Pabor kay Binay

Has Malacañang created a Little Ninoy out of Makati’s Binay?

By Alejandro LichaucoANALYSIS

THE DAILY TRIBUNE
10/19/2006

To liken Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay to the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino might, on first impression, draw nothing but amused chuckles from seasoned political watchers. Binay is far from being the national figure that Ninoy was. But then, one might consider that the comparison is being made in the context of a very specific situation whose main feature is an ongoing search by the political public in general and the opposition (both civilian and military) in particular, for a figure who could credibly stand as an acceptable alternative to GMA.

Until recently, no such figure appeared on sight and it has been generally conceded that GMA’s strength lies in the weakness of the opposition and that the core of that weakness, in turn, lies in the failure of the various opposition factions to reach a consensus on just who their “maximum leader” should be.

If the long expected and hoped-for military coup of disillusioned elements in the military has failed to materialize, it is because those elements have not been able to identify the figure, whether military or civilian, around whom they can unify and mobilize.

The decision of Malacañang to finally dispose of Binay politically by suspending him from office could turn out to be one of those fatefully historic decisions on a comparatively trivial matter which turned the tide of events, the “tipping point” as it were, in the political equation which so far had remained static.

Why should this be so? The question is appropriate because Binay, as earlier observed, certainly isn’t a Ninoy. Ninoy wasn’t only a senator of the land but he loved to talk and expound on national issues and if he was a national figure it wasn’t so much because he was a senator but because he displayed a vision that was national in scope. In the specific circumstances of martial law, as the nation searched for an alternative to Marcos, Ninoy emerged as a “natural.” He was a senator who certainly didn’t think like a mayor or even a governor or even a member of the House. In that sense, to liken him to Binay, or Binay to him, might seem, on first hearing, a rather absurd comparison which would trivialize Ninoy.

But then, all that could be past tense and for a number of specially important and timely reasons.

First, Binay stands vigorously identified with the GMA Resign movement and heads a national coalition committed to forcing GMA out of office. When you combine that with the fact that he presides politically over the most prestigious and wealthiest constituency in the Philippines, drawing his strength not — repeat not — from the privileged class but precisely from the underclass, then what you have isn’t a common mayor but a mayor who definitely contains in himself the potential of transforming into a national figure. He is of the underclass, identified with the underclass, but somehow managing to govern a constituency identified, locally and internationally, with the class of privilege. And that’s political feat enough.

Another reason has to do with the hunger of the times. These are times, as said earlier, when the nation is desperately hungry for an alternative national leader to replace the incumbent. That hunger might well have been put to a swift and sudden end when Malacañang decided to force Binay out of office. In these times, that decision, no matter how well founded on the merits, assuming that it was, could spell only one word, and that is persecution. The persecution of one vigorously identified with a coalition of nationally consequential elements that want so much to see GMA out and searching for the “maximum leader” among them while vying for the title of maximum.

But beyond the reasons cited, there is Binay’s leadership style. In the days just past, he has shown that when boxed into a corner he can turn even more defiant — willing to do battle, and do battle literally to the death. Letting the word out that he is a reserve colonel in the Armed Forces, he has donned his Marine battle uniform and sported an Uzi, to make his point clear. Meaning, he isn’t just a little politician but a military man as well, prepared to take on the entire political and military establishment with his Uzi, and to die in his uniform and in his office at that. Prepared, that is, to do a Custer’s last stand.

Well, what do you do with such guy — in a time like this?

Isn’t that precisely what the Resign GMA movement — if not the entire nation, for that matter — is looking for? Someone who is prepared to do a Custer’s last stand against GMA’s force, no matter how overwhelming? Prepared, in brief, to die for his cause? The irony is that Binay wouldn’t have emerged as such a figure if the Palace didn’t think of doing him in politically. But it did, and that is what could do in GMA, finally.

It was, if this piece may say so, an incredibly stupid decision, as stupid as doing Ninoy in, and in the process, created a Ninoy out of Binay.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD ANALYSIS AND I GUESS THE DOWNFALL OF GMA IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER…JUST LIKE THE APPROACHING CHRISTMAS SEASON!!!