BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
FROM Negros’ “king maker “to backdoor king?
Unknown to some, billionaire Albee Benitez made an “unsavory lurch” during the much-talked-about landing of presidential wannabe Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) in Bacolod on Wednesday, Feb. 23.
BBM, alongside his running mate Sara Duterte, led the UniTeam’s grand rally in the “City of Smiles” at the reclamation area. But prior to it, both met with 28 out of 31 mayors and sugar leaders in the province at Stonehill Suites.
Alas, the “pursuing” local and national media weren’t allowed to cover that meeting. Thanks to some mayors who boldly exited using the front door and, sans hesitation, voluntarily shared information on what really happened inside.
The media were “itching” to get the side of Albee who was also among the attendees in the meeting. Media really want to listen to him on his “juicy” and substantiated reasoning why he supports BBM, albeit he (already) said, “My choice is mine.”
But Albee and son Javi (mayoral candidate in Victorias City) silently made a backdoor exit at the mezzanine floor going down to the pocket stairs at the north side of the ground floor of the hotel.
That time, I was having lunch alone at a carinderia (also at the ground floor of the hotel) when I noticed him passing by in front of me. It’s quite so fast that I’ve tried, but not so lucky to catch him up to get any reaction.
But I asked someone close to him why Albee made a backdoor exit and this guy’s gentle reply: “He’s evading media’s ambush interview.”
Wow nice, but not so nice for someone who’s being looked up as an “agent of change”.
Yes, such move is a classic likeness of simplicity but, at this time, glazed with complexity. Because the truth is, Albee is currently dwelling on sensitivity as he is gunning to snatch the top post in Bacolod from the sitting mayor, Bing Leonardia.
His battle cry is “change”. His very vow: Kill “corruption” at the New Government Center (NGC) glamorized by the birth of his “Movement for Change”. Thus, his grand positioning like a “messiah” in Bacolod endeared him to many.
PINK TSUNAMI
But exactly on Feb.8, this gaming mogul-turned-high profile politico in Negros was figuratively “slapped” by a “pink tsunami”.
Pink tsunami refers to the angst of Vice President Leni Robero’s (VP Leni) supporters in Negros and Bacolod. Most of them are also Albee’s new-found followers and newly-baptized supporters who believe in the “quest” for change.
Right after Albee inked a manifesto of support for BBM’s presidential bid, he was outright condemned, damned and ridiculed on social media, especially on Facebook (FB).
Really, Feb. 8, 2022 was Albee’s “black day” in Bacolod.
Yes, he tried but failed to pacify the roaring moralists and professionals in Bacolod. Until now, the damnation against him continues to persist on FB.
Whether he admits or not, he’s suffering from “loss of integrity”. So, while nursing the wounds caused by his “personal choice”, Albee seems cagy in facing the media.
BE REAL
If he believes that his personal choice of endorsing BBM has a valid reason, then, why not face the music? The clock is ticking.
He has no more choice except to accept reality that most Bacolodnons can’t swallow BBM for understandable reasons – Martial Law, plunder, ill-gotten wealth, human rights violations, killings, torture, sugar crisis, etcetera. Thus, declaring support for BBM is just like “rubbing salt on the wounds.”
Surfing the “hate wave”, therefore, ain’t an easy thing for Albee now. But, by all means, he needs to “beat the heat”. He can no longer take back what he had declared. So, it’s time for him to “magpakatotoo” (be real)!
‘TEST OF CHARACTER’
What he’s going through is, perhaps, a “test of character”.
A true test of character isn’t how you are on your best days, but how you are on your worst days.
But if he continues to evade in substantiating his stance on supporting BBM, then, he’s just “drowning” himself in the “sea of public hate”.
Too, hiding from the media is bad. Wrong PR (public relations) move per se. Worst, if such an act could be interpreted later as “logic of deceit”.
And it reminds me of American biologist Robert Trivers’ book titled: “The Fooly of Fools”. Such book highlights the logic of deceit and self-deception by living micro-organisms, including humans on earth.
But Trivers’ in-depth analysis in this book is so simple – we fool ourselves to fool others. Quite interesting and worth reading!
Hope Albee is far yet from subscribing to this logic. Else, it’ll be the “deadly arrow” to pierce his credibility and integrity beyond healing.
PROMISED DELIVERED
Meanwhile, UniTeam’s grand rally in Bacolod triumphantly concluded.
Its convener, Negros Occidental’s Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, truly delivered what he promised to BBM – 80,000-strong supporters plus 28 mayors and six congressmen.
“It was overwhelming and beyond expectation,” he quipped.
Seeing the crowd, he exclaimed: “It is as if election’s over!”
“But nope!” countered by former governor Lito Coscolluela, convener of Robredo People’s Council (RPC).
However, in a text message, Coscolluela admitted, “It was a very expensive exercise (BBM-Sara grand rally) if we are to believe the reports and inside stories.”
“Leni doesn’t have the same resources, but she has the people’s support. (It) reminds me of Danding Cojuangco versus Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) in 1992.”
As to the heckling incident in Talisay City which irked Ferrer, among other BBM’s supporters, Coscolluela stressed, “It was not premeditated!”
The former governor stressed, “Certainly, it would never have been allowed if our blessings had been sought. It is in this light that I express my deep remorse over what happened even as I recognize the sentiments that fueled such emotions.”
Thus, he said, “I apologize to Mr. Marcos and his companions for the heckling, and I urge everyone to refrain such actions for the duration of the campaign.”
‘THE REAL YOU’ PRINCIPLE
It’s splendid to note that both Ferrer and Coscolluela subscribed to “the real you” principle. Ferrer, by hook or by crook, is standing pat to his “BBM forever” stance.
But human as he is, he admits getting irritated and disappointed by ghastly comments on FB. But mustering his cool helped him a lot to remain prim and proper amid denunciations.
Though, he stressed no amount of criticism can ever change nor influence his (personal) decision. Thus, his simple appeal to anyone now: “Respect my choice. Respect my decision!”
Coscolluela, on the other hand, exuded humility in acknowledging that distasteful incident in Talisay which he claimed truly beyond their control.
Such acknowledgment coupled with an apology is a manifestation that the “pink warriors” of Negros cannot and will not condone bad manner(s) by anyone toward any other presidential hopefuls.
Too, it’s a promise of decency the next time around.
Thus, being “straightforward” no matter what happens helped both Ferrer and Coscoluela earned people’s respect and admiration. Albee must learn from both of them the “basics” of being candid.
If not, “pretension” will cause Albee a “bleak” political future in Bacolod.
For it’s already a political norm in Bacolod to really accept someone who is not perfect but, at least, not fake!/PN
