Last Sunday, November 8, the Philippines remembered the strongest typhoon to hit our country, resulting in many deaths and leaving thousands homeless in Leyte and Northern Cebu. In Tacloban City, Leyte, we witnessed looting by some residents in areas where there was no peace and order because law enforcers and the local government were also affected by the devastation brought by Supertyphoon Yolanda.
The first few days after the storm showed the degree of property damage and deaths all over the city and the rest of Leyte and Samar. We saw similar devastation in northern Cebu towns. I had the opportunity to go around Medellin town where we delivered relief items gathered from my political science 12 students of the University of San Carlos.
In our travel there, we saw houses and trees flattened by the supertyphoon. Many people lined the streets begging for assistance, especially food because there was none to be bought in the area. As we went around, we couldn’t help but cry over the miserable conditions. Many lost their houses, and had no food.
A few days ago, the Commission on Audit released a report that didn’t look good for the government. It said the government failed up to now to meet the needs of people affected by Yolanda. Donated funds were not fully expended for the needs of the poor even though many are still displaced and staying in tents.
To recall, the government and its officials were criticized for the slow response to needs of Yolanda victims. Little did we know that two years after, the government is still slow in attending to these needs.
In northern Cebu, the release of emergency shelter assistance (ESA ) and its distribution by local government units and even relief goods was described as influenced by partisan politics.
Many people have been complaining about the ESA because only supporters of incumbent local officials received the cash assistance.
Some beneficiaries in the list of the DSWD have not received their full ESA even though their houses were destroyed by Yolanda.
When the superstorm slammed northern Cebu, it didn’t single out people based on their political parties. With the May 2016 election approaching, I reckon that people in dismal situations will remember and hold presidential candidates to account.
Being with administration may not work to the advantage of a candidate. The Aquino administration shouldn’t expect their anointed candidate to win in those areas.
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Last week, Rep. Leni Robredo, Liberal Party vice presidential candidate, was in Cebu with senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan. Surprisingly no LP members from Cebu towns attended a lunch get-together with her at the Capitol except for Mayor JVR of Talisay City.
I think this is the logical result of the political arrangement of Cebu under the leadership of Gov. Junjun Davide.
To top it all, non-LP parties that attended the gathering organized by the governor like Bakud in the 5th district and Alayon in the 1st district are not even sure to support candidates of the Liberal Party except for Davide and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.
There is nobody to blame for what is happening in Cebu but the leadership of the party, especially Mar Roxas for sacrificing party loyalty to win at all costs.
Davide should be careful with the political complexion in Cebu because it breeds disloyalty. Candidates will just want to ensure their victory and forget about party loyalty. Why stay loyal to the party when it doesn’t stick by original and hardworking members?
It’s unfortunate because the Liberal Party is doing everything to secure the victory of Roxas for the presidency only to lose by adopting the wrong strategy and showing ungratefulness to loyal party members.
For one, it has thrown out of the window principled politics. Many had hoped, after years of political aberration, that the party would uphold the lofty principles of the old Liberal Party. However, the strategy adopted is leaving many in Cebu disgruntled and turned others away.