BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
POLITICAL upsets in the cities of Kabankalan and Silay and the 5th Congressional District of Negros Occidental left Negrenses almost in a state of shock.
Yes, quite shocking and unbelievable!
But the “bitterest” thing happened (already) – the “penniless” triumphed over the potent ones.
What happened was like “Tutu te Puehu” in New Zealand, which means stirring up the dust/matter for discussion.
First, let’s take the case of Mayor Pedro “Bebing” Zayco, Jr. in Kabankalan. No one expected he’ll lose. Kabankalan is the Zaycos’ “political kingdom” since 1986 right after the EDSA People Power Revolution.
For 34 years, even the prominent and well-entrenched Alvarez political clan failed to penetrate this city dubbed as the “Tiger of the South” in Negros.
But the May 9 elections were, perhaps, an exemption. Mayor Bebing, who’s gunning for a third and final term, unexpectedly succumbed to an opponent considered to be as “among others”.
In fact, even the victorious Benjie Miranda, a member of an indigenous community and a bamboo poles vendor, can’t believe that he’s now the next top honcho of one of the “billionaire citie”s in Negros.
With just 278 vote difference, Benjie historically capped the Zaycos’ dominance in Kabankalan.
Odd to think, but really, one-of-a kind!
Question: What went wrong?
I got to know three major reasons – over confidence, Typhoon “Odette” and PR (public relations) malady.
Mayor Bebing didn’t mind his three opponents, especially Benjie, a perennial election loser (for councilor and vice mayor).He was “overconfident”, confessed by one of his closest relatives.
Instead, he prepared much for his running-mate, incumbent Vice Mayor Raul Rivera who, in the end, was also toppled by neophyte Migz Zayco with more than 10,000-vote difference.
Ironically, Migz is Mayor Bebing’s nephew.
However, per the other Zaycos, Migz has his “own mind” beyond tame.
Too, Kabankalanons reportedly got mad after typhoon “Odette” ravaged their city, among other areas in southern Negros last December. The slower responses made by the city in aiding the victims became a burning topic on social media, especially on Facebook (FB). Sadly, no one dared to contain the issue until it turned into a PR malady beyond fixing.
Thus, Benjie’s victory, theorized by local political analysts, was simply fueled by “hate votes” – no less, no more!
Miranda got 36,889 against Bebing’s 36, 611 votes.
Weird, isn’t it?
REAL‘GUGMA’
Silay’s election outcome is another unbelievable story. Joedith Gallego, a known “moneyless” politico, successfully overthrew the sitting Mayor Mark Golez.
Joedith, a former security guard-turned-public servant (from village chief to vice mayor), simply banked on the people’s candid support and loyalty. He garnered 37,643 votes over Mark’s 34, 725 votes.
The 2,918-vote difference, per men on the street, was simply caused by the real “gugma” (love) by the people for Joedith.
But the saddest part of the story is that Mark and Joedith were former political allies. In 2016, they were running mates (Mark for mayor and Joedith for vice mayor) and won.
But due to personal differences reportedly elicited by some “political intriguers”, they “politically divorced” in the middle of their term as tandem.
In 2019, they fought for Silay’s top post, but Joedith lost.
But such defeat didn’t deter Joedith to continue doing “missionary work” anywhere in Silay.
Sans publicity, he doubled or tripled his efforts in helping Silaynons, especially the poor in his own little and humble way.
Unknown to him, what he’s doing silently registered in the minds and hearts of Silaynons.
Thus, simply armed with belief that honesty and sincerity are the best weapons to crush any formidable political machinery founded through money, Joedith dared to run anew.
In a phone interview, he said he neither doubted himself nor lost sight and hope to rise again for the sake of the ordinary Silaynons.
And so God granted his enormous desire for Silay.
Nonetheless, Joedith will go down in history as the very first elected mayor of Silay (The Little Paris of Negros) who didn’t come from a prominent and landed clan in the city. What destiny, indeed!
BEHIND THE OBVIOUS
Another “shocking” actuality was in the 5th District of the province. Such is composed of Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, Moises Padilla, and La Castellana towns. Everybody thought that incumbent Cong. Marilou Arroyo, who was seeking a second term, was a sure winner.
Take note that the lady solon is the sister of former First Gentleman Mike and the late Cong. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, Jr., and is the sister-in-law of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Thus, Atty. Dino Yulo’s surprise victory (really) left many speechless.
Yes, Yulo was the runaway winner by having a total of 118,558 over Arroyo’s 76,115 or with the convincing 42,443 vote difference.
Causer of the upset: Marilou’s current physical disability.
According to some political observers, people in the 5th District felt pity seeing their lady solon always on a wheelchair, especially during campaigns.
And that’s the very reason “behind the obvious” that Marilou’s camp failed to address.
HEAVEN’S MESSAGE
Well, well, well! Things happened so fast and frantic. But as they say, everything (really) happens for a reason.
And for sure, Benjie’s, Joedith’s and Dino’s victories formed part of Heaven’s message that the will of the people matters in any election still.
Yes, money is essential to fuel campaigns or to ensure one’s victory. But the case of the trio is providential. It is as if they pushed themselves “against the wall”. But with the help of the people who believed, trusted and loved them, they ruined the wall.
Call it a miracle.
TOWER OF BABEL
What happened in Kabankalan, Silay and the 5th District can be figuratively likened to the b iblical story about the Tower of Babel.
The story tells how God got angry with the “giants” who ambitiously aspired to reach the sky. So, He gathered all the inhabitants of the sky and let them destroy the tower.
Gist of the story: God knows when to use His people for the betterment of his land.
Nonetheless, the trio’s startling feat could be a tickler for future elections that not all things can be done and achieved through money. Rather, the will of the people remains priceless and valuable.
However, to win people’s trust, one must always do something good to others sans cameras. Sincerity, honesty and purity of the heart remain the “best ingredients”. They radiate “unknowingly”.
Yes, social media is almost taking over everyone’s life now. But people are keen still. And smart, too. They know how to decipher things and events. And they render judgment based on what they believe in.
So, never undermine the people’s might./PN
