BIBO gyod ning politika. One time kauban sila, another time kontra na sab.
One time, magtabangay og kampanya, another time mag-unay na og isig-daotay na.
This is one reason why astute and wily politicians never ever reveal their punches to anyone.
Trust nobody, matod pa.
* * *
Take the case of this defeated candidate. During the campaign, he was chummy with the group, going together during sorties, rallies and speaking engagements. There was no indication at all that something was secretly brewing between and among them. But close observers right away noted something iffy because they were not attuned to one soulful political music. One is jazz, the other is acid rock.
One is fully attuned to the vagaries of politics because of the many lessons of past elections, the other is a novice, a beginner, with practically no experience in the dirty world of politics.
Naturally, their political trajectories did not jibe, because one easily adapts to “political realities” while the other one is still full of “political idealism” or naiveté, whatever.
Just like sugar and salt, mixing them is not good.
The combination of the two politicians is like a powder keg, ready to explode any time.
Modaog or mapildi, the combo was like an accident waiting to happen.
And indeed, it happened.
* * *
The defeated one is now venting and ranting like a jilted lover. Initially, he was into blind item but later on, he could not avoid naming his target. His batikos is now very specific though spiced with innocent questions kunohay.
He is also careful not to cross the legal boundary otherwise, he will be facing criminal charges once more. His previous experience was traumatic enough, in terms of stress, mental and social pressure and of course, legal expenses. While he was eventually exculpated, the experience left him badly beaten, mentally and physically that is.
After learning his lessons, he is now adept at using accusatory words.
* * *
He is back to his old self, seemingly bitter at his political misfortune if one notes his rants.
And as expected, his fans are rejoicing every time he blows his top. They are encouraging him to fight some more, to find some more interesting reads and pictures, more controversies please and how they loved him for being so combatant, so intriguing.
And just like a celebrity, it feels real good when the fans are doing so many palakpakan, so many praises here and there, that sometimes it feels so intoxicating. This provides the extra-strength, the inspiration to be combative some more because the fans are so enthusiastic in their palakpakan.
Of course, when one is drunk with so much praises, he forgets that at one time, when he was in legal trouble, when a criminal case was filed and he was suffering physically, emotionally and financially, nobody was there, the fans were nowhere and he had to suffer alone, all by his lonesome self.
Mao ni gidangatan, kon mangintriga ko, daghan moabiba pero kon kasohan na ko, solo flight na lang ko, di na igkita o igdungog ang mga tig-abiba.
Sakto diay na?
* * *
Anyway, this is the bitter lesson to learn.
Politics is dirty, period. And politicians are also dirty. They play to win, not to lose. Sometime they play fair but most often, they play dirty.
When they play dirty, everything goes. No limit, save the amount to spend, and the guts to borrow.
The veterans know that money, machinery and good organization are just the basic ingredients. When one does not have them, all of them, and more, maayo pay matulog, ganansiya pa og muta.
The voters nowadays know their coconuts. Suheto na kaayo mo-copras sa hiphip, dawaton ang imong ihatag pero di mo-botar nimo.
Kon wa kay ihatag, igo ra kas pikpik sa abaga ug ngisi-ngisi unya saad dayon nga magtinarong sa serbisyo kon mapili, maayo pay maminaw kang Delfin.
Ginhawa Delfin.
* * *
Meanwhile, this is another lesson in politics.
This happened in the not so distant past.
The governor, running for reelection, and notoriously known for his graft cases, convinced a newly-retired government official to run for mayor. The sweet-talk, plus the promise that he would shoulder the necessary expense effectively did wonders and the retiree was convinced to run.
The vehement objection of the wife was thoroughly ignored by the retiree because he was already over-thinking of the spectacle when he sits as the new mayor.
When time comes for special ops, that is, a few days to election time, the retiree went to see the governor for his promise to provide the pang-gastos sa uwan-uwan.
Taod-taod pod nga huwat ang nahitabo.
Og sa dihang nagkita na sila, wa mag-usik og panahon ang retiree og mipahinumdom sa gobernador sa iyang saad.
Tuod man, nahinumdom ang gobernador sa iyang saad, pero midugang kini pag-ingon nga, asa man imong titulo?
Hoyyyy, mopahulam man diay kon dunay itandi nga titulo.
Hoyhoy ang abaga sa retiree nga mipauli. Wa gyod tawon siyay nabitbit nga ayuda gikan sa gobernador.
Ang resulta – hilabihang pildiha.
Mao na diha, wa man god ka maminaw nako, pina-ingon pa ag asawa, labi na kay nahurot gyod pag-gasto ang retirement benefits sa bana.
