Delos Santos: The pot calling the kettle black (2nd column)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

CORONA’S lead prosecutor in the impeachment trial is Iloilo’s congressman Neil Tupas Jr. He is the son of former Gov. Neil Tupas Sr., who is himself facing graft charges in the Sandiganbayan allegedly because the bidding for filling materials for the construction of the Iloilo airport was tailor-made to suit his “balae”, a supplier of the same. The Ombudsman found probable cause and filed the graft case against him with the Sandiganbayan. Our Iloilo informants are one in saying that there are many cases of unmitigated graft and corruption against the former governor.

Don’t you think Cong. Tupas should first clean his family’s name before becoming the pot calling the kettle black?

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I remember seeing in a newspaper many months ago then Gov. Tupas being forcibly evicted from his Capitol office. He refused to comply with Sandiganbayan order for him to vacate. One of his sons (was it Tupas Jr?) cried unashamedly because his father was being forcibly thrown out. Poetic justice?

Such are wages of corruption.

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And now, Corona, who was a successful lawyer before being drafted into government service, will be impeached with Tupas heading the assault?

Ironic, isn’t it?

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The ways of politics are indeed strange. Leonardia, who was and is accused of corruption cases more than you can count on the fingers of your hands and feet, is perceived to be sailing smoothly to being a Bacolod congressman because he has no credible opponent in sight. Monico, a former congressman who at the moment is the only one widely believed to put up a decent fight against him, has turned chicken and would rather run for mayor instead.

However, the path to City Hall might be more difficult to cross than Monico thinks. Incumbent congressman Anthony Golez, who like Monico, has turned chicken and instead of seeking reelection for a second term, has set his eyes on City Hall, too.

The third aspirant, vice-mayor Thaddy Sayson, isn’t a push-over, either. Sayson straddles the vote-rich barangays of Tangub, Felisa, Pahanocoy, Sum-ag and Punta Taytay, where he has an army of relatives. This clan has stuck with the Saysons since his father’s time.

The late vice-mayor Jovito Sayson and his late wife Carmona had cultivated this family relationship, such that any kin, no matter how distant, would be condemned by the entire clan as a traitor if he opts to join the other side. Rumors say Danding Cojuangco and his wife, Gretchen, are backing Sayson to the hilt. There are even speculations that 3rd District Congressman Albee Benitez also backs him.

The only fly in Sayson’s anointment is Bing Leonardia who is not necessarily noted for political faithfulness. But even if Leonardia remains true to his vacillating nature, Danding Cojuangco’s financial clout, and if true, Albee Benitez’, is more than for both Monico and Golez to consider Sayson as a real threat.

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If things stay as they are, then it is Leonardia who can sleep soundly. With no opponent in sight, he can dance his way around the three city hall aspirants and no matter who among them wins, Bing will still come out smelling like a rose.

Lucky guy, indeed.

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The only thing that can spoil Leonardia’s quest for Bacolod’s lone district is if only one of the many cases filed against him with the Ombudsman hits its mark. Most of these cases appear to be airtight but I wonder why none of these had been given a hoot by the graft body. Maybe, the Ombudsman’s office has taken Leonardia under its protective wing, or the financial rewards of protecting him are worth demeaning the Ombudsman’s office. Whatever, Leonardia’s luck apparently holds.