In-fighting

UNLESS Bacolod City Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia does something, and fast, the in-fighting within his slate will soon erupt into the open and completely obliterate whatever little chance he has of getting reelected.

His congressional partner, Anthony Golez, is reportedly fuming over the reported endless demands of the so-called Voltes 5 for money and has practically closed the faucet. Instead, Golez is feverishly putting up his own political organization independent that of Leonardia, although most if not all of his recruits come from within Leonardia’s camp.

Obviously, Golez’s intent is to develop a more personal relationship with these recruits so that they cannot be lured by either Leonardia or the Voltes 5 to switch at the homestretch and support another congressional candidate, especially since this was the sad experience of those who ran in tandem with Leonardia in the past who believed that they were ditched at the last minute in favor of their opponents who, of course, won on account of this betrayal.

Golez, not being entirely new to the game, must be aware of this, hence his late effort to wean himself from total dependence on Leonardia. The inordinate demands of the Voltes 5 for more and more campaign funds from him was the last straw. It is said that Golez and the Voltes 5 have stopped talking to each other, with the latter now gravitating around Cano Tan.

However, this development is to be expected. In the early days of Cano Tan’s quest for Congress, the Voltes 5 were his constant companions. He used to pay for their drinks and even provided them with casino money. In fact, I and several other media practitioners had lunch with Cano Tan and the Voltes 5 some months back and they were emphatic in encouraging him to run. However, when Golez surfaced as Leonardia’s congressional partner and began throwing his money around, the Voltes 5 made a 45-degree turn by travelling with him to Hong Kong.

One other possible reason for the Voltes 5’s recent lukewarm attitude towards Golez is the latter’s very poor showing in the surveys. In spite of the huge sums of money poured into his campaign, Golez hardly made a dent. Notwithstanding Leonardia’s mammoth organization supposedly supporting him, Golez has remained a non-factor, faring even worse than Renecito Novero.

The Voltes 5, like most voters, do not like placing their bets on a loser. Add to that the fact that they are all reelectionists. They know that if they push too hard for Golez, they stand the danger of losing the Cano Tan voters. And considering their notoriety, this can doom whatever little chance they have of getting reelected.

Hence, it is not only for the funds of it that they are distancing themselves from Golez. It is because they now consider Golez a liability to their reelection bids.

The Voltes 5 is a cross Golez has to carry on his way to his own Golgotha.

The key in Golez’s calvary is Leonardia. If only he can be steadfast – and loyal – for once in his life, he can easily relieve Golez of that cross. For one, he can whip the Voltes 5 into line. If the Voltes 5 can easily sabotage Golez’s candidacy, it is probably because they have sensed that Leonardia himself may be having second thoughts about going all out on a limb for his congressional partner. And if he indeed leaves Golez to his own devices, this wouldn’t be the first in Leonardia’s political history.

Leonardia is not noted for sharing with his ticket the funds that come his way, leaving his councilors to fend for themselves. Golez’s joining the slate, with the PESO sign written all over him, the Voltes 5 may have seen in him manna from heaven. But when the fellow, fed up with their constant demands for more money, suddenly closed the faucets, there is no way for them to go but turn to Cano Tan.

But will Cano’s faucet be easier to open?