IT IS getting to be funny, if not dirty, in Mabalacat.

If there is one interesting twist that the Boking-Marjorie has brought, that would have to be the ugly talks about the prices of one's withdrawal from the mayoral race.

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First was that of Marjorie Morales-Sambo. How true is it that the condition for her withdrawal in the May 2010 elections would have to be P10 million? And how true is it too that her Dad, sad-and-disappointed-and-upset-at-times, shrugged it off and said "takbo na lang siya" (just let her run).

Of course, that P10 million condition has to be refuted by the I-Wanna-Be-Mayor-Too-Daughter. How true is it that the Boking camp offered P20 million in return for the withdrawal of Marjorie from the race? Of course, too, that story would have to be brushed off by Mayor Boking, with his patented smiles still very much present in his countenance. Laughable, he could be saying.

Now comes another one. This time of Dr. Victor "Toy" Tiglao's.

How true is too that he is being offered P15 million for his withdrawal in the race for Mabalacat mayor? The amount purportedly is being put up as the chances of the Moraleses are very much in jeopardy with the father-daughter tussle.

Nobody is for sale. That would have to be quipped back by all the three candidates in response to the speculations.

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"Hindi po for sale si Dr. Tiglao," said the mayorable who is now sandwiched between the feuding Moraleses.

Over tasteful of menudo, pansit, and barbecue last Sunday, Dr. Tiglao -in his usual calm gentlemanly manner - refuted the rumor. Untrue, he said, whether the P15 million was either an offer or a request.

On the other hand, he said that the entry of Marjorie into the race "tells the people of (his) value and strength."

"Ang lakas naman yata ni Doc Toy at mag-ama pa yung kailangan na kumalaban sa kanya?" said one observer over lunch celebrating the birthday of Atty. Francis Dimaliwat last Sunday.

"Mibait ku pung pakakalulu at tirwanan dakung mika dangal deng pengari ku," said the principled man and renowned surgeon.

Dr. Tiglao was there, not to woo to his side the lawyer and Boking appointee as general manager of Mabalacat Water District. He was plainly there as a neighbor of ours (he and his doctor sons Jayvee and Cocoy are good at remembering and pakikisama even before he dipped his fingers into politics).

Also present were two protégé of Mayor Morales - former Barangay Kapitana Arlene Dela Cruz who is said to be in the line up for councilors of the good mayor. And, Boking's chief political tactician, very good friend and kumpadre Davidson David, current barangay captain of San Joaquin - Tiglao's home village.

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The rift between Mayor Morales and daughter Marjorie has just been given a deeper and wider wedge.

Marjorie's guesting in Hamon Central Luzon last week could start the fireworks, especially so with her statements in the local tv show.

Analyzing what were uttered, she found her Dad's performance to be wanting. She was just like saying in the show: Mene, Mene, Tekel u-Pharsin to all that has been achieved by the Morales Administration where, at one time, she was a part of as SK Chairman for the town.

The writing on the wall, as in the Book of Daniel, means God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end (Mene); you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting (Tekel); and, your kingdom is divided and given (Persin).

She talked as if the people of Mabalacat were shortchanged in the delivery of service. And that is not the gospel according to Boking.

Good thing that Mayor Morales has a very deep sense of patience and understanding. We have not read of him mince negative words about his daughter who chose to go head on against him. That is commendable, that is Boking. That makes him winnable.

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Talk about Barangay San Joaquin, this village is never dearth in good political leaders. Aside from Dr. Tiglao, there are also five councilorables from this place.

There's of course the comebacking Cherry Manalo who may likely make it back to the Sangguninang Bayan. There's re-electionist Jerry Basilio and johnny-come-lately Arlene Dela Cruz. Also, survey leader and likely winner Jun Castro has had his childhood days in this village. And not to be counted out yet is former vice mayor Moc Candelaria who may just be fielded in as a bet for councilor too.

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on November 11, 2009.