IS SHAPING up, and the process could be clenched by all stakeholders in due time.
I learned from different sources that various political figures and forces are putting aside their political differences and past conflicts, and try to work out a convergence.
The convergence is apparently gravitating to Grupo Progreso (GP).
Nobody seems to be calling the shots; instead, everyone seems trying to get along with anyone, keeping heads on the level, and avoiding the clashes of biases and prejudices.
These initiatives at convergence are said to be reciprocated by GP’s apparent “perestroika,” opening to opposition figures, former friends and foes, and even some millennial.
News of politicians formerly allied with former mayor and congressman Monico Puentebella, millennial professional and businessman, and Duterte supporters.
The way I look at it, what is taking place is not the usual turncoatism, opportunism, change of party or group for expediency’s sake, but convergence of figures and forces.
What is even more interesting is that the convergence is now moving towards discussing and crafting a common platform for social change, which includes supporting the shift to federalism, greater participation in the governance of civil society organizations and mass organizations, intensification of social services, and ethical standards for public servants.
In this sense, if this convergence is pursued and realized, GP under the leadership of the incumbent mayor Bing Leonardia may still become the first city politician to have transcended personal and patronage politics to that popular politics.
This could indeed be the golden age in Bacolod politics.
Those who will not join the convergence could be reduced to a band of meaningless opposition.
Well, may such convergence results to the greater good of the Bacolodnon.
Myth of strength. The common belief that Mayor Bing Leonardia has always been formidable and difficult to defeat in electoral context is a big myth.
Experience and lessons from 2013 and 2016 elections were classic examples of Monico’s narrow and skewed politics that made Leonardia stronger.
Early years of Monico were great, but he abandoned those along the way and changed the paradigm.
In these two elections, Monico abandoned his most trusted colleagues with established political base in exchange for personalities whose integrity were questionable and politics and conduct were determined by their command of resources.
He instead assembled a team of candidates
He continued to engage the services of certain political operators who methodically brought him fortunes and engineered to his downfall.
During his stint in power, he was embroiled in controversies after controversies.
The results of 2013 and 2016 were debacles for Monico.
Leonardia’s men painstakingly and brilliantly capitalized on Monico’s skewed politics, flabbiness and impetuosity, governance weaknesses and most of all, his inability to muster and maintain a friendship, trust and loyalty.
Leonardia had always been weak until he seized on Monico’s fatal weaknesses in 2013 and 2016 elections which he turned to his strengths.
Monico could have been the real formidable and mighty as shown by his early years in politics. But the guy must have lost his sense of purpose, humanity and fairness.
I don’t know if he could ever recover from the quagmire of absurdity.
Leonardia has nothing to prove anymore. All he could prove much better this time is help shape the golden age of politics in Bacolod.
(For feedback, email ombion.ph@outlook.com)