Administration
strategy - divide and unite

Sometimes, one finds wisdom among the most seemingly innocent. And that was what happened to me this week. I was toying with the speculation as to the list of potential electoral bets in Bacolod. Per se, that was an exciting guessing game, although my deep throat had already signaled me on the ongoing talks.

Suddenly, out of the blue, my close friend called my attention to something queer.

"Don't you think it strange that the protagonists in this year's local elections belong to the parties that are allied with the President? Something very strange is going on," said my businessman friend.

No, not strange. But it's a question of a slight of hand trick. Now you see it, now you don't. In short, except for some of those involved, the outcome expected is that the President will be sure to have the majority of the congressmen and the senators on her side when the elections are over. Which means that she could not be impeached. And what better way to do it than to allow the desires of one of her allies to get the better of things and just let them fight it out. The victors will still remain her loyal followers.

That sort of jolted me. I had never given much thought to the grand strategy behind the administration's posture. Like most, I found myself bogged down on the personalities rather than the party issue. After all, parties are a dime a dozen and do not matter much anymore in Philippine politics. Politicians crisscross from one part to the other with complete ease and with no feeling of guilty.

Anyway, come to think of it, it now seems that Bacolod is going to witness a Lakas-NUCD versus NPC (or UNA) fight.

On the other hand, you have Mayor Evelio Leonardia vying for reelection with Vice Mayor Renecito Novero as his candidate for Congress. Incidentally, Novero just recently joined the Nationalist People's Coalition of Danding Cojuangco. Leonardia's vice mayoralty bet remains on the balance, although the one most often mentioned is Jude Thaddeus Sayson.

In the opposite camp, it is already settled, flag carrier will be former Mayor Luzviminda Valdez for mayor. Her tandem for Congress is reelectionist Rep. Monico (Newks) Puentevella. It was only yesterday when my deep throat told me that it had already been almost settled - her vice mayoralty candidate will be councilor Elmer Sy.

All those on the Valdez side are Lakas-NUCD members. The ticket, though, can remain mix. Councilor Lyndon Caña, though, is reportedly bent on running for the vice mayoralty as an independent candidate.

Now, consider the developments in the First District. There comebacking former Rep. Jules Ledesma is reportedly taking on reelectionist Congressman Tranquilino Carmona. Worse, he has even submitted his list of local bets for the various cities and towns of the First District.

So, in short, you have two allies of the President jousting with each other. And they will come out soon with their complete slate. Which means, a bloody wrestle. The issue, though, whoever comes out ahead will still be for the President.

Or at least, so does the genius behind the strategy may have thought would be the outcome.

The only problem with that - the winners of a bruising fight may now consider themselves having won by themselves and could consider the possibility of recouping their investments by playing coy when Congress convenes for a completely new session. Then, that could prove pyrrhic.

Anyway, it's a legitimate move, a grand strategic vision that could generate the needed results.

But, as I had mentioned, it still has in its goal the very seeds of possible conflicts. Especially when the winners find out that they owe the administration not much for whatever they had to spend for their own victory.*

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