Oscar Rodriguez in ‘period of discernment’

PAMPANGA. A tarpaulin sign hung on the fence of the Arnedo Park at Capitol urges former representative and mayor Oscar Rodriguez to run for mayor in the City of San Fernando. (JTD)
PAMPANGA. A tarpaulin sign hung on the fence of the Arnedo Park at Capitol urges former representative and mayor Oscar Rodriguez to run for mayor in the City of San Fernando. (JTD)

THE clock is ticking and the deadline set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for substitution of candidates nears, but former Third District representative and city mayor Oscar Rodriguez has yet to provide a definite answer to the call for him to reclaim the local chief executive post of the City of San Fernando.

Rodriguez, a stalwart member of Liberal Party (LP), is being endorsed by his party and long-time followers and supporters to join the mayoralty race as substitute to one Eugene Diaz, who filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) under the opposition banner.

The possible development in the tussle for city mayor seat came after LP Secretary General Quezon City Representative Jose Christopher Belmonte called on Rodriguez to “continue his leadership of this vibrant city and to reconsider his earlier decision not to run in the 2019 elections.”

The Comelec’s deadline for substitution of candidates who do not share the same surnames is on November 29, 2018.

Road to LP’s call

In an exclusive interview with SunStar Pampanga in his former district office in St. Jude Village, the 73-year-old Rodriguez narrated how the party came up with the “last minute” decision likened to the political strategy of President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016.

“This incident, just like how I entered politics 38 years ago, is accidental, providential and coincidental for me. After the scheduled filing of COCs, LP discovered that the candidate we are expecting to file under LP joined other affiliations without prior notice to the party,” Rodriguez recalled.

The candidate Rodriguez was referring to is incumbent Mayor Edwin Santiago, a former member of LP who filed his COC for re-election under the ruling local Kapanalig at Kambilan Memalen Pampanga party.

“When the party discovered the situation, we moved to straighten it out, but I did not think that I was the one they were eyeing on, although somehow I was already getting a hint that it would be me,” he said, dispelling rumors that the strategy was his plan all along.

From there, Rodriguez said that the clamor for him to return to the city hall and lead San Fernando again grew, with some of his long-time friends, supporters, and followers participating.

Several tarpaulins with “Run Oca Run” writings were also seen posted on some strategic areas in the city in what is seemingly part of the campaign to urge Rodriguez seal his comeback bid to the city hall.

Possible change of heart

“I decided not to run anymore. After my loss in 2016, I thought it was time to retire. The mere fact that I did not my file my COC is already a strong statement that I was firm about my decision,” Rodriguez asserted.

But due to the “unexpected force of circumstances” that is coming up, Rodriguez seems to be slowly having a change of heart.

“I know and feel that there is a need for me to move, but I also have to consider that my family needs me. After 38 years, we were already given the time to bond with my wife, children, and grandkids,” he said.

Rodriguez noted that he would not want to break the word he made about his decision not to run anymore in the coming polls especially that he understands that “there will be individuals who will be affected if he decides to take the call.”

“Most nights I cannot sleep anymore. I know that there is responsibility for my party and most importantly, for the city. That is my dilemma right now. I am in a period of discernment and assessment,” Rodriguez lamented.

Rodriguez said the chances of him running have grown to 50-50 percent from the initial 10-90 percent in favor of him continuing his retirement and focus on his family first.

“If it were all up to me, I will because I know that there is a need. But I have to reconsider my family, which is the biggest factor, and the two candidates — one of them I have given blessing to and the other is a long-time friend and ‘kumpare’,” he said.

Asked when he can give his final answer, Rodriguez said he and other concerned strategists want to maximize the time in analyzing the situation to ensure that the decision will be final and will never be reversed.

“It’s not easy to back out from what I have decided already. I have to take serious consideration and application of the so-called balancing act,” he said.

If he decides to take the call, Rodriguez said that he will personally ask for the understanding of candidates Vilma Caluag and Santiago who, he said, are both close to him personally.

Both the Santiago and Caluag camps have some supporters and leaders who are still loyal to Rodriguez.

“His entry will be surely welcomed and it will be less of a shock for allies with mix loyalties. If he decides to run and the elections were held today, his chances are way better than his opponents. The only question is will he decide to run?” the source, on condition of anonymity, said.

Two other independent candidates, Elpidio Bonganay and Conrado Galang, are also running for mayor of the City of San Fernando. (With Ian Ocampo Flora)

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