Who rules the second corridor of power?

Big or small, any organization or group is almost always vulnerable to divisiveness, especially when it is composed mostly of feisty women. From talks around, it appears that Malacañang is no exception and, so far known, there are two factions, namely the so-called “Buhay” or “Bahay” and “Samar.” One is said to be the party loyalists of the Liberals, and the other consisting of Pres. Noynoy’s personal friends and family kin.

 In fact, there’s also the obvious “rivalry” between Palace spokesman Atty. Edwin Lacierda’s clique and that of Secretary Ricky Carandang’s, both supposedly forming the Communications Group. Incidentally, President Noynoy had decried the failure of the two groups to unite to inform the public of the developments being undertaken by his administration.

  And if the rumored plan to enlist the services of Liberal Party VP-loser Manuel “Mar” Roxas II as Noynoy’s “trouble shooter” comes into fruition, there surely would emerge a third tier of Palace-insiders competition, the Roxas faction and the Ochoa camp.

 Well, how’s that for inter-Palace rigmarole galore that would be very interesting to watch, and for PNoy to referee. And it may also be possible cause of migraine, which, to the naughty Cebuanos, fit into the colloquialism: “mag-ilog ug mag-away sa tinubo-an.”

  Let’s focus on the probable Roxas vs Ochoa scenario… Unless the President changes the designation, Atty. Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa, Jr. is the incumbent Executive Secretary who functions as the “little president” and the highest honcho of the Palace personnel and staff. Also barring change of mind, Mar Roxas as “trouble shooter” may be designated as the “chief of staff.” Palace protocol since way back, the Palace chief of staff takes the second rank behind the executive secretary.

 Early on, however, PNoy assured that there will be no in-fighting because he has defined the functions of both positions, insuring no over-lapping of their delineated roles. But old Palace insiders are not keen on over-lapping, rather on possibility of which wields the more power and influence. Whether it is the executive secretary as the “little president” who holds the upper rung, or the chief of staff as “trouble shooter”, is a matter of speculation. Will Mar Roxas accede to a subordinate role to Jojo Ochoa?

  There’s no question that Mar Roxas is a long-time presidential timber who had to yield to Noynoy Aquino on the sole basis of family pedigree as heir apparent of parental name. And so, yielding to the vice-presidency, Roxas appeared as a sure winner versus puny Jojo Binay. But ramifications of politics had a different judgment and, Jojo Binay beat Mar Roxas convincingly.

  As far as political or governmental experience is concerned, Mar Roxas over-shines Jojo Ochoa. Mar Roxas went through the gamut of the political ladder as Congressman of Capiz 1st district and as Senator whose legislative experience, his colleagues, like, Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senator Miguel Zubiri are profuse in their opinions on Roxas’ capability. There’s also the experience of Mar Roxas as Secretary of Trade and Industry. On personality and inherent qualities, Roxas is “It”, even without Korina…

 On the other hand, Jojo Ochoa’s experience was with private exposure. Definitely, he is also first class caliber in qualifications and has gone through the turf wars. He has shown so far leadership acumen in running the affairs of his office as executive secretary.

 Anyhow, there’s no doubt that the experience of Mar Roxas, his acquired political savvy, and his innate qualities as a great human and humane being, would be helpful to the administration of PNoy. This has already been proven when Mar Roxas, as informal liaison with Taipeh was a success, without the Philippines submitting a formal written apology. This was the condition precedent that the Taiwan government required for the Philippine faux pas in deporting the Taiwanese nationals who transgressed our laws, to Beijing of mainland China, instead of to Taipeh.

Above all, despite these talks of probable rivalry between Mar and Jojo in wielding Malacañang power, the pundits and experienced political observers are one in saying that Mar Roxas is a complete statesman and gentleman who is beyond the petty in-fighting and political power plays.