“(W)hy would Villar need Gloria? On the other hand, to steal victory away from Noynoy, GMA surely needs someone like Manny Villar. She does not want a President Noynoy hounding her for her sins against the Republic.”
by Ducky Paredes
Nacionalista Party presidential standard bearer Manny Villar may not be aware of it, but the suspicion that he is President GMA’s secret bet seems to have gained a lot of ground. (In fairness to Villar, he has denied that he has met with either Mike or Gloria Arroyo.)
A friend from Bicol reports that in certain areas, this is not just a suspicion; it is steadily becoming the perception. And it is gaining currency not just among the ordinary voters, but even among candidates and elective officials.
He reports talking to a number of voters, some barangay level political leaders in a town in Sorsogon, an incumbent member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and a candidate for the municipal council in another town who is running under one of the major political parties. These people interact with political personalities from other provinces; hence the impression is not just parochial. In fact, even in Metro Manila, this belief has taken root.
This rumor (unfounded., according to Villar’s camp) has resulted in confusion. Some actually believe that whether this is true or not, Villar’s camp is, for some reason, deliberately encouraging the spread of this rumor. (But, what would Villar gain from doing this?)
What “proves” the supposed alliance between Villar and the Arroyo administration is the belief that the election is now a two-horse race between the Liberal Party’s Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar.
Skeptics ask this very logical question: Even assuming a tight race, what can Arroyo give Villar that he does not already possess?
The NP bet already has all the financial and logistical resources that any candidate can possibly wish for. He has a strong political organization, thanks to the tireless revitalization effort that he has pursued since becoming the NP president. His advertising and political propaganda materials are doing wonders for his bid. And, he could well be on the way to overhauling the lead of Noynoy Aquino that, a few months ago, seemed insurmountable.
Thus, why would Villar need Gloria? On the other hand, to steal victory away from Noynoy, GMA surely needs someone like Manny Villar. She does not want a President Noynoy hounding her for her sins against the Republic.
Of course, there is the possibility that Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s Gibo Teodoro could still spring a surprise, the way former President Fidel Ramos snatched victory “in the last two minutes” from the then front-running Miriam Defensor Santiago. However, political wisdom says that the race is now practically deadlocked between Villar and Aquino. And from all indications, it will be a very tight battle between the two until election day. In addition, one has to wonder why the party in power has left Gibo and Edu unfunded with just 65 days to election day.
In a photo finish, Manny will need the push from those sectors that may be in control of what is usually called the “swing vote.” And the party that controls what may concededly be considered as the biggest block of swing votes is Lakas-Kampi CMD, or at least the GMA loyalists in the party.
Now, in the event the Lakas-Kampi CMD, or the GMA loyalists, switch their support, the beneficiary in a two-horse rwace will surely enjoy a big edge over his rival.
So, would it be unthinkable for Villar to strike up a deal with GMA and her people? Of course not. Not if it can be kept a secret!
This theory (or rumor) was even fanned by the recent reports quoting Presidential spokesman Gary Olivar as saying that the Arroyo administration is thankful that Villar has not been lambasting the President. There was also the rumor of the supposed secret meeting between key personalities of the two sides, purportedly to fine tune the details of a deal, which has been vehemently denied by Villar.
But, what is more telling is the lukewarm support that the Arroyo administration has been giving the Teodoro-Manzano team, particularly Edu who, this late in the campaign, does not even have a single TV infomercial to trumpet his vice presidential bid.
There is talk going around that Gibo is spending his own money. On the other hand, Edu Manzano has reportedly admitted that he has no “K” – walang kuwarta.
But what about the widespread belief that GMA’s support would mean a “kiss of death” for any candidate that she endorses? That’s a no-brainer, of course – the instructions to switch support to Villar can be relayed to the party workers in “the last two minutes.”
And what will be the quid-pro-quo for GMA? Guarantee from prosecution for graft and other serious charges. Plus the Villar administration’s backing for her to become the Speaker of the House, since her victory in the second congressional district of Pampanga is already a sure thing over unknown Adonis Simpao.
The thing to remember is that Villar is deadset on becoming President. This is something that he has worked and prepared for, all through the years. He will not brook any opposition and will do anything to attain his ambition.
Former President Joseph Estrada disclosed that for sometime now, one of the presidential candidates (unnamed) has been asking him to withdraw his candidacy, and for Erap to endorse him instead. In exchange, Erap would reportedly be reimbursed all the expenses that he has incurred. And plus-plus, I suppose.
Obviously, this candidate would like to secure for himself the support of the poor, which compose the major part of Erap’s constituency. (The Villar camp says that Erap is not interesting to them since Erap and Manny are both already competing for the masa vote and Erap’s withdrawal would force Erap’s masa vote to go to Manny, not to anyone else, no matter who Erap endorses.)
Recently, Dick Gordon told Mike Enriquez of DZBB that Villar offered him any cabinet position if he withdrew from the presidential race, a claim that Villar flatly denies. Gordon says that his children were witnesses but has refused to name the Villar emissary who made the offer.
Villar has already spent an estimated P2 billion-plus in pursuit of his consuming ambition. What’s an additional billion or two to fulfill his dream? But wouldn’t that amount to buying his way to the presidency? An indecency, or the only way for Villar to go?
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hvp 03.03.10)
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