Playing with Fire
The better general
By Gonzalo Duque
TO me, Mayor Belen Fernandez did not lose the last election. In fact, she won as she succeeded in putting eight members of her Team Belen in the Sangguniang Panglunsod. The eight of course includes Vice Mayor-elect Bryan Kua, the incoming presiding Officer who defeated Brian’s running-mate Alfie Fernandez by a mile–more than 11,000 votes.
Mayor-elect Brian Lim, who edged Belen by just 1,239 votes, succeeded in installing just three of his LiFe allies in the SP, one of whom is his mother, Celia.
Perhaps Belen campaigned harder for her team than Brian did for his own team. Just for this, you know already who between the two is the better general.
But how many of Belen’s allies will stay the course and not do a somersault on the side of Brian? The incoming new mayor knows he lacks the number in the SP to pass the major legislation that he wants. He may entice some members of the Team Belen to cross the line by offering them perks (cash of course) that they cannot refuse.
But don’t count Belen out yet. She only has to wait just 1,000 days to bounce back. If she does, she will do it with a vengeance! She vowed to continue her public service with more zeal and dedication even in her private capacity.
Public service is really in her system.
* * * *
The loss of Spine to Mon-mon Guico in the Fifth District congressional race was something really not expected. Many are saying that with the loss of the Espino patriarch, the remaining Espinos in Pangasinan politics may now be easier to crush.
Who can now prevent anyone from salivating at the post being held by Pogi? There would be many and one of them I know would be billionaire Cezar Quiambao, mayor of Bayambang, a rabid anti-Espino, who has plenty of money to spend to assure him of the highest post in the province.
Remember that in Bayambang, Pogi lost to Celeste in the last election. That could be factored on Quiambao who campaigned hard for Celeste.
If he was able to do it easily in Bayambang, one of the vote-rich towns in Pangasinan, he may be able to do it too in the entire province. Art Celeste, who Pogi defeated by less than 200,000 votes, is not down and out. He has a 22-year old son in the person of Bryan Art as his successor as Alaminos City mayor. His brother Noly is the new congressman of the First District succeeding their eldest brother Jesus. Their other kin still controls Bolinao.
Another possible challenger of Pogi Espino is Vice Governor-elect Mark Lambino. If the three will not coalesce and form a united team against Pogi, then there could be a three-way or a four-way gubernatorial fight in 2022.
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In the Fourth District, we see the resurgence of Secretary Raul Lambino especially because his wife Marlyn is the newly elected mayor of Mangaldan. Raul, who admitted he has a debt of gratitude to the De Venecias, Joe and Gina, may still be encouraged to challenge Congressman Toff de Venecia.
Brian Lim may join the fray in the Fourth District as he may consider the post of congressman as his stepping stone to run for the senate if he wants to exploit the massive support of his fellow Jaycees nationwide, having been at one time the JCI World president.
Brian may consider opposing Toff de Venecia if he will be assured that Dagupan will be in the hands of his mother Celia. But I am sure Belen and BK will not allow that.
* * * *
As for us, we already resigned as Commissioner of the Social Security System (SSS) before the elections and just waiting for our successor to be appointed before we can finally bid goodbye to the post.
But immediately after handling our resignation, we were asked to report to the Government Corporate Council which indicated to recommend me to be the new administrator of a government agency. Guess what this is.
Ano ba ito? Kakaalis lang natin sa isang puwesto, mayron na namang susunod na trabaho. Abangan!
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