BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THREE months before the much-awaited filing of Certificates of Candidacy (CoCs) for the 2022 national and local elections, Negros political kibitzers are abuzz analyzing who are the “best” and the “weakest” wannabes in the province.
One of the most-talked-about political topics is the “ultimate” plan of the Benitezes to run for different higher positions.
Albee Benitez, the billionaire, is up to challenge Bacolod City’s Mayor Bing Leonardia. His son, Javi, is running for mayor in Victorias City. And his brother, Kiko, is seeking re-election as congressman of the 3rd District.
Hence, the issue of political dynasty was resurrected anew. Anywhere you go it’s a hot topic among Negrosanons and Bacolodnons.
But the 1987 Constitution remains silent on political dynasty. Thus, the current plan of the Benitezes can only be termed as “La Familia Integrada”. It means they will probably link and coordinate with each other from Victorias City to the 3rd Congressional District of NegOcc to the Capital City of Bacolod.
If that’s the noble intention, then, there could be “goodness in oneness”. But what’s the agenda, really? Isn’t it suffocating?
Well, people, for sure, will be on standby for the “Like Father, Unlike Son, Unlike Brother” episode in Negros and Bacolod.
Jacqueline Puschmann, a tutoring fellow for Saga Education in Chigaco, Illinois, USA, warned of the “ill effects” of this kind of political episode that can exactly be attributed to a political dynasty.
While for world-renowned Goodreads author Stewart Stafford, “A dynasty is nothing but the successful orchestration of treachery.”
KIKO VS KAKO?
On the other hand, another episode worth waiting for is the final decision of former congressman Jose Carlos “Kako” Lacson on whether he’ll accept the offer to challenge Kiko.
I was informed that there were group(s )negotiating Kako to run anew as congressman in the 3rd District.
The negotiation, my source said, is now midway, and the conclusion might happen by the end of July.
If Kako decides to run, then the “Kiko-Kako” duel will be another “political fiesta” in Negros, next to Bing-Albee derby.
Kako, of course, ain’t an ordinary foe for Kiko. Being a veteran legislator since the 1990s to 2010, Kako is “loved” by the ordinary folks in the 3rd District. Hence, Kako will surely be a “headache” of Kiko just in case.
On record, Kako survived some of his formidable political foes like the late sugar planter Alex Montelibano, former EB Magalona mMayor and Provincial Board member Reynaldo P. Depasucat, and former congresswoman Edith Villanueva, among others.
Kiko, on the other hand, succeeded Albee (unopposed) in 2019.
WHY SPIDER-MAN?
Another “intriguing” episode is the PR (Public Relation) packaging of Albee’s team, liking him to a super hero “Spider-Man” for Bacolod.
Undeniably, kids love Spider-Man, a wall crawler comic hero created by both writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko.
Spider-Man’s ultimate mission was to keep the peace in New York City by battling old and new villains trying to gain control of the city after Kingpin’s arrest.
But Albee’s PR team should have considered or weighed some Spider-Man’s good and villainous traits that may cause positive and negative impacts on Albee’s candidacy.
In CBR.com, Darby Hann, a known contributor for Star Wars News Net, said Spider-Man is an ideal icon for great responsibility, integrity and positivity.
But it could also be an “infamous” figure because of his villainous traits such as:
1. Spider-Man operates outside the law.
2. Spider-Man takes matters into his hands using the principle of “Whatever it takes”.
3. Spider-Man is vengeful.
4. Spider-Man is impressionable.
The gist is: If Albee (really) wants to bring “major changes” to Bacolod, why conceal his face or whole body with prodigy costume like Spider-Man? Can’t he converse with the people barefaced?
What’s the logic behind this propaganda?
I am hoping this won’t be a “PR disaster” for Albee sooner.
Remember that kids can’t vote. And Bacolod voters are not just wise but intelligent as well. They know how to scrutinize every detail of political propagandas.
So it’s better to be simple and candid rather than be swanky yet inapt to your advocacies and real mission. Or else, Albee can be accused later of so-called pretension.
William Shakespeare warned of the dangers of this negative virtue: “God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.”
‘HAT-ON’
Another interesting episode is that, in support of Javi, who is running for mayor in Victorias, the youth sector in the city recently launched the “BASKOG Victorias” advocacy.
“Baskog” is a Hiligaynon term for strong or healthy.
But for Victorias youths, “BASKOG” is an acronym for BUILDERS of ADVOCATES that work on SERVICE that are people-centered, KEEPERS of honest, credible and competent leaders who give OPPORTUNITIES for all through GOOD governance.
Too long to memorize!
And too heavy to understand for less-tutored voters!
Javi, for sure, needs to exert effort to instill this advocacy in the mind of the Victoriahanons.
His possible opponent, outgoing Victorias vice mayor Eduardo “Didi” Jover, has just this simple bantering line: “Kung may DIDIkasyon sa serbisyo, may DIreksyon ang syudad.”
So, even Javi, in his less than a minute speech during the launching of “BASKOG Victorias” held in their family’s “Balay Bakasyonan” in Daan Banwa, Victorias, showed real “hardship” in dissecting and deciphering such advocacy crafted for him.
He’s noted to be “hat-on” in his pronunciation of “Baskog”, among other Hiligaynon words.
Hat-on, in English is defined by Google as to depend or rely on something.
In Hiligaynon, “hat-on” is a sort of expression by our “katigulangan” (olds) as “indi kairo” or
“indi kasangkul” or “indi ka isrot” or “indi kasigawod maghambal.”
But we cannot blame the guy. Javi, though schooled in the US and an actor by choice, was just “anointed” by his father to run for mayor.
Then others said he’s the next Vico Sotto or Isko Moreno of Victorias. Both learned the trade in politics by being in the lowest position (as councilor) first before claiming the top post in their respective city of Manila and Pasig.
They’re eloquent speakers, too.
In the case of Javi, it’s not far that he could be “hat-on” both in Hiligaynon and English.
Aside from being “clumsy” to verbalize Hiligaynon words, he’s also perceived to be dependent on his Daddy Albee.
In sum, this is quite “thrilling”!/PN
