PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON, MINDANAO – So this is reportedly the “latest buzz” in Bukidnon politics. Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. “Nonoy Joe” Zubiri, Jr. is allegedly considering running for the congressional post in the First District of Bukidnon. Yes, the very same district previously governed by the Acosta family (Socorro Acosta was the former mayor of the Municipality of Manolo Fortich and son JR Nereus “Neric” Acosta was the former congressman). The Acostas and the Zubiris have long been political rivals.

Although the Acostas suffered quite a loss in the previous elections (Socorro lost her mayoralty bid, Neric lost his gubernatorial bid and sister Malou lost her congressional bid by a very narrow margin) and Zubiri’s “manok” (bet) Candido Pancrudo, Jr. won the congressional seat, observers believe that Nonoy Joe still wants to have a “firmer” hold of the First District, which is composed of the municipalities of Baungon, Kalilangan, Libona, Malitbog, Manolo Fortich, Pangantucan, Sumilao and Talakag.

Gov. Zubiri is on his last term as this province’s chief executive.

Previously, there have been talks that incumbent Vice Governor Alex Calingasan will run for governor in the 2010 elections but will resign after 6 months to give way to Zubiri, who’s reportedly set to run as his vice governor. Allegedly, after his resignation and Zubiri’s eventual takeover as governor, Calingasan will then be “given” a job as one of the “undersecretaries in the Department of Agriculture.”

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