A brilliant political strategy

In ancient times, wars were fought by armies using swords and spears. The side with more soldiers usually won. To prevent the vanquished from regrouping, the victors would usually try to annihilate the remaining foes by decapitating their fallen enemies. Thus, the term “going for the jugular” was coined with the dictionary defining jugular as “of or relating to the throat or neck.”

Elections are just like wars. Candidates assume the roles of top echelon military commanders. So the rules of military engagements, in a manner of speaking, are applied to elections. In fact, we often hear from campaign managers their employment of Sun Tzu’s “Art of War” in promoting candidates.

Here in Cebu City, PDP-Laban and Partido Barug are at war with BOPK led by Mayor Tomas Osmeña. In 2016, Osmeña beat Michael Rama. Even if Rama protested the results, for all intents and purposes Osmeña was considered the victor.

Presently, Osmeña appears to be trying to go for the jugular of PDP-Laban and Partido Barug. When he recently filed a case against Rama for the latter’s alleged allocation of funds to the barangays, he wanted to convey a specific message --that he was finishing off Rama’s political career. Indeed, many of us wondered why Osmeña still trained his guns at Rama when his opponent for mayor in elections is Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

I perceive differently. The case was not filed to decapitate an opponent. Rather, it was a remedial measure aimed at fixing an unexpected reality.  This is why I say so. Two surveys were conducted last December almost at the same time in different sitios. The number of respondents was big because it was designed to arrive at a fairly accurate people’s pulse.

The poll gave a stunning, almost incredible, picture. Labella appeared to put up a tremendous, unexpected fight. After all, he was not a “mamon” (political lightweight). If elections were held then, Osmeña was not a runaway winner as mayor. Labella engaged him toe-to-toe. There were sitios where Labella was believed to lose but the result was reverse. Rama, on the other hand, sprinted many points ahead of his rival. Upon their analysis of the survey results, they concluded the original group of Rama, called Team Rama, with a heavy mass base, pulled Labella’s ratings up. The emerging target of Osmeña’s assault should not be Labella. For him to defeat his challenger, he should erode the support of Rama. That was why the case had to be filed.

I was told Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover is constantly sniping at Osmeña in social media, press conferences, and privilege speeches in the city council. I believe what I am informed. Alcover apparently raised many questions that are seemingly difficult for Osmeña to answer. Many times he reportedly challenged Osmeña to a public debate and the latter, for no announced reason, did not accept. The reported monicker attached to Alcover is “Way Kulba”. I surmise this emerging Alcover label must have affected Osmeña’s feeling of untouchability such that the mayor has to address the situation fast. What better way to defang Alcover than hale him to court?

In fine, Osmeña is not doing what he wants us to believe. He is not really going for the jugular. Rather, he is trying his cunning best to camouflage the evolving cracks in his campaign.