ARE there really permanent friends in politics?
To Short Cuts, he can straightly say, No.
Experience wise, he can visibly recollect the so many ‘swings’ national and local politicians had undergone in their respective political years if only to support his stand on this particular issue.
And, for what reason or reasons?
Take the case of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Before he was elected president of this country, he was a big time member of the Liberal Party. In fact, he was the President of the Senate when Diosdado Macapagal, a Liberal Party man, was then the President of the Republic on his first term.
Then President Ferdinand E. Marcos was one of the leaders of the party that toppled down the presidency of the greatest Boholano politico, the late Carlos P. Garcia.
But when then President Diosdado Macapagal sought for a reelection, he was opposed by then Senator Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Under what political party?
But, it must be remembered that during that time our country was still
under a two-party system.
And, what is a two-party system of election?
Candidates for both national and local levels of election can run as OFFICIAL CANDIDATE of either the Liberal or Nacionalista Party only. Therefore, a third candidate for the same position can file his Certificate of Candidacy as an Independent.
Under the present set-up, however, in a multi-party system, candidates for the same position can file their Certificates of Candidacy under different political parties as long as the party is a duly registered political party with the Commission on Elections.
Consequently, when then Senate President Ferdinand E. Marcos opposed the candidacy of his then party mate and incumbent President Diosdado Macapagal, he ‘courted’ the Nacionalista Party for him to be the official candidate of the party.
With then President Carlos P. Garcia still at the helm of leadership of the party although an already defeated president, Senator Marcos had a hard time convincing the Boholano political leader for the former to be the official candidate of the Nacionalist Party. Ultimately, however, then Senator Marcos got the nomination of the party.
Then Senate President Ferdinand E. Marcos outvoted his former party mate – President Diosdado Macapagal – in the 1965 national elections to become the fifth President of the Republic.
That is in the national level. Under the then Two-Party system.
Now, let’s have a view in the local level.
Short Cuts was one of those Boholano politico who was “requested” by a a well-known Bol-anon not to object as to his residence in the transfer of registration of a Manila born native for the latter to be qualified to run for public office in the province.
For an open YES answer to the request, Short Cuts was one of those ORIGINAL friends and political leaders of that new politico. He and that new Bol-anon politico became best of friends during his first term in office.
In the 2016 elections, Short Cuts run and won the vice-governorship of the province as the official candidate of the PDP Laban. That elections also saw the victory of his friend, and he was in his last term. As the highest ranking elected official of the party in the province, Short Cuts was privileged to be given the chairmanship of the PDP Laban.
But the 2019 elections saw the so-much dirt in politics, Short Cuts’ experience reveals.
With political maneuvers, of course, the new Bol-anon politico was appointed chairman of the same party!
As a consequence of the new appointment, he sent emissaries for Short Cuts to be with him in his bid for a new political position in the province.
Short Cuts was never tempted.
So, are there really permanent friends in politics?
Short Cuts believes that there are only PERMANENT INTEREST to many politicians but not permanent friends.
