Smiling Imee is right about father Duterte

By Alex P. Vidal

“In politics stupidity is not a handicap.”—Napoleon Bonaparte

ANOTHER reason why there was no immediate massive migration of

Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP)-Laban party members to the much-desired Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was the fear of being ostracized by former President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte, PDP-Laban’s demigod, who remains influential, according to Senator Imee Marcos.

This could also probably be the reason why some PDP-Laban members from the Visayas, particularly in Panay and Negros, have not made a major move to junk the old party for the new one as politicians are wont to do every time a new administration rises in the horizon.

They are probably in a wait and see situation or waiting for Mr. Duterte’s next body language.

Like former presidents Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, and Erap Estrada after they vacated the Palace, it is given that Mr. Duterte’s political clout and influence will not immediately dwindle.

He can still command a big crowd in political rallies, convince various sectors to vote and reject certain candidates, and endorse even mediocre senatorial wannabes.

Smiling Imee, who is also reportedly eyeing a higher post in the future elections, still believes in Mr. Duterte’s political invincibility and probably thinks the former president and strongman of Davao is the major key in her political obsession.

Palagay ko sobrang aga dahil kailangan sirain muna ang kinikilala o akala nilang kalaban,” she said. (I think it is too early to count him out because there is a need to discredit those they consider or think are their rivals.)

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“Huwag na huwag na iisipin yan, at alam naman natin matapos ang administrasyon ay biglang nagpapalitan ang kaalyado. Siyempre naisasantabi kahit na yung utang na loob. Yung mga nakinabang, biglang hindi na maalala,” Smiling Imee said in a recent interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo.

(Don’t ever think that. We know that alliances change when administrations change. Sometimes, political debts are forgotten by those who used to benefit from him.)

Smiling Imee’s remarks came after a major shake-up earlier at the House of Representatives has given rise to speculations about realignments for the 2025 and 2028 national elections.

Unlike what happened to Liberal Party (LP) where a big chunk of its national membership immediately jumped ship and embraced the PDP-Laban like orphans when former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III left office, PDP-Laban, under Mr. Duterte, wasn’t immediately totally deserted by loyal members.

Sooner or later, however, there will be a mammoth beeline of PDP-Laban deserters to President Marcos Jr.’s PFP.

It’s a question of when and not whether they will abandon the now anemic party.

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HAPPY 95^TH BIRTHDAY, Mickey Mouse! The world’s most famous animated rodent made his big-screen debut when “Steamboat Willie” premiered on November 18, 1928, in New York’s Colony Theatre.

ALEXANDER THE MURDERER. According to “The Venetian Betrayal” author Steve Berry, Alexander the Great had executed his physician Glaucias after blaming him for the death of his confidant and cavalry commander, Hephaestion.

CIMETRROPHOBIA is fear of cemeteries. Don’t go there unless you are ready to stay for good.

PHILPHOBIA is fear of falling in love. Do philphobiacs worry how to cultivate this innate emotional gift or they’re just simply hateful?

OCTOPHOBIA is fear of number 8. But this is my favorite number.

BEDROOM TURN OFF. People who have a television in their bedroom have 50 percent less sex than those who don’t. (Source: Baby und Families)

BEST PINOY FOOD. According to the Best of Filipino Food Recipes, the steps in preparation for “Arroz a la Valenciana” are the following recipe (We start by assembling these supplies): 1 cup cooked malagkit  2 cups cooked rice 1 cup mushroom, sliced 1 cup garbanzos 1 cup gisantes 2 cups fried sliced gluten 1 box spaghetti, cut in pieces and boiled 1 can pimiento, sliced 1 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 can stock or water 2 tablespoons onions, minced 1 teaspoon sage 2 teaspoons vetsin 6 hard-cooked eggs. Saute oritons in 2 tablespoon oil. Add tomato sauce and pimientos, cook a few minutes, and add mushroom, gluten, garbanzos and peas. Season with salt, vetsin and sage. Mix well and cook 5 minutes, then add rice and spaghetti. Mix very well. Garnish with eggs, pimientos and green onions.

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