That ain't Oca

PALACE TO pour in billions if Oca wins congressman

Passable is the infirmity of the syntax of Headline Gitnang Luzon’s banner Wednesday. But not the severity of its impact.

Electoral victory as some sine qua non pre-conditionality appended to the outflow of Malacanang’s largesse is elemental patronage politics. That which is supposed to be the very bête noire of this government priding itself to have been morally grounded on the straight and narrow path, aye, the daang matuwid.

So, what gives?  

The story goes:

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – President Aquino will pour in billions of pesos for infrastructure projects in Pampanga’s Third District provided Mayor Oscar Rodriguez wins as congressman of the district.

This was according to Rodriguez himself who recently spoke to Headline Gitnang Luzon. The three-term mayor is running for House representative of the district.

Rodriguez said Aquino will not release the funds “if the boy with a four-lettered name will win.” He fell short of describing the person but his rival for the post is Third District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., whose nickname is “Dong.”

“Buking na siya (He is known already),” said Rodriguez.

He said Aquino “needs someone he trusts in Pampanga that’s why I had to run.”

Rodriguez said the funds will be used primarily to improve the P3.4 billion Cong Dadong Dam in Arayat town. It was designed to irrigate 10,270 hectares of farms in seven eastern towns, most of which are part of the Third District...

There, Oca took the line of his Liberal Party co-member, former Gov. Eddie T. Panlilio, invoking exclusive presidential trust, and therefore exclusive channeling of development funds.

Of course, we all know that sans PNoy’s “trust” in Gov. Lilia “”Nanay Baby” Pineda, the province of Pampanga has not been wanting in national government attention and assistance – from infrastructure to health to social services, not the least of which were the some 50,000 PhilHealth cards issued to the Kapampangan poor.

Still, Oca is now saying in effect, “No Oca in Congress, no money from the national government.”   

I see the voters being subjected to blackmail – emotionally, intellectually – there.

I cannot believe that statement could ever come from Oca. He, who has always  been known to have the highest respect for the intellect of the voters of the third district whom he embodied in the House for four terms. With the highest distinction, if I dare say.

I feel the voters being harassed – psychologically – there.

I cannot believe any and all things attributed to Oca in the story. He, who has always been on the side of the right in the defense of victims of political harassment and violations of human rights. To the point of endangering his own life. 

I cannot fathom how Oca could ever descend to bullying and bamboozling the electorate to get the vote.

Unimpeachable were his accomplishments as congressman, apexing in his prosecutorial brilliance in the impeachment trial of President Estrada.

Etched in granite, so to speak, are his achievements as mayor – the 4^th best in the  World Mayor Prize, the 2012 presidential Lingkod Bayan awardee, the designated role model for local chief executives, the very avatar of good governance.

On his own, by his outstanding public servanthood, Oca can very well be judged most fit, most deserving of any elective position he will ever aspire for.

On principle is Oca solidly grounded. As he did in fighting the dictatorship.

On principle, Oca may fall. As he did in being a prisoner of conscience in the darkest days of martial rule, as he did in sticking out with the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino in 1992 to the point of losing his congressional seat. 

On principle, Oca rises. Again, and again.

This much I know of Oca, having been privileged, indeed, honoured, to have authored his proto-bio.

That Headline Gitnang Luzon story is a reduction of Oca to absurdity.

That isn’t Oca. That cannot be Oca.

Or, was I so much awed by the myth that I failed to see the man?