Political thunderbolt
In an abrupt and unexpected power play, that can be described as rude, ruthless, and crude, the baton conductor of the House of Representatives orchestrated the ouster of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Senior Deputy Speaker, who is reputed to be a close political ally and confidant of Vice-President and concurrent Secretary of Education Sara Duterte.
FPGMA is the Chair Emeritus of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrat, the current dominant political party, while the national chairperson was the fiercely independent and strongly, unbending principled Inday Sara, with the man behind the unceremonious removal, its President.
The thunderous reaction from a political giant, who most of the time is meek like a lamb but when unjustly provoked springs like a tigress, to the outrageous and forced departure of the woman who contributed immensely to the joining of forces of VP Sara and PBBM, was swift, assertive and indignantly righteous. Inday Sara, the ever charming, beautiful, and graciously sweet daughter of the maverick, former President “This is to announce my irrevocable resignation as Lakas-CMD member effective immediately.
Nothing is more important to me than being able to meaningfully serve our fellow Filipinos and the Philippines – with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leading the way. Trust that my word, my commitment will be immutable.
I am here today because of the trust of the Filipino people in me to lead and serve them and the country, and thus cannot be poisoned by political toxicity or undermined by execrable political power play.”
In a subsequent Instagram post, without identifying the person she was referring to, although only a moron wouldn’t know who she was addressing, the obviously vexed and outraged second-highest official of the land thundered:
“Sa imong ambisyon (in your ambition), do not be tambaloslos.”
A tambaloslos is a grotesque demon-like demon mythical creature.
It is said that this is “a Visayan mythical creature, which has a large mouth and a penis the size of its own torso to confuse and mislead others,” and is also known as “a Cebuano slang used to insult men who are all talk inept or foolish.”
On the part of the ousted Senior Deputy Speaker, her initial reaction to her axing was insignificant and nonchalant “It’s the prerogative of the House.”
She, however, could not contain herself and issued a lengthy statement. She denied plotting to remove Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Quoted hereunder are some parts of her statement:
“When I learned that there were reports that I was suspected of plotting a ‘coup’ against Speaker Romualdez, I decided I must speak out to clarify my political position. Indeed, some of my actions may have been misconstrued, such as my recent trip with a delegation of Congressmen to Korea for some official meetings.”
While admitting that after the election of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., she aspired to reclaim her old post as Speaker, it soon appeared to her that PBBM was comfortable with Congressman Martin Romualdez as Speaker, and she “quickly realized the wisdom embedded in that sentiment.”
The former President asserted that her “political objectives” remain centered on representing the 2nd District of Pampanga and supporting the legislative program of both Romualdez and Marcos, and utilizing her knowledge and experience as a former president to assist PBBM when she is “called upon to do so.”
She doused cold water to those entertaining the thought she would later on change her about not planning to replace Romualdez, thus:
“I am a mere Congressman, so issues of national importance no longer depend on my role in Congress. Thus, I have no compelling reasons to change my mind about foregoing my ambitions for the speakerships.
FPGMA expressed hope that her disavowal
“will preempt any needless politicking so that the House and our President can focus on the job at hand with minimum distraction”.
She explained that she felt it necessary to explain her thoughts on the matter after serious reflection:
“As I have learned during my three decades as a politician, such events are part and parcel of Philippine politics. Still, I do not want to precipitate or intensify any tendencies towards early politicking.”
“She doused cold water to those entertaining the thought she would later on change her about not planning to replace Romualdez.
“On the part of the ousted Senior Deputy Speaker, her initial reaction to her axing was insignificant and nonchalant ‘It’s the prerogative of the House.’
(To be continued) Rodrigo Roa Duterte, submitted her irrevocable resignation from the Lakas-CMD, and without mincing words gave a stunner of a statement: