Saturday, November 11, 2006
Diaz: MisOr's political geography
By Cris Diaz
WE TALKED about possible ouster of Congressman Danilo P. Lagbas, Misamis Oriental's First District, as Lakas chair in the province in the coming days.
We are talking of possibilities considering that the administration is going to conduct a check on all political backgrounds of their prospective political leaders.
A question is raised why Lagbas is targeted having been with the Lakas since 1998. The rub is: Lagbas alliance with the Lakas was largely influenced with his political ties with then Vice President Teofisto Guingona, one of Lakas stalwarts.
If this is the case, why did House Speaker Joe de Venecia appoint Lagbas? There are two possible reasons.
One, the voting for the impeachment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was then snowballing in Congress. De Venecia wanted to be sure, Lagbas will not go astray.
Two, De Venecia wanted to isolate Lagbas from the political support of the Guingonas in Misamis Oriental.
Looking at the other side of the coin, why oust Lagbas after appointing him as Lakas chair in the province? Again, there are two probable reasons. One, Lagbas relationship with Lakas is not an "inward" attachment rather his identification was attached with Guingonas. Considering that the Guingonas are already on the opposite side of the political fence, Lagbas is caught in the middle.
Two, Lagbas did not support Arroyo's presidential bid in the 2004 elections. This is the heaviest argument.
Now, let's have a fair view of Misamis Oriental's political geography. Jun Baculio, (Lakas), Oca Moreno, (Lakas?) incumbent provincial governor and Lagbas, Lakas, incumbent congressman of the province's First District.
Baculio is serving his last term as Congressman of the Second District. He is gunning for governor in 2007. Of course, he will run under the Lakas political banner.
Moreno, Lakas-Padayon, earlier said he has not decided on whether to run for reelection. However, he announced that he is going to talk with Lagbas, Lakas, possibly to firm up the Lakas political party.
Here is a contradiction: Moreno's congressional bet in the 2004 elections was Mike de Jesus. Thus, Lagbas is considered a political opponent. Why will Moreno talk with Lagbas? Perhaps, this is to give credence to De Venecia's appointment of Lagbas, as party head, and also to renew his (Moreno) political ties with the Lakas.
If this is the case, where will the Padayon Pilipino political party be? One should remember that the Padayon Pilipino, an indigenous political party organized sometime in 1988, is one of the most reliable political parties in the locality.
Ever since it joined the political fracas in local politics, Padayon Pilipino, as a political party, has established a solid political track record.
Being an adopted candidate of the Padayon Pilipino in the 2004 elections, will Moreno change political tune this time? Yes, Moreno has been saying that a coalition between Lakas and Padayon Pilipino will continue.
But, why will Moreno talk with Lagbas, currently head of the Lakas political party in Misamis Oriental? If Moreno will talk about coalition with Lakas, will he be representing the Padayon Pilipino? Anyway, of what party authority Moreno has as a Padayon Pilipino representative to firm up tie with the Lakas? We hope to find answers to these questions sooner.
Cris Diaz is a adjudged "Best in Column Writing" by the Rotary Club of Metro Cagayan de Oro in 2000. He is Cagayan de Oro's only syndicated daily columnist. For comments and feedbacks e-mail: cris_d1954@yahoo.com
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (November 11, 2006 issue)
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