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Friday, December 05, 2003
Roperos: Political feud
By Godofredo M. Roperos
Politics also
WHAT makes the May political exercise interesting is the number of political feuds that will be coming to a head by force of circumstance.
I cannot help wondering why Cebu is full of political conflicts among members of clans that have long been lords of politics in their respective turfs. Is it possible that, with the lack of any challenger from outside the clan, members are forced to fight each other out of boredom? Or is the need to be recognized as titular head the reason?
The Osmena political clan is a case in point. Brothers Sonny and Lito have been known to hate each other’s political guts.
I learned that it was Sonny who dragged Lito, who was happily ensconced in the real estate business, into politics. But once he was elected governor in 1988 and tasted the glory of developing the province and the political prestige that went with it, there wasn’t any stopping his political pursuits anymore.
When I talked with Lito some years back for a “political” biography that should have come out in the 1998 campaign but for a delay in the printing, I found out that there always sibling rivalry between the two of them.
This could be largely because of varying interests. Sonny has always been interested with politics while Lito’s turn of mind is towards business. One time, when Sonny managed a hacienda in Tabogon, it was not as productive as when Lito took over.
Mayor Tom and Lito are close friends. They are able to see eye to eye. But Lito and Tom’s brother, Senator Serge, do not blend comfortably, although I recall it was Lito who helped Serge launch his successful candidacy for the Senate in 1996.
Serge helped Lito in his vice presidential bid in 1992, the reason why Serge became close to Fidel V. Ramos then. Lito used to be close to Vice Governor John-john, even if the latter’s father, Sonny, was not in good terms with Lito.
Today, even Sonny is feuding with John-john, who is close with Lito’s sons Milo and Nemo. I wonder if Lito can keep his distance from John-john if he pushes through with his candidacy for governor against Junie Martinez.
I know that Sonny, a political realist, can. Even now, he has vowed not to support Lito if he runs for vice president with Raul Roco. But what political strength the Osmeñas would have if they unite!
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THEN there are the Duranos of Danao City and the fifth district. I know that among the brothers and nephews and cousins, there is strong political undercurrent in their relationship.
Of course, it is said that the breach is not because of politics alone, but because of inheritance. And this has affected deeply the ties that bind brothers and sisters. This breach surfaced when clan members ran against each other in past elections.
Nonetheless, the hold of the Durano clan on the fifth district has remains strong, even in the Camotes group of islands. If they fight each other, the one that wins will still be a Durano. Thus, political power and influence will remain with the clan.
This is unlike the Osmeña turf where once in a while a non-Osmeña gets into the picture and wreaks havoc on the clan. Like in the entry of the Garcias in both the city and provincial politics.
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I have in front of me a neatly printed face of a P2 bill with the photos of FPJ, Erap and Jinggoy printed on the left side. On the right side is the image of two horseback-riding men, possibly FPJ, with the words “Pitong Gatang” written beside the striding legs of the horse.
At the top are the words “Republika Ng Pilipinas” and beneath it, “Bangko Mental.” At the bottom, in large gold letters, are the words “Panday Pera Dalawang Piso.”
I was told the bills appeared after FPJ announced his candidacy. It was an obvious first salvo of anti-FPJ propaganda.
(December 5, 2003 issue)
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