Editorial: Loyalty no longer a factor

THE ruling Liberal Party (LP) has flexed its muscle in Cebu province, and the first casualties are some of those who were with the group in 2010 when it was struggling to find local leaders being with the opposition. Those eased out, however, should have known better.

The multi-party system has given rise to a political setup wherein parties no longer put much premium on loyalty in organizational work. This is observable in two ways: one, politicians no longer have qualms jumping from one organization to another, or forming their own parties or leaving one alliance for another; two, parties sacrifice less influential members, no matter how loyal, for recruits with bigger political clout.

The Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) of Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III severing its ties with One Cebu party of the Garcias and linking up instead with the LP is an example of the first manifestation. LP leaders choosing Nito over his brother, former LP member Jesus “Don” Durano, exemplifies the second manifestation.

And there are indications this will be replicated in the province’s first congressional district which is dominated by Rep. Eduardo Gullas and his Alayon party, an ally of One Cebu. If the planned alliance between LP, the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Nationalist People’s Coalition is realized at the national level, that will have an impact on the Alayon-One Cebu linkage in the province.

This is why in his recent press conference, Gullas only announced his party’s support for the candidacy of Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale of the LP but was noncommittal in the case of One Cebu’s gubernatorial bet Pablo John Garcia. Gullas is an ally of NP stalwart Manny Villar.

If Gullas shifts allegiance to the LP, expect old LP leaders in the district, like San Fernando Mayor Antonio “Abe” Canoy, to go the way of Don. Gullas, after all, has an ace in his hold over majority officials of the cities and municipalities in the district.

But don’t expect the displaced LP leaders to play martyr. In the end, they too will throw away loyalty and use “bitterness” as excuse in leaving the old party to forge new alliances---with the opposing group. Don and his other brother, Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr., are linking up, for example, with One Cebu.

Wherever one looks in the current political setup, party loyalty is the least of the politicians’ concerns.