Political parties are like clothes

By Al S. Mendoza

UP TO NOW, I’m still surprised why many of you are surprised seeing politicians changing parties every now and then.  Don’t tell me you were born yesterday.

How many times have I told you that’s part of the ball game?

An election without a turncoat is not an election.

In our province alone, many politicians change parties when election is near.

Benjie Lim is one.  Our Dagupan mayor sided with FPJ in 2004.

Recently, my own kumpadre, former second district Rep. Teddy Cruz, bolted PMP to join Gov. Agbayani’s Lakas.  It merited front-page treatment in the Sunday PUNCH.

And why not? 

Pareng Teddy is PMP chairman in Pangasinan.  Every political move that he does is grist for news, especially if it involves no less our governor.

Joining Pareng Teddy in the swearing-in before Agbayani were Manong Berting Cruz and Manong Marcial Punzal, both former mayors of my beloved hometown of Mangatarem, incumbent Mangatarem Mayor Nelson Cruz and his wife, and Manong Gil Cuaresma, the former vice mayor.

I wish them luck as I do to others who have switched camps.

As a rule, I don’t take it against anyone changing parties.  They do it for a reason.  Whatever that reason is, I respect it. Politics anyway in this country is basically governed by convenience, rarely by principles. 

Maybe, Nani Braganza might be the only one now who is steadfast in his principles to always act properly as a politician?  And one way to act properly is to stick to one’s party, come hell or high water?

The times, they are a-changing.

Or they haven’t changed at all?

Yes, in politics, allies, like typhoons, come and go.

Usually – and it’s basic common sense – a politician moves to the other side in hopes of clinching victory in the elections. 

In politics, survival is the name of the game.  As one sage said, “Finality is not the language of politics.”

Political parties are like clothes – they are there to be worn for different occasions.

Our culture is so unique in that loyalty is as rare as the Kawasaki disease.  Notice that relatives, siblings even, quarrel bitterly come election time.  Bloodlines are brushed aside in the heat of electoral battles.

Benjie Lim has been a known ally of Tabako, Speaker Joe DV and former Dagupan mayor and now Immigration Commissioner Al Fernandez.

But judging by his actions since 2004, he seems to have drifted away from his political benefactors.  His reason, I don’t want to know. The least I can say is, I might not agree with his moves, but I will respect them all the way.  I will even go to the extent of defending his right to do the things he wants to do.

Politics is just a game that many people never really play.  Usually, they just toy with it.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/general-admission/)

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