It's never too early for election alignments

When Rep. Imelda R. Marcos, the former influential First Lady, especially during the Martial Law years, and still flamboyant 82-year old public figure now, fell on stage after her speech, Cebuanos perked up their sympathetic interest. Of course, her stumbling wasn’t pre-planned, but a part of ageing when an upper or lower step is often missed. In fact, in a previous public engagement somewhere, she had also stumbled on stage; thus, getting to be a habit.

 One naughtily believes, however, that her later singing Cebuanos’ “second national anthem” – the famous “Matud Nila” ballad – was a premeditated motivating factor of what was to come the following night’s affair, to capture, nay, recapture the interest and sympathies of the Cebuano audience. In effect, therefore, the August 13 incident seemed ante-climactic precursor showcasing a main event that really recaptured her audience during the second night. It was not an anti-climax at all.

 The second night’s affair though was pre-planned when her family entourage that included the Marcos matriarch herself, Senator Bongbong Marcos, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and a bevy of Marcos youth appeared almost en masse to convey their obviously premeditated message to the Cebuanos.

 Also present was Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodulfo Fariñas, the articulate and bright solon, also the likewise articulate Albay Governor Joey Salceda who had lately advocated the “boycott” of China goods, and South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingoy, also a popular Mindanao politician. The ready excuse was the signing of the sisterhood agreement between Cebu Province and South Cotabato, and the memorandum of economic partnership with Albay.

 As it turned out, in the presence of the Marcos family and the Albay and South Cotabato retinue, including some 80 local officials of three provinces, their speeches were one in endorsing Cebu Governor Gwen F. Garcia who is on her last term, for a Senate seat as the main event.

 With Senator Bong Revilla’s standing endorsement which carries the Cavite vote, it’s not surprising what would happen. “They’re now together from the South, Central, with the North. What’s in Eastern Visayas, is it Leyte (the hometown of Imelda)?” so Bongbong enthused.

 The endorsee though has kept mum on her political plans come 2013. Some local political pundits though, strongly foresee that the lady governor would cast her lot with the family combo of her father, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia, to run for governor, while she slides down to Vice-Governor. Thereafter, her father gives up as Governor in favor of his daughter Vice-Governor. Thus, by such maneuver, Gwen Garcia would still be Governor for another separate term, as continuity of her previous tenure would be legally interrupted.

 Well, how’s that for a politically sly “sleight of hand!” Should any question arise from the “merry-go-round” later, the courts are prone to dilly-dally. Besides, motions for reconsideration, in case of whatever decision, also eats time slower than the proverbial snail.

 With the Marcos political hegemony in the North, with Ilocos Norte as the focal bailiwick, they can easily maintain their game of “musical chairs.” Senator Bongbong Marcos has yet a long tenure to serve his 6-year term, Rep. Imelda Marcos has the same long time in Congress, and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos also has similar privilege to finish her term. “Musical chairs” for rising generations of the Marcos brood are reserved seats.

Meanwhile, Cebu’s Governor also has the alternative luxury to serve a senatorial seat, as well as any position in the local scene. In short, she has a wide field of choice and, has even the luxury to play “hard to get” to whatever possible endorsements.