Surprising politics

RECENT events in Cebu’s political hunting ground truly brought in an ample lot of surprises that would be difficult to untangle and sort out. The political conflicts these may generate in the lowlands could trigger a truly divisive explosion of political intrigues that could rent us all apart.

We may start with earlier floated political plans that followers call as “trial balloons,” usually made to test the people’s reaction.

More than a month ago, Gov. Gwen Garcia toyed with the dream of becoming a young lady senator from Cen­tral Visayas. I recall that she even started to make friends with leaders from the other regions.

Governor Gwen has made friends with the Marcos political siblings deeply revered by the masses in the Ilocos region. She also befriended fellow Visayans from the regions of Mindanao. Many or most of the Christians in the area come from the Visayas and Luzon.

But there is always that sense of the unknown in politics that sow grains of doubt in the politician’s heart, the doubt that says could I be right or wrong in my assessment of the chances of winning in areas he has visited. The conflicting thoughts would begin to weigh on the dream, and determines the decision finally made.

Where earlier the thought has been quite positive, doubt slowly crept in as the days wore on. Finally, more than a week ago, this headline appeared in a page of this daily: Gwen ‘urged’ to stay in Cebu. This indicates already a change of mind and of heart in the lady governor.

Seasoned media men would never believe that the mayors and other political leaders of the province acted in concert with the purpose to urge Gwen to stay in Cebu. They did urge, but were “orchestrated” to do so.

Now, we turn to Rep. Eduardo Gullas and Tomas Osmeña (2nd District, Cebu City). Out of the blue, Tomas came up and announced he was turning over to Gullas P400-million in development project funds for him to use for his road widening program. Cebu City Mayor Rama, speaking in behalf of the city voters, cried foul since the funds were intended to benefit the city and its people.

That was how city folks originally understood it. But then Tomas turned around and explained that these were not from his development funds but were appropriations he had raised elsewhere. Gullas and Tomas has just politically reconciled with Gullas forging an alliance with the Liberal Party, the President’s national party.

Like Gwen and the rest of the political personalities “playing politics in 2013,” the Cebu voters are beholden to know finally the truth of their politics. So let us wait for more surprises.