Saturday, September 30, 2006 Viray: Oca v. Rey By Atlee Viray In and Out of Court
THE die is cast. The battle lines have been drawn. This is a fight to the finish for all the marbles. This is for political survival. It's you or me - the last man standing becomes the winner.
They used to be allies. But in politics, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. The compelling interest of a politician is winning, and the political plum in this instance is the mayorship.
The crack in their fragile political partnership manifested itself when Rey sided with Tiger Lagman in the last election. Oca, on the other hand, was not enthusiastic in endorsing Rey as his successor. While both Rey and Oca won in the last elections, it is not because of a mutual endorsement. The separation becomes irreconcilable when Oca exposed the bankruptcy of the City coffers, a direct indictment of how Rey spent the public money.
Their differences have widened by the day. Rey went to a court to assail Oca's decision to borrow funds for the construction of additional City school's buildings.
Take no mistake about it. Politics looms. If Oca is able to address this chronic room crisis, he gains "pogi" points to the consternation of Rey.
Lately, Oca has filed several cases of fraud and/or malversation against Rey before tile City Prosecutor's Office. This is war in any language. We will not talk about the merits of the cases. Suffice to say that Oca is a lawyer and he is not to file a case without evidence. The filing severs whatever ties left between these two leaders.
0n September 27, 2006, Rey confirms his intention to challenge Oca.
The former sought his former running mate, Tiger Lagman, for a political repeat. There are no more ifs and buts.
Both are relatively young and both have still plans to aspire for public posts.
From all indications, Rey is determined to return and reclaim the mayoral position he held for three terms. Oca seems to have liked the executive post over the legislative seat he held for four terms.
Rey, as a politician has not tasted defeat. He has come out unscathed in all his political combats. In 1991, Rey as a political neophyte swamped the battle-tested, then Ceferino Laus. In 1994, he toppled the then mayor Paterno Guevarra.
He was reelected twice to the post with landslide victories. In the last congressional elections, he came out on top, leaving wannabes Dinan Labung and Eric Domingo behind.
Oca is a lucky, albeit, reluctant politician. He is an introvert but be has pierced his shell and has come out with dragon fire in his arsenal.
He knows his strengths and pounces on the weakness of his opponents.
He became as a congressman as a Cory candidate in the 1987 elections, besting great names like Estelito Mendoza, Cicero Punzalan and Virgilio Sanchez. His reelection in 1991 was derailed by a newcomer, Didi Domingo.
Given up for loss, Oca staged a political comeback in 1993, reclaiming his seat from Didi. He was reelected twice to his congressional post until he opted to "slide" to become the City Mayor of San Fernando.
Come May 2007, we are to see an irresistible force ranged against an immovable object. These two leaders are headed for a monumental clash.
No quarters asked. No quarters given. Who will blink? Even their pet names are evenly matched - both with three letters.
Rey v. Oca. Oca v. Rey. In this fight, the second placer is a goner.
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