By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
ON AUGUST 26, some 200 politicos from Negros and Siquijor islands took their oath as members of the ruling Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. at a hotel in Bacolod.City.
PFP national president and South Cotobato governor Reynaldo Tamayo declared they already got the “super majority” of local politicians in the new Negros Island Region (NIR)
Tamayo said that aside from their newly-recruited members, PFP also has standing alliances with other national political parties like the late Danding Cojuangco’s Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Manny Villar’s National Unity Party (NUP), and House Speaker Martin Romuladez’s Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).
Well, there’s nothing new. It is a given fact that whoever the President of the country is, local politicians “crawl” towards him or her. Hence, Tamayo’s declaration about a “super majority” isn’t a major bang in the local political arena.
‘HEADACHE’
Rather, that “super majority” may become a “headache”; it could result in “collisions” among local bets of PFP in NIR.
As early as now, it is perceived that many Negros politicos will gonna be like “Cain and Abel”, sons of Adam and Eve bugged by envy and betrayal issues.
That’s why Tamayo himself told a press conference that PFP has to come up with a steering committee to handle the projected mess in Negros.
The steering committee will promulgate its own rules and criteria in choosing official bets for local positions in NIR.
The “equity of the incumbent” principle may not be taken into consideration as Tamayo stressed they need to ensure the “winnability” of their local frontrunners.
But what will happen if and when incumbent mayors, vice mayors, or councilors are not chosen as PFP-NPC-NUP-Lakas official candidates? A political disaster in the offing?
‘ZONA LIBRE’
Tamayo cannot ascertain if zona libre (free zone) can be declared in contentious NIR areas given that, as early as now, some of the towns and cities in the new administrative region are confirmed to have “exciting bouts” among the President’s political allies.
Let us take the case of Silay City.
Incumbent Mayor Joedith Gallego will be challenged by come-backing mayor Mark Arthur Golez – both are now PFP members.
In Kabankalan City, sitting Mayor Benjie Miranda is said to be contested by former governor Isidro Zayco.
Miranda is a PFP while Zayco is currently head of NPC in Negros Occidental, which also allied with the President’s political party.
In EB Magalona, outgoing Mayor Marvin Malacon’s son Matthew Louis who is running for mayor will be challenged by Councilor Wyndel Depasucat, but both are PFP members.
Same thing will be happening in Talisay City where the two the vice mayoral wannabes – incumbent VM Nicolai Jalandoni and his challenger, Councilor Gab Villacin, are both PFP new recruits.
So, how will PFP resolve this matter?
But, let’s just wait for the next 26 days.
POLITICS AND RESPECT
One that caught my attention was Negros Occidental vice governor Jeffrey Ferrer’s bantering line about politics and respect.
Ferrer is opting to abandon his current post (despite having one term left) to run for congressman in the 4th District.
Too, it is confirmed that his challenger is no less than former regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 6-turned-undersecretary of the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD), Engr. Lea Delfinado.
This Ferrer-Delfinado duel is said to become a “battle royale” in the south of Negros Occidental.
But Fe rrer, a seasoned politician of his generation, has never said anything bad against Delfinado.
Instead, he said he respects Delfinado’s decision to contest him and, whoever wins between them, the people of the 4th District will still be of utmost priority.
He said, “Let the people decide. Let God make the way.”
My salutation for the vice governor.
KISS AND MAKE UP
In Bacolod City, what is being floated right now is the BiGregSing versus ElBeeCi.
BiGreSing stands for Bing Leonardia, Greg Gasataya and Ising Salangga for congressman, mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
They will be up against ElBeeCi or El Cid Familiaran, Albee Benitez and Cindy Rojas in the same sequence.
Well, will this happens? Will there be “kiss and make up” between Bing and Greg, both stalwarts of Grupo Progreso?
Pairing them again in one party will surely make the Bing-Greg tandem beyond formidable.
But going against the El Cid-Albee ticket is another story (just in case). Matira ang matibay.
Politics is politics where stupidity is not a handicap, according to Napoleon Bonaparte, French military officer and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution.
Hoping for the best!/PN
