‘For the longest time, politics has been evolving in quite a fashionable way. But not for this aging politician who has been collecting electoral defeats one after another.’
IT feels more like a political season than Christmas these days with elections just a little more than six months away. Many political appetizers are now available for picking and some are just slipping away as information moves so fast, for which I wonder whether or not my good friend Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez would agree.
From how it looks, neither National Press Club president Boying Abasola nor Sonny Fernandez of National Union of Journalists in the Philippines is aware that one of our common friends has developed quite a niche in sniffing relevant updates from where he stands. His favorite hangout — the Manila Bay, Payatas, Pasig River and Padre Faura.
Pardon me Cong Jonat Dela Cruz, diak mailasin daytoy a tao Manong! But I can confidently say, Eric Garafil, that our old mutual friend — the kind-hearted one I would say, is a certified Good Samaritan err “Good Sa Marites!”
According to the “Good Sa Marites,” a ranking GOCC official has been bragging about how influential he has become since doling out a huge amount for the campaign of a presidential candidate in May 2022. But as the saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free lunch as this GOCC official demanded that his stooge and minion be given a government portfolio too.
Interestingly, the “Good Sa Marites,” who has a knack at par with Sherlock Holmes, somehow found out that the campaign donation that this GOCC official gave wasn’t his. In fact, our “Good Sa Maritess” friend insisted that this GOCC official even made money by halving the donation he sought from businessmen “in legal distress.”
Whodunit? Maybe Ka Ely Saludar and Ka Vic De Leon Lima have some idea as to who uttered “payback time” as they passed through the office address of the ranking GOCC official on their way to work and driving their way home.
I got your message Benjie Alejandro and Florante Rosales, keep your lips sealed!
Twelve to nil is next to impossible for the administration’s Senatorial Candidates, the “Good Sa Marites” confided while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate from a chain of restaurants whose owner – just like me, hails from the beautiful and heritage city of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
To my surmise, my buddy Ira Panganiban is right all along on his take — that notching Ka Eddie Manalo’s endorsement for the entire administration-backed senatorial like-up would be a herculean task — unless the so-called Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas drops one or two of its official bets.
For one, partylist Congressman Rodante Marcoleta is a member of the powerful Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). While INC has maintained to be apolitical, Marcoleta seemed an exemption. From the time he entered politics, INC never missed supporting Marcoleta.
Then the “Good Sa Marites” said and jested on the “insertions” which typically take place during congressional budget deliberations.
Raffy Jimenez suggested checking the SWS survey, without hinting who would be ditched in the last two minutes if those aspirants at the tailend did not improve in the survey.
House Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Erwin Tulfo of ACT-CIS, a former Malaya reporter, topped the SWS survey, followed by Tito Sen (former Senate President Vicente Sotto III), Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Imee Marcos, Sen. Bong Revilla, former Sen. Ping Lacson, House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar of Las Pinas, Makati Mayor Abigail Binay and Sen. Lito Lapid, among others.
For the longest time, politics has been evolving in quite a fashionable way. But not for this aging politician who has been collecting electoral defeats one after another.
This politician has filed a Certificate of Candidacy for mayor despite lagging behind political surveys that he (or she) himself commissioned and paid for. And yes, this politician is very much aware that he (or she) doesn’t stand a chance but still insists on running for mayor.
Well, this politician seemed not keen on retirement – unless he (or she) gets paid for withdrawing candidacy.
That’s an easy way to raise funds, the “Good Sa Marites” said, laughing sarcastically, insisting “We are easily talking about 10 figures, man!”
What’s your take, Madz Dominguez?
