Using the Arroyo stigma again for 2013 and 2016

Come to think of it, why would Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and Miguel Zubiri want to be in the United Nationalist Alliance, a coalition that former President Joseph Estrada and Vice President Jojo Binay are forming for the 2013 senatorial elections, and not under the political party of Gloria Arroyo, their benefactor?

We can only guess that they themselves know how unpopular Arroyo is. They want to use other political vehicles and they have found this in UNA.

This has nothing to do with loyalty because we believe Magsaysay remains solidly behind Arroyo. It’s being practical. Actually a smart move. And opportunistic.

We are intrigued, however, by the decision of Binay, who is not shy about his 2016 presidential plans, to allow the two to align with him knowing the political damnation people tainted by Arroyo, imagined or not, suffer. Remember how the “Villaroyo” tag doomed Manny Villar’s presidential bid?

Not surprising that Liberal Party leaders and anti-Binay operators immediately picked up the slant and pastin on Binay the Arroyo stigma. Binay had to remind the public of the time when those are now styling themselves as anti-Arroyo used to be her ardent supporters.

Binay twitted them:”Look who’s talking? Those who are saying these things now were rabid supporters of GMA before. Isn’t it that they used to be ‘Yes Ma’am. Yes GM?’ Now look who’s passing themselves off as untainted?’

It should not be forgotten that Arroyo was installed in Malacanang in 2001 without election mainly by the so-called civil society, many of them are associates of Aquino.

The Liberal Party was part of the ruling coalition during the Arroyo administration. In 2004, Binay was the campaign manager of the opposition candidate, Fernando Poe, Jr. against Arroyo.

When the opposition complained of massive cheating in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao in the 2004 elections,LP member Francis Pangilinan, together with then Iloilo Rep. Raul Gonzales (who was later rewarded with the post of justice secretary), dismissed the eivdences with “Noted.”

Many of the lawmakers who are now with the administration were among those who voted for the railroading of the proclamation of Arroyo in the wee hours of the morning, while the nation was asleep.

Of course, some of them abandoned Arroyo when her cheating in the 2004 election was exposed by the “Hello Garci” tapes.

Binay reminded is right to recall the harassment of Arroyo. Mike Arroyo and his good friend Efraim Genuino, former chairman of the cash cow, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, tried to oust Binay through the Department of Interior and Local Government. They even fielded Sen. Lito Lapid in 2007 against Binay. Lapid, of course, lost although it was reported that he gained a lot financially.

The point here is those who have helped Arroyo in her power grab and benefited from her should not style themselves as immaculately free of the Arroyo taint.It’s hypocritical.

Also, if one is not in awe of Aquino, it doesn’t mean he is supporting Arroyo. Being critical of Aquino is not necessarily pro-Arroyo.

There is such thing as pro-good governance. That’s neither Aquino nor Arroyo.
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I did not describe Zubiri as former senator because I believe he was never elected senator. His five year stint in the Senate using the seat of the real winner, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, was null and void.

I don’t buy Zubiri’s line that he was completely innocent of the cheating that put him in the Senate even if he didn’t win.