By ERWIN “AMBO” DELILAN
GRADUALLY, the “crowded” presidential derby (in Philippine history) on May 9 is causing “cracks” among Negros’ political and sugar leaders. But these cracks, say some Negros chief executives, are with respect and benefits still.
Oh, really?
Of the 11 official contenders, Negros’ key leaders are narrowing down their choices between Vice President Leni Robrero (VP Leni) and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM).
So, it would be pink (for VP Leni) versus red (for BBM) in Negros on May 9.
But what if fate won’t side with BBM? And the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will disqualify him later?
“We’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” says a mayor in southern Negros.
So, gone is the so-called “Solid Negros” for blah, blah, blah!
Let’s take the case now of Gov. Bong Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer. Lacson of Love Negros (LN) is perceived to be pro-VP Leni. His family is known to be close with Judy Araneta-Roxas, mother of former senator Mar Roxas who is supporting VP Leni.
Ferrer of the United Negros Alliance (UNegA) confirmed he’s for BBM. Understandable! His wife, Cong. Yoyette (4th District, Negros Occidental), is the granddaughter of the late ambassador Roberto Salas Benidecto (RSB) who was a Marcos crony.
Ferrer, however, stressed there’s mutual respect between him and the governor as to their personal choice for presidential candidate. They, too, are giving their mayors a leeway to choose theirs.
“And we’ll respect whatever their decision is,” stressed Ferrer.
Also, the governor, during their Christmas Party, told the mayors, “Let’s unite for Negros, but remain as friends during and after the national elections.”
Such line was, somehow, interpreted as a “green light” for Negros’ mayors to decide on their own.
LN has 18 mayor-members while UNegA has 13. But Ferrer claimed (earlier) that 25 of the 32 mayors in the province will support BBM. He’s referring to those who attended a meeting with Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjur Abalos in Bacolod on Dec. 10, 2021. Abalos is the campaign manager of BBM.
In my personal follow-up, however, most of the attendees in that Abalos meeting say they were just there to listen but not to officially support BBM. And they clarified that, until now, they’re still in a wait-and-see status whom to support.
One mayor in the north told me they’re still waiting for President Duterte’s official endorsement.
After Sen. Bong Go withdrew his presidential bid, “we’ll wait for the President’s final word.”
Majority of Negros’ mayors is pro-Duterte.
Duterte is against BBM. But his daughter, Sara, is BBM’s running mate.
Rumors milling around Negros say the president is endorsing Manila mayor Isko Moreno this coming March.
Weird, as in!
TO UNSWEET NEGROS’ SUGAR
Adding zing to the Leni-BBM intramural in Negros is also the “crack” among sugar planters.
Such is said to “unsweet” Negros’ sugar sooner. This as the Raymond Montinola-led Confederation of Sugar Producers Association, Inc. (CONFED) will support Leni.
While United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (UNIFED) of Manolet Lamata is pro-BBM.
See?
But former governor Lito Coscolluela says, “For Negros, specifically, VP Leni shows a keen understanding of the issues and problems and challenges of the sugar industry.”
She’s even willing to dialogue with stakeholders to come up with programs most appropriate for the industry, he adds.
Lito is “1SAMBAYAN” convener in Negros.
The sugar industry once suffered from “darkest moment” during Marcos regime. The sugar crisis led Negros to agonize from famine in 1985. Joel Abong, a sickly child, became an icon of awful hunger in Negros.
Negros’ planters then united themselves against Marcos and his infamous Martial Law. But now, they’re divided! Hence, their current “disunion” is projected to put sugar industry in bad light. So, it means Gary Valenciano’s song “Di na natuto” has no bearing yet among Negrosanons.
Thus, on Facebook (FB), Coscolluela posted, “Nergos Occidental has Marcos believers. I am ashamed.”
FEAR OF DRILON
Another “nasty” revelation was unearthed. Some Negros’ chief executives fear of supporting VP Leni because of Sen. Franklin Drilon.
They said if VP Leni becomes president, again, Senator Drilon will “rule” Western Visayas. They fear Negros will be left out anew as he’ll (only) prioritize Iloilo.
But Coscolluela says VP Leni will support the revival of Negros Island Region (NIR) and the development initiatives proposed by the short-lived NIR Development Council.
Negros was branded as “Yellow Country” during the past two presidential elections. It delivered solid votes for both the late president Noynoy Aquino (in 2010) and Mar Roxas (in 2016).
Being Aquino’s and Roxas’ protégé, VP Leni is expected to enjoy the same fate. But with the recent happenings, Negros seems far from turning into a “Pink Nation”.
Besides, Pulse Asia’s presidential survey dated Dec. 6-11, 2021 showed BBM as a “runaway” winner. He garnered 53% votes out of the 2,400 adult respondents all over the country. Tailing him was VP Leni, but with only 20%.
Moreno and Sen. Manny Pacqiuao tied in the third spot with 8%.
The survey has a 2% error margin at a 95% confidence level, said the Pulse Asia.
Question: Why is BBM leading the surveys?
One Negros’ mayor commented: “Because 50 percent of the voters now didn’t know about Marcos and the Martial Law per se.” Also, millennials are just “deadma” about the country’s history. They refuse to dig deeper. They hate books or reading lengthy articles. Rather, they quickly believe on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
And being social media fanatics, they prefer (now) to be “quicky” in all aspects in life. So, they’re just relying on “surface data” in scrutinizing the presidential candidates.
BBM’s political and PR (public relations) strategists knew how to ride on this reality. Thus, they patterned their “baseline attack” through ads both on mainstream and social media. And they hit the ground running now.
BBM is so famous among the poor. Even Philippine Daily Inquirer’s columnist Manuel L. Quezon III said, “BBM grabbed the most precious characteristics of a presidential candidate himself: namely being the Candidate of Change. He did so, by means of his ads.”
World-famous animator Ted Hanik also noticed that, before, people used to die for freedom. Now, he lamented, they give up freedom for the illusion of avoiding death.
‘HEALING PRESIDENT’
Coscolluela, however, insists VP Leni is the most qualified in terms of character, competence, track record, program of governance, ability to solve problems, and inspire people to be part of the solution.
“She’s an accomplished mother, a lawyer who preferred to serve the poor, and an economist who knows what needs to be done to revive the Philippines economy.”
Above all that, he stresses, VP Leni is a genuinely empowering leader, is truly credible and most trustworthy.”
BBM, on the other hand, stressed Abalos, is “very much qualified” to be the next president. He’s humble yet intelligent and a hands-on guy, Abalos added.
Well, the official campaign period is yet to start. There could be some development(s) that may re-direct voters’ perspectives and choices.
But whoever wins, one thing is (for) sure – the country badly needs a “healing president”.
Among the tall challenges he or she’ll be encountering is how to cure “hunger” due to massive job loss caused by the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Inheriting the plangent territorial dispute with China over the contested West Philippine Sea (WPS) is another serious thing.
Quite heavy and taxing to think! But who knows? Heaven’s guidance may prevail.
For the Bible (in Job: 8:2) says, “Lo, God will not reject a man of integrity nor will support the evildoers.”/PN
