On joining politics

I was in Catmon last November 1 to pay respects to the dead and visit the grave of my father. Though born and raised in the city, I consider Catmon my hometown. If I trace my roots on both my parents’ side, I’ll start in Catmon.

I actually had the chance to do that when I took a side interest in how my family figured (in a bit) in the political history of Cebu. This was when I was writing the volume on Catmon for the Cebu Provincial History Writing Project, a joint project of the University of San Carlos Cebuano Studies Center and the Cebu Provincial Government.

While chatting on the sidelines with my sources, I learned that my grandfather Jesus Cavada stood as a “Sergingista” (a loyal supporter of Sergio Osmeña Jr.) in a district ruled by Serging’s political opponent, Ramon “Mano Amon” Durano. Lolo Jesus hailed from the Cavada Clan of Toledo City but made Catmon his home when he was assigned as municipal treasurer there.

He married Antipas Sususco, from a family that later figured in the town’s history. Her brother Jesus Sususco served as vice mayor of Catmon for two terms after the EDSA Revolution. Lola Antipas died of illness early in life while my mother was still an infant. My grandfather later remarried Felicidad Orlanes vda. de Collantes.

Incidentally, Lola Feling was the aunt of my father’s mother whose Orlanes roots can be traced to Catmon. Naturally, I too was curious about the role of that side of the family in the history of Cebu. Then I learned from one of my sources, a war veteran, that men from that clan figured bravely in the guerrilla campaign against the Japanese forces. I could recall one of them, a retired USAFFE soldier, given guards of honor and a gun salute during his burial in the late 1980s.

I mention these because I reckon bloodline is about half the reason I might yield to calls for public service in Cebu someday. Yes, that means running for office; entering politics in all its glory and viciousness.

Mind you, the invitation I get comes every so often. People tell me the town council needs a lawyer as member. Obviously this year I did not fill out a certificate of candidacy. I have prior commitments. Also, I am not that naïve to the ways of politics. Though the elections I lost and won happened during my college days, I too had my share of fighting bruising political battles for a few candidates in local elections. But I am not ready to fight my own battle next year.

So will 2022 be the year? I don’t know. If I suddenly take a leave from column writing, then expect my name in some ballot in a year or two. I am not the type to shy away from power and one should not. Just don’t let power use and diminish you. Use it instead—for making things happen and keeping a promise to build your community.

But let me tell you one major reason why a political journey would be very hard for me. I am an advocate for a strong party system. Unfortunately, political parties in the Philippines are defined not by ideology and political identity, but by a sort of complex tribalism and by personal loyalties. Yet, to merely reject this patronage and personality-based party system without appreciating the social basis of its existence reeks of intellectualism.

Maybe there is a middle ground somewhere. That will be a longer discussion.