IF I may assess the current objective trends, including rumors and “psyops”, it looks like the traditional electoral politics in Bacolod is getting worse.
Lately I was informed by an unimpeachable source that former Congressman Monico Puentevella, desperately aspiring to be the mayor of Bacolod, has chosen businessman Vladimir Gonzales to be his running mate in 2013 elections, and that he doesn’t want to pick up a fight with his political nemeses Mayor Evelio Leonardia. It is a more polite way of saying Monico wants to reconcile with Leonardia so the latter won’t put up a pressure on him comes election time. If true, Monico practically junked incumbent Councilor Archie Baribar, the man he reportedly courted long enough to be his running mate against whomever the ruling administration fields. Monico can always choose whomever he wants in his team. But his latest move, again if true, exposed a number of his fatal weaknesses. One, Monico’s decision exposes his politics of money. He reportedly goes for Vladimir because of the latter’s money which Baribar does not have. Too bad. It is like courting a poor girl he knows will love him all the way, and suddenly shifted to another girl he doesn’t know but is believed to have so much money. If electoral politics is all about money and money, Monico should have refrained long ago from courting Baribar and his bloc who have a better political platform than Vladimir. And if money is all that matters in winning, why did he lose with his huge war chest in the last elections against Leonardia? Even in traditional electoral politics, everything is not about money. Two, junking Baribar forces the latter’s group of five solid councilors to take separate ways. The five, taken as a whole, has a good field machinery with substantial voting base. That will be a big loss to Monico, both in terms of machinery and votes, especially at a time he is rebuilding from his largely decapitated political house. It is not easy to put up a dependable and winnable machinery in barely 15 months to electoral contest, unless he is the guy who can turn magic to reality. Three, to get Baribar and his consistent opposition bloc, munching Leonardia and his gang into pieces 24/7, and tell them that he is reconciling with Leonardia for political convenience or whatever he calls it, is tantamount to prostituting these good councilors. Fourth, assuming Monico reconciles with Leonardia, what would be the mutually agreeable terms? And will Leonardia believe Monico’s extending hand of reconciliation? Well, I don’t know. Let it be noted however that brothers and cousins don’t go always in harmony, especially those in the extreme ends of the political arena. One thing is sure with Monico’s move - he will be on the defensive, politically and organizationally. By such posturing, he would even run the risk that his ward leaders and village campaigners would entertain several options, among them, Monico-Vladimir-Leonardia, Monico-Baribar-Golez, Monico-Baribar-Leonardia, or worse, without him, Thaddy-Baribar-Leonardia, Thaddy-Vladimir-Golez, etc. I really pity Monico on this because I have always believed that he can be a good alternative to Leonardia, given his patented courage, firmness, frankness, flexibility, innovativeness and his cult-like personality among his followers. I don’t know who are the bright boys that twisted Monico’s mind to resort to this desperate strategy, a surefire formula for defeat. Whoever they are, they will only make more enemies out of Monico’s dwindling army of friends and allies. Still, I hope he wakes up early and redraw his political strategy. He should remember that, if he loses in 2013 elections, it will be his strategic defeat, or one whose outcome he would bear for quite a long time. On the other hand, this new current will surely ignite re-alignments and re-positioning in other political groups. The camp of Congressman Doc Golez is already into a mess, constantly drawing and redrawing electoral strategy and tactics. It is only Leonardia and Thaddy that seem to take political developments lightly. With the squabbles and dribbles taking place in their enemies’ camps, they seem to enjoy political and social life so palatably. This will make traditional electoral politics in Bacolod truly a lot of fun, for whatever it means. Meantime, what would happen to Baribar and his bloc? They can remain as a solid bloc within the city council or outside. They can put up a solid councilors’ bloc in 2013 elections. They can also support as a solid bloc the mayoralty aspirant Thaddy Sayson. They have a lot of options. But whatever they take as a bloc, they will be a forced to reckon with all mayoralty contenders and even congressional aspirants who will surely deal with them. They can always negotiate in a position of strength. You see how changeable and unpredictable the traditional electoral politics is? That is because its operating principle is “there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.” On a more positive note, these political currents should serve as a challenge for the progressive politicians, party-list organizations, non-government organizations, people’s organizations, church groups, to seize the opportunity, analyze well, develop some political convergences, draw some kind of political intervention that will facilitate the process of substantive and meaningful reforms and change in the city and province. To paraphrase a popular adage, our society will not be destroyed by traditional electoral politicians, but by our good men and women who just watch on the sideline and do nothing. Karl G. Ombion Sun Star Bacolod
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