IRIGA CITY --- “The more the merrier,” former City Mayor Emmanuel Alfelor was quoted as saying referring to the much awaited 2010 elections as he and three other contenders are set to slug it out in the Rinconada congress race.

        The remark reportedly came from Alfelor before local newsmen when told that aside from him there are three other aspirants namely: Vice Governor Salvio Fortuno (NP), Nestle Phils. Executive Jay Dimaiwat (LP) and former Vice Governor Mariano Trinidad (PMP).

        Considered as one of the most controversial political figures in the region, “Kulot” as he is fondly called by his supporters, had served as the city chief executive from 1995 to 2004. From the Liberal Party, Alfelor decided to pursue his political plan under the Lakas-CMD-Kampi coalition this coming mid-term polls.

        It will be recalled that Alfelor was among the candidates during the 2004 3-way gubernatorial fight with Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte and former congressman Wimpy Fuentebella.

        His defeat by a wide margin during that poll contest was blamed on his estranged wife’s expose’ accusing him as the alleged mastermind in the killing of a DTI employee and two others inside a videoke bar in Baao, Camarines Sur in the early part of 2003.

        The case filed against Alfelor and several others was subsequently dismissed by the Department of Justice, on the grounds that his wife’s testimony was inadmissible citing husband and wife confidentiality rule, under Section 22, Rule 130 or the Revised Rules of Evidence.

        In 1990, the former mayor was also tagged as the alleged mastermind in the killing of Franco Ibaldo, a former security guard and two provincial guards who were gunned down while on their way to Provincial Jail in Pili, Camarines Sur on board a motorcycle.

        Although he denied the allegation, the incident proved damaging on his part as he suffered defeat when he first ran for mayor against the late Mayor Jose Villanueva Sr. in 1992 elections. Three years later, he staged a comeback and was elected city mayor, the post that he held for nine consecutive years.

        During the 2007 elections, he was compelled to set aside his plan to square-off with Gov. Villafuerte in favor of former congressman Eddie Pilapil’s candidacy as personal choice of the political alliance forged between his brother Felix and Congressman Luis Villafuerte.

        Aside from Manny, other members of the Alfelor clan who will be aiming for different elective posts in the 2010 polls: re-electionists Mayor Madelaine Gazmen, City Councilor Emmanuel “Nonokoy” Jr., Board Member Ruperto Alfelor and gubernatorial candidate Felix Alfelor, who is on his final term as congressman.