The Lakas-Kampi union of expediency

In vintage political tradition among Englishmen and other Europeans, they almost always fixedly adhere to their time-honored political parties, like, the conservative Tory Party and its nemesis, the liberal Whig Party of old England.

Among Americans, it has also become an unwritten rule and tradition, once a Republican – or the opposite Democrat – they stay unchanging in party loyalty, down to their lineage or bloodline. A recent rare exception involves Pennsylvania Republican Senator Arlen Specter who crossed to the Democrats, following 200T Pennsylvania Republicans changing party allegiance.

Any change of party affiliation has to be exceptionally justified, especially among their leaders; otherwise, the shifting of colors is viewed as an act “lese majeste”, or tantamount to treason that warrants pariah treatment. It’s like the Cebuano colloquialism bordering on local atavism, thus: “Ungo si tatay mo/ Ungo si nanay mo/ Ikaw kay anak man/ Ungo mong tanan”.

Out here in old ‘Pinas, jumping political fences ala chameleon in adapting to what is politically – and financially? – convenient, has become a seamless vogue. All it earns of the fickle political sphinx is a momentary – but ultimately ephemeral – monicker of a “balimbing” or political prostie or butterfly, or pesky gadfly.

A lesser evil to being a gadfly or “balimbing” is a merger or “union of expediency” – short of figurative marriage – of political parties or blocs. The recent example is that of the “living-in partnership” of the Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas) and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) which, obviously, is in preparation for the 2010 elections. In fact, Pres. Arroyo effusively boasted that the Lakas-Kampi combo is the admin’s “finest weapon and perhaps our guarantee for success in the 2010 elections”… Or, as some naughty observers opine, a stratagem to strengthen efforts to abort the 2010 elections.

T’was a no-brainer why the two now unwanted leaders emeritus of Lakas – ex-Pres. Fidel Ramos and deposed Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. – who created the once impregnable Lakas, and once indispensable voices were bypassed, muted at the tolling of its death knell.

No wonder Joe de V came out boiling mad over the merger with GMA’s Kampi, and calling the Lakas-Kampi CMD as a “monster, like KBL” of then powerful but later befallen Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. Likewise, the “El Tabaco” whom the Palace did confer with fluffery, if not outright flattery, as its plenipotentiary ambassador to everywhere and nowhere, hasn’t taken with grace or gusto, the virtual pol obituary to the once invulnerable Lakas.

There’s no question that even with the still extant Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Liberal Party (LP) – but each now a far-cry from the power blocs of old – and their virtual fading out, it was the Lakas that put finis to the KBL and did it in, from the political scene.

As to whether or not the Lakas-Kampi CMD could weather well the stormy seas and shark-infested intrigues of Philippine politics, and survive for long without turning belly up ultimately, is a matter of sensitive speculation. Aside from Ramos and De Venecia, others who once swore fealty by Lakas as their political “esse” have also lamented and mourned over its demise.

Keen observers may be on target in opining that the merger will lead to the final emergence of Kampi as the preferred party of GMA and her ilk. And Kampi’s erstwhile frontmen, like, DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno and vociferous Rep. Luis Villafuerte would eventually defer to GMA and the FG, and their two incumbent congressmen sons as the formidable First Family, having the final say.

Expect as well the political chaos and sly maneuverings among the now extinct separate parties of Lakas and Kampi fanatics at the regional, provincial, and local levels, out-hustling and stabbing one another in intrigue just to be the anointed candidates.

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