LONGTIME political allies, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now representative of Pampanga province, and Gov. Lilia Pineda are assured of serving their respective third and final terms as no opponent dared to face them in this year’s elections. EDWIN BACASMAS
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Why are former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Gov. Lilia Pineda running for their third and last terms without any challengers?
As far as community paper editor Ram Mercado, 78, could remember, Arroyo is only the second representative in the second district, after Rep. Emilio Cortez in the 1953 elections, who is running unopposed. Pineda would set a record as the only governor who would get reelected for lack of an opponent, Mercado said.
Many Kapampangans have their own theories on why the two women, after taking over positions once held only by men, are now running unopposed.
Arroyo and Pineda, each with her own talents, brand of governance, charisma and grueling work ethic, rose to power with the backing of Pineda’s husband, Rodolfo, said Emerita Lacap, a resident of Macabebe town.
Rodolfo is alleged to be a jueteng lord and was summoned several times to Senate hearings on the illegal numbers game during the administrations of Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada. Rodolfo has repeatedly denied being a financier or operator of the game.
Lacap said: “[Arroyo and Pineda] have Bong P. They said he is a kingmaker.”
Rodolfo, a native of Lubao town, has reportedly been supporting Arroyo since she entered politics to run for the Senate. He considered Arroyo a kabalen (province mate), being the daughter of the late President Diosdado Macapagal, who was also from Lubao.
“Governor Pineda, [on the other hand], helps lots of people [through] health services. There are complaints though that she has no program for business and economy,” Lacap said.
Perpetual helper
Pineda’s free surgeries, medicines, therapies and regular medical missions prompted one priest to call her “Ina ng Laging Saklolo” (Mother of Perpetual Help). She is more often referred to as “Nanay,” instead of “Gob” (short for “Gobernador”).
Fr. Resty Lumanlan said voters had no other choices but Arroyo for congresswoman, and Pineda for governor, because of “power and money, which the two now possess.”
“They (Arroyo and Pineda) are [also] very good allies and friends,” said Lumanlan, a missionary of the Society of the Divine Word and a trustee of the Foundation for Lingap Kapampangan Inc.
Lawyer George Logronio said: “No one would dare to run for that post (representative) as they believe they cannot beat the machinery of GMA (Arroyo). Only the Pinedas can beat her, but the Pinedas are her allies.”
Aside from the governor, who heads the local political party Kambilan, there are other Pinedas in government. Her son, Dennis, is vice governor; daughter Mylyn Cayabyab is Lubao mayor, and daughter-in-law Yolly Miranda is Santa Rita mayor.
While Rodolfo holds no public office, several local officials admitted he had been their patron.
Alwyn Balingit, a software developer, said it seemed the jueteng rumors “don’t make a dent in [Pineda’s reputation] because it’s already second nature to our psyche, almost like it’s a nonissue now.”
The Liberal Party (LP), he said, “even downplayed this (jueteng issue).” Jueteng was overshadowed by health services provided to the poor, which, he said, were a “big plus” for Pineda.
Indifferent voters
Marivic Mercado, a professor at University of the Assumption in this city, said Arroyo and Pineda had no rivals because of the “indifference” among voters.
“A lot of money is involved, which is why those who want to run will have to think [carefully before deciding]. It is regrettable that money is the first consideration when there are many good people who want to serve,” Mercado said.
For Balingit, the defeat of Catholic priest-turned-governor Eddie Panlilio served as a reality check for politicians.
“We tried putting Among Ed there [but] fellow Kapampangans tried to bring him down. So maybe there’s no more reason to [field] alternatives especially since Among Ed, the ideal candidate, was [beaten],” he explained.
After trouncing Pineda in 2007, Panlilio lost to her twice in 2010 and 2013. The loss also made it difficult for him to regain his active priesthood status.
In 2013, Jose Montemayor, a medical doctor and lawyer, ran against Pineda and lost.
Potential candidates
Balingit said Pineda had no challengers in the May 9 elections because potential candidates chose to take more practical paths.
Former Gov. Mark Lapid is running for senator. His father, Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid, chose to run for mayor in Angeles City than stage a showdown with Pineda.
Janet Ayen, a resident in Floridablanca town, said she believes that utang na loob (debt of gratitude) helped Arroyo run uncontested.
“She had asphalted even remote barangay roads. She has also supported bright students through scholarships. Of course, it’s a big factor that she is an ally of the Pinedas,” Ayen said.
When Arroyo first ran for Congress in 2010 (the first former President to seek a local post), she was challenged by Filipinas Sampang, Feliciano Serrano and Adonis Simpao. In 2013, her opponents were the LP’s Vivian Dabu and independents Charlie Chua and Lalah Leoncio.
Resources
Businesswoman Myrna Bituin said nobody had as much resources as Arroyo and Pineda. “Governor Pineda was able to serve the biggest sector through doles, especially in public hospitals and schools. [To be fair] to her, she is very visible in times of need,” Bituin said.
Pineda reported that in her five years in office, the provincial government spent P8 billion on health, education, livelihood, agricultural development, disaster preparedness and public infrastructure.
Quarry revenue, which Panlilio raised to P611 million in three years compared to P150 million during the 11 years of the Lapid administration, increased further to nearly P1.5 billion under Pineda.
So far, no corruption issues have been raised against Pineda.
As for Arroyo, who is suffering from a rare bone disease and is under house arrest for alleged plunder, she has become an underdog, Bituin said.
Second district residents Ariel Alviz, Rodolfo Arroyo and Marilyn Lugtu are opposed to her being detained, believing she did nothing wrong.
Not surprised
Those who work closely with Pineda are not surprised that she will have a third and last term without a fight. Lulu Alingcastre, a department head at the provincial capitol, said this was “because of her (Pineda’s) accomplishments that prioritize the needs of every Kapampangan, especially those in need.”
Lito Laxa, village chief of Talba in Bacolor town, which Mount Pinatubo’s lahar buried in 1991, said Pineda deserved an easy victory because “she is a governor who listens, who solves problems at once and who supports village leaders.”
Talba, Laxa said, was spared from lahar because the governor sent an earth-moving machine to fortify earth dikes.