Winning is everything
IN Philippine politics, nothing happens by accident. Everything is premeditated.
Only vehicular accidents happen without notice and without ulterior motives.
The 2016 presidential election is no exception. As the saying goes, “All must go.” Defeat is not an option.
First, it is intriguing and uncanny that the Aquino administration should show unusual interest in the internal turmoil and dispute among the leaders and members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in the guise of applying the rule of law whenever kidnapping or abduction is alleged.
It will be remembered that there have been strained relations between President Benigno Noynoy Aquino and the INC ever since the late Justice Serafin Cuevas was appointed as the lead defense counsel in the impeachment trial of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.
In Philippine politics, the INC’s solid and monolithic structure is acknowledged for its formidable voting influence among its members.
Thus, politicians running for national office invariably make a bee line to the office of the Chief Minister for his support and anointment.
President Noy Aquino has challenged that political hegemony, by getting the investigative authorities to look into the abduction cases.
It seems that the objective is to undermine the leadership power and unity of the INC.
Second, the Ombudsman has been on overdrive dismissing or filing corruption charges against governors, mayors, and congressmen that tend to undermine their integrity and political power.
It is also not surprising that the demolition job and inquisitorial charges of corruption against Vice President Jejomar Binay have been relentless and brutal.
Moreover, the conviction and detention of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Bong Revilla have yielded dividends by eliminating their presidential ambitions.
If perchance, there are Liberal Party partisans ensnared in the dragnet, it can be surmised that they are not in the inner loop of PNoy, and are therefore dispensable and expendable.
Third, in months to come, it can be presumed that character assassination, smear tactics, and disinformation will not only worsen but will also be more seditious and venomous. It’s all politics. All dirty tactics are allowed. However, it is plausible that allegations of corruption, citizenship issue, health, and integrity could be true but they can also be unfounded and false which are meant to mislead the public.
As they say, all is fair in love and war, especially in a free-wheeling democracy.
When all is said and done, who are the perfidious operators who are manufacturing and spreading rumors and smear tactics to gain political advantage?
All the major political parties could be equally guilty of character assassination and disinformation.
However, it is President Noynoy Aquino more than Mar Roxas who has the most to lose as the election of 2016 is a referendum of the performance of President Benigno Simeon Aquino and his administration. Impeachment is waiting at the door. You be the judge.
“Winning is everything. The only ones who remember you when you come second are your wife and your dog.”
— Damman Hill