We’ll tell you a secret

By Gonzalo Duque

AFTER the filing of their certificates of candidacy, our would-be elective officials are off on the campaign trail.

We would like to share our personal experience as a former provincial official.

Know what, we were probably plain lucky because despite the political juggernaut, we survived the well-organized political machine of the then ruling party of Tita Cory in Pangasinan.

We were then vice gubernatorial bet in the team led by then former Gov. Aguedo F. Agbayani, yes the ever popular ex governor.

The unbelievable happened. Agbayani was beaten by administration bet Rafael M. Colet! Know why?

Colet had a better, well-oiled machine. He had complete municipal slates.

Sikami, anggapo ray kandidato mi ed pigaren bahley. In short, agkami organizado ed pigaran paspasen.

We wonder if this ticket being put by Nani Braganza won’t suffer the same fate as that of our then Agbayani-Duque ticket.

Why did we survive? Because of sheer effort and probably our identification with Cory because we were in her OIC slate! And other factors like our opponent then was an old man, Nick Montemayor from Alaminos town.

If true, we salute former PNP director general Art Lomibao that he has decided to throw his cap in the vice gubernatorial ring. We gave him a doctorate in government service when he was at the PNP.

But it’s an uphill fight! The incumbent re-electionist Ferdie Calimlim is doing superbly well. He belongs to a great performance team led by re-electionist Gov. Amado “Spines” Espino is extra-strong given his shining performance, logistical machinery and support of leaders. He has been endorsed by Noynoy’s tycoon cousin, former Rep. Mark Cojuangco.

Ay karakkel so bilib ed Spines. Ag ondogay listaan no bitlaen ti ra.

What’s the picture in Dagupan naman?

Ay maka panerbiyos, agagui. Baleg ya saliwan. Singa itayo walad tindaan. Anta yo la so labay tayon ibabaga.

We have a Dagupeno friend. He said he found local candidates singa no ninong tan ninang ira, angkakabaleg ya kuarta so ibontok da. This friend of mine was able to “catch” more than P7,000 just staying at home. Mansasbi, Kuya! Gabay ko yan panaon! Labay mo, do you know what will make that of you?

  Andibale la, Kuya, ta pyan natawayan ti met so grasyay eleksyon! Inatey so Pilipinas! 

* * * *

Siopay imbotom balet ey? We asked. “Ay sikreto la tan a.”

See, even if you give cash, there’s no guarantee that the “bought one” will give you his vote.

We just smiled. But deep inside we were crying. We were haunted by the expression “you get the government you deserve.” Dakkel ni nasaliw, Manny. 

* * * *

PPC’s Media in Action guests were the father-and-son team Roy Macanlalay and Mark Macanlalay of Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Enebatan de ray isyu ya impresinta na Vega team nen Wilson de Vera tan Ferdie Galang nen imbeneg ya simba.

Marakep so demokrasya ed Calasiao.

That’s healthy democracy for you and us.

* * * *

Next week, the ticket of Binalonan mayoral candidate Renato Legaspi will guest at our Media in Action.

So many are lobbying to guest at our forum. We advise executive director Ging Cardinoza to exercise judicious fairness in dealing with politicians so that no one will suspect that we are favoring certain candidates.

The reason we have remained credible is because we deal with politicians with detachment. Probably after the Legaspi interview, we shall also allow the other side led, we understand, by either Monching or his son, Mon Mon Guico to guest in the forum.    

Good luck ed sicayon amin.

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