By BEHN FER. HORTALEZA, JR.

POLITICS has always been a dirty game, no matter the laundry job being given it by some leaders, particularly those whose fortunes make them wallow in it, in order to make their “old game’ at least palatable.

If there’s one local disciple of politics now confirming this for himself in the most bitter way, it must be Vice Gov. oscar B. Lambino. A supposed press release from some unknown source has practically left him in the lurch (translated: bitin) late last week. A logical heir to the governorship after having loyally allied himself with the Agbayanis (thru incumbent Gov. Victor) all these years, Lambino who has been widely “rumored to team up with Sto. Tomas Mayor Vivien O. Villar in next year’s Capitol run, foun himself being suddenly denied that partnership — publicly.

The lady mayor of Sto. Tomas (our own kumadre) won’t be Lambino’s running-mate at all, the news report said, directly quoting Mayor Vivien’s husband no less. Undersecretary Antonio ‘Bebot’ Villar. It went on to quote the undersecretary as saying Vivien never ever set her eyes on the vice gubernatorial post and was content being a town mayor.

That just about dashed any hope of VG Oscar that he could ever count on Bebot’s - and by inference Biskeg na Pangasinan’s (Bebot’s fiefdom) support should he opt to damn the torpedoes and run for governor just the same.

In political terms, that denial of partnership meant he’d be on his own if he should decide to “misread” the message . Something short of a political suicide. or, as every political animal in this part of the region knows by now, Bebot with Biskeg has become one significant factor in the political equation under the Arroyo administration.

The big question now, is: Will Lambino buck the odds and find his own place in the sun — among the many “suns” now emerging in the Pangasinan firmament?
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Many discerning political observers cannot help but sympathize with Lambino for having been twice spurned lately; first, when the Agbayani camp thought Guvnor Victor’s wife, jamie, would be a better heir to the throne than a loyal ally, Oskee, and second, when the Villars (speaking thru Usec Bebot)flatly scotched off talks of a Lambino-Villar tandem in the coming May polls.

Whatever the reason for this this unkind rejection of a conscientious public servant by powers-that-be (among other things, Lambino, the vice governor, is well-known for regularly holding office at the Capitol, unlike most of his predecessors to the position) it shows how hard-ball politics can so easily deprive the electorate of a good choice,, a wise alternative.

OBL would be the first to admit he can’t match his rivals’ war chest, peso for peso. He lives and earns his keep modestly. But miracles never cease in this world. And the pure of heart often get the manna when they least expect — or ask — for it.