Rumors or psywar?

The spate of speculations on whether Negros Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. is running for re-election or not, whether it is Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez who is really running for the UNA nomination, whether the majority of the town and city mayors are still pro Marañon or not gave rise recently to questions whether there is truth to all the rumors.

And there was also a suspicion that the entire thing is but a part of a prolonged psychological project that precluded any group or anybody actually vying against the incumbent UNA officials.

The latter speculation may just be guesswork. But there is a reason for the suspicion. Except for the one instance of the mention of former Governor Rafael Coscolluela being egged to run again by his supporters, nothing more was heard of the opposition. Or whoever they may be.

For some time, I have been intrigued by the flood of rumors about the impending rift in the ranks of the UNA members. And the alleged frustrations by some disgruntled mayors against Marañon. And the seeming reticence of UNA chairman Emeritus Danding Cojuangco regarding Marañon’s choice as re-electionist governor.

And, of course, the repeated protestations and affairs set up by UNA to proclaim its unity against the split rumors.

And, of course, the re-scheduling of the party’s general assembly to sometime in August. I don’t, of course, believe that UNA has a cadre of psy-war officers in the stable of its brain trusts. But I have known for some time now that some retired military officers are in the employ of some of the UNA top hands.

Thus, over the past few months, you have the names of Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District) I mentioned as a possible gubernatorial candidates. Vice Governor Marañon? No mention was made of the possibility. Thus, we believe that it is just a teaser, to determine whether the opposition bites it. It makes it more credible when the name of former Rep. Charlie Cojuangco was mentioned as possibly staging a comeback with Congressman Ferrer as running mate.

Of course, what makes it more credible that the rumors have basis on facts is that the UNA is a local coalition of several political parties. Thus, with Rep. Albee Benitez heading the Liberal Party, it is logical to suspect that he could throw his hat into the ring to replace Marañon. The fact that many mayors took their oath of allegiance to the party in power had further sweetened the rumors and speculations.

But again, Albee had joined Vice Governor Alvarez and Governor Marañon to assert their unity at the latest distribution of health cards to the district constituency of Albee.

What makes it more suspicious is the latest entry of Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco as possible gubernatorial bet. Zayco was former governor who finished the term of the late Gov. Joseph Marañon. And the mere fact that only he and Vice Governor Alvarez were the ones present when Cojuangco attended Alvarez’s birthday bash only whetted the appetite of radio commentators and political pundits.

But if you have cared to notice the evolution of the entire scenario, it looks suspicious that nothing has been mentioned about the opposition and its possible bets for various provincial positions.

Of course all these rumors have the constituents in a tizzy. But for whom are they rooting, when they don’t see any other organized political group or personality in the horizon?

Neither have I heard or noticed any serious organizational move on the part of any other group. So, whom are they going to coalesce around and for whom are they going to root for?

So, who are calling the shots? I suspect the brilliant group must be behind all these various scenarios of UNA. Or, is it that there really are serious developing rifts within the coalition?

Your guess is as good as mine. But my conclusions are based on a long-time experience with psy-war and its tactics as well as the growing sophistications of its practitioners.

Well, time will tell whether my suspicion is rooted on facts.

***

Mrs. Florence Pascual Briones was buried last Friday in Himogaan, Sagay City. And the attendees sang “You are not walking alone,” the favorite of the FI alumni.

Why do I mention Florence? For many Farbricanians, she was the fourth daughter of the late Florencio Pascual, former principal of the Faraon Institute and revered icon among Fabricanians.

Narcelo Briones, the husband of Florence, was so touched by the gesture of sympathy by the big crowd of admirers of his late wife. Some of them motored all the way from Bacolod to attend the burial.

Florence, accidentally spent almost a month in coma at the Riverside Medical Center before finally giving her spirit.

She is survived by her three sons and a girl, and several grandchildren.

She was truly a mirror of her father who was considered by most alumni of the Faraon Institute as a hero.

To Briones and her children, our condolences. And may God bless her that she had joined Him in heaven.*

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