He had it coming. All the signs are there. Either, he ignores or misreads them. Either way, it does not augur-well a leader material in him. Finally or belatedly, Gibo Teodoro came to his senses. He has to work his own magic if he so desires the highest post of the land. The Lakas-Kampi CMD, the political party he shares with GMA, can not deliver its promised support. Not to him, not even to the small local officials who are part of the brandished machinery that will ensure his victory. The Lakas-Kampi promises are slowly disintegrating into thin air, or evolving to what they truly are—promises.
Even Speaker Prospero Nograles, a staunch Lakas official was taken aback when Gibo finally says quits. Of course, not to be totally hemorrhaged, Gibo says he only quits as party chair (not his Lakas membership or his desire to run for presidency) to focus on his presidential campaign and to allow, accordingly, the party to tap a full-time chair who could respond to the needs of the local officials. But the needs of the local officials, as every Juan knows is very simple—support. Translated in a clearer vocabulary: pera.
Of course, you cannot expect would-be public officials to go higher than that. I mean to support a party with the sheer belief in its ideology and good cause without the precious monetary backing is pure suicidal if not a laughing matter. Everyone knows this: Philippine party system or Philippine politics in general is not run by beliefs, convictions or ideology asked for and demanded by a democratic government. Contrary to what public official says, Philippine politics is not about “serving the people,” it is serving and protecting an interest.
We can now speculate how Gibo thinks. Why is there enough money? Where does the Lakas campaign money go? And more importantly, is he really the administration candidate? The last question is the heart of the issue. Whether Lakas, indeed, does not have enough budgets to launch the 12,000 or so elected positions that the Lakas party desires is its own crisis to explain to its members. Why get so many members that you cannot support anyway? Or who gets what budget in the so many members of its party? Isn’t it better to align the lion share of the campaign money to Gibo and Edu, since they are hitting the highest positions anyway? If they win, you are assured of the support of the local officials? Of course, you have to contend with Speaker Nograles’s deep question and reflection: “What has happened to our party? To each his own?”
Again, the heart-breaking question remains: Is Gibo really is the administration candidate? The political radar does not point to him. His big boss does not say so much of him, even sometimes playing possum in some of the biggest political party rallies in support of Gibo’s candidacy. In the name of the so-called service to the people, Gibo’s big boss prefers to inaugurate a street, or even a basket ball court if need be, than to attend to Gibo’s political party sorties. The cold stance is cold indeed.
However, Gibo should know by now that his big boss makes promises, and takes oath on these promises even on sacred grounds such as the Rizal Park, only to take them back again. I wonder how Gibo felt watching his big boss saying her ultimate contrition: “I-am-sorry!” to this nation. Do you feel sorry when you have not committed a crime worthy of a punishment? But well, we all know by now, that sorry was for show and has nothing to do with moral guilt taught in our Sunday schools. Or simply put, the sorry was a desperate attempt for sympathy, mostly exhibited by cornered rascals caught robbing you of your precious gems. Had the sorry happened, say in Korea or Japan, the public official, would have resigned, to do the least, or do the hara-kiri, to save face.
From day one of the campaign, the political air is already filled with the foul stench of a secret candidate looming around the corner. We wonder, is Gibo really aware of this? Or his own ambition must have blinded him? The least you could do is to check it, and eventually, before you make decisions, confront it. Otherwise, your doom is sealed. With the treachery all over, you can’t help but doubt. The secret meetings, the notorious phone calls, the underground visitations are whispered all over, and can be checked, if only you care to know.
But, oh but, why will the administration not support Gibo? Better still, why will the administration support Gibo? The man has all the qualifications of a true leader. He has an education par excellence, and managerial skill that even his contemporaries will envy. A niece, studying at UST swore to me that Gibo indeed can articulate his programs and has the marks of a true gentleman, whatever that means. However, this is not the issue of this election. Not the talent, not managerial skills, not your well calculated programs of governance, not even, for Pete’s sake, your Harvard diploma.
Again, Bezallel, you have to get back to the root of it all. If your boss does not want to leave his post because he has something to hide or protect, or he is simply greedy for power, will he support your desire to get his chair? If your boss thinks that you are a good advertisement, and simply that, to get back to where he really wants, which is to get the same position at all cost, will he give you the backing you need? If your boss thinks you will not be of help to his ultimate objective, which is to be in the same position where he is at, will he give you support? If your boss thinks that a better candidate will serve his ultimate goal of getting back to where he is at, will it be more rational to support that winning candidate?
The First Gentleman says that the First Family will surely be packing their things to leave Malacañang the moment GMA vacates her post. How come nobody believes him? Really.
tobe_wtdpoor@yahoo.com
Even Speaker Prospero Nograles, a staunch Lakas official was taken aback when Gibo finally says quits. Of course, not to be totally hemorrhaged, Gibo says he only quits as party chair (not his Lakas membership or his desire to run for presidency) to focus on his presidential campaign and to allow, accordingly, the party to tap a full-time chair who could respond to the needs of the local officials. But the needs of the local officials, as every Juan knows is very simple—support. Translated in a clearer vocabulary: pera.
Of course, you cannot expect would-be public officials to go higher than that. I mean to support a party with the sheer belief in its ideology and good cause without the precious monetary backing is pure suicidal if not a laughing matter. Everyone knows this: Philippine party system or Philippine politics in general is not run by beliefs, convictions or ideology asked for and demanded by a democratic government. Contrary to what public official says, Philippine politics is not about “serving the people,” it is serving and protecting an interest.
We can now speculate how Gibo thinks. Why is there enough money? Where does the Lakas campaign money go? And more importantly, is he really the administration candidate? The last question is the heart of the issue. Whether Lakas, indeed, does not have enough budgets to launch the 12,000 or so elected positions that the Lakas party desires is its own crisis to explain to its members. Why get so many members that you cannot support anyway? Or who gets what budget in the so many members of its party? Isn’t it better to align the lion share of the campaign money to Gibo and Edu, since they are hitting the highest positions anyway? If they win, you are assured of the support of the local officials? Of course, you have to contend with Speaker Nograles’s deep question and reflection: “What has happened to our party? To each his own?”
Again, the heart-breaking question remains: Is Gibo really is the administration candidate? The political radar does not point to him. His big boss does not say so much of him, even sometimes playing possum in some of the biggest political party rallies in support of Gibo’s candidacy. In the name of the so-called service to the people, Gibo’s big boss prefers to inaugurate a street, or even a basket ball court if need be, than to attend to Gibo’s political party sorties. The cold stance is cold indeed.
However, Gibo should know by now that his big boss makes promises, and takes oath on these promises even on sacred grounds such as the Rizal Park, only to take them back again. I wonder how Gibo felt watching his big boss saying her ultimate contrition: “I-am-sorry!” to this nation. Do you feel sorry when you have not committed a crime worthy of a punishment? But well, we all know by now, that sorry was for show and has nothing to do with moral guilt taught in our Sunday schools. Or simply put, the sorry was a desperate attempt for sympathy, mostly exhibited by cornered rascals caught robbing you of your precious gems. Had the sorry happened, say in Korea or Japan, the public official, would have resigned, to do the least, or do the hara-kiri, to save face.
From day one of the campaign, the political air is already filled with the foul stench of a secret candidate looming around the corner. We wonder, is Gibo really aware of this? Or his own ambition must have blinded him? The least you could do is to check it, and eventually, before you make decisions, confront it. Otherwise, your doom is sealed. With the treachery all over, you can’t help but doubt. The secret meetings, the notorious phone calls, the underground visitations are whispered all over, and can be checked, if only you care to know.
But, oh but, why will the administration not support Gibo? Better still, why will the administration support Gibo? The man has all the qualifications of a true leader. He has an education par excellence, and managerial skill that even his contemporaries will envy. A niece, studying at UST swore to me that Gibo indeed can articulate his programs and has the marks of a true gentleman, whatever that means. However, this is not the issue of this election. Not the talent, not managerial skills, not your well calculated programs of governance, not even, for Pete’s sake, your Harvard diploma.
Again, Bezallel, you have to get back to the root of it all. If your boss does not want to leave his post because he has something to hide or protect, or he is simply greedy for power, will he support your desire to get his chair? If your boss thinks that you are a good advertisement, and simply that, to get back to where he really wants, which is to get the same position at all cost, will he give you the backing you need? If your boss thinks you will not be of help to his ultimate objective, which is to be in the same position where he is at, will he give you support? If your boss thinks that a better candidate will serve his ultimate goal of getting back to where he is at, will it be more rational to support that winning candidate?
The First Gentleman says that the First Family will surely be packing their things to leave Malacañang the moment GMA vacates her post. How come nobody believes him? Really.
tobe_wtdpoor@yahoo.com
