BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
IT’S BARELY five months before the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (CoCs) for the 2022 national and local elections.
But talks about politics both in Bacolod and Negros Occidental are now getting louder, hotter, and even “weirder”.
The loudest is the speculation mushrooming around that the Yanson matriarch, Olivia or “Mommy Love”, is reportedly preparing a P200-million budget to finance a candidacy of someone who’ll challenge the re-election bid of Gov. Jose Eugenio “Bong” Lacson.
Former Bacolod congressman, Atty. John Orola, is said to be the “anointed” one.
Lacson is the current partner of Mommy Love’s daughter, Emily, who belongs to the Yanson 4 (Y4).
Y4 is “at odds” with the Yanson 2 (Y2), another group of the Yanson siblings whom Mommy Love is siding with.
Lacson and Orola are yet to comment.
But Mommy Love’s lady confidant (who refused to be named) was quick to dispel the rumor.
“Spare Mommy Love, please. She’s not like that and will never dip her fingers into Negros politics,” she appealed.
Another confidant termed such rumor as “istorya gisi”, a street lingo for untrue story.
Also, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer said, “That’s next to impossible!”
“I think it’s just a rumor and will remain as a rumor,” he said.
Though they belong to two different political parties, still Ferrer is confident that his tandem with Lacson remains safe and strong (at this time).
But if they’ll have challengers later, he stressed, “We’re ready!”
On a serious note, however, it’s “awkward” if it’s true that Mommy Love’s joining the Negros political fray.
If she does, probably, it’ll only “deepen” their current family feud.
UNEGA UNDER ‘VENTILATOR’
Catching my attention, too, was the claim of some “disgruntled” members of the United Negros Alliance (Unega) that their party is now under “ventilator”.
They said none from Unega now is willing to provide them financial support in case of “distress” during elections.
Thus they likened their current situation to the coronavirus disease that gradually “kills” Unega members who can’t afford yet to secure “remdesivir”.
Unega is a local political party founded by the late governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., popularly known as “02”.
After his death in October 2020, Unega’s leadership was inherited by Ferrer.
Later, however, it was turned over to”02’s” son, Sagay City mayor Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III.
NegOcc’ 2nd District Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva, also “02’s” nephew, serves as Thirdy’s back-up.
But per observation, both are “weak”.
Recently, Unega merged with Lacson’s and Benitez’s Love Negros.
The union, according to Ferrer, is solid like a rock and their current policy for 2022 elections – the equity of the Incumbent will prevail.
The problem is, some members of both parties (who lost in 2019 election) also signified interest of coming back.
For Unega, Ferrer said, “We’ll first assess the situation…But if the scenario necessitates that certain member(s), who aren’t incumbent but ready to run for mayor or vice mayor, then they can go on, but on their own.”
“A sound of inability to lead,” reacted by some Unega members (who refused to be identified yet).
“What the vice governor has said was a clear manifestation that Unega is now on the verge of breakdown and somehow under ‘ventilator’ just to stay alive until the 2022 elections,” they added.
They said the “gist” of the matter is now confirmed and the possible actuality is: Unega’s suffering from fund lack, thus, it’s “powerless”.
They furthered that Unega’s and Love Negros’ unification is only in the guise of unifying Negros.
But the truth is, the incumbents from both parties only want to secure their posts uncontested in next year’s poll.
Ferrer vehemently denied such “heavy” allegations.
He said, the “marriage” of Unega and Love Negros has already instituted a “Districting” scheme for the convenience of members of both parties in raising their respective concerns.
With this, the Lacsons will take care of the First District, the Marañons for Second District and Benitezes in the Third District.
The fourth, fifth and sixth districts will be taken care of by the Ferrers, Arroyos and Alvarezes, respectively.
But some Unega’s members aren’t comfortable with this scheme.
“If “02” is still alive, for sure, he won’t allow this,” they stressed.
Perhaps, it’s true.
Succeeding “02” is no ordinary fate. Not even Thirdy or Cueva or Ferrer can fit in his shoes. It’s a forlorn reality. But kinda “funny”, somehow!
Nonetheless, it’s nice to hear that, as early as now, some Unega members have started to ventilate their “grievances” toward the party leadership.
And I think this is one serious matter that Unega leaders must have to address or else Unega will also meet its “Thing of the Past” status anytime soon.
And if it happens, it’s a “legacy no more” for “02”.
So sad!
Meanwhile, if Unega and Love Negros leaders are really serious in unifying the province then why not create a new party with all Negros politicos as members?
After all, such is an “elusive dream” of the late Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, Jr. that Negros never had.
LIKE A ‘GOLDEN BUDDHA’
In Bacolod, people are so excited with the much-awaited Bing Leonardia-Albee Benitez duel for a mayoral post.
Anywhere you go, barbers, vendors, jeepney and taxi drivers, among others are “thrilled”. They dream of P3,000 to P5,000 on election day.
Former city councilor Lyndon Cana’s candid analysis isthat whoever will give less than P3,000 will surely lose. And someone who’ll be generous enough to give P5,000 is an ultimate winner.
Thus, everyone’s “hallucinating” now.
Bacolodnons define the name or word Albee as synonymous to money. They’re imagining Albee like a “Golden Buddha” sitting on a golden throne. And in front of him is a long and huge red carpet full of money ready to be spread in the air sooner or later.
Bing’s “political submarine”, however, cannot be undermined. The “commandos” are no ordinary guys. Some were retired police generals while others were ex-rebels. They know exactly the city’s political terrains.
And they’re capable of changing Bacolod’s political waves even in a “last minute” situation.
But Albee, dubbed as a “Gaming Mogul”, is also expected to sagaciously play his cards and dices as well. Else, he’ll lose the tag as “Mr. Game Changer” of Negros.
Oh, well, things are really getting “beautiful” and “exciting” in the “City of Smiles” every day.
Thus, chorused by ordinary Bacolodnons: “Don’t worry, be happy!”/PN
