Amazing politics!
Politics, its dynamics employed by most of our elected officials, does not fail to amaze me. While sipping coffee in an uptown shop that is frequently visited by politicians, I overheard a lively exchange of thoughts by known personalities. To be honest, I sat where I would be less visible. This article is a fearless summation about the possibility of two projected teams.
1. A former barangay captain of a north district mountain village was “summoned” to the office of a national official. From what I overheard, I got to write down the name of Rene Limotan, who used to be the chief of Barangay Guba. He was asked to be the campaign organizer in the mountain barangays for the national official who is set to run as city mayor in partnership with a son of a former city vice mayor. The fund offered as honorarium for the work to do was difficult to reject. But, to the disbelief of the men in attendance, the former barangay captain politely declined the offer. Speaking with guarded humility, the villager gave two reasons for saying no. His number one reason was his loyalty to former mayor Tomas Osmeña. Accordingly, he owed Osmeña deep favors and he was unprepared to turn his back to him.
The other reason Limotan allegedly mentioned was his presumed loss of his previous clout in the mountains. That sounded realistically convincing considering that barangay voters tend to wait for the choices of their village leaders. Not being the chairman of his barangay anymore, diminished his persuasion.
In the assumption that what I overheard at the coffee was true, I was thoroughly impressed by the honesty of the former barangay captain. What he did was unexpected in the treacherous world of politics but it was refreshingly honorable. Frankness, to me, even if it should appear brutal, is always better than pretense. Specially in the situation faced by Limotan. His was a rare act. Not many people would have the courage to decline an offer from such a high national figure as a presidential assistant.
2. Another projected tandem for the leadership of our city in the yet still distant 2022 elections that I overheard in the coffee shop is that of a moneyed block. A wealthy congressman on his last term will pair with a rich businessman who leads the very potent association of barangay chairmen. Their combined resources, if they indeed come to band together, will most probably be unmatched. When they shall have started their comradeship, they will be expected to carry the loudest noise.
I do not know much of the congressman aside from allegations of making sure that city funds be used to benefit his school by way of scholarship covers for students enrolled in his school. As all other voters, I am in search of the truth. I hope the congressman can bare it.
My question on his leadership is also his ability to search for the truth. The neighboring Barangay Banilad has staked a claim on a portion of Barangay Kasambagan. This is evidenced by a marker placed in Sitio Univille, an area which I know to be a part of our barangay. As a resident of Kasambagan, I will support his leadership if he can show his courage to defend our boundaries.
Indeed politics amazes me. Proof? My discussing it here two and a half years before election.
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