Monday, May 21, 2007 Seares: Atan’s war chest: fact or fiction By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
ATAN Guardo, conceding to Rep. Tony Cuenco in the fight for Cebu City south House seat, talked of lack of resources, time, machinery, and experience.
He lost by some 21,000 votes: a more decent showing (70,000 v. Tony’s 91,000) than Villarin made against del Mar in Cebu City north (5,000 vs. 99,000), or Rama against Gullas in the first district (14,000 v. 150,000) or Abines against Pablo Garcia in the second district (12,000 v. 85,000).
A major reason cited by Atan, which would have haunted BOPK had he scored an upset, was resources. How much actually was his election budget?
No one could tell but Atan. What was clear: the mystery about his money drove BOPK’s campaign.
“Cebu City South is not for sale!” as Tony’s war cry carried a hint of fear amid reports of cash changing hands in his district.
Weakness
BOPK saw the slogan’s weakness: It addressed voters’ sense of pride, not appetite for money. Not as desperate as asking voters to “swallow the bait but not the hook” but it said the same thing: Their rivals have a lot more cash.
Did Atan really have oodles of money that BOPK feared? Party chief Tomas Osmeńa, in a post-poll analysis, said he taunted Atan, inducing him to bankroll not just an assault in the south but a citywide campaign.
Tomas loves to mess up his enemy’s head. Atan fell for the ploy and spread his ammunition thin.
How wealthy was Atan really?
He spent on expensive TV ads and picked up the tab for reluctant opposition candidates.
But he was also accused of issuing bum checks and scrimping on expenses of a rally for Senate bets by using the back of a decrepit Isuzu Elf for stage and not busing in a huge crowd.
Fact or fiction, Atan’s wealth story tantalizes and teases. And there’s no end to it yet.
