By Ben Rosario MAMBAJAO, Camiguin – The stranglehold of the Romualdo clan in local politics in this picturesque province is facing a serious threat as the popular Hugpong ng Pagbabago chairperson and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte issued a strong call for a leadership change here. The Romualdos, headed by gubernatorial candidate former Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, were suspected of being behind the sabotaging of a campaign rally of President Rodrigo Duterte during the 2016 presidential race. Ma. Rona Go-Neri, gubernatorial candidate here, said Duterte’s call for the dismantling of the political dynasty erected by the Romualdos has quickly snowballed since news of the presidential daughter’s appeal spread a few weeks before she led an HNP rally here on Monday. Duterte made Camiguin the last stop of the HNP campaign caravan that toured 68 venues throughout the country since the start of the campaign period last February. Speaking before some 5,000 political leaders that packed the gymnasium here on Monday, the HNP campaign manager disclosed that President Rodrigo Duterte wanted her to visit Camiguin and campaign hard for the administration-backed senators and the local opposition bets here headed by Go-Neri. Go -Neri is the official gubernatorial candidate of the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS ) that has challenged the Romualdo clan headed by former Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo. Romualdo is running for governor which will be vacated by his wife, Ma. Luisa. His father, Rodin M. Romualdo is a candidate for vice governor, while his sons, Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo and Ynigo Jesus Romualdo, are candidates for congressman and Mambajao mayor, respectively. Mayor Duterte lamented that the Romualdos were reported to have taken various actions to sabotage her father’s campaign here in 2016. Members of the clan were all members of the Liberal Party during that time. Mayor Sara said she has no problem with those opposing her father’s candidacy.. “Pero kung patayan mo ng kuryente ang rally, batuhin mo ng bato iyong mga kababayan mong sumama sa rally, lagyan mo ng spike ang kalsada para mabutas ang gulong ng mga kasali sa rally at convoy, hindi na siya makatarungan dahil ginamit mo ang inyong awtoridad at kapangyarihan para mang-abuso sa kapwa mo tao,” she told supporters during the rally here. (But if you turn off power during the rally, throw stones at your constituents who joined the rally, scatter spikes on the road to puncture the wheels of those who joined the rally and their convoy, it is not justified because you used your authority and power to abuse people) She also believed efforts of Rep. Romualdo to join her father’s political party, PDP-Laban, implying that the move does not impress the Dutertes. “That is (Sen. Koko) Pimentel’s party, not Duterte, isn’t it?” she pointed out. The HNP chairperson also recalled that as an apparent peace offering, President Duterte’s oppositors here sent crates of lanzones to the chief executive’s house, only to be returned to Camiguin on the next flight back to the province. “Alam ninyo, tuwing eleksyon nasa kamay ng taumbayan ang pagbabago. Kung hindi na kayo masaya, pumili kayo ng ibang local officials,” she told the huge crowd of supporters here. (You know, it is up to the people to pursue change during elections. If you are no longer contented, choose other local officials). The feisty local official said she is accepting the challenge to a fight from the political powers in Camiguin but stressed that she is willing to forgive if that is what the people want. “Kung magsabi kayo na magpatawad ako, susunod ako sa inyong kahilingan. Hindi kayo dapat sumunod sa akin dahil kayo ang susundin ko,” she said. (If you will ask me to forgive, I will give in to that. You don’t have to follow me for it is I who will follow you.”) Camiguin is one of the handful provinces where Duterte was defeated in the 2016 presidential race by a rival, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. The LP candidate received a total 35,613 votes against the eventual winner’s 11,285 votes.