By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
BACOLOD CITY’s Mayor Albee Benitez on Monday, November 11, held a press conference.
Among the many topics he discussed with the Bacolod press people included his appeal – slash – warning to all Team Asenso supporters not to vote candidates being endorsed by his political ally, Abang Lingkod party-list’s Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano popularly known as Cong. Caraps, in Bacolod and Negros.
Cong. Caraps is endorsing the candidacy of Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran for mayor in Bacolod.
Familiaran is set to battle against Bacolod Lone District’s Cong. Greg Gasataya, the one being endorsed by Mayor Albee to succeed him.
Baffling, right?
Mayor Albee and Cong. Caraps are political allies, and the latter is the former’s “political operator”.
So, not just me, but many, many more suspect that everything about the mayor and the party-list solon now – away, bati, away – boils down to “political drama”.
Agree or disagree?
But if it is true that they have a rift right now, the questions are: Who will benefit from it? Who will be shortchanged?
APPEAL FOR LOYALTY
Another appeal of the mayor to his party-mates is, “huwag mamangka sa dalawang ilog” or “huwag sumakay sa dalawang kabayo.” Both idiomatic expressions are all about loyalty.
This means the billionaire mayor of Bacolod is appealing to all Asenso leaders and members to be loyal (as in) to their party.
Why?
Because, according to Mayor Albee, he is one politician who is ready to “sink or swim” for his party-mates’ sake.
Oh, really?
DEEP MEANING
Let’s analyze the mayor’s appeals – not vote for Cong. Caraps’ endorsed candidates and “huwag mamangka sa dalawang ilog.”
It’s first time to hear the mayor saying or appealing this to his political supporters.
What’s the deep meaning, hence? Is everything constituting a political premonition for the term-limited mayor of Bacolod?
Is Mayor Albee “feeling the heat” right now with majority of Bacolodnons feeling dissatisfied due to unfulfilled promises?
REMINDERS
Well, whether we like or not, the standing of Mayor Albee is no longer the same as when he ran for mayor in 2022.
Yes, he defeated former mayor Bing Leonardia. But his overwhelming victory was later stained by many unrealized promises – Asenso Yuhum Housing Village, spaghetti wires, messy traffic, crimes and shabu, zero billing hospitalization via the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Insurance Program (BaCHP), dirty public plaza, Manokan Country brouhaha. These and more are giving the mayor a hard time to explain to the people.
Now, for the second time, he faces Bing anew – but this time, it’s a battle for congressman of Bacolod. And now, his once formidable popularity is gradually eroding.
SLIDE, SWITCH
As interpreted by many local political pundits, Mayor Albee didn’t switch position with Gasataya.
Because the word “switch” is just applicable between Mayor Albee and Vice Mayor El Cid, and not between the mayor and Congressman Gasataya.
Rather, as analyzed by pundits, the sitting mayor slid by running for congressman for “security reasons.”
Why?
Because seeking reelection for mayor would be an uphill quest for him, knowing that Congressional Gasataya has no way to go, but to run for mayor.
And knowing Gasataya’s political organization and backers, Mayor Albee knows the former is no ordinary foe.
FACING BING
So, facing Bing – for the second time around – could be easier?
But Bing seemed to be wiser now. And he’s capitalizing on this bantering line “wala kaubos sinamo”.
“Sinamo” is a Hiligaynon word that commonly refers to food leftovers, but the phrase “wala kaubos sinamo” may also be roughly equated to the English expression “bite off more than one could chew” which means someone is trying to do something that is too difficult for them.
Exploiting social media as a formidable platform in conveying his message across the voting populace in Bacolod, Bing is investing on Facebook reels.
Aligned with the saying, “wala kaubos sinamo”, Bing’s reels are instant hits. They are relatable!
Mayor Albee must contain this “wala kaubos sinamo” banter. If not, his campaign could end up in political ICU (Intensive Care Unit)./PN
