BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
IT’S QUITE baffling to hear that Abang-Lingkod party-list’s Rep. Stephen Paduano, also known as (Carapali Luahalti or “Caraps”), is reportedly supporting the presidential bid of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. or BBM. For many who knew Caraps, it’s unthinkable.
On Facebook, however, some netizens posted tarps or posters of Abang-Lingkod and Albee for Better Bacolod (ABB) also with “BBM for president” photos. Abang-Lingkod and ABB are political allies.
I just hope this is not true. I called and texted Caraps to ask his reaction about these tarps circulating in social media, but ‘til this writing I haven’t received a reply.
Such political stance – if true – would perhaps lead to an interpretation of a misplaced ideology and foregone principle. In Negros, everybody knows that Caraps, a descendant of the late Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Haydee Yorac, was once an aggressive member of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
His entry to the underground movement sometime in 1980 or 1981 was basically fueled by his desire to take part in the democratic struggle against President Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship. Indoctrination in the said movement, per research, almost centers on oppression and Martial Law. The NPA wants the newly-recruited combatants to feel the exploitation of the poor through extreme poverty, among other social ills under Marcos’ rule. Thus, their mantra: Change the government system through armed struggle.
Serving then as their “bible” in the mountains was the book written by Jose Maria Sison (Joma) alias Ka Armando Liwanag titled “Philippine Society and Revolution” (PSR).
PSR expounded on the country’s three major problems – bureaucrat capitalism, feudalism and US (United States) imperialism.
The newbies of the NPA, therefore, were taught of the Maoist concept of a protracted people’s war to effect change in Filipino society. And Caraps was one among those “witty” young comrades in Negros ‘til he reached the status of being a “mentor” in the mountains.
In fact, during the “splits” in the NPA in the 1990s, Caraps was reportedly hailed as one of the “mightiest” comrades who defected to the breakaway Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Bongcayao Brigade (RPA-ABB). He brought with him a large number of combatants from Negros, Panay and Cebu, among other areas in the country. Hence, he was named national commander of the RPA-ABB.
‘SUKA-PANGLIBANG’
But once Caraps openly declares support for BBM, such move would be tantamount to, in our local tongue, “suka-panglibang”.
Suka-panglibang in medical study is acute gastroenteritis.
“Suka” means emesis while “panglibang” is loose bowel movement (LBM)
Why?
All the doctrines, principles and ideologies he (basically) learned from the movement regarding democratic struggle, oppression, imperialism, capitalism, feudalism, and others will be “gone with the wind.”
For some of his former protégés (who are mostly political operators in the province), it would be quite nauseating, embarrassing and unbelievable to hear that their former mentor in the underground movement is reportedly endorsing BBM.
“We struggled a lot. We fought against the oppressive system of governance under the Marcos regime and now he (Caraps) will be endorsing another Marcos? This is an unacceptable!” they stress. “Kon mag-amo sini, daw pareho lang nga ginbulandak ukon ginsuka namon ang amon idyolohiya kag prinsipyo.”
On the other hand, per reliable information, the Makabayan bloc composed of seven “powerful” party-list groups – Bayan Muna, Anak Pawis, Gabriella, Anak Bayan, Migrante, Kabataan, and Alliance of Concerned Teachers will go for presidential wanna-be, Manila mayor Isko Moreno of Aksyon Demokratiko.
The said bloc, alleged to be the legal front of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), already vowed to deliver three million “times two or five” votes for Isko. That’s why Vice President Leni Robredo of “1Sambayan” rejected the inclusion of Bayan Muna’s Neri Colmenares in her senatorial list.
Well, well, well, whatever it is, my concern is I (just) want to hear Caraps. Really, I want to give him space once he’s ready to justify his stance (if it is true that he’s supporting BBM).
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Meanwhile, for ABB or Albee per se supporting BBM is but normal. His father, the late Jose Condrado “Jolly” Benitez, was former deputy minister of (then) first lady Imelda Marcos in the Ministry of Human Settlements. And so, whether he likes or not, such is projected to have “critical” ripple effects in his candidacy for mayor in Bacolod. It’s a “crispy” topic among local political kibitzers. And for sure, says my closest friend, “emotions will (surely) run high.” Some of the financially well-off Albee supporters are mostly pro-Leni.
Interestingly, former Bacolod congressman and mayor Monico “Newks” Puentevella is a vocal supporter of presidential bet Manny Pacquiao. Newks is with ABB right now. His son, former councilor Kalaw, is running anew for the same position under ABB still.
Also, Celia Flor, an independent but at the same time guest candidate of ABB for councilor, is also a “die-hard” supporter of Leni.
Flor is one of the highly-respected women advocates in the country. So, there’s no question about her very passionate decision to go for Leni.
But she explains that before she succumbs to Albee’s offer for her to run as a guest candidate under ABB, she made it clear that she’s a solid Leni advocate.
With all these, it is not far that there’ll be conflict of interest later. That’s why even up to now, Negros Occidental’s Gov. Bong Lacson, Albee’s formidable political ally in Love Negros, remains unyielding as to his personal choice for president.
The 18 Love Negros’ mayors are silent, too.
In contrast, Love Negros’ counterpart, United Negros Alliance (Unega) is pro-Leni.
Says Unega’s secretary general, Cadiz City Mayor Bading Escalante, their 13 mayors will go for Leni.
But Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, one of the party’s top honchos, is, of course, expected to support BBM. Understandable! His wife, Rep. Yoyet (4th District, Negros Occidental), is the grand “apo” of the late ambassador Roberto Salas Benedicto (RSB).
RSB, for everyone’s knowledge, was a Marcos’ crony.
REMEMBERING BISHOP FORTICH
Pithily, everyone’s decision as to his or her choice for president in next year’s elections is too personal in nature. Whether you’re pro-Leni, pro-Pacquiao, pro-BBM, pro-Isko, or pro-Ping Lacson, it’s your choice. And such needs to be respected by others.
However, there were certain occurrences and circumstances in the past that somehow should serve as a cause of concern for conflict of interest. And this conflict of interest would, perhaps, have some perilous effects on someone’s political standing.
Supporting BBM is no crime at all. But remembering his father’s “infamous” regime is quite “sickening”. Negrosanons and Bacolodnons are known to be “territorial” in nature. Until now, it’s still fresh for them what the late Bacolod Bishop Emeritus Antonio Y. Fortich had said – that Negros was an active “social volcano” during the Marcos era.
It is innate for most Negrosanons and Bacolodnons to once again tremendously react and seek guidance from Bishop Fortich up there in heaven. Another “fooling” and “deceiving” game would be “costly” for their lives./PN
