022 polls.
In Bohol, it will even be more exciting to predict on who will be the front liner candidates in some top positions where there will be no incumbent officials holding on to the posts.
Among the last termers are City Mayor Baba Yap and Rep. Aris Aumentado.
As early as now, their respective spouses, Jane Yap and Vanessa Aumentado are seemingly visible in public functions which might indicate their interests to run in the 2022 polls.
However, not one of them has issued a statement.
Rep. Aumentado, being on his last term might be forced to run for governor.
On the other hand there are wild speculations that first termers, Gov, Art Yap, Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos and Rep. Edgar Chatto might be going back to their previous posts as third district congressman, first district congressman and governor, respectively, instead of pursuing their second terms.
For the three, its too early to say or even predict on their political decisions as they have just started on their first three-year term of office.
There are even speculations that Mayor Yap might register in Trinidad town (hometown of Jane Cajes Yap) so he could run for congressman in the district to be vacated by Rep Aumentado.
There are also speculations that Relampagos might not be interested for a second term as vice governor but will instead bid for city mayor of Tagbilaran.
Meanwhile, businessman Atoy Torralba, son of former Mayor Joe Torralba will be coming home from the United States to join politics. “Friends of Atoy” could not say whether he will run for vice mayor or city kagawad.