The roller-coaster political career of Mayor Rama

Mayor Michael Rama seems politically dead, but one should not jump to conclusions too quickly. If there was one major trial that signaled his political downfall but from which he still emerged victorious, it was when he was accused of being a drug protector in the previous administration.

Being tagged as a drug protector was too heavy a burden for many. Some left the country, while others went into hiding. But Rama did not leave when he had the chance, nor did he hide. He eventually cleared his name, ran for mayor in 2022, and won.

This is not to say that Rama remains undisturbed by the recent political storm he is facing. However, it may explain why his fighting spirit still seems strong. Or perhaps he simply knows how to maintain his composure. I sensed this during my interview with him in my “Straight to the Point” radio program.

He faced a serious battle, and the Ombudsman decided to dismiss him from public service for nepotism. Before this, he was preventively suspended for six months for another case.

Although Rama is optimistic I reminded him that optimism has its limits. Specifically, I made it clear to him that, fairly or unfairly, his name may be cancelled as a candidate in line with the current Comelec resolution.

So, what will happen if this scenario occurs? Will his party be without a mayoralty candidate? It looks like he keeps his cards close to his chest. I pressed him on his Plan B. He did not give a specific answer. But this I say: Equally important is his obligation to give his party a good idea on the path forward.

Rama, who has been in politics for many decades, has encountered many storms throughout his career, the strongest being during Duterte’s time. Worth watching is how he skillfully maneuvers to survive the current political storm.

However, if Rama eventually falls, who among the mayoralty candidates will benefit from his downfall? Will it be sitting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Councilor Nestor Archival, or Yogi Ruiz? We are not really sure yet.

Let a similar event instruct us.  When the bitter critics of then Vice President Jejomar Binay launched a total demolition job against him, his ratings went down. But his closest political opponent, Mar Roxas, did not benefit from it. He was roundly defeated by Rodrigo Duterte in the presidential race.

The lesson: Whoever is perceived by the public as the author of the demolition job will not necessarily become the beneficiary. After all, Filipinos love underdogs.

What the Garcia-Daluz, Archival-Osmeña, and Ruiz camps must avoid is being perceived as the oppressors. There is a widespread view that the current administration is targeting its opponents.

Well, Philippine politics has long been branded as a dirty game. There is also the saying, “weather-weather lang”. Astute politicians are presumably familiar with and ready to play this kind of game.