When the vice becomes the mayor

When, by the grace of the Almighty, or by a certain twist of fate, or by virtue of the powers of the Ombudsman, and by operation of law, the vice mayor ascends to the office of mayor, he or she has two options to take. Option X is to take a hard stance and seize the opportunity of the situation to build his own political advantage. Option Y is to remain loyal to the mayor and consult him in all his or her moves for. After all, he was the one given the political mandate of the office. And the vice was just an accidental occupant.

Those who shall choose Option X would try to immediately establish an image that he is the complete opposite of the mayor. He would say that if the mayor sounded somehow brash or overbearing, he would be diplomatic and very cautious in his language and demeanor. If the mayor was very hard on some agencies or private companies in conflict with City Hall, this time, his temporary replacement would be willing to talk and perhaps to negotiate. If the mayor was very firm and determined to push for certain projects, the replacement would reconsider and reassess the situation. In other words, the people should be notified that City Hall is under an entirely new management, and the current one is not duty-bound to stick to the ways of the one he is replacing.

Ironically, Option Y is the more diplomatic one. The replacement would never step on the shoes of the one he is replacing on a temporary basis. He would always visit and call the suspended mayor and reassure him that he would never reverse any decision or undo any action under the mayor's watch. After all, both of them belong to one and the same party. They ran and won under the same ticket. And, truth to tell, the vice mayor was able to garner victory in areas where he was weak because of the strong endorsement of the mayor. Now that the mayor is down, the vice mayor should not trample on him and figuratively spit in his face, but instead, lift up his spirit. Because by the same measure that he is treating the mayor, he will also be treated likewise by the law of karma, or what we call "gaba".

Option Y is one of delicadeza and "kaikog alang sa kauban". When the vice mayor who is now acting mayor delivers his State of the City Address, it would have been very diplomatic for him to invite the mayor. After all, most of the accomplishments for the last 12 months were due to the vision, the action, the efforts, and the perseverance of the suspended mayor. The vice mayor cannot claim all the things done when the mayor was not yet suspended. True diplomacy means being sensitive to others' feelings. The vice mayor, if he is genuinely diplomatic, should have realized that when one is down he is easily hurt and emotionally affected. The true character of a person is shown when he is victorious and how he handles his victory.

To take Option X is to be vengeful and use the vast powers in his office in a manner that would advance his own political agenda. Option X is opportunistic, self-centered and ungrateful. It is contrary to the traditions and customs of Filipinos, especially Cebuanos. It is a total disregard of the tenets of good human behavior and proper human relations. Option X violates Article 19 of the Civil Code. That every person, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his duties, must act with justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith. Option X may be legally right, but in ethics and in diplomacy "tinimbang ka ngunit sobra." True colors are shown on how you treat an ally who is in distress.

I do not know about you, dear readers. As for me and for my house, we will always be with Option Y. True diplomacy is the only preferable way. And diplomacy is not in Option X. What matters most is that the people know the difference. On the use of power, the people in Cebu City know by now who is "tunay na dakila" and who is not. They will deliver their message come 2025. What goes around comes around.