By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE POLITICAL “zarzuela” in Bacolod City is over.
There’s even this classical play of the common political perfidy highlighted by the last-minute “jumping ship” scenario that titillated Bacolodnons. Then political “butterflies” or “mariposas” were finally identified anew.
I do hope there’s no sequel on Nov. 14, 2021 (final day for substitution of candidates).
Nonetheless, both Bing Leonardia’s Grupo Progreso (GP) and Albee Benitez’s Asenso for Better Bacolod (ABB) have finally revealed their respective (complete and official) slate during the filing of their certificates of candidacy (COCs).
Bing, the incumbent, and Albee, the billionaire, will duel for the highly coveted mayoral post in Bacolod. Their upcoming derby is regarded as a “battle royale”.
But right after the filing of the COCs, the “wrestling” of doubts followed. A known billionaire and gaming mogul, Albee, also former congressman in the 3rd District, is hailed as Negros’ “king maker” in politics. When rumors came out sometime in January this year that he was running for mayor in Bacolod, lots of people rejoiced. Most professionals, though in silent mode, indirectly support Albee’s quest.
Then, seasoned political operators and purveyors created scenarios to drum up the call – “Albee for mayor!”
With “change” as battle cry, it’s undeniable that lots of citizens and netizens in Bacolod like and favor Albee. Various local radio surveys showed Albee leading against Bing.
Then there’s this “change is coming” as Albee’s bantering line that became a hit not just in every household but also in almost all offices. It’s even bolstered by Albee’s quotable quotes: “I’ve heard enough. I’ve seen enough,” referring to the alleged “gloomy” situation in Bacolod.
People then fantasized that Albee is a “messiah” sent by heaven to really bring genuine change in Bacolod. Hence, they’re expecting Albee to present a clean slate to be called the “Dream Team”.
Alas, shock, disappointments, disgust and frustration “curtly” enveloped Bacolod right after Albee revealed his team on Oct. 5. People tagged such as “Team Recycled”, composed of the former and incumbent city officials still. Worse, most of the ABB wannabes now were also from the GP. Bacolodnons’ high hopes were likened to “daw gadaba-daba nga kalayo nga gulpi lang ginbuhusan sang mabugnaw nga tubig.”
On Facebook (FB), Bacolod’s known and respected political “scientist” Violeta Gonzaga vented her disappointments on Albee and his team. While others exclaimed: “Yogs, amo man lang na gali! Rewind na lang eh!” Then the “clouds” of doubts gradually formed and wrestled in the skies.
In random, here are some of the doubts cast:
# DOUBT No.1:
What’s in the Distrito Family that necessitated Albee to take two of its members – former councilor Atty. Caesar Distrito and his mom, incumbent Councilor Simple, as his vice mayor and councilor, respectively?
The mother and son were GP originals.
Are they the “blessed” ones in Bacolod?
“What’s the deal?” people are asking.
# DOUBT No. 2:
If radio reports and commentaries were true that Atty. Caesar’s “jumping ship” drama (from GP to ABB) was because of Albee’s oleaginous offer, then, what’s probably the feeling now of ABB’s front runners Vladimir Gonzalez, Patrick Lacson, Thaddy Sayson and Kalaw Puentevella who just settled to run for councilor?
Ano ang ara kay Atty. Caesar nga wala kay Vladi, Patrick, Thaddy kag Kalaw? Ang palamangkutanon sang tawo.
# DOUBT No. 3:
If Albee is a real billionaire, why settle for “recycled” political beauties?
Why didn’t he sustain the momentum calling for real change?
Can’t he afford to finance the candidacies of the morally-upright neophytes?
If Albee banters for change, says a friend, then he should be serious about it. He should have recruited new faces or better run alone – that’s all.
# DOUBT No. 4:
People of Bacolod thought that Albee, as what his front runners are saying, will end the alleged corruption at the New Government Center (NGC).
But with his slate – still dominated by former GP people – raises a lot of questions: What’s the real game or business plan?
# DOUBT No. 5:
Is it true that everything now is part of the mission: “Save the King?”
That it is immaterial whether ABB candidates (from vice mayor down to councilors) will lose for as long as Albee will win?
An unimpeachable source says this is not remote.
Quite interesting!
LAST MINUTE ‘HERO’
Meanwhile, the “jumping ship” drama led by the Distritos alongside Councilor Bart Orola and newbie Pao Sy on Oct. 2, 2021 didn’t shake GP. Instead, they made Bing a “Last Minute Hero”.
It led Bacolodnons to empathize with Bing and viewed him as a victim of buzzer-beater political infidelity.
It cannot be denied that upon Albee’s pronouncement of running for mayor in Bacolod early this year, Bing, in the eyes and ears of the public, became “not so sweet” anymore. Everything hurled against the incumbent mayor was so hurting.
Lo and behold the two political “movies” –Al Espino’s “Eased-Out, Walked-Out” and the Distritos’ “Jumping Ship” – both caused negative impacts on Albee’s and ABB’s image and credibility.
Things became complicated when Bacolod Lone District’s Rep. Greg Gasataya’s declaration of running for a third and final term as a neutral candidate.
Greg, also a GP original, was publicly lambasted for his political stance perceived as another form of political betrayal (in a cautious way).
Though Greg made justifications, many weren’t convinced. Political kibitzers and even legal luminaries in Bacolod still insist that using the word “neutral” was foul. They then cited Italian literature guru Dante Alighieri’s famous quote about neutrality: “The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.”
In sum, Greg’s, Al’s and the Distritos’ political dramas are bummers and not blockbusters. They, too, must remember that, per observation, when former vice mayor Thaddy and former broadcasters-turned-councilors Alex Paglumotan and Homer Bais left GP, they just brought with them their names and credibility, but never GP’s solid votes. Thus, these three, after GP, became “perennial losers” every election.
Will Greg, Al, the Distritos, Orola and Sy suffer the same fate?
Anyways, a reliable source says Bing was really hurt. But the mayor held back tears. Instead, Bing asked the loyal ones: “Let’s have focus. Bato’ lang ‘ta!”
GP, during the filing of their COCs on Oct. 6, came out with a full slate and with “a bang” still.
As a quick run through, therefore, it can be said that what’s happening now in Bacolod politics is beyond the usual, but full of excitement./PN
