Jockeying for Marcos jobs like Pavlov’s dogs

By Alex P. Vidal

“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”—Red Adair

LIKE Pavlov’s dogs, some supporters of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. are queueing and salivating for employment in government in response to an arbitrary stimulus: the age-old political utang na loob or debt of gratitude.

We have nothing against it as long as the political jobseekers aren’t dullards and inutile and won’t steal from the taxpayers and enrich themselves while in public office.

There will be Ilonggos in the Marcos administration, for sure.

If they apply and are accepted, what’s wrong with it? Why not?

Six years of “happy days are here again” is enough for dedicated workers, and too short, of course, for the thieves and rapscallions.

Six more years—or beyond what is mandated by the Constitution—is avarice and rapaciousness.

To the victor belong the spoils, a political expression against the Democratic Party made in 1832 by New York Senator William Marcy, who saw nothing wrong in the rule that to the victor belongs the spoils of victory.

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In 2016, or months after he poleaxed Mar Roxas by a wide margin (but not as “scary” as Mr. Marcos’ margin of lead over Vice President Leni Robredo in the recent election), outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte signed the employment papers of lesser-known supporters who jockeyed for various co-terminus positions, including subordinate cabinet jobs.

Some of them attached photos in their “credentials” showing them and then candidate Duterte on stage during the election campaign smiling together like long lost friends and flashing a fist bump sign.

Mr. Duterte actually didn’t know many of them from Adam, but because of the photo reinforcement, plus the backing from key Duterte lieutenants, they made it in the biggest post-election employment galore.

Some of these appointees, occupying “not-so-prominent-but-meaty” positions, will bow out with Mr. Duterte after the inauguration of Mr. Marcos Jr. as the new president on June 30, 2022.

History is repeating.

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TWO CONTRASTING FATES. In the Philippines, there are two ways for elected public servants to exit after an election defeat:

1. Accept the loss gracefully, congratulate the winners, thank their supporters, and move on to the next chapter of their career; and 2. Vacate the office after the loss but not after filing a protest and insisting they were cheated. Even if it won’t be proven, at least they are making it hard for the winners to take over.

While Capiz Governor Esteban Evan “Nonoy” Contreras II conceded to former 2nd District Representative Fredenil “Oto” Castro, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia has filed election protest against Mayor-elect Alfredo “Albee” Benitez and sought for a manual recount.

Castro garnered 249,622 votes while Contreras got 149,315 votes. Benitez received 171,893 votes while Leonardia collected 107,447 votes.

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Observers said it wasn’t hard for Contreras, who upset incumbent governor Antonio “Tony” Del Rosario in 2019, to accept defeat and even egged his supporters to “move forward and help our beloved province.”

Contreras further quipped: “I am very grateful and to all Capiznons for giving me the chance to serve Capiz as the people’s governor.”

Leonardia, on the other hand, filed a complaint at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office in Manila 11 days after the election and sought for the holding of special elections in Bacolod allegedly due to massive vote-buying and the presence of fake voters.

He called the results of election “mysterious and unbelievable.”

Because he gamely accepted his defeat, Contreras will now have a peace of mind after vacating his post.

Leonardia will have to spend more money, suffer sleepless nights, endure the brickbats from those who don’t agree with him, and prolong his mental and emotional agony. What if the Comelec will eventually trash his case?

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)