BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
OMG! But wait, it’s no longer the usual expression “Oh, my God!” Rather, it’s “Orange Movement for Greg”.
This the newest talk-of-the-town in the “City of Smiles” as Bacolod’s Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya recently changed his official political color. From red, the official color of Grupo Progreso (GP), he’s now into orange.
But many ask: Of all the colors, why orange? What’s the significance or relevance of orange to his political career?
Orange, per the www.bourncreative.com, symbolizes energy, happiness, joy, freedom, determination, balance, change, and success. Quite great!
Question: Will the color orange propel Greg to victory in next year’s elections?
Well, all the while we thought that only the Bing Leonardia – Albee Benitez duel for the mayoral post in the city is the only much-awaited thing in Bacolod’s political history. But nope! The Greg Gasataya – Dan Atayde clash for congressman is also fast becoming a hot topic. It’s even perceived to be beyond “battle royal”.
Before, almost everybody though that Greg, who’s gunning for his third and final term as representative of the city’s Lone District, was already a “runaway winner”. Lo and behold, there’s a 360-degree turnaround after the incumbent solon declared he’ll be running “neutral”.
Greg explained he was torn between his two political maninoys – Bing and Albee. So as not to “hurt” either of them, he decided to run in his own. And running neutral, for him, is the soundest solution.
Alas, it’s an “unaccepted” among GP honchos. Such was labeled as tantamount to abandoning GP.
Greg was among the GP stalwarts. Things, however, worsened when Mayor Bing lately declared “war” against him. But ‘til now, no one can ever claim yet that their “political divorce” is final and irrevocable. The mayor accused Greg of being “untrue” to his neutrality stance. He called it a “sham” and a sort of “political deception”.
Greg, according to Mayor Bing’s camp, is seen joining the daily sorties of Albee for Better Bacolod (ABB) group. Greg vehemently denied such.
COURTEOUS, POLITE
Nevertheless, the solon remains courteous and a true gentleman in responding to the issue. Too, he is polite in employing terminologies in his press release so not to offend his Maninoy Bing.
And to prove that he’s true to his neutral word, just recently he officially declared the changing of his political color. Then, he launched OMG as his own independent political group.
Initially, OMG claims that out of the 61 barangays in Bacolod, it has 34 village chiefs and 38 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairmen. But according to my reliable sources, these 34 captains and 38 SK chiefs are also GP leaders who reportedly can’t turn their backs to the incumbent solon.
Countering the scenario, GP with Atayde brought more than 40 GP captains to Boracay Island in Aklan just last week. The captains, per report, committed to support to GP and to Atayde.
Mindboggling! Some of the captains who joined OMG were also those who went to Boracay. Really, it’s “weird” to assess.
My personal take: yes, Greg is out but not totally “uprooted” from the hearts of GP leaders and supporters. Proof of this: he is still close to the majority of the GP captains, and SK chairmen are “blatantly” supporting him.
Even some of the GP councilors like Dindo Ramos also publicly announced that no matter what happens, he’ll support Greg.
Explained by Dindo, he can’t easily cut ties with his long-time friend and political ally. Bing, per reliable information, also respects Dindo, et al.’s decision. And this is another “puzzling” point. Thus, Bacolod is currently stuck on a “guessing game”.
NO ORDINARY FOE
Atayde is now considered Greg’s toughest foe. Gradually, he is showing his “worth and might” that indirectly shake Greg’s camp. Re-enforcing his current strength and standing is GP’s decision to adopt him as their guest candidate.
So let’s be candid. With GP, Atayde – a nephew of port magnate and business mogul Enrique Razon – is no ordinary challenger. Local political kibitzers say he is so “blessed” to be riding on GP’s vehicle.
(Political) machinery-wise, they say Atayde is more than ready to face Greg. Thus, almost everyone now is saying the 2022 polls will be a “tricky” or “snaking” journey for Greg.
Several “warning signs,” I heard, have already been flagged for Greg to somehow intensify his wooing mechanism.
UNRUFFLED
Greg, being the incumbent and a known performer in Congress, remains “unruffled” though. He’ll “confidently fight with his heart,” my sources say. And the people of Bacolod will be the ultimate judge of what he had done these past six years.
Well, having the captains as endorsers in the 2022 polls is quite an “asset”. They have command and great influence in their respective barangays.
But if presidential wannabe Ping Lacson is to be believed: “Endorsement is good, but we need votes.” So simple yet meaningful! It simply tells: Go directly to the people! Ping’s mantra could be useful for Greg.
Figuratively speaking, Greg is currently “dehado” compared to Atayde as to the umber of the captain-allies. But who knows? Greg’s “seedlings” in public service were sown for quite sometimes already. It’s next to impossible if none of them bore fruits.
NOBLE CHAP
Being “respectful” is also Greg’s remarkable asset. Since he was a broadcast journalist, he was known for it. Such virtue endears to people. It’s a combination of humility and decency worthy of salutation.
Answering Bing’s ranting in a very polite manner was a confirmable proof that, indeed, Greg is a noble chap worthy of emulation. Thus, he earned praises and respect from the masses for not engaging in a word war against his Maninoy Bing.
In the same manner, Bing, in some instances, also showed respect to his hijado Greg. The mayor’s recent statement clarifying that the city has no plan of changing the name of the soon-to-be constructed Bacolod City General Hospital (BCGH) is a clear proof of direct respect to the proponent of the project.
Greg is the author of a House Bill that turned into Republic Act (RA) 11564. It was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 24, 2021. It’ll pave way for the construction of BCGH next year.
Budget for the construction was already included in the 2022 national budget. Once completed, it’ll be Greg’s “indelible” legacy.
Hence, Bing assures the public that he’ll support the project. So it’s a go!
The mayor says BCGH was one of GP’s promises to the people of Bacolod during their campaign in the 2019 polls.
WHO’S REALLY WHO?
But who’s really who in 2022? Well, the case of Greg versus Atayde reminds me of Walt Whitman’s famous poem “O captain! My captain! It’s a great poem, highlighting the captain’s “major, major” role at the height of a sea tragedy.
Question: In next year’s pools, who between Greg and Atayde can exclaim: “O captain! My captain!”
Or who’ll gonna lament: “O captain? My captain?”
Sounds interesting!
Bu, for sure, no one can claim yet seeing a silver lining for 2022. Tedious political maneuverings are still in the offing!/PN
