Interesting merger

Unlike the administration Liberal Party which is distancing itself from political allies of ex-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the new political coalition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is welcoming them. This was proclaimed by former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, whose Partido Ng Masang Pilipino merged with the forces of Vice President Jejomar Binay. UNA is building up its political organization in the local level in preparation for next year’s mid-term election. Because Binay is even more popular than President Noynoy Aquino, it will be interesting to watch if the Veep could anoint politicians, that is, make them winnable despite their association with GMA.

And that what really makes UNA an interesting merger. Its leaders appear to support President Benigno Aquino III, and thus are careful not to alienate the Aquino forces. But UNA is not averse to embracing the forces that supported the Gloria Arroyo regime, whom Aquino is targeting to bring about moral reform in the government. Some political pundits are praising Erap and Binay for their inclusivist politics but some sectors said the move was simple political expediency.

Arroyo political allies had been in a sort of political limbo after P-Noy’s election in 2010. Although they could have immediately switched loyalties by joining the Liberal Party, they were barred by party stalwarts who indicated that the message of “daang matuwid” is: It’s not politics as usual. I think the LP wanted new members to make some concrete acts like defending the impeachment resolution in public, but that’s another story.

With Erap’s proclamation, expect allies of the embattled ex-president to be in a mad scramble to join UNA.

The political realignment reminds me of what happened after Estrada was ousted on the heels of the failed impeachment trial in early 2001. The mid-term election was just around the corner and it seemed people saw the elections as a recapitulation of EDSA Dos, whether candidates supported Estrada of if they actively worked for his impeachment and eventually his ouster from office.

Estrada allies in the House became the butt of scorn, but in truth, not all of them stayed with him during his political crisis. Many in fact turned their backs because of relentless media reports that he amassed so much wealth.  In the end, their signing of the Estrada impeachment resolution became their political equity, enough for them not just to be admitted to the new party Lakas CMD, but also gain the party nomination as official candidate.

In the present situation, Erap thinks that until he hears that GMA supporters were actively involved in the anomalies and accusations being hurled against her, UNA should not bar them from the new coalition. What a narrow perspective especially if one understands that political support enabled the previous regime to stay in power and use it to further its ends.

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I’m writing this article in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental after attending the general alumni homecoming of the Kabankalan Catholic College. I graduated my high school from KCC when it was still known as Kabankalan Academy run by Columbans from the ’50s to the late ’60s. In the ’70s, the Irish congregation was assisted by the Sisters of St. Paul but towards the ’90s, the school was turned over to the Diocese of Kabankalan.

Yesterday’s soiree opened with a Eucharistic celebration at the Kabankalan Cathedral presided by Bishop Patrick Buzon of the Diocese of Kabankalan. If the name rings a bell, it is because he belongs to the Salesians of Don Bosco here in Cebu City.

I had a great time bonding with former classmates, many of whom have become pillars of the community as elected officials, professionals and civil servants. The support and contribution of an enlightened citizenry has done much for the development of Kabankalan.  An airport is in the process of completion, and there are plenty of infrastructure works around the city.