A sidelight that few SONA observers might have noticed was the passive role of, or lack of deference given to, Vice-President Noli de Castro in that august occasion. Of course, SONA is the President’s shining moment, with Congress in joint session as ritual backdrop.
Kabayan was just one of the "props" lining the President’s path to the podium, only deserving a very fleeting, and flitting, peck-a-boo from GMA with nary a pause for amenity. Unlike lesser "gods and goddesses" that earned a pause and a smile, warm words of greeting, a moment’s embrace, and a full "beso-beso", Kabayan didn’t earn even a half-"beso".
With the "marriage of convenience" – or "same sex living-in" – of Lakas and Kampi making Kampi as dominant, VP Noli hasn’t found his way to the GMA camp to which he belongs. Or, does he? While Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has wiggled in from being card-bearer of the Cojuangco bloc, hoping to be anointed for his presidential ambition, Kabayan has been loudly silent – excuse the obvious oxymoron – if he could be so honored to carry the guidon of Kampi.
From GMA down to her spokesmen and subalterns lately growing in numbers, no word for the VP or his deeds as housing czar, has been uttered. In GMA’s SONA, there was no citation of government housing/settlement stats, supposedly a flagship admin program spearheaded by Kabayan.
Being ignored en toto is worse than being criticized openly; at least, a public functionary’s name is not wasted in the dust bin of forgetfulness. As one American presidential hopeful that never was, cryptically said that earned ready recall when lampooned: he didn’t mind being assailed and criticized, as long as his name was spelled right.
Of course, it’s an SOP in security ops that the President and the VP should not, as much as possible, find themselves both in one place and time. But total isolation or absence, or zero work connection, and/or absence in significant social or state functions, is difficult to justify… And so, what’s the real score?
While in love plots in Mills and Boon fiction, ‘tis romantically said that absence makes the hearts grow fonder, it’s likewise warned that total absence makes the hearts forget. Perhaps, in politics, the same aphorism on total absence holds water.
Kabayan’s continued coyness to distance himself from association with Palace politics, and its nuanced backlash, is no longer contained by his "no politics muna, trabaho lang". Whereas, Gilbert Teodoro, Richard Gordon, and Bayani Fernando are avidly coveting Lakas-Kampi’s blessings as its anointed one, De Castro appears indecisive.
Incidentally, Bayani Fernando who many think hasn’t as yet earned the spurs to ride for the Palace, has been vocal to slam the Lakas-Kampi door in the faces of Teodoro and Kabayan as strangers to the party. Bayani believes it’s he who qualifies.
One recalls that Kabayan has consistently topped popularity surveys among national figures in office, as well as, among the 2010 presidentiables. Such top spot now is taken over by Senate President Manuel Villar. As the adage runs, he who toils to sow seeds, shall reap the fruits of his toils. Since Villar has sown promo seeds in multi-millions many times over in tv, radio, and press media – from leaked roofs to decent dwellings, from crawling poverty to dollar-earner OFWs oppressed in foreign climes, etc. – the Villar name recall is inevitable, or so it seems.
Will Kabayan stand pat in holding his horse, or will it be a farewell ride for the sunset? While the national and regional/provincial media and local politicos have now been actively aligning themselves for their Palace wannabes, what’s the score on Kabayan? Would Lakas-Kampi – other than the perceived media benefactor – trill the nod to: Which one will the fountain bless? Quo vadis, Mr. VP?
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Email: lparadiangjr@yahoo.com