Tragedy for the Liberal Party

Hole of Justice

by Peter G. Jimenea
 

Sen. Drilon - the eventual loser

 

Barring untoward circumstances, we’ll hear the buzzer for 2013 elections next month. All presidential contenders are expected to have already prepared their line-up to field in the upcoming battle.

One is Sen. Franklin Drilon who contacted all mayors of the Second District of Iloilo for a conference at Hotel Del Rio, last Saturday, December 17, 2011.  It is for the giving of Cong. Augusto Syjuco’s CDF directly to them. What a pompous show of leadership.



The PDP Laban of Vice President Jejomar Binay is likewise seen preparing for a good fight. Not to be left behind is the KAMPI Party of now jailed Congw. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose fate depends largely on the results of the upcoming two elections.

The 2013 election results could also be a crystal ball of the presidential battle in 2016. As noted Sen. Drilon had been bringing with him bulk of projects to the city and province of Iloilo as part of the plan. It’s not surprising being a close ally of Pres. Pinoy.

What’s more, Drilon is often seen with Sen. Mar Roxas, the perceived standard bearer of the Liberal Party in 2016. It is widely believe, however, that he could not be in tandem with the latter as they are both from Western Visayas.

All that he can do is to campaign hard for the Liberal Party’s presidential bet to win in 2016. He had worked with all the prior presidents and he fears to lose this privilege. But it is easier said than done. Foremost, he has to conduct first a loyalty check in his backyards – the Region 6.

But as noted, his local bets in the city have been affected by the non-stop issue of corruption that reeks with domino theory. Add to this misery is the growing popularity of VP Binay among the masses which is very alarming for the Liberal Party he loved most now.

Worse, his two protégées in Iloilo City, Cong. Jerry Trenas and Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who pompously claim they are still united cannot hide from observant political animals their camaraderie with a distance as if one carries a contagious disease.  

Cong. Trenas should now forget his dream of returning back as the city’s chief executive because Mayor Mabilog as easily gleaned, would not concede. Thus, Sen. Drilon mediates to maintain his grip on the two leaders and to preserve the gained political foothold of the Liberal Party in the city.

But the entry of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as Vice President of Binay is another cause for alarm of the Liberal Party. The Estradas have proven last elections that they still have the bulk of loyal supporters. VP Binay, on the other hand, excelled the popularity of Pinoy in the latest survey.

It’s really alarming. But the nightmare of the Liberal Party is the survey for the most popular senator. Sen. Roxas was only in the 6^th placed while Sen. Francis Escudero bagged the number one spot.  So there is no guarantee that Roxas is a strong standard bearer of the Liberal Party.

The tragedy of the administration is when only two political parties will slug it out in 2016, the Liberal Party of Roxas and the PDP Laban of Binay. CGMA knew that like Pres. Pinoy, Sen. Roxas doesn’t like her and Drilon too, who is closely allied with them. A torment for CGMA if the president-elect is a Liberal Party!

Few have the faintest idea that KAMPI Party has still followers and can forge an alliance with the PDP Laban to ensure Binay’s victory but, on certain conditions. A pardon by the next president is a dreamed heaven of CGMA and family. And who says this is impossible?

Sen. Drilon who only have a heart for mayors, congressmen and governors is the eventual loser. He always snubbed his lowly constituents and now they are returning to him the favor with a vengeance. The “snubbing” by local media of his presscon last Saturday, December 17, is already a vital document by which I shall judge him!