THE widening rift between the warring factions within the ruling PDP-Laban – that of Senator Manny Pacquiao’s versus President Rodrigo Duterte’s at the national level -- will ripple down to the provinces. If you try to peer through and somehow find the feedback of party leaders in the local level, what you will find likely is a sort of misty wait-and-see attitude, if not at all a loud silence ready to explode. Why is it so? Because the wisdom of local political leaders is to always place the winning bet to the sure winner.
I won’t name names yet. But of late, I am hearing though of pronounced dislikes of prominent local political bigwigs within and outside the ruling party to certain presidential wannabees the likes of prominent names now being the subject of political discussions. I am also seeing a discreet fondness of some prominent local businessmen and political leaders to one particular “presidential” material, not so much because he has “greater chances of winning” or so he claimed, but more so because of his penchant to give away his wealth. The voracious so-called local political supporters of his are ready to devour the profusion of his “misguided generosity”, or so I dare call.
So, Good luck Senator
But here is my take: Whatever happens to PDP-Laban after its July 17 National Council assembly, and if it will result in the significant party loss of Pacman, is something that will ripple down to the mushrooming party chapters and alliances at the local levels – a powerful hold that Pacman claims he has, or so because of his celebrity status.
photo from Inquirer.net
And we will yet see if the popular Duterte group still has that political power clench over Leyte and the rest of the provinces in the region and in other vote-rich regions and provinces (Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone has already reaffirmed his loyalty to President Duterte during the recent meeting PDP-Laban national officials had with PRRD in Malacañang). It is a necessary powerhouse they must meet at all costs if they have to maintain a powerful hold in the next six years.