By Farah G. Decano

 

SENATOR Chiz Escudero is widely regarded as a staunch Marcos loyalist. Even during his time at the UP College of Law, he made no secret of his admiration for the deposed dictator, Ferdinand E. Marcos.

This stance is understandable, considering his father served as the late president’s Minister of Food and Agriculture. Senator Chiz resisted the prevailing anti-Marcos sentiments within the UP environment, remaining steadfast  to the Marcoses.

Senator Chiz’s unwavering adherence was seemingly vindicated when the dictator’s son, now President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., elevated him to Senate President.

Lately, however,  he has orchestrated a protracted process in the impeachment of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, who now spearheads the majority of the anti-Marcos forces. He, along with 18 other senators,  remanded the Articles of Impeachment back to the House of Representatives.

By delaying the proceedings against VP Sara, has Senator Chiz suddenly become a “balimbing” (a Filipino term for turncoat)?

There’s one compelling rationale for such a shift: political survival on the national stage.

More political candidates endorsed by VP Sara secured Senate seats than those backed by BBM. Even those languishing in the surveys—Imee Marcos and Camille Villar—still ascended to the top 12 after VP Sara publicly endorsed them. Furthermore, the prominence of BBM’s cousin,  Representative Martin Romualdez, as Speaker of the House is waning, facing new challengers to his position.

Amidst the backdrop of seeming polarization between northern and southern leaders, the appointment of an Ilocano, Honorable Raul Villanueva, to the Supreme Court only seems to reinforce this perception. He is BBM’s inaugural appointee to the Supreme Court.

Does Senator Chiz seek entanglement in the burgeoning rivalry between the North and the South? Must he tread cautiously to ensure his political longevity?

Who wouldn’t be apprehensive of VP Sara? She has retained her formidable popularity despite extensive exposés leveled against her. She remains the foremost contender for President in 2028.

Should she attain the presidency, she will undoubtedly mirror her father’s approach—benevolent towards allies but unrelenting against adversaries. Her pronouncements against the Marcoses are incisive. She projects an image of taking no prisoners; the annihilation of enemies is most likely the path she will pursue.

No political leader or appointee would, in all probability, wish to suffer the same fate as former Senator Leila De Lima and former Supreme Court Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno. Not even Chiz, perhaps. Hence, this perceived deliberate delay in the impeachment proceedings.

On the other hand,  Chiz’s political history ineluctably links him to the Marcoses. No, he cannot forsake his courageous loyalty to them.

This slow pace of the impeachment may still, after all, be part of BBM’s strategy. The President is  renowned for his discreet maneuvers.

How might these “endless” delays benefit BBM?

First, it aims to prevent further national division. BBM may prefer to devote his energies to meaningful projects and forge a lasting legacy rather than expending resources quelling unrest.  A highly unstable political environment is detrimental to the economy. It will eventually inflict greater hardship on the nation.

Second, VP Sara will most likely be acquitted regardless, especially given that a significant number of senators have

demonstrably exhibited their bias. The VP’s acquittal will only bolster her popularity but will erode BBM’s grasp on his government. A victory for the VP in these proceedings is a figurative decapitation of BBM’s authority as leader – a very humiliating one.

Whether Senator Chiz has defected or not, it appears VP Sara is triumphing in this political chess game. The opponent’s Queen is surviving.

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