Pre-campaign sorties are heating up among congressional bets in the First Congressional District of Oriental Negros where intense political rivalry is expected in the May 14 polls.

Vying for the position are Olive Paras, wife of Rep. Jing Paras (Neg. Or., 1st district) his brother, former congressman Jerome Paras, and Mayor Jocelyn Limkaichong of La Libertad. Limkaichong said she considers herself the underdog in the three-cornered fight, but believes that the more than 18 years of reign by the Parases is enough, and there should be new breed of leaders to effect a change.

Up to press time yesterday, Limkaichong had not yet put up a slate in Canlaon City, Jimalalud and Manjuyod. She said it would be futile to form one against a strong opponent.

Limkaichong said she is going directly to the barangays where she generates her strength against the machinery of the Parases.

She said among the first attacks on her was on her citizenship status, by those claiming that she is not a natural-born Filipino, a requirement for candidates running for congress.

She explained that her parents who were Chinese citizens were naturalized in July 1959, and she was born four months later, in November of the same year.

Limkaichong said her edge over the two other candidates, is that she can walk freely around the first district without many bodyguards.

She is running under the Lakas Party, the titular head of which is Rep. Herminio Teves (Neg. or., 3rd district).*JG

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