Playing with Fire
Politics as “antalosable” art
By Gonzalo Duque
AS of this writing, the `gubernational equation in Pangasinan has gravitated to a confrontation between re-electionist Pogi Espino and graduating Mayor and former Congressman Art Celeste.
Wala pa raw final sa vice governor.
A simple view of the set-up shows the impermanence of political alliances.
In politics, your friend now may become your enemy later.
Tama yung kataga, “there are no permanent friends in politics, only permanent interests.”
The same principle or lack of it applies in Dagupan City.
As of the latest news, nagteam-up na sila Vice Mayor Brian Lim at former Councilor Alfie Fernandez.
Ang katunggali ay re-electionist Mayor Belen Fernandez at hmm, wala pang Vice Mayor, although matunog ang pangalan ni ABC President Brian Kua na dating naka-tandem.
Dagupan’s political game looks to us as something bizarre.
Just for refreshing our memory, former Mayor Al Fernandez was beaten by Benjie Lim due to the backlash created by the gun slaying of bodyguard, a certain Malapit, who was attached to Lim. The crime up to now remains unsolved. Wala pang justice, we declare this: if human justice can’t be secured, divine justice will. We’re sure of that.
Now, back to the Brian- Alfie tandem. As we said, we are wondering what attracted Alfie to Brian, with this stated background.
Your guess is as good as ours.
* * * *
Back to provincial politics. We’re told that former political allies Board Member Raul Sison and Congressman Spines are now at opposite camps in a confrontational manner.
Raul is running for congress against graduating Mayor Jumel Espino, son of Spines Espino.
Now, you see what we meant about the volatility or impermanence of so called friendship in politics… very shallow, artificial and “siliban”
* * * *
How about Dagupan’s headline maker Mocha Uson?
The daughter of our friend former Judge Gary Uson recently resigned as communications Asec, we believe, to try her luck in politics.
For senator? Masyadon atagey met! Maybe as a party-list candidate, OK, may pag-asa.
We wish her the best of luck.
* * * *
Still on politics, we can’t forget a classic statement of then President Sergio Osmena, when his partymates removed Manuel Roxas as speaker of the House.
“You just removed Roxas into the arms of the people.”
Will this apply to Mocha?
We couldn’t forget the regular afternoon sessions of her erpat, Judge Gary, Jun Velasco and us, for a round of beer or two at their house on Amado Street some 15 years ago or so, as we were neighbors.
Mocha would bring us a bottles of beer uncomplaining from Gary’s non-stop directives of “Isa pa nga!’’
Many things have happened since those youthful days. Who would say that our kids would re-group in Malacanang during President Digong’s presidency, Mocha as Asec at the media office, Chip (son of Jun) as director of PMS/ President’s office, and our daughter Pebbles, also director at the President’s office.
Small world talaga.
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