Zuce a Stalking Horse?

Tatakbo raw si yung dating whistleblower na si MichaelAngelo Zuce para labanan ang uncle niyang si Virgilio Garcillano sa pagka-kongresista sa 1st district ng Bukidnon.

Sabi ni Rina Jimenez David:

WHO IS Michaelangelo Zuce and why is he saying these things about possible opponents in the race for representative of the first district of Bukidnon? One would have thought Zuce had grown tired of the limelight after his requisite 15 minutes of fame as a witness in the Senate hearing on irregularities in the 2004 elections. But now here he has surfaced once again, declaring that he will contest the seat against his uncle, Virgilio Garcillano.

Well, we all know who Garcillano, better known as “Garci,” is. He has enjoyed far more than 15 minutes in the national spotlight, although he faded from the scene somewhat until recently when a panel of state prosecutors cleared him of all charges filed by a Senate committee. But with Garci making a comeback, it seems Zuce is not far behind. And I have a suspicion that Zuce’s announcement of his candidacy is only in reaction to the endorsement given by Malacañang to Garci’s electoral aspirations.

My strongest reaction, however, was to Zuce’s dismissal of the qualifications of Socorro Acosta, a former congresswoman and mayor herself and mother of incumbent Rep. Nereus Acosta. “Ma’am Socorro may already be too old. She might no longer have what it takes to mount an effective campaign,” he was quoted as saying.

Having met and talked at length with “Ma’am Socorro,” and having heard stories told about her energy and drive, and seeing first-hand the fruits of such hard work, such as the network of women’s groups which have benefited from the “Grameen-style” micro-credit program she and her son started, I can honestly say that she has much more than it takes to mount an effective campaign and serve effectively as Bukidnon congresswoman.

The latest word is that opposition leaders are determined to field a single opposition candidate against Garci, who they believe was the brain behind the alleged fraudulent conduct of the 2004 presidential elections. Since Neric Acosta is a stalwart of the Liberal Party, it’s not such a stretch to believe that his mother enjoys the backing of the LP, and will be supported by other opposition parties.

I agree with Rina. The opposition needs to field a single candidate, and that candidate should be Socorro Acosta, not Michaelangelo Zuce.

Besides, why support Zuce's candidacy when "bamalik-loob" na si Zuce sa administration and is working for them again? More on Zuce from Ellen Tordesillas.

Isa pa, Zuce's a self-confessed election "fixer". If Bukidnon's 1st district is left with 2 election fixers/criminals (Zuce and Garci) as their two main choices, baka manalo pa si Garci.

Here's what I think: I believe Zuce's a spoiler, a "stalking horse" to divide the opposition votes and help admin candidate Garci win.

People should be reminded na he's back working for the admin again. But if he is still sincere in helping the opposition, then the best thing he could do for everybody is to just support the opposition candidate Acosta. Heck, he doesn't even have to quit his "anti-jueteng" job sa administration.

Besides, we already got every information we need from Zuce's testimony before he sold himself to the admin, just like Udong Mahusay (who got his brother Ferdinand appointed as Presidential Assistant for Region 9.)

If Zuce still insists on running, then bahala siya, but he will not get any support from the Opposition. He's on his own. (or let me put it another way, I'll treat Zuce's candidacy the same way the Democrats treated Ralph Nader's candidacy in 2004.)