THE Mayor is afraid. His mother, who is his running-mate, is very sick.
In fact, she would have opted to recuse herself from running because she is not well. But the better reasoning of his son, the mayor, convinced her that running as vice mayor is the better move because without her in the running, there would be chaos among the other “interested” candidates.
So, aron malikayan ang kagubot, milansad na lang ang “pobreng” inahan.
So what is the problem that triggered the fear on the part of the Mayor?
* * *
One problem is “in” the Mayor himself.
He is sick, he has already undergone several life-threatening operations and despite the vehement objections/oppositions from his wife, he still likes to smoke his cigar, he still loves to drink his whiskey and he still loves to visit the casino, every now and then. This casino visit, nobody knows how he does this knowing that this is prohibited, takes most of his sleeping/resting time, so constant ang iyang way katulog during these visits.
The second problem is – a “guest” candidate in the kagawad slate is getting the top most spot in various surveys, and sadly, not his wife, who is also running as a kagawad.
Gusto sa Mayor nga ma-number 1 ang iyang wife in the kagawad race so when the mother finally decides to leave because she could not take it anymore, the number 1 kagawad would surely take her place by the rule of succession. Pero wala siyay mahimo kay sa survey number 2 ra man iyang wife unya layo pa gyod sa number 1, nga dili ilang tawo but “guest” candidate lang.
Big problem indeed.
* * *
The doctors say his mother has but a limited “active” time left, in fact, they would have opted that she focused on her health/medical issues rather than engage in politics because that is very stressful.
But the Mayor was very convincing, and already committed, that her mother would run as vice mayor, so that’s it. Makasabot ra lagi nang akong mother sa sitwasyon kay politiko baya na siya, the reasoning of the mayor goes. The doctors could only raise their hands in abject surrender.
So the issue facing the mayor – how to ensure that his wife will emerge as the number 1 in the kagawad race.
Ang unang misulod sa ilang kukute was to “junk” the “guest” candidate. Kon dili nila i-apil sa ilang official ballot panahon sa special operations, pwedeng makakuha og daghang boto ang asawa ug makuhaan og boto ang “guest” candidate.
But this is easier said than done.
This is a big operation, involving the whole constituency, and involving too many barangay and purok leaders.
For sure, the “guest” candidate would know about it and possibly do some counter-moves. And when he does his counter-moves, then it becomes uncertain how the electorates will deal with the situation, basin ma-entonses pa hinuon ang kadaugan sa asawa sa mayor.
The thing is – the guest candidate is generous with his campaign funds, meaning, naay kwarta plus dili pa gyod mahadlok mogasto sa kwarta. In local politics, this is a very deadly combination, and a sure-fire formula to win the elections.
In contrast, the other members of the kagawad slate are “kumkom pas tuway, boxidor, tihik, kurepot” apart from the fact that they also have but limited budget. Hangin (og botbot) ray gadaghan, matod pa.
* * *
Actually, the Mayor called me up for help. He wanted to secure my assistance in order to convince the “guest” candidate to slow down kay magubot ang grupo.
Outright, I asked the Mayor if he was open to a dialogue between him and the “guest” candidate and he right away said Yes.
But on second thoughts, he said he would just call me for the date of the dialogue. That was a week ago, and I am still waiting. The “guest” candidate is willing to talk and discuss with the Mayor.
So right now, it’s waiting time.
* * *
If the pro-Duterte rally is spearheaded by a political party, maayo kaha na? Dili ba kaha mas maayo nga ang mo-spearhead kanang grupo nga dili political group?
