A kingdom divided shall not stand

Once upon a time there was a “Prince” who had the favor of a kingmaker, and they were both in agreement that the Prince should become the future leader of the nation.

The Prince was amiable, bright and well-trained in the letters and the law. It was almost a perfect arrangement, except that the Prince was not the son of the kingmaker and other people believed that a true son deserved the blessing.

Sadly, when it comes to plans and human ambition, many people forget the rules of court as well as conduct in the presence of kingmakers or powerful people. Whether you are a direct descendant or favored kin, everyone must wait to be asked and to express an opinion.

Unfortunately, family ties tend to blind not just bind, and it did not take long for people to take sides and voice their unsolicited opinion out of place and, worst of all, they turned on each other. The once amiable relations had been fooled by the devil and turned them against each other.

It was bad enough that members of the family were at odds, but what made matters worse was that many members of the court or “alalays” took sides, some blocking any and all support for the Prince while others painted a dark image of the son. Some say they brought it upon themselves and their families.

The final outcome ultimately revealed that both the Son and the Prince were not ready for the heavy mantle of leadership because they were both easily swayed by relations and emotions and lacked the wisdom to overcome such divisive attacks on the family.

Eventually, their power and influence waned and even their people who took sides left them, joined other kingdoms and carried on taking sides.

The story I just shared is a modern-day true story. What might interest you to know is that a similar story is told in the Old Testament in the book 1 Kings chapter 12, where the united and powerful 12 tribes of Israel during Solomon’s reign were split up under two kings who ended up being just as wicked as the other.

The Old Testament story is a very strong reminder that even after the Wisest Man builds the richest and most beautiful kingdom, there is no guarantee that a kingdom or a dynasty will survive if the damage occurs from within.

Our Lord Jesus Christ himself said it best: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” (Matthew 12:25)

*      *      *

There is a similar story of recent times about another “kingdom” that started out very united but is now divided and feuding against each other. Just like the first kingdom story, this now un-united family ended up fighting when relatives and in-laws got involved in the family business of politics.

I refer of course to the Marcos-Romualdez-Araneta clan. In spite of front-page photos showing President Bongbong Marcos and re-electionist Senator Imee Marcos campaigning on the same stage, my source tells me that the plot to drop or dislodge Imee Marcos from the Senate race thickens.

It seems that all the photo ops and releases were meant to pacify the supporters of the Northern Alliance, Ilocanos who value family unity and pride in their heritage. Without Imee on the ticket, the administration might end up forcing Ilocanos and Tagalogs to take sides and choose candidates.

While the President’s lips declare support for Senator Imee, some presidential kamag-anaks are reportedly still set on taking away her political power and influence by hook or by crook.

The first step is to deny or delay access to funds for elected officials known to be her supporters. Without access to “ayudas” or government dole-outs for constituents, the local officials will be forced to go to the “other side” and drop Imee altogether.

This, I am told, is the same thing happening to political supporters of Sen. Bong Go and Sen. Bato dela Rosa. This is quite believable, considering all the congressmen who chose not to support the impeachment of Sara Duterte have also become “fundless” from Congress.

While everybody is worried that lawmakers and politicians will raid or scalp money from the AICS and MAIP, it seems that certain people in government have closed the faucet for “non-administration candidates” as well as Imee’s supporters.

Another “weapon of election destruction” is to manipulate ongoing and future surveys where Imee Marcos started out at #4 but plummeted to #15. The plot allegedly is to humiliate Imee and make her crawl and claw her way in, somewhere between #10 to #12 if she can.

This strategy has partially had the desired effect of portraying Imee Marcos as unpopular. The question is, is it powerful enough to make her lose, and what will be the consequence of Imee Marcos losing in the election?

Unlike other candidates who simply have to live with their defeat, Imee Marcos losing will have consequences and reputational damage to the administration and the Marcos family as well as the Northern Alliance.

It is bad enough that the President is being lampooned and lambasted as a “weak leader,” but if Imee Marcos loses in her senatorial bid, it will be like a “balisong” that cuts both ways.

The critics and enemies of the Marcoses and the administration will use it to undermine the leadership and stability of the current administration. More worrying on the other side is that supporters looking to 2028 may start looking for more stable and dependable alliances than the feuding Ilocano-Bisaya clan in power.

Be careful what you wish for.

*      *      *

E-mail: utalk2ctalk@gmail.com