Pacete: The flavor of sugar in politics

SINCE then, our Negros politics is flavored with sugar. Most mayors in towns and cities are “hacenderos” (sugarcane planters) and “hacendados” (big time sugarcane planters). Our present governor and vice governor are not just politicians, but also leaders of the sugar industry.

Local political parties in Negros Occidental are managed like planters’ associations. Party members have common interest and try to maintain their loyalty for several reasons. I overheard someone saying, “I belong here because my grandfather was a founding member and my uncle was the party vice chairman.” Loyalty is not just counted by the number of years. It could also refer to the personal financial assistance extended to the party by the member.

Party leaders sometimes change the name of the local political party to accommodate changes in political biodiversity. These local political parties are opposing each other but they can always be together if they want to support candidates running for the national office. That is expected to happen because members from both political camps are just relatives and friends who identify their kinship in the sugar industry.

Members of the same political party have sometimes “lovers’ quarrel.” They sometimes disagree on the leadership policy or choice of candidates who will run in a particular district, city or town. Sometimes it is the question of “palabra de honor” on who will run in the next political season. Politics is like sugar. If politicians find it sweet, no one would vacate the position. It is the wife, the son, the uncle or the brother-in-law who will run for the office.

In Negros politics, there is “sunggod” (“tampo” in Filipino). When the “hacendado” politician makes “sunggod,” they can do that because they are “Nonoy” or “Toto” for their constituents. That is the positive stigma in a society that emerges from a semi-feudal state. That could only happen in Negros. When there is “sunggod” that could be cured by “ulu-ulo” (could not be given specific English translation). That is Negros politics.

Our “hacendero” politicians should make “paangga” to their constituents considering that most voters are from the haciendas and sugar mills. Sometimes we call it “painto-into.” I am writing this for the Negrosanon. If you are not a Negrosanon, you will not understand this. This is Greek for you. It is a sure fun!

That could be the reason why some outside politicians who want to be leaders in Negros do not last long. In the first place, they are tagged “a fuera” (outsider). Any “a fuera” will have a hard time understanding sugar politics in Negros. They may have the money but their money could not buy “paangga.” Their leadership will have a natural death.

Political leadership has a semblance of the “Cinco de Noviembre Revolution.” Before that date, the Spaniards and the hacendados were in the same table with friars eating “jamon Serrano” and drinking “vino.” When the “plantadores” decided what could be good for them, they became military commanders and their “jornaleros” (workers) became soldiers. No outsider can underestimate the mind of “hacendados.”

There is no merger of local political parties in Negros but one morning we will just wake up to see that like the musketeers, our political leaders will shout, “One for all, all for one!” Sugar is still sweet and Negros is for “Sugar and More” considering that we are now Negros Island Region.

If you are an outsider, “Estarfuera de casa!” Be away from Negros if you don’t understand sugar politics.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

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