Political connections

Ben Contreras

“SUPER Coalition” is used to describe the new majority in Congress. But what is its composition? How many in this Super Coalition are members of PDP-Laban and how many are turncoats?

Before the May elections, even before the name Duterte was being considered as a presidential probable, how many members of Congress belonged to PDP-Laban? I bet only a very few. PDP even hardly rang a bell. In Cagayan de Oro City, PDP is synonymous with the Pimentels–the father and son. But its members were in disarray, and the inner squabbles were an open secret.

PDP drew its new strength in the popularity of Digong, the then mayor of Davao City. When Digong won, the Yellows changed colors. And the PDP was only too eager to accept them like a sex-starved man.

What was it all about–“change” or “power”? It can’t be “change.” It can only be “power.” Koko Pimentel got it all right. He is now the Senate President via the Super Coalition.

I remember Ruffy Biazon when he was tasked to institute reforms in the corrupt Bureau of Customs. He brought along his team. Alas, Biazon and his team were but a drop of white tint in a gallon of black paint. And you expected the gallon of black paint to become white, right?

I am not saying that Biazon and his team were eaten by the system. But Biazon quit his job allegedly because he cannot stomach what was taking place, so rotten perhaps that he didn’t want to be infected.

The Super Coalition may suffer the same fate. The Liberal Party (LP) turncoats were not there for the “change.” They may have their own agenda that can’t achieve by staying outside of the loop. Now that they’re inside, it has become easier to pursue their hidden agenda. Their sheer numbers will dictate the outcome.

But power, no matter how temporary is still power. It draws people to it. And the Pimentels seem to be enjoying it to the hilt.

Here, I heard everyone is looking up to the Pimentels as their savior and benefactor. Prominent politicians, and among them is Mayor Oscar Moreno. Sen. Nene Pimentel was present during Moreno’s first oathtaking. The old man in politics was also there during Moreno’s second oathtaking amid controversies and Ombudsman’s ruling against the mayor. If PDP was for “change,” I must be missing something here.

“Nakiusap daw si Moreno kay Koko Pimentel kasama mga kagawad sa Senate. Tapos, tinawag si Sueño, usap sila matagal, di daw muna tanggalin, tapusin lang ang term ni Oca,” says Rey Z.

It’s common knowledge that Moreno and his councilors were in Manila to witness the oathtaking of Koko as Senate President. What happened next must be what Rey’s text message was all about.

The question is, would Sueño, the new DILG Secretary, allow himself to be used? The answer will define his character and the administration he represents.

The DILG here has already been seen as partial to Moreno. It’s been accused of resorting to delaying tactics to give Moreno enough time to find legal remedies and other means like political connections.

Moreno has been dismissed by the Ombudsman, perpetually barred from holding public office. He has been suspended again by the Ombudsman. What’s keeping DILG from executing court order?