There is always one pretty girl -- the “queen” in the group who stands out from the rest. In karaoke joints, bars, in dancehalls, in corner stores serving beer, one can meet the ubiquitous creature that excites men’s attention, courtship, and open competition.
The contest would start quietly at first then gets heated up. Then one could see the type of suitors there are in the manner and techniques used to get to the girl’s heart.
The guys, like our present day politicians, use all strategies and marketing skills, including bribery, promises, propaganda and nobility of purpose, to gain the girl’s confidence.
This is how I seize up our current presidential “wannabes” who have long started the courtship to win public trust. Each of the aspirants tries to prove his worth. Putting their selves in the best light and strongly persuading us to believe them, we are now caught -- as the prized girl is trapped -- in a web of lies, deceit, and false promises to win our hearts.
By their works you can see their intent; through their words you can read their obsession; and the tactics they use indicate the intensity of their lust for power.
I can see the competition as a contest among Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Sen. President Manuel Villar, Senator Mar Roxas, Sen. Richard Gordon, with Vice President Noli de Castro waiting for his chance; Sen. Loren Legarda praying for a break; Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay posturing for an opportunity. And Erap too!
Back to my recollection of that pretty maiden in the night spot or elsewhere; I had known how the innocent-looking girl, so proper and virginal in the eyes of the several suitors, suddenly disappeared from her job. She ran off with a come-backing suitor, her boyfriend back from abroad as an overseas contract worker. And the man she ran away with was old enough to be her father, and married, too.
The scenario equates to the Great Erap’s probable return to make up for his unfinished term. A fantastic comeback to claim his heart’s desire.
Sometimes the girl object of fierce competition, a GRO if you wish, pulled the same vanishing trick on the big-spending patrons who had dated her. Guess who she went away with -- the mysterious Mr. Lonely at the back corner shyly drinking a bottle of beer, actually the tricycle driver who serviced her nightly after work.
Like the club worker exposed to risk and the deadly dangers of human ambition, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has the need for personal security and protection.
She has thus appointed former congressman Gilbert Cojuangco Teodoro as Secretary of Defense. Gilbert is the Bossman’s favorite nephew, a son of his sister, former Assemblywoman Mercedes “Ditas” C. Teodoro, whose husband was Gilbert Teodoro, a highly acclaimed former administrator of the Social Security System.
Facing unrelenting destabilization, from daily agitations for her resignation from office to impeachment attempts, and unending overt and covert action to topple her from the Presidency, Mrs. Arroyo is vulnerable to an overthrow, possibly by coup d’etat. The ceaseless conspiracy involving military elements, some bishops, certain civil society leaders and the opposition in Congress points to that possibility.
Sec. Gilbert Teodoro’s uncle -- Bossman Danding Cojuangco -- commands the vital number of lawmakers in Congress and enjoys magnetic influence with the military, active or retired. He can mobilize thousands of warm bodies, raise billions of pesos, and rally regional power blocs to his cause. May pinagsamahan ‘yan. At walang iwanan. BOSS MAN means Bawat Oras Sama-Sama.
Should a “golfe” (coup) or even a civil disorder erupts in the country, the Bossman is President GMA’s “go to” guy considering his resources, both in the military, in Congress and local government.
Why do you think GMA put the virtually inexperienced but highly capable Gilbert Teodoro in a vital department as Defense? What was Gilbert doing in Washington DC before he was announced as Defense chief?
Should a coup happen (Heaven forbid) and a transition government (Junta) formed, is Secretary Teodoro acceptable to American interests?
As I must suspect, “Mr. Lonely,” the unrecognized, humble and harmless looking beer drinker at the club’s back corner has the first crack at the girl when push comes to shove. Take your pick.
