No doubt, many cursed him. Denounced him. Criticized him. Despised him as a politician. Many of his allies left him like former Vice Governor Julio Uy, Councilors Teodolfo Lao, Roger Abaday, Zaldy Ocon, Governor Oscar Moreno, Vice Governor Norris Babiera, former councilors Annie Daba and Edgar Cabanlas and most of all, former Carmen Barangay Chair and incumbent Congressman of the 1st District and presently chief rival for Mayor of Cagayan de Oro, Rolando “Klarex” Uy to name a few.
But there is also no doubt, Vicente “Dongkoy” Emano is a proven, certified and battle tested kingmaker. Not only that he is a kingmaker, he is a king himself. Undefeated Mayor of Tagoloan, three term Governor of Misamis Oriental, three term Mayor of Cagayan de Oro and now incumbent Vice Mayor of the same city. Dongkoy Emano has yet to lose an electoral contest of his life.
As a kingmaker, he catapulted Claveria Mayor Antonio Calingin to Governorship in 1998 besting then incumbent Governor now Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie De Lara Guingona after winning the electoral protest against Emano a month before. In 1998 also, Dongkoy and his slate swept the local elections in Cagayan de Oro City. Not one among the candidates of the other party survived the onslaught of Dongkoy’s ticket.
In 2001, while most of the Philippines gave a resounding victory to People Power Coalition candidates of the newly installed Gloria Arroyo government, Cagayan de Oro defied the trend by scoring a shut out in favor of candidates of Erap’s Pwersa Ng Masa. Its 13-0 in Cagayan de Oro in favor of the opposition. Even Vice President Noli De Castro, who was running as Senator then did not survived the sweep.
In 2004, when there was a widespread dissatisfaction of the administration of Governor Antonio Calingin, Emano shifted his support to then 1st District Congressman Oscar Moreno and his running mate Villanueva Mayor Julio Uy. As expected, Moreno trashed Calingin in the elections of that year. It ushered a new alliance of Emano’s Padayon Pilipino and Moreno’s Lakas CMD.
In 2007 elections however, Emano was about to support another candidate if not for his son, Yevgeny Emano who run for Congressman in the 2nd District under Moreno’s ticket. Expectedly, Moreno won a second term against then 2nd District Rep. Augusto Baculio (Kampi) with his continued alliance with the Emano’s
Now in 2010, its a different story. The rift between Emano and Moreno became open. Emano preferred to return to his seat as Mayor of Cagayan de Oro but not before shopping for a candidate who can give Moreno a run for his money. Emano then chose, UP educated lawyer Michael Paderanga. At first, Emano’s choice seems to be weak in the face of the formidable hold of Moreno in the Provincial Capitol.
However, a closer look would reveal that Moreno cannot be so sure. Paderanga, who trace his roots to the island province of Camiguin at the other side of Mindanao Sea, is banking on the huge population of Camiguingnons residing practically in all of the towns of Misamis Oriental, from Magsaysay in the east to Lugait in the west. Plus, Paderanga has the support of a kingmaker whose batting percentage in delivering victory to whoever candidate he supports is 100%! Thus, we have a ball game in Misamis Oriental.
Suffice it to say, statistics and numbers favor Paderanga because of Emano. No candidate whom Emano supported ever LOST in an electoral contest. Moreno should be reminded on this.
The only thing that will work against Emano and Paderanga is that, Dongkoy will have his hands full in Cagayan de Oro against an equally strong contender in Congressman Klarex Uy. Never in the history of Dongkoy’s campaign did he face a very formidable opponent. An opponent, who mimics Dongkoy’s masa appeal. That would make Dongkoy busy and take out the focus for his candidate in the province.
It is on this point that the aid and help of Emano’s son, Rep. Yevgeny Emano (NP) comes to the fore. The only problem also is that Bambi is facing two equally formidable opponents, former Vice Governor Julio Uy (Lakas) and former Congressman Augusto “Jun” Baculio (LP).
At the moment however, Dongkoy’s reputation as a certified kingmaker still stands and undisputed.
Karon pa gyud nako ni nga POST nabasa. Ug nahinuklog ug natandog ko kay nahinumdom ko sa history nga sa tanang politiko including my father bugtong si EMANO ra ang akong gihilakan.
dongkoy is the best all struggle in cagayan was control for the power of mayor vicente emano sence governor of province i was support even voting n cagayan de oro thanks sanfax79.
emano is trash