By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
LIKE television host-turned-actress Toni Gonzaga, Negros “king maker” Albee Benitez is suffering from “loss of integrity” dilemma.
Their personal choice of supporting presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) has put them in a “hot water” situation.
Toni, per the latest report, voluntarily left ABS-CBN out of delicadeza after she hosted the BBM-Sara Duterte’s grand proclamation at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on Feb. 8.
Many said “it’s just normal”. What matters is Toni “gained much” after joining BBM’s camp.
Nope! The fact that Toni resigned a day after her hosting stint indicated there’s something wrong. Unknown to some, there’s a “miscalculated risk” beyond redemption that, perhaps, forced Toni to step out of ABS-CBN’s backyard.
Truth is: the praises she earned from BBM’s supporters can’t disable the public hate cast against her integrity via social media.
In the local scene, Albee is Toni’s male version. Bacolod’s and Negros’ “moralists” were flabbergasted by Albee’s decision to openly support BBM.
Yes, everybody knows Albee is pro-Marcos. It’s a given fact. His father, the late Jolly Benitez, was Imelda Marcos’ deputy in the Ministry of Human Settlements.
But here’s a bit of contrast. Albee is now running for mayor in Bacolod. It’s a sensitive post that requires sensitivity in all aspects.
Albee’s bantering line, “Change for A Better Bacolod”, coupled with his quotable quote, “I’ve heard enough. I’ve seen enough”, endeared him to many. Bacolod’s professionals idolized him. His quest to end corruption in the city was even cheered by the silent majority.
Lo and behold, there’s sudden change. After Albee inked a manifesto supporting BBM, there’s a 360 degrees turnaround.
Newly-baptized “Albeenians”, including professionals and moralists in the city, were so disgusted with his decision.
‘PINK TSUNAMI’
The “pink wave” suddenly developed into a “pink tsunami ” on Facebook (FB). It instantly whacked Albee’s moral integrity.
Pink wave refers to Vice President Leni Robrero’s “Pink Revolution” all over the country.
Leni is BBM’s formidable foe. Thus, for Bacolod’s moralists and professionals, it’s a slap on their faces to idolize a man who advocates change and anti-corruption will also endorse a man who’s a product of a deposed dictator.
To put the “fire” out, Albee issued a personal statement and here is it:
“My personal choice is mine alone. I have never and will never impose upon my local party mates and on others as well. At the start, we have always agreed that we will not support one common national candidate. Each is free to support his/her national candidate because we RESPECT each other’s choices.”
Well said, but others termed it in local parlance as “lagdos nga tinig-ang!”
It didn’t cure the “itchiness” on the part of his appalled supporters.‘Till now, they crave for a much profound explanation.
To balance, Albee’s supporters are asking for respect on his personal choice. But a retired priest (who asked for anonymity) stresses that the present case of Albee is different in essence and substance.
Vying for a sensitive position, the priest said, Albee must also be sensitive on certain issue(s) dwelling on moral integrity.
“If he’d heard and seen enough in Bacolod, then, didn’t he hear enough about Martial Law that too many died, too many tortured, too many disappeared and too many were stolen?”
“Gosh!” exclaims the priest.
SYLLABICATE ‘DELICADEZA’ A HUNDRED TIMES
In her FB post on Thursday, Feb. 10, Inday Espina-Varona, a seasoned journalist, said,
“Incompetence and corruption in the Marcos era led to shortages of basic food stuff, leading to rationing.”
Inday’s phrase is so simple, but it connotes a potent warning to everyone with another Marcos (now) marching to Malacañang.
Others ask: If Marcos gets into Malacañang and Albee is in the New Government Center – what’s the issue?
Countered the priest: Go back to the premise why Albee is running for mayor in Bacolod.
He wants change by “killing” corruption in the city. Thus, his group employs chagrin against incumbent Mayor Bing Leonardia.
Analyzing the intent of actions and propaganda, once can say, the mission is: Pulverize Bing’s credibility and integrity beyond restoration!
In doing so, Albee, advises the priest, must spell the word delicadeza, then, syllabicate it a hundred times before digging for the deeper meaning of it.
Adds the priest, it would be basic for Albee now to know the three morals of fighting corruption – transparency, independence and impartiality.
“Too, he must uphold the good moral values and be aware of the consequences of his actions.”
The issues against BBM are centered on two “heaviest” facets – Martial L aw and corruption via plunder. Both put BBM’s integrity and credibility in a “highly-doubtful” status. Thus, endorsing BBM also puts Albee’s integrity falling.
Well, world-renowned motivational speaker Ghawna Gautam was never remiss in reminding each and every famous being in the universe: “When integrity falls, beauty is lost.”
ENTANGLEMENT OF THOUGHTS
Adding zing to the confusion is Celia Flor.
Celia is currently running for councilor as an independent but is a guest candidate for Albee’s team.
But she’s a noted die-hard supporter of VP Leni.
Aside from Celia, two other candidates of the Albee’s team – Sonya Verdeflor and Kalaw Puentevella – aren’t inclined to support BBM.
Asked for comment, Celia reacts, “Syempre, I cannot and will not answer for him. From the start, I told him I am for Leni. And he respects that.”
Then, she stresses that, just in case, she won’t climb a stage with BBM.
What a uniquely admirable pronouncement coming from a highly- esteemed woman advocate.
But then again, there’s an entanglement of thoughts within.
Albee was “nixed and praised” when he gathered some of the “recyclable” politicos in the city regardless of their “colors” and placed them in one boat.
Their very mission: Paddle towards one direction – CHANGE!
Nice concept!
But the succeeding “choreography” seems to be bitty. If Celia acts like a “brat” later, what will happen? Isn’t it unwell or ungainly for Albee’s group?
In a dragon boat race, paddlers must have to paddle in the same direction in order to reach the finish line. They’re ought to follow their leader. Sans synchronization, it’s a mischance.
In the case of Albee ‘s group, yes, they’re now in the same boat, but it is as if they’re sinking as others “giggle” and attempting to jump when BBM embarks later.
Bacolodnons are “smart”. They just observe, but intelligently processing every move of politicos. Really, oneness in acts and thoughts matters.
INTEGRITY: A SEED FOR ACHIEVEMENT
Albee’s team – directly or indirectly – is in PR (public relations) crisis now. It needs to cure his injured reputation as soon as possible. Ignoring such will lead to a “political bleeding” resulting in “loss of integrity”.
The haunting is real. BBM with the Martial Law, among other “distasteful” issues hounding his candidacy, ain’t a plus factor for Albee. Rather, he’s just “tearing” Albee in the minds and thoughts of the remnants of the late Archbishop Antonio Y. Fortich in the city.
Fortich, one of the icons of democracy in the country, termed Bacolod and Negros as a “social volcano” during the regime of deposed president Marcos Sr.
Fortich’s teachings against the Marcoses, Martial Law, sugar crisis, oppression, tyranny, etcetera still linger in the hearts and minds of Bacolodnons. Albee’s PR team which, probably, has no knowledgeable about Bacolod’s political demography, needs to double-time parrying the issue now.
Or else such loss of integrity will send Albee “in the gutter”.
Because for the late American radio speaker and author Earl Nightingale, “Integrity is the seed for achievement. It is the principle that never fails.”
While the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:30) also says “Don’t be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”/PN
