BY: DONALD SEVILLA

POV: THE UGLY TRUTH BEHIND THE FACADE

Politics is dirty business.Beneath the friendly faces and handshakes of politicians often lie sinister plots to ruin characters and destroy the competition. 

If you think politicking stops after elections are won and lost, you are totally wrong.It is a never-ending game that reeks of hypocrisy and treachery.

The quest to hold on to power is such that any perceived threat to it is nipped in the bud.

The Quo Warranto Petition filed against former Bohol Gov.Arthur Yap challenging his congressional seat as Partylist representative for Murang Kuryente is one classic example.

Having bowed out of local politics in Bohol after the 2022 elections, his political enemies are still hounding him, fearful of a comeback.

A POLITICAL VENDETTA DISGUISED AS ADVOCACY?

The petition filed by a convenor of the movement Lihok Bol-anon Batok sa Korapsyon, a loose aggrupation of Boholano anti-corruption crusaders is curious and interesting.

We admire people who sincerely profess advocacies we badly need to make our society better, but detest subtle moves designed with ulterior political motives in mind.

While this petition was made in one’s personal capacity as a taxpayer and a voter, it rides on the crest of a noble cause, anti-corruption which is a hot issue at the moment.

Laudable if this were true, but sadly it seems not. If we are dead serious about battling corruption why remain silent on the issues of perceived anomalies in our local governance? Why be selective and keep mum on the controversial purchase of a lot for a convention center by the capitol where the legitimate heirs and owners questioned it and where due diligence in safeguarding taxpayers’ money appears lacking? Why stay silent on flood control projects in our province?

CONNECTING THE DOTS

If we are to dig deeper and read between the lines, how can one be seriously aggrieved by the assumption of a partylist representative to an office, somewhat national in scope, far detached from the complexities of local political bickerings?

Unless one has a personal axe to grind or has the interest of a patron at heart there seems to be no other logical connection to come out of retirement and suddenly become involved.

Yet for what it is, it is important to know whereof this petition originated.

The good petitioner, Gen.Edgardo Ingking may have had a stellar career in his service but how he came to be cannot be totally free from question or doubt.

In the years prior he was the Provincial Police Director at the time of then Gov. Erico Aumentado, the present Governor’s father. Arthur Yap was the young Aumentado’s political adversary. 

Gen.Ingking was without a doubt close to the Aumentados and that cannot be disputed. How he came to be entangled in a politically sensitive issue at present is best left to discerning minds to digest. We need not say more.

DOES THE PETITION HAVE MERIT?

While it was already filed with the House  of Representatives Electoral Tribunal we leave it to Congress to resolve the issues raised. Am sure as a lawyer Arthur Yap can very well defend his position and himself at the Ombudsman too.

There are lawmakers in both Houses of the Legislature, Senators and Congressmen who are similarly situated but are still serving their positions. It is not within our realm to comment and render an opinion on the matter.

Yet many questions arise from the actions undertaken, which when peeled layer by layer speaks volumes about our politics.

POLITICAL PERSECUTION OR PARANOIA?

Is Arthur Yap a victim of political persecution or paranoia? For as long as he holds office and has a public presence he is considered a threat to the political equation in the province.

His recent appearances at the Annual General Assemblies of Bohol’s Electric Cooperatives may be unsettling to some but was part of the mandate and advocacy of the Murang Kuryente Partylist which he represents.

A man dedicated to public service remains restless and committed, and does things for the greater good.

In doing so he can be misunderstood and seen as a potential threat to those in power.

COLLATERAL DAMAGE

Yet even those who merely wish to point out the truth and set the record straight become victims of bashing and bullying from trolls who blindly defend their masters’ interests.

In speaking out I expect no less. I was once on the opposite side of the fence from Arthur Yap and stood on the other end of the political divide.

Over time things have unfurled and issues became clear. For the love of Bohol I cannot simply abandon her.

Our past and present leaders may have been born  and raised of Boholano blood but we cannot just dismiss someone who cares and loves Bohol with a heart as Boholano as any of us.

#kasingkasingbolanon