BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
BACOLOD City politics seems to be getting hotter and weirder.
Last week, Mayor Bing Leonardia declared “war” against his long-time political ally and one of his co-founders of Grupo Progreso (GP), Cong. Greg Gasataya.
The mayor employed hefty words against the solon that obviously rocked the “City of Smiles”. Bing termed Greg’s neutral stance a sham and a sort of political deception. “It has been proven that it is not real. Our GP no longer believes in that because clearly, it is a sham.”
Understandable! Relatable! Political kibitzers in the city then believe it (really) pains Bing to be “left hanging” by Greg due to the latter’s decision to run for a third term as neutral.
Greg, last October, decided not to take side(s) between Bing and Albee Benitez. Albee is challenging Bing. Both, justified by Greg, are his wedding and political “maninoys”.
It is public knowledge that Bing served as the “architect” and “engineer” of Greg’s formidable political career. Albee, perhaps, only acted as an “outdoor landscaper” that made Greg’s political status so glamorous lately. Thus, most empathized with Bing and can relate with his “ill-feeling” towards Greg.
Moreover, Bing’s recent ranting against Greg also made certain clarifications as to the real status of Greg in GP. “We believe him earlier in his declaration of neutrality, saying that he’ll do so until the end,” stressed Bing. But things get sour as the mayor said he has proofs on the ground as to the alleged “unfaithfulness” of Greg.
So sans further ado, Bing declared GP open for possible alliance with other congressional bets in Bacolod. Albee, on the other hand, said he’s willing to adopt Greg. In short and in local parlance, nag-sugod na ang matuod-tuod nga linyahanay sa Bacolod.
PRICELESS
Greg, however, is still mum on Bing’s ranting. As of this writing, still no press release, no Facebook post or whatsoever coming from the solon’s side. Quite better!
Albee’s offer is good but somehow Greg, by all means, needs to honor his word. Neutrality is a simple word that connotes balance. To be true to it commands respect. And honoring such word is priceless indeed.
Yes, neutrality in politics insinuates negative perceptions. Thus, at first, Greg’s declaration of neutrality on the Bing-Albee duel was quite “impalpable”. It even made him a centrist. And to be a political centrist, he needs to be politically impartial.
To be impartial, Greg must see to it that all his political activities may not to be influenced by a definite political force. But if Greg knows how to really steer neutrality, there could be a decisive turn-around.
Well, how can Greg make neutrality be positive and pleasant to the ears of Bacolodnons?
Very simple! Greg only needs to acquaint himself with the Doctrine of Political Neutrality and the Principle of Political Anonymity. Both will help him well avoid doing activities that will likely impair his political impartiality. But if Greg ain’t careful and the word neutral becomes “rough” later, it’ll be a little bit dangerous to his political repute.
THE TRUTH
Truth is Greg needs GP still. GP is no ordinary local political party established by Bing. Its mass indoctrination of leaders, supporters and sympathizers is truly beyond a layman’s comprehension until now. Even the known political pundits in the city agree that there’s depth in it.
In the 2019 elections, GP showed its “might” by making history by ensuring a landslide victory of 14-1 among its bets. Greg, as one of the GP’s titular heads, knew this well. Too, he has his own personal calculation as to the “mighty power” of GP. Severing his ties with GP or with Bing will put him in an uphill battle. Thus, after Bing’s ranting he needs to woo GP people directly or indirectly.
But this time, it’s no ordinary wooing on the part of Greg. This, as “confusion” is currently enveloping GP. Greg, therefore, must learn both the basic and extreme ways of playing his political cards to survive next year’s polls.
VALID PRINCIPLE
It’s undeniable that Greg is now facing complexity in his personal and political relations with both Bing and Albee. But he has also to bear in mind that neutrality is no longer the same thing as silence or cowardice or compromise.
There’s an exception to the rule, of course, making neutrality all the more necessary, especially in times of the so-called “just war”. And the Bing-Albee derby for mayoral post in Bacolod is one just war.
Greg’s neutrality, therefore, could be a valid principle.
Yes, world-renowned British journalist Oliver Burkeman stressed that trying to stay neutral is fraught with trouble. But on the positive note, Greg must also know that neutrality sets us free. It helps us see something more like the truth.
Moreover, neutrality provides clarity and eliminates obstacles, making things neither awesome nor awful, but cool. And if Bengali poet and essayist Rabindramath Tagore from Calcutta is to be believed, being neutral is like being simple.
Too, a neutral person is an enlightened one because he’s well-informed of the subject(s) and the issue(s), hence, needs not to be ignorant.
To be guided as well, Greg must read Atlas Public Management’s “Iron Triangle”. Such dwells on three major foci – political neutrality, ministerial responsibility and public service anonymity. This Iron Triangle will surely lead Greg to further enlightenment about neutrality.
PLAUSIBLE
Anyways, Greg’s candid response to Bing’s weighty pronouncements against him is now being waited by Bacolodnons. But his silence for days (now) is quite plausible. What is notable though was Bing’s declaration that amid their severing of political ties, he won’t block Greg’s signature project – the soon-to-be-constructed Bacolod City General Hospital (BCGH).
For Bing, BCGH is a go no matter what happens. Critical-thinkers, therefore, believe that the political bonfire of Bing and Greg is not yet dead, but only about to die. So, there are still embers of neutrality left in Greg that may enlighten Bing later.
After all, they’re running in different positions – Bing for mayor and Greg for congressman. And if Greg knows how to take care these embers of neutrality, they could be vital to his political fate still.
Embers, per Google, are small pieces of a burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire. Thus, they might cause anew shining lights for Greg’s political path (still) leading to victory.
Nonetheless, Greg must also learn from what Nigerian poet and inspirational writer Michael Bassey Johnson had said: “If you truly want to be respected by people you love, you must prove to them that you can survive without them.”
So, is Greg capable of showing to the people of Bacolod that he can survive being neutral?
Time now for Greg to ponder on what American military general Douglas MacArthur had said during World War II: “A true leader has the confidence to start alone and the courage to make tough decisions.”
With this, Greg could be the Douglas Mac Arthur of Bacolod. Quite exciting!
But let’s just wait and see what happens to his remaining embers of neutrality, okay?/PN
