How do you solve a problem like Sara's?

The vice president, by the strange words that she has just blurted out, is facing a huge, nay, gargantuan problem, in fact, many and multifaceted. She is self-destructing and in fact facing a political meltdown. Talking about decapitating BBM or cutting off the head of the president and desecrating the remains of BBM's late father are not only unbecoming of a vice president, it is outright improper and even outrageous.

The people are shocked. Senator Koko Pimentel, who is being expected by Senate President Chiz Escudero to head the investigation into the extrajudicial killings in lieu of Senator Bato de la Rosa, in a press conference last week, suggested that VP Sara should see a professional medical expert. He insinuated that the words that came out from the mouth of the vice president were a palpable manifestation of something not normal. As a fellow Mindanaoan, albeit the Dutertes have grabbed the PDP-Laban banner from the rightful leader, who is himself, Koko as a decent and dignified leader, expressed sincere concern for the condition and well-being of Inday Sara.

Inday Sara is a beleaguered woman nowadays and in the many days yet to come. She is facing a serious problem of explaining how she spent ?16 million in 11 days just to pay for some safe houses. She is being threatened with an impeachment by the House which is being controlled by the allies of her nemesis, the speaker of the House, who happens to be the favorite first cousin of the president. She is also facing many questions raised by the COA on the liquidation of the expenses of the Office of the Vice President. Her budget for her office has been substantially reduced. She has no more support in the House except the unlamented murmurs of former president GMA and her Davao ally, Congressman Ungab.

The Duertes are melting down as a political family. They have promised that three Dutertes were running for the Senate: Digong, Polong, and Baste. But recent events point out to the danger that they may be losing their last bastion, which is Davao. There is grave and imminent risk that the physically-weakening and aged former president Digong might be defeated by a very brilliant young lawyer, former Civil Service Commission chairman Karlo Nograles. Even more threatened is congressman Polong who is not a lawyer and is facing a very dynamic lady lawyer, incumbent party list representative Atty. Migs Nograles.

The son of Polong who is running for congressman in the Toril district is being opposed by one young and stronger bet from the Garcia Family, allied with the Nograles camp. If and when the Dutertes are going to lose Davao, then that shall be the end of VP Duterte's political career. The Marcos and Romualdez political clout in Davao and the whole of Mindanao could be maximized next year to secure the defeat of the Dutertes. The Duterte Family members have offended the president and his coalition. This is now the time for the Duertes to reap the backlash of all their attacks against BBM.

Inday Sara's popularity rating is going down. In Cebu, Christina Frasco, her erstwhile spokeswoman, is now a BBM Cabinet member. The Garcias are now allies of the Marcos camp. The Dutertes have no more support here in Cebu except that of Mayor Mike Rama, who persisted in being loyal to Digong, despite what Duterte did to hurt Mike before. Inday Sara is now the head of a crumbling house. The Dutertes can no longer fight the Marcoses frontally. Inday Sara cannot even deliver a solid Mindanao vote. Mindanao votes are now fragmented, and BBM has gained much headway.

Inday Sara is now a lame duck. She has no more allies, no more funding. All her previous allies have jumped to the wagon of BBM. She can no longer recover. Her words are indicative of a desperate trapo who is facing an imminent end to her political career. Not only is she losing steam and losing her self-control, she is visibly rattled and is on self-destruction, and is committing a political hara-kiri.

And that is how her cookie crumbles. She is alone, sad, angry, tired, desperate, and practically defeated. (CEBU NEWS)