Straight Talk by Roy Moraleta
Straight Talk

The propensity of mere political friendships

Jul 8, 2021, 12:05 AM
Roy Moraleta

Roy Moraleta

Columnist

IN A FAST-shifting world of politics, alliances can be expendable. It promises no lasting friendship. Other than the benefits and leverages that come with political friendship, there can be nothing greatly foundational between politicians whose bond is purely political.

Meetings, dining, or even seemingly bond-forming occasions, however frequent and casual, can be shallow and superficial. In due time, when the equation of good politics is no longer present and working in a political bond, severing of alliances between political friends follow suit in a flash. It is harsh, cruel, and, if necessary, deadly. Sering pa hadton kilala nga announcer ha radyo – mano July Cabaluna, “waray permanente nga sangkay. An permanente la buhaybuhay.”

We see this happening now between then “good friends” and party mates President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Manny Pacquiao. The former is chairman and the latter president of their own ruling PDP Laban party. We could only but speculate on what could have driven the two to engage in a trashy cruel war of words. If not restrained and effectively resolved with a political compromise, their brewing conflict can worsen as election time draws close. Better still if the alliance between the two runs deep than mere political expedience. But as I earlier expounded, it’s likely that we will yet to witness again massive party membership abdications and crossover of turncoats just like what happened before and after the 2016 elections. Then small and largely ignored PDP Laban party in no time became the ruling super-majority party up to the present. With the seemingly insoluble crack within and among its ranks, it’s just a matter of time before PDP Laban becomes the party again of the forgotten.

But of course, the dynamics of political alliances can be overwhelmingly strong if founded on trust and true friendship. After all, true friendship in the world of politics is and should not be limited to political convenience; nor should be founded on the inherent nature of politics and its demands. But often than not, probably because of the underlying reality of politics – the lure of power, money, and influence – such is not the case among our politicos. They can be the best of friends yesterday and the bitterest of enemies today. Trust me, we are yet to witness again a lot of these turncoats change their political surnames and allies sooner than you would have thought.



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