A season for turncoatism: From durian to balimbing

Indeed, all roads are now leading to Davao. Being in Davao City nowadays is already a status symbol, a badge of honor to be in the vicinity of the center of power. Whereas Mindanao before was the least priority among the destinations of the rich, the famous and the powerful, today it's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to book a flight to Davao, nor make hotel reservations, unless you know somebody or is known to be in the inner circle of the new powers-that-be. The politicians who are bringing "gold, myrrh and frankincense" are all heading to where the star of Davao is shining through.

It is the season of turncoatism, the time to abandon the sinking ships, like the defeated Liberal Party, and to turn their backs to the sad and lonely PNoy who himself is packing his bags and thinking deeply where to spend his time waiting for the "slings and arrows" of political backlash, and perhaps some "karma" with what he and his party did to GMA and to the late Chief Justice Renato Corona. It is the season of betrayals and of political opportunism, to plead for a space in the new bandwagon of the triumphant Mayor of Davao City.

It is now a foregone conclusion that Congressman Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte will be the next House Speaker. Our dear Sonny Belmonte has already offered his white handkerchief of peace to Congressman Bebot. If Senator Koko Pimentel will succeed in his campaign to get the Senate presidency, with the blessings of President-elect Duterte, then we shall face a milestone in our history that the President, the Senate President, and the Speaker are all from Mindanao. And if the Vice President post will finally go to Congressowoman Leni Robredo, then all the four top officials shall come from south outside Manila. It has never happened before.

The NP, the NPC, the Lakas-NUCD, and now the LP turncoats, together with the Makabayan bloc and the Visayan bloc are now in the coalition formed to support Bebot Alvarez. There is no way that Alvarez can be defeated. The problem is the Senate. Koko is being opposed by defeated vice presidentiable Alan Cayetano, and also by Tito Sotto. Should Senate President become a compromise choice, then all the top four officials shall be Visayans. That would also be unprecedented. That scenario of course shall consolidate or solidify the powers and influence of the incoming president.

That is why Davao is now the new Mecca of political opportunists. It is becoming the center of political and economic activities. Business is booming and since the incoming president will most probably spend more time in his own city then tourism will rise and business will prosper in this largest city.

And the new fruit in season is no longer durian but "balimbing" because of turncoat politicians. Principles and ideologies have nothing to do about it all. It is all about political survival and opportunism. If the president would listen to an unsolicited advice: he may have to exercise utmost caution in admitting these opportunists, who shall ultimately undermine and abandon him.