Lovers’ quarrel

There had been rumors, some said in whispers, some on radio but there is nothing to hold on. So the suspected parting of ways of Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Rep. Anthony Golez could not be confirmed until  last week when news of the exchange of words came out of the press.

Is this a lovers’ quarrel or is this for real? Are we seeing the confirmation of what had been rumored since last year? Or is this part of a political game plan?

Mayor Bing has not said anything to confirm nor has Rep. Anthony said something that would indicate an irreversible clash of interests. Spats or disagreements among members of the political party are not uncommon. All we have to see is the debate among the contenders to carry the presidential banner of the Republican Party for the November election. Their debate brings out the best man.

Of course American political rivalry is different from our own. They debate and then they unite for a common fight against their rival and carry the same banner of their platform of government.

In our case, there are no platforms, only forms and personalities that change with the whiff of the wind. Filipino politicians’ alliances are good only for a moment and for convenience. Alliances are discarded as fast as the next best offer.

Let’s take a look at this spat between the mayor and the congressman. Golez criticized the planned disaster risk reduction summit claiming that the summit is a “waste of money”. We know that Golez is somehow an “expert” in disaster and relief operation since he was in Malacanang.

He also claimed that the summit is not needed because he has already ensured that equipments and response capability are already in place. The message is that Bing is merely duplicating what he had already done.

Is Bing undermining or belittling Golez’ achievements in this case?

Mayor Bing retorted that the congressman should tell that to Sen. Aquilino Pimentel who, the mayor said, offered to fund this project. It was not solicited and from the report, Golez admitted that this project is that of the senator.   

That would have been easier to resolve – it was the senator who offered to fund the project  so that if there is any duplication and wastage of money should not Golez address that to the senator and,  in fact, the mayor suggested that the congressman do so?

But Golez added a snide, cutting remark – the city government should instead address the garbage problem which is getting into the nerves of many people. The garbage problem is putting the city on edge but it is doing the best it can.

That remark about garbage raised the mayor’s hackles with a riposte that Golez should go and tell the senator because this project belongs to the senator and paid by his fund. The city will lose nothing but gain whatever the summit can achieve.

Easy enough, right? Well, maybe but not quite if things were normal. The flies in the ointment are talks that the congressman is eyeing to run for mayor of Bacolod in 2013 against Leonardia’s anointed, Vice Mayor Thaddeus Sayson and Golez’ reported running mate (I mean tandem for Vice Mayor) is the wife of Senator Pimentel.

Is the senator aware of this rumored political alliance – his wife and Golez? If so, did he inform his wife about this offer that riled the congressman?

I would suppose that if there is truth that the senator’s wife is running for Vice Mayor and in tandem with Golez, then I further suppose that the senator should be helping his wife get elected. Right?

Maybe not quite right, otherwise instead of offering the project to Mayor Bing,he should have offered it to Golez to boost his candidacy and to help his wife.

Conversely, did the senator offer this fund to Bing to undermine the main achievement of the congressman and thus undercut his chances of winning as mayor of Bacolod and his wife as Vice Mayor?

The title is a lover’s quarrel – that of Bing and Anthony. Now I am beginning to reassess the proposition and find out which lovers are quarreling.

If indeed this quarrel is for real and beyond repair then the election of 2013 will be an exciting one. This can be the opening of a public salvo.  Golez has somehow drawn a line on an issue – garbage – on which the Leonardia administration will be judged though not directly to him but to Sayson who will face Golez.

The problem with this issue is that it can disappear in the event the city finally decides to privatize garbage collection and the streets are cleaned up. Sayson is taking a direct hand in this and can rise or fall on this issue.

Lover’s quarrel can be patched up, at least in politics.*

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