Postscript to the Parojinog debacle

By Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez (The Freeman), Aug 7, 2017

After all had been said and done, it is important to reflect deeply on the lessons from the Parojinog episode. Everything has an end. In this life and on this earth, there is no such thing as forever. Let us not talk drugs. Let us talk politics. The powers of clans and families are going to end. Remember the Ampatuans of Maguindanao, the Dimaporos of Lanao, the Plazas of Agusan, the Chiongbians of Misamis, the Crisologos of Ilocos, the Imperials of Albay, the Magsaysays of Zambales, the Josons of Nueva Ecija, the Laurels of Batangas, the Revillas of Cavite, the Rodriguezes and Sumulongs of Rizal, the Jalosjoses of Zamboanga, the Espinosas of Masbate, the Velosos of Samar and Leyte, and many more.

Need I name the vanishing clans in Cebu politics? You know more than I do. No clan can monopolize power forever, the people’ tolerance is not limitless. The Kintanars of Argao and the old fourth district (used to be called SAAD; Sibonga, Argao, Alcoy, and Dalaguete) have been replaced by younger, fresher and less exposed upstarts. The Cuencos, who used to dominate the southern Cebu is almost totally wiped out. There is no more Zosa, Dumon, Briones, and Cabahug in politics. Even the Duranos of Danao, the Martinezes of Bogo are not going to stay forever. How about the Garcias of Dumanjug and Barili? The Osmeñas, the Ramas? There is no exception.

Even the Marcoses of Ilocos will also face extinction, the Singsons of Ilocos Sur, the Dys of Isabela, the Padillas of Nueva Vizcaya, the Enriles of Cagayan, the Cojuangcos of Tarlac, the Macapagals and Pinedas of Pampanga, the Ortegas of La Union, the Ramoses and de Venecias of Pangasinan. Walang forever. Even the Estradas and Ejercitos are vanishing. So also the Remullas and Tolentinos of Cavite, the Villafuertes and Fuentebellas of Bicol (because if they are not ”demolished” by other families, they will wipe each other out like the Duranos of Danao and the Kinatanars of Argao). The Romualdezes of Leyte are not limited to the City of Tacloban (they do not control Ormoc, Maasin and many districts) where they are facing many rivals just waiting to knock them out. The Petillas too will have their time to be edged out.

For so long, the Parojinogs ran Ozamis City as if it was their family corporation. But nothing lasts, and the end comes at the most unexpected circumstances. Some towns in Cebu are also run like family corporations. The trapo politics of patronage, ”dagdag bawas” manipulations, and unfair combinations do not really give a chance to the competent and really qualified ones who do not have guns, goons, and gold. The end of the Parojinogs is a reminder, a wakeup call, if you will. Those who rule local turfs and fiefdoms should realize that if they are not defeated in the polls, some kind of ejectment is going to happen. They better be prepared to face their end.

josephusbjimenez@gmail.com