What's the impact of Bakud leaving One Cebu?

One couldn’t help but notice the banner headline of The Freeman last Friday which blared, “Bakud-One Cebu Alliance severed.” Just in case you don’t know, BAKUD stands for Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ng Demokrasya and they have been allied with Gov. Gwen Garcia’s One Cebu Party since its creation. Their severing their ties with the One Cebu Party to join the Liberal Party (LP) is one clear proof of the major flaws of the 1987 constitution where political parties do not exist because of any ideology, but rather they exist because of political convenience.

But then this is still the truism of Philippine politics today… where political parties from the opposing camps gravitate to the powers that be in Malacañang so they too can get a share of the people’s money, which is why there are usually no funds available for basic services. Yet, these are the same people who always get elected into office every election because they also use that “people’s money” to buy the votes of the ignorant electorate.

Yes…this is the kind of democracy we live with today and I’m getting sick and tired of it. Last Friday, June 29, my fellow Philippine Star columnist Atty. Jose Sison wrote a wonderful thesis entitled “What is wrong with our government.” So allow me to reprint a portion of his column.

“Something is really wrong in every administration that has taken over the reins of power in our country. And from my own simple point of view, that wrong lies in filling up government positions either through the exercise of the right of suffrage by our people or through the use of the power of appointment by duly constituted authorities. It is really in the choosing of people to place in government positions whether by election or appointment where the problem lies and where changes are called for.

Elective government positions are won not by those more qualified and with sincere desire to render public service, but by those who can get the votes because of their names made famous by money, machinery or media, particularly radio, TV and movie personalities.” Indeed, that was a great column from my good friend Atty. Sison.

So back to the story of BAKUD. I sort of predicted this party from getting out of One Cebu Party simply because of its family ties. My good friend, Energy Sec. Rene Almendras is after all, a “kaklase” of Pres. Benigno “PNoy” Aquino, III and since Vice-Gov. Agnes Almendras Magpale is his sister, it was a matter of time when the Vice Governor had to be with the LP.

But Vice-Gov. Agnes knows my sentiment… that she should be the one running for Governor… after all, she is not only highly-qualified, she has been a huge pillar in the One Cebu Party and a major contributor to the success of One Cebu Party. But her accepting to run as Vice-Governor to former Councilor Hilario “Jun Jun” Davide, III is totally wrong simply because the highest position that Jun Jun Davide got was only as a councilor of the north of Cebu City. He has no experience as an official in the Province of Cebu.

Hence it would be awkward for the Cebu Governor to be getting advice from his Vice-Governor… in case they win. But the greater wrong here is that, everyone knows that Jun Jun Davide takes orders from Rep. Tomas Osmeña… therefore he is not running for himself… but has allowed himself to be used by his political master. I still recall that when asked by the press what position he was running, his reply was… “Where the party would place me…I will run for that position.” Clearly Jun Jun is not a leader. No doubt he is a very good man, but in these times we are seeking leadership.

So will BAKUD Party’s leaving One Cebu a major disaster for the party of Gov. Gwen? I don’t think so! Danao votes is no longer as solid as in the past when political icon Don Ramon Durano was alive. It has since splintered into the factions of Don, Ramonito and Thadeo Durano.

The last time the Duranos were all together was way back in the 1988 elections when Ramonito ran against Inday Nita Daluz and won because all the Durano siblings supported him. But in 1992, Don Durano ran for mayor against his own mother Ate Durano and supported by Ramonito, but Boy Durano gave his support to Don and they won the elections.

When Boy Durano ran against Don Durano, Boy won the race because he was supported by Ramonito. Now Don Durano and Boy Durano are once again allies because Don is sore at the LP because being LP District Head in Danao, he was betrayed as the political decisions were done in Malacañang and not in Danao. So from the record of Danao’s political history, BAKUD’s leaving One Cebu has little impact, that’s if the PCOS is not used.

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