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I got quite some feedback on our item on politics of patronage. I was asked, "Can this be done?"

I said, "Well, it's there. Sammy Palanca is doing it. He said so. And he has become a hero for saying he will do it."

How about if his lawyer Vice Mayor Renecito Novero runs? Can he afford not to support him?" I said, Novero said so -- if he runs next year he'll make it without financial support. I believe him, I said.

Do you really believe that? I was asked. I said, yes. Politicians of old sold or mortgaged their houses or their farms. Some went bankrupt but it was the risk they took.

While I believe in Novero, the fellow would not believe in me. He said if Novero wants to beat incumbent Congressman Monico Puentevella how can he overcome the limitless campaign funds from Malacañang. I said it can be done by presenting himself as independent without a political patron.

He said, given just a little amount Councilor Lyndon Caña can beat them all, being a free and independent official. He said, Caña will make a better lawmaker than executive. I thank Lyndon for his column yesterday.

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The worst accusation and stigma a political leader can have is to be called a lapdog, a lackey, a toady, an errand boy, or locally a "tuta" of a powerful and moneyed person.

In Iloilo, Rodolfo Ganzon held on the leadership for generations by being independent and beating the candidates of Vice-President Fernando Lopez on the issue of "tunga-tunga."

"Tunga-tunga" is a noose in the nose of a carabao which holds the rope to control the animal. On the eve of every election or during the "meeting de avance," Ganzon would have a big parade spearheaded by a carabao with the big name of his opponent being pulled and lashed by people.

And the big crowd mostly corridors or collectors of the daily double supporting him would be in a festive mood making fun of his opponent. Ganzon always won.

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The risk in supporting a candidate is when they win and assert their independence. Those with lapdog mentality will continue to be servile but the real leader will assert himself.

When Carlos Benares won in 1971, it was costly to him when he kept on saying, "I am the mayor." When Bing Leonardia won as vice-mayor in 1992, it also cost him much when he became assertive by running against his patrons. When Oscar Verdeflor won as mayor in 1998, he showed his true maverick color by disowning his patron just a few months after election.

Mayor Joy Valdez showed her being obedient. But she did not win reelection.

And so goes on the history of politics and patronage.

Can this be corrected? Yes, by media.

This may sound self serving and may be criticized but I believe it will be more effective if those with money to help elect good officials support media and media men to be independent, instead of politicians buying them.

I don't know. I plan to discuss this tomorrow at my program Feedback. I invited Rolly Espina, Pert Toga, Ely de los Santos, and Joel Dojillo to take up the topic. You share with us your ideas too.

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On another topic. I have been writing about my friend Romy Niere of Austin, Texas, director of Sowers International for Asia. I like that word, Sower and its logo of a man broadcasting seeds.

It performs religious missions to the Philippines and Thailand. It trains young people and professionals in Christian leadership and evangelism.

This started in 1992 with the visit to La Carlota of Pastor Gwynn Lewis and Brother Craig Kelford of Rolling Hills Convent Church of Palos Verdes, California.

It has plenty of projects, especially among the Muslims of Digos, Davao del Sur where it has an orphanage named after Mrs. Lorna Vicera Niere, late wife of Romy.

The construction of the orphanage was financed from the retirement of Mrs. Violeta Niere, a nurse, wife of Engineer Rudy Niere, former city engineer of La Carlota. He is Romy's elder brother.

Sowers International also has projects in southern Thailand.

This project is among the Muslims and Buddhists of southern Thailand where following the tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands there Sowers International sent Romy there to help the victims.

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Director for Sowers International Community Resource Center is Engineer Philip Pabalate stationed at La Carlota.

He is aided by his wife Josephine L. Pabalate.

Recently nine students with a teacher from the Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida visited La Carlota on a medical mission, project of Sowers International.*

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