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Friday, January 23, 2004
Roperos: Da King and Daan
By Godofredo M. Roperos
Politics also
The hearing before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) appears to be an eye opener for many Fernando Poe Jr. supporters. “Da King” may not actually qualify as candidate for the presidency.
While his supporters suspect foul play, in the sense that his spokesman has openly declared that the documents on FPJ’s citizenship were possibly fake, there should be a way to prove their genuineness.
This development has a rather ominous implication on the country’s peace and order situation. I am sure diehard FPJ supporters won’t take the information with equanimity.
They will surely adopt the stand of FPJ promoters that the Palace was behind the petition to disqualify their candidate and that it was politically motivated. Otherwise, why would his citizenship be raised only now when he is running for president?
But the FPJ camp may have, after all, a solid legal defense.
When Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States under the Treaty of Paris signed on Dec. 10, 1898, one of the treaty’s provisions was about citizenship. It provided that all subjects of Spain who were residents of the Philippines on April 11, 1899 and the period thereafter shall be deemed citizen of the Philippines.
This provision was also carried in the Jones Law and the 1935 Constitution.
But whatever the outcome of the Senate probe on the matter, the fact would remain that the issue has brought this nation to the brink of a political precipice.
While I believe the FPJ candidacy is a disaster of sorts for our republic, taking him out of the contest through fair means or foul would generate an even more catastrophic disaster. I shudder when I imagine how things would be if FPJ is barred from running.
I am not a doomsayer, but I am fond of needling those I believe are more concerned about their personal agenda over that of our country. And this time, I hope Comelec will look more deeply at possible implications of their imminent decision.
Still, despite the potentially explosive situation the FPJ candidacy controversy may engender, local candidates appear to be going on with their pursuit of victory.
***
Last Wednesday, I met the third team in the race for the city mayor’s seat of Lapu-Lapu City. With Corazon Ouano, it seems the city’s political playing field will be split 3-ways.
The Ouano team did not look to me as a pushover. Lawyer Degolacion, the vice mayoral candidate, could give his opponents a run for their money.
I am not quite familiar with the political terrain of Lapu-Lapu City, but I believe it is just as open to newcomers in politics as in other cities. Considering, however, the distinct advantage of incumbents such as Mayor Arturo Radaza and Vice Mayor Norma Patalinjug, I would say it is as open as the mouth of a disturbed clam.
And so, former lawmaker Efren Herrera and Ouano will have to make the most of their campaign time to cover their “deficit” against the incumbent, and between themselves.
***
My favorite cockfight afficionado whom I rode with in a V-Hire the other day told me that his “conventional wisdom” regarding the gubernatorial contest tells him to bet either on Junie Martinez or John-John Osmeña. In his thumbnail assessment and gut feel, the current political rumble will eventually narrow down to between the two “J’s.”
As to the vice gubernatorial fight, he believes it would again be between Ade Sitoy and Greg Sanchez. How does he locate Julian Daan? He could only shake his head.
But my inner cue tells me to hold my horses. Anything can happen between now and May 10. And Daan may still find a way to remake his tv image into a magnetic sort of miracle that would draw voters to his side come election day.
Then, as a kibitzer listening to our talk said: “Daghan dayon ang moingon, ‘Daan pa gyod ko!’”
(January 23, 2004 issue)
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