Tip O’Neill, the former US House Speaker, used to say that “all politics is local”. As always, political participation in the Philippines is characterized by a history of patron-client relationships, the provincial caciques bank on their political machinery which can deliver votes, sourced from their economically controlled constituents, found in big haciendas, and other related big businesses which evolved into perfection during the Martial Law years. The oligarchy/ politically powerful/ wealthy ruling class have resources to mobilize opinion leaders, poll watchers, and enforcers; their power, akin to a Mafia enterprise, with some form of “bullying of a weaker, economically disadvantaged group” and “coercion of those with vested interests or within their sphere of influence”, making candidates beholden to various bosses in the countryside, for without them they could not be elected to office. Compounding the problem, these Mafia -like bosses run for public office themselves. The political pot is boiling, churning rumors, bandwagon catch phrases, and some attempts at glossing over some politicians, recycled or otherwise, an attempt to hitch to the popularity of a predecessor.
In publicly declaring her bid for the Presidency, Grace Poe recited her 20-point program, a “halo-halo” of media sound bites, motherhood statements, such as corruption, freedom of information, peace talks with rebels, the West Philippine Sea, infrastructure development, road traffic, tax reform ,Internet speed, education, agriculture, high cost of power, OFWs, crime and illegal drugs, human rights, PhilHealth, arts and culture and sports, climate change, tourism, etc. with no specifics, designed to give potential voters, what they want to hear, drummed up by sympathetic media to evoke emotions for the late Fernando Poe. Sound familiar?
The announcement came with a lot of implications to the local scene, with quick response of the second largest political party, Nationalist People Coalition (NPC) leadership, of possible sponsorship. Formerly, the Liberal Party was banking on its “coalition” with NPC, from the national to the local level. With Poe topping the SWS survey, a phenomena of “jumping the ship” ensued. If NPC is set to support Poe, what will happen to the local coalition of NPC/LP that support Mar Roxas?
Elections 2016 is eight months away, more or less; developments may happen locally that will astound voters. Definitely, Vice Mayor Woodrow Maquiling is the mayoralty candidate aligned with Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbaria and Congressman George Arnaiz as governor — a formidable NPC team as they hold incumbent positions and have known track records. In form, some NPC members support Grace Poe or VP Jojo Binay. Will party discipline hold?
As far as Partido NegOrense is concerned, incumbent Governor Roel Degamo, the local standard bearer running for another term as of this date, previously declared support for Mar Roxas. What remains to be seen if his newly launched party, composed of a mishmash of local political leaders of various political alliances will hold. It is an open secret that some of those in his Partido NegOrense support Vice President Jojo Binay or Grace Poe. Abangan!
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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com
