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Thursday, February 05, 2004
San Pedro: Mayorship in the city
By Art San Pedro
THE mayoralty race in the city of San Fernando is more complicated than perceived by ordinary folks. There are so many elements involved unlike in previous local elections.
One such element is the fact that congressman Oca Rodriguez has descended for the city mayorship after serving three terms in Congress. Oca is an interesting object and subject because all eyes are focused on him and is perceived as the dark horse and early pacer. Another element is the fact that Oca hails from Sta. Ana unlike Mayor Aquino, whom he expects to succeed, who is a pure Fernandino. How will city voters treat a candidate for Mayor who is not an original Fernandino? This is the big question!
No offense meant to the other aspirants for city mayor, but this early, the race is seemingly narrowed down to two. It is between Oca and Tiger, with the former enjoying a slight advantage. When the race is over, it can go either way, depending on many IFs or factors.
The strongest points going for Oca is momentum and continuity. The next city mayor has to sustain the momentum of Mayor Aquino. This is no easy job, judging the near miraculous transformation this once capital town into a highly progressive and promising city. Just to duplicate the Aquino momentum is already a Herculean job.
Continuity is another factor. The next mayor must continue if not improve the policies enunciated by Mayor Aquino. Continuity is important because there is no other direction for the city except to move forward. It cannot afford to backslide. The city voters will never vote for someone who cannot advance the cause of continuity. Those who specialize in raiding the public coffers and have notoriety for larceny and corruption do not even have a sporting chance of winning.
But Oca cannot and should not take lightly an opponent like Tiger who is a “Tunay na Fernandino.” Tiger is a veteran political warrior in the city and the last survivor of his generation of politicians. While Oca can appeal to the intelligence of the Fernandinos, Tiger on the other hand can zero in one emotions and sympathy. Tiger can even write a movie tearjerker on how he sacrificed and waited for nine years as Vice Mayor. With proper choreography, Tiger can hit the jackpot on the class D and E voters. I think Tiger will try his best to make the rules of the contest as parochial as can be to his advantage.
Oca is a skilled political tactician and intelligent public figure. He is a gifted political strategist who jells and blends with sector in the political spectrum. He has proven this talent in all his four all political victories as congressman of the 3rd District. But the race for the city mayorship is just another wax with a new set of rules to govern it. This, Oca will have to study! Here is a different terrain.
I repeat, Tiger cannot be taken lightly. If Tiger has one wish, it is for his rivals to take him lightly, so that he can spring a big surprise. The thousands who attended his recent birthday is a strong message to his rivals on the quality of campaigning he gist is capable. No doubt, he can mobilize a mass multitude of people and has the vault to bankroll the expenses. All the candidates have the campaign funds, but Tiger spends his money. Hindi boksingero si Tiger.
The mayorship fight in the city does not appear to be lopsided unlike the congressional battle in the 3rd district where Mayor Aquino appears to be a certified winner. Oca is a seasonal political warrior and I am sure will use every skill in this political arsenal to emerge a convincing and decent winner over his rivals. In this battle, Tiger fights best as an underdog and is capable of pulling the biggest upset in this political career at Oca’s expense. So Oca must work doubly hard as has been his trademark in all his political battles.
Oca has one more problem to face. Tiger is allied with FPJ and surely his proclamation really with Da King on stage will draw a big crowd. Oca is for GMA but there are two others supporting GMA. Action stars in FPJ’s mold can make or unmake the result of a local race. While GMA is our sentimental favorite as a cabalens, popular action stars are indeed a force to reckon with.
If the mayoralty fight were to be fought like a conventional war, Oca with all his skills and eloquence has the edge. But if the fight will be fought like a guerrilla war, Oca will have serious problems against the Tiger.
(February 4, 2004 issue)
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