By DANNY O. SAGUN

WE predicted quite correctly the victory of re-electionist Congressman Joe de Venecia over Dagupan city Mayor Benjie Lim. But we did not foresee the congressional race as that lopsided. We thought it would be 55-45 or 60-40 in Joe de V’s favor. It was 70-30 or even more lopsided when the last ballot was counted.

We congratulate both for that spirited fight.

‘JDV’ (those initials again that initially confused the board of inspectors in the precincts) indeed trounced his rival but BSL (his initials too had the tabulators confused whether it was to be counted for him or not) showed to all and sundry that one man in the fourth district had the gall and the balls to challenge a giant. As they always say, there will always be the first time, and it hurts.

After three years (sans Cha-cha) when the House leader will be leaving (?) the political scene in the fourth district, who would be the most natural choice but Benjie? Of course, there will always be others casting a moist eye on the district seat but no one can lay claim to being as battle-scarred as Lim and the people, we think, will consider that in their decisions. Three years of waiting in the wings is very, very short.

Benjie will use that time to prepare well for that big battle ahead. He had learned his lesson well – from the master politician..
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Over in the provincial fights, the Agbayanis may have sorely miscalculated their strength this time around. The family thought it can bring a daughter-in-law to victory thru the so-called Agbayani magic that had earlier propelled the old man, Aguedo, the late governor, and his famous son, Victor, the outgoing governor to several political victories. Not this time.

Dr. Jamie, for all her quiet charm and good credentials as a professional, proved no match to the rough and tough-talking second district Rep. Amado Espino, who seemed to have acquired some political savvy in the last six years.

Jamie and her husband, Gov. Victor perhaps thought their long tested style of political campaigning in public markets would still work. There were no “surprise attacks” that could help Jamie maintain the lead, or that would hold the Agbayani believers till Vote-Day and not make them go over to the other side, or even, with some more luck, bring swing votes to their side.

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We might be wrong but the ever-veteran JDV in his own campaign perhaps saw the need to counter the attack of the other side. And the people were very happy as gifts kept coming from both directions without their even asking for these. If you can’t lick’em, join ‘em.

Platforms, politics of performance, etc. may be factors a candidate should present to the electorate for him to get elected or re-elected but these are not enough. Politics in this country has come to a point where only moneyed candidates would have the chance to land elective posts.

Angapoy boksingerod pulitika, karatista labat.

You heard of manna pouring from everywhere during the last three to four days before election time. But did you ever hear of anyone in the province getting some “incentives” from the Agbayani camp, huh?

Principles and performance can only get you so far in this kind of game. Ask losing Lakas gubernatorial candidate Oscar Lambino.