P-Noy’s LP also still stuck in same old politics

This is in reaction to the article titled “Filing time” (Inquirer.net, 10/2/12).

Days after the period for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), many probably may still be in a state of surprise. Yet nothing really has changed on the political front. We still see political allies turning into foes and political foes turning into allies. All I can say is I am dumbfounded by the turn of events.

Yes, we see politicians who were against the Aquino administration before but are now candidates of the Liberal Party (LP).

In Albay, for example, we have a longtime Liberal Party stalwart and former senator, Victor “Vic” Ziga, who served his constituents honorably and truthfully during his days as an elected official and as a member of President Cory Aquino’s Cabinet. The Ziga family is known to be one of the most loyal members of the party for almost three generations, starting with the late Sen. Tecla San Andres Ziga and her husband, former Rep. Venancio Ziga. In 2010, Vic’s son, Ricky, won a provincial board seat. This time he wanted to run for Congress under the LP ticket.

But I was flabbergasted to learn that the LP chose Edcel Lagman Jr., son of Rep. Edcel Lagman, as its congressional bet in the district instead of Ricky, thus driving Ricky to run under the banner of UNA.

We all know Representative Lagman. He was a staunch, even passionate, supporter of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Not only that, I personally know him as a   trapo  (traditional politician). I vividly recall how Lagman opposed the Aquino administration.

Coming from a family of diehard “Liberals,” I find it so disheartening that after all the struggles, efforts and hopes for change we still find our politics exactly the same. How could the LP which, in this Aquino administration, claims to champion change and reform, have reached such a ludicrous decision? How could have it sided with the very same people who supported Arroyo and are as tainted as she is with corruption? Has the LP become too ambitious to look past what is noble and just? Has it become too ambitious to take under its roof the very people we had called to step down for betraying the people? Is the LP too driven to win the 2016 presidential election that it must adopt many trapo  and set aside its causes and the best interest of the country? Has the LP forgotten that simple and ordinary people campaigned so hard for Mr. Aquino to win in the 2010 presidential race, hoping he will lead the national charge for reforms?

No wonder most of the Filipinos who go abroad do not care anymore, because some things—like politics in our country—really never change.

—KATRINA ISABEL SUZARA,

katsuzara

@yahoo.com