Joc-Joc's Careless Whisper...

A careless whisper can ruin a love life, shatter trust, throw one into the lion's den of the what could be the biggest scandal of the decade.

But a careless whisper too can ruin a career and result into tha axing of one government official, without any announcement, without any explanation.

Just---go, bye---get the hell out of your office.

That could happen in one click, especially so, if the one who relayed the juicy information about that government official--I mean ex-government official--is someone by the name of Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante, also an ex-government official, but not necessarily, someone who is out of grace of the powers that be in the present administration.

No, the careless whisper was not about another fertilizer procurement---at least, not yet.

It was about a political opponent in the coming 2010 local elections in the province of Capiz.

Everyone in Capiz are now aware of Joc-Joc's big plan in next year's elections: Run for governor. Don't look now, but according to my sources in the province, there's a real big chance that with Joc-Joc's vast resources and influence, he might just win as the next chief executive of Capiz.

Joc-Joc is so confident of winning in next year's elections that his guns are not pointed directly towards his main opponent in the same position but in other aspiring candidates in other position, such as the 2nd District of Capiz whose incumbent representative in the Lower House, Congressman Fredinel Castro is a known ally of Joc-Joc, and also allied to the administration party.

Now--here's an interesting part, challenging the position of Castro, whose actually on his third and last term as congressman, but has already announced, he is fielding his wife, Jane Castro also known as "Baby Jane", is someone who is supposed to be an ally of the administration like Joc-Joc.

Running for congressman in the 2nd District of Capiz in next year's elections is former Assistant Secretary for Transportation and Communication and General Manager of the Metro Rail Transit Authority Roberto "Bobby" Lastimoso.

Yes--in case you did not notice, Lastimoso was axed from his position, replaced by DOTC Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroya, without the usual and the normal announcement of reorganization or revamp in cabinet posts.

Lastimoso was the last to know of his forced departure from his position, which in his own timetable, as promised to him, he would vacate and turn-over to Berroya in November of this year. But the turn-over came much earlier and without courtesy that is perhaps due to someone who positioned himself on the side of the Administration in critical times of its existence.

The truth is, there's nothing wrong or unusual with another administration ally challenging the position of another palace follower especially in the local political arena. Such was the case of the 2007 Elections, proving the volatility and fragile nature of the Administration's coalition party.

As far as local politics is concerned, the arena is usually declared as ZONA LIBRE.

But Lastimoso courted the ire of the powers that be, when he began to discreetly ally himself with the camp of senator Mar Roxas who is not exactly Malacañang's favorite senator these days. In local politics, there's no such thing as secret alliances, sooner or later, it will be exposed.

Lastimoso's foray into enemy territory, that is Mar Roxas' camp reached the powers behind the powers, through Joc-Joc first and according to my source, Joc-Joc took it upon himself to personally inform the person on top that needed to be informed, and that person, is not necessarily the president herself, but just as powerful, maybe even more.

And just like that, a decision was made. You have to go Bobby. End of the line.

The fate of Lastimoso proves only one thing, that under this administration, there can be no other loyalty, no other alliances, and no other dreams made possible, outside of their wings.

From a larger perspective, loyalty is indeed is a valued virtue.

From a larger perspective, yes, it's true, one cannot serve several masters.

Had somebody else whispered the information that exposed Lastimoso's rendezvous with Mar Roxas and company, the situation could perhaps be met with a lesser drastic decision. It would not have been that swift. Perhaps, Lastimoso's political move in the local front could be justified considering the fact that Capiz after all, is an acknowledged Roxas country.

But---the messenger, the one that gave that careless whisper, was not just somebody else:It was Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante.

Can they say No to Joc-Joc?

That I doubt very much. (end)