Unsolicited political advice

By Gonzalo Duque

MINUS the physical violence inflicted by a mediaman on a brother in the industry – may justice be served with dispatch on this – on the last day of filing certificates of candidacy, Pangasinan was peaceful and exciting.

Most attractive sight was Speaker Joe de Venecia Jr., who came with a festive group as if to show to the world that their man is “in na in” despite his 70 years of age.

I am awed by his “forever young” appearance. I fought him twice, and I lost twice. But I felt like  a winner because I learned a lot, with my brothers Cesar who knew all the  campaign  tactics  honed  in his NUSP days, Ado, a top  UST student   leader and president of the Dagupan City Varsitarians, and   youthful  Dr. Pingcoy,  now  the hottest shot in  PGMA’s cabinet. My stock knowledge of politics was handed to us by our late pa, former Pangasinan Governor Paco.

This man, Joe, is really something, a man to beat. I thought I had him cornered and bound for defeat! But history was kinder to him.

No, history was – and is – even kinder to me. Try to find this out.

Ganoon pala ang matalo sa laban. You die a thousand times.  The excruciating anguish, the torment, the angst, the nightmarish thoughts. God knew I tried all formula to keep my sanity… Nasaktan, sinaktan ko rin siya, but he beat me. I must warn those who are not ready and prepared and with an inexhaustible stock of forgiveness to watch their health if they enter politics. You sort of die, defeated.

But in those excruciating moments, I heard from my depths a voice which said “no, son, you fought a good fight, but there is a better place for you.”

Weeks later, I found  myself seated in a corner with the man who beat me. What he didn’t know was that I felt more triumphant, because I was able to conquer the little boy in me, I won over ego, pride, conceit. I discovered courage. The more mature man emerges as I cried alone and let God reign in my heart and soul.

 So without any qualms, I say with confidence, thank you, Kuya Joe, you have made me a better man and a winner in the real sense of the word.

With regard to Mayor Benjie Lim, a fellow Jaycee, personal friend, a cumpadre, co-worker, and someone you’d feel proud of having as a team-mate. I like his guts. What he has done as mayor of Dagupan City is a big pleasant surprise. Wherever you go today, they are talking of Dagupan. Bangus City, bocayo city, scintillating at night, talagang ok.

Under him, the whole world has known Dagupan, now in the Guinness Book of Records.  This is why I pity the day the city would lose Benjie too soon. Mayroon pa naman siyang isang term, diba?.

To Benjie, to Joe de V, to the Agbayanis, Espinos, Amaditos, Resuellos, Al Fernandez, he who has to quit a very prestigious government  job in Manila just to… hmmm  please forget the ego, may dalang lason yan, it kills.

A leader worth his salt should preserve himself, his sanity, and yes, his place in history.

There are a lot of things to do in Dagupan, ha Benjie. You have started many gargantuan projects that are modernizing our physical infras. Huwag kang papadala sa mga kalaban ni JdV sa  speakership who want  to  stop him right  in this election  thru you.

Many bulongs will come from your alleged friends and advisers. Careful, pare ko. Be guided by the warning of the sages: Huwag padadala sa mga bulong bulongan, mga pahamak yan. Instead, listen to the voice of God, your soul, the noblest and the most positive side of your thoughts. Finish what you’ve started.  This is a counsel from a friend, a true friend.

And lastly, my advice to Benjie and other politicos: do not promise when you are happy, and do not decide when you are angry.

 Otherwise, you trip.

*         *         *

At this juncture, I take my hat off to Oscar Orbos who decided to withdraw from the gubernatorial race.

I am not saying he made a good decision because he will lose. No, on the other hand, he may win, as attested to by surveys from the politically unattached, the students, the  youth, parents, the silent majority, type nila si Oca.

I am reprinting here a text message he sent a mutual friend. “I regret I cannot, given the constraints and difficulties, rise up to the challenge to again seek the governorship. I trust I can be worthy to still be given any opportunity and role to serve our people. Whatever be the costs for my actions I will most willingly say Sorry, for all the sacrifices, Dios di aggina, God bless you.” 

Well, Oca, 20l0 is not too far from this day on. Let’s watch. Who knows we can be together in the field again. This is also true to our friends, Bebot Villar and Art Lomibao, both good materials for servant-leadership.

 A sage said, “to withdraw is not a dishonorable act, it is a an act of courage and wisdom.” China, the fast emerging world power today, has underscored that principle: one step backward, two steps forward.”

Good luck, guys and dolls!

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/playing-with-fire/)

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