Sangil: It is the season of chameleons

How many went to the Commission on Elections offices in those eight days and filed their certificates of candidacy for the 2022 elections? They number in thousands. When they were asked why they are running, the stock answer was they wanted to SERVE. Say that again, please. Serve? Sans or few who really have the desire to serve and deserve our votes. Ask people around, if they believe what these candidates are saying. The reactions will be varied. ‘Sino lokokin ninyo? Lelong ninyong panot! Many are there for the money. If we are looking for the deserving, it is as if you’re looking for a needle in a haystack.

We are looking for politicians in this country who are imbued with high ideals. This is actually happening. If the political landscape is a garden, you can very often see butterflies changing their colors depending on the season. Depending on who is in Malacañang. In this country, politicians seemingly are already immune to any feeling of embarrassment when they change political parties. They change for convenience. They switched political parties as if changing their neckties. When Rodrigo Duterte won as president and carried the banner of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas Bansa (PDP-Laban), many wanted to be in this party. It’s the "Birthday Party." All wanted to get a slice of the cake. I assure you if Leni Robredo wins, everyone will be wearing pink. If Inday Sara wins, everyone will join the Hugpong ng Pagbabago wagon. If it will be Isko Moreno, many politicians will make a beeline to be with his party.

Looking back, in the early years, there were two main political parties. The Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Liberal Party (LP). And now, with the multi-party system, many of them go to where the bread is buttered. During the many years that Marcos was president, sans for few they were into the powerful Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL). And when Marcos was forced to live in exile in Hawaii and Corazon Aquino was swept into power, many became chameleons (hunyango).

Fidel Ramos was partyless but wanted to run for president against Ramon Mitra, a close associate of the widow's husband, the former Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. who was killed at the Manila International Airport tarmac. Ramos, who was her husband's jailer when martial law was proclaimed in September 1972 got the support of Cory. Of course, PDP-Laban members were furious. Many thought Cory should have supported Mitra instead. But just like in any drama, there was that twist.

Ramos, in need of a party, supporters founded one for him and won the presidency. It was the Lakas-NUCD, a brainchild of his kabalayen, Speaker Jose “JDV” de Venecia. And those “furious” PDP members switched their loyalty to Ramos. And then came Joseph “Erap” Estrada. From the vice presidency, he was catapulted to the presidency under the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP). So many jumped ship and wanted to be identified with Erap. Then EDSA Dos, Erap was dislodged and was succeeded by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and stayed in Malacañang until 2013. GMA's party was the Lakas Kampi. More than two-thirds of those in congress sided with GMA and took their oath of allegiance.

GMA's reign ended and Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino became president because Cory died months before the presidential elections. The outpouring of sympathy of the people was translated into votes for the son despite a small revived Liberal Party which only had few members. They only grew in number when the election results showed Noynoy won the presidency.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph