EDITORIAL - Politics is defection

Looking close to tears, Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. clarified yesterday that he had not jumped to the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, and that he was not joining Fernando Poe Jr.’s stable of advisers in exchange for a government post in case the opposition candidate is elected president in May. Neither did the political leanings of his wife and son influence his decision, Guingona said.

Guingona had to call a press conference to air his side amid criticism from people who felt betrayed by his defection to a political camp that is the most identified with Joseph Estrada. As a senator, Guingona had played a key role in the events that led to Estrada’s ouster from the presidency. After EDSA II, President Arroyo picked Guingona as her Vice President. Now Guingona will serve as senior adviser to Poe, whose senatorial slate includes Estrada’s son and co-accused in an unprecedented plunder case.

The Vice President’s confused political identity is nothing new in this society. Philippine political parties have the durability of cheap, disposable imports from China. Parties are created around personalities rather than issues, which is why voters can rarely tell one political camp from the other. Often, parties are organized at the start of a campaign period, only to die as soon as the elections are over.

The situation is just as confusing among families. It is not uncommon to find siblings, spouses, or parents and children supporting rival political camps. No, the family members are not at odds with each other but simply hedging their bets.

Believing firmly that politics is addition, politicians flit from one party to another, and are often rewarded for their efforts. Those who can’t find a party they like create their own. The Vice President shouldn’t have an anxiety attack over the flak he has received for his choice of political bedfellows. Filipinos are used to being disappointed by their politicians.