Independent ‘republic’

As we observe today our 125th Independence Day, we pay tribute to our nation’s history that is replete with independent “Republics.” Our country’s political history in particular had had five Philippine Republics from the time the Spanish rule ended in our country.

For the past few weeks, we have been treated to a rather petty exchange of politics-driven brickbats involving top elected leaders of our country. Lately, this has erupted into full-blown mudslinging that now included supporters of the feuding political leaders. Amid the political ruckus, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) has apparently been trying his best brinksmanship in a bid to keep his administration’s UniTeam intact.

After all, it is just less than a year after the May 9 national and local elections that brought these feuding politicians all together into PBBM administration. As the highest elected official of the land, naturally PBBM must be above the fray even if this conflict may involve the closest of allies and members of his official family.

However, PBBM could ill afford to lose traction of the gains forged with UniTeam leaders, especially those elected into office at the 19th Congress. So how will the Chief Executive tread on the widening divide? We will probably see at least indications of how the situation turns out when PBBM delivers next month his second state of the nation address (SONA).

Before our lawmakers adjourned their sessions sine die last May 31, Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez touted about their respective legislative outputs during their first regular sessions amid rumored ouster plots against them.

Over the weekend, former House Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez suddenly came out of the woodwork to validate an alleged plot to oust Romualdez as Speaker. When these rumors first erupted, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo broke her silence and vehemently denied her purported leading the ouster plot. “That’s what I heard from some colleagues because I stay in the province, going around the barangays ... Yes, there is (a plot),” Alvarez told a media interview.

Mrs. Arroyo admitted indeed she was initially interested to become a Speaker again. But since the Speakership must have the backing of Malacañang, she did not pursue it anymore, according to her statement shortly after her recent demotion to Deputy Speaker from being a Senior Deputy of Romualdez. A veteran lawmaker, Alvarez is no stranger to the leadership tug-o-war in Congress. The Davao del Norte Congressman was ousted as Speaker and replaced by Mrs. Arroyo with the open backing by then Davao City Mayor and now Vice President Sara Duterte.

As daughter of then President Rodrigo Duterte, she reached out to the ruling administration allies to topple Alvarez as Speaker exactly on the day her father was to give his SONA in July, 2018. Her father had to cool his heels at the Batasan Pambansa to wait until the political circus settled down and saved everyone’s faces.

Sharing his own experience, Alvarez rationalized as part of the “normal democratic process” the maneuvers to remove leaders in Congress. He, however, advised Romualdez to be wary of those who profess loyalty because they could also be the ones to backstab him.

The revelations of Alvarez resonated in the halls of Congress especially with continuing talks about an alleged plot. It doesn’t help that VP Sara quit Lakas-CMD in protest over Mrs. Arroyo’s “demotion” at the Lower House while sending out cryptic messages.

To House observers, VP Sara’s open and unequivocal support for Mrs. Arroyo which led her to break ties with Lakas and Romualdez are telltale signs already. And while nobody wants to talk about it, Alvarez just confirmed it.

Someone close to VP Sara should probably advise her that ranting in public fora is not doing her any good. Yes, she may score some brownie points in terms of media mileage. But she should choose her words carefully. Using terms like “tambaloslos” is quite unbecoming of for the second highest elected official of the land – one who is a heartbeat away from the Presidency. She’s also the Secretary of the Department of Education, the executive body tasked to mold the minds and character of our elementary and high school students.

In a single public appearance, VP Sara managed to insert into national psyche the term “tambaloslos” which led to a mad scramble for published materials that could explain what the word means. Imagine the shock of our youngsters and their parents upon discovering information about the mythical character. She, too, is a mother of three young boys. Thus, this is something not loosely uttered in public, especially in her own social media account where she is actively engaged.

This could possibly haunt her in years to come. Just mention “tambaloslos” and VP Sara comes to mind.

Rather than feed on negative energy, VP Sara perhaps should re-direct her attention to more pressing issues hounding her Department. Just recently, the militant Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) urged the Department of Education to hasten the release of one-time rice assistance to all public school teachers and ensure that the rice stocks being distributed are fit for human consumption. Talking tough anti-communist rhetoric, the DepEd chief should not ignore this even if it comes from a red-tagged group.

In apparent bid to appease her, PBBM posted his greeting on social media video on the 45th birthday of VP Sara and reiterated their being “best friends forever.” It did not stop VP Sara though in dissing in public anew her avowed enemy. She practically named him as someone who shares the middle name of the President, being a first cousin.

While she has demonstrated her rabid loyalty to family and closest of allies, VP Sara also has a track record of “independence” of heart and mind. She is an independent “republic” unto her own self which she flagrantly displayed even while her father was still in power at Malacañang.