FROM ‘TRES MARIAS’ TO ‘SUPER TWINS’

Noel Cabobos

KALIBO, Aklan—It maybe one less for the supposed “Tres Marias” of the United Opposition who will be battling the formidable Tibyog camp in the province of Aklan in the coming May 14 elections but still the partnership of philanthropist Vicky Ramos and former congresswoman Gabrielle “Billie” Calizo is still creating chills for the ruling administration party here.

This developed yesterday as sources privy to the all-female triumvirate confirmed that banker Mabeth Mobo-Garcia is now out of the picture.

The sources declined to cite the reasons for Garcia’s withdrawal from the political alliance but The Daily Guardian learned that Mabeth was “under pressure” from her relatives regarding her entry in the Aklan political arena.

Mabeth is the wife of Ibajay mayor Jun Garcia who is a nephew of incumbent Congressman Florencio Miraflores.

“If Mabeth will not back out from the ‘Tres Marias’ group, she will be forced to run against Miraflores which members of the Garcia clan have been opposing because it might create a dent in the family circle,” sources said.

Under the alliance, Mabeth will vie for the congressional seat, Vicky Ramos will run for governor against incumbent governor Carlito Marquez, and former congresswoman Billie Calizo will battle incumbent vice governor Ronquillo Tolentino in the vice gubernatorial post.

“Well, even if they are downgraded into two, they are still a winnable tandem and I believe it will only cause a very minimal effect in our party. If they are no longer Tres Marias, they are now Super Twins and still powerful,” said Mar Salvador, a candidate of UNO for Board Member in the Eastern part of the province.

Opposition Board Member Ramon “Andoy” Gelito who is gunning for reelection under UNO said that less Garcia, the political alliance of Vicky and Billy is still considered to be a power combination.

Vicky is the daughter of former Aklan congressman and governor Godofredo Ramos, considered as the Father of Aklan. It may be recalled that Vicky lost by a slim margin against Gov. Carlito Marquez during the 2004 gubernatorial race.

Analysts here said that Ramos’ showing in the last election was “extra-ordinary” considering that she made a very good showing by topping her rivals in nine of 17 towns in the province.

Calizo, popularly known as Billie, came from the politically-dominated Calizo clan in Balete and of the Venus family in New Washington. She first appeared in the political arena in 1998 by running for a board ember seat in the Eastern District and topped the race making her the “first woman senior board member” in Aklan. She then ran for the congressional post in 2001 and handily made it.