Wednesday, December 06, 2006 Balingit: Be wary of 'The Vice' By Allan O. Balingit On a High Note
POLITICIANS, much like anyone else looking for a bride or groom to walk down the aisle with, must first know that trust -- not the condom mind you already exists in a relationship before plunging into it; and finding the "Mr. or Ms. Right" to blaze with into the arduous campaign trail as running mate would be essential.
It would be quite distressful for anyone to find themselves one day "stabbed in the back"; betrayed after putting much confidence on the alliance. We have seen that happen quite so often before -- a governor or a mayor's administration in trouble after being drawn into crisis instigated by their own benighted political ambition.
Governor Mark Lapid clearly has this in mind, following careful planning and brainstorming in coming up with the right partner in Mr. Paul "ConCon" Laus as his vice-gubernatorial candidate for the province.
This, despite earlier petitions from members of the Pampanga Mayor's League (PML) to put their man as the chosen running mate of Governor Mark. But the offer was apparently turned down as the governor had already picked the young businessman to be his partner in the coming campaign.
The decision would not be as perplexing as others think, as the Lapids and the Laus family's relationship has come a long way since their paths crossed in an earlier political engagement during which Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid and Levy Laus ran against each other for the vice gubernatorial post.
Laus lost to the popular action hero but as history could attest, made an effort to bridge the relationship by working with the Guiaos and the Lapids during the most perilous period in the province's account... the Pinatubo eruption and the succeeding lahar flows.
"Kanya ne pinili y ConCon kasi e la mamulitika nu neng susuyo la," was the reaction of one political analyst and a long time ally of the Laus family.
"Ikit tala nung makananu lang menalakaran niyang panahon na ning lahar (We saw how they [the Lauses] worked during the time of lahar)."
Aside from that, "The Young Turks" Mark and ConCon are of relatively the same age. They are friends that share the same interests, and it wouldn't be hard to imagine that they could work pretty well together, which in our case would be helpful for the sake of the province.
Obviously, it would be very different to work under constraints with people who have no other intentions but to see you fail, so in the end they would get the glory -- as what is happening right now to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the nemesis in the opposition, trying to stump any potential positive effect in her governance.
But at least her enemies are identified. But what if you are sleeping with the enemy?
It is hard to do a good job as an elected official and it is harder doing it while constantly on guard, looking over your shoulder for signs of uprising led by the "The Vice".
With Paul Laus as his vice governor, Mark basically assures himself of a peaceful or at least less paranoiac existence at the Capitol.
Meantime, his administration would also be inclined towards economic development, as Paul and his family carries with them a formidable network of association in business, non government and civic organizations, and bigwigs in the political field, which the family had supported in the past and could be persuaded to help in the social and economic development of the province.
Most importantly though, like in all successful marriages, "The Vice" should always be there for his partner, if not always most often, unlike some who would already be scheming to boot out his mate and political ally the minute they took office. Paul and his family as events have unfolded are not cut in the same mould.
"Kasangga me dapat kalupa na ning metung a asawa, puede meng lakwan keng bale na e na ka palibe," for some should always be in mind.
