Congressman Noli Fuentebella is at the lowest ebb of his political career and is in danger of losing in the next election.
But his opponent who is expected to come from the Villafuerte camp must have the Four C’s to be able to seize the opportunity: Character, Credential, Credibility and Capital.
Fuentebellas’ performance in the House of Representatives during the current term is very poor. One of the rare times that he stood up and spoke was when he announced his resignation from the Justice Committee during the first impeachment case thinking perhaps that he could stage a dramatic blow to the administration. He failed. His colleagues in Congress have also noted that he is strangely frequently absent from seasons.
Adding to his problems is his having been named by US authorities as a conspirator in an espionage case with Filipino-American FBI intelligence agent Leandro Arogoncillo and former PNP officers Michael Ray Aquino and Cesar Mancao. He could be extradited anytime to the United States to face the charge the way former Congressman Mark Jimenez was surrendered to the US authorities by the Philippine government. Jimenez who was handcuffed as soon as he arrived in US was charged for tax evasion, illegal campaign contribution and other racketeering offenses and served three years in US prison.
But Fuentebella is an astute politician and his opponents should bear in mind that he has many tricks up his sleeves. I lost by a few hundred votes in 1992 to Fuentebella but I believe up to this day that I was cheated. I filed an election protest then but I found out that I must have enough clout and connections to win an election case. Atty. Ted Cruz also filed an election protest against Fuentebella for alleged irregularities in the 2004 elections.
Who then must Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte, the administration party patriarch in Camarines Sur and the entire Bicol Region, pit against Fuentebella?
Capital is important. A congressional candidate must be ready to spend no less than P20 million in the Third District of Camarines Sur. But money alone even if generously doled out will not suffice.
The credential and the credibility of the candidate will be very essential. The qualifications of a candidate are still the number one basis for the conscientious voter. Look at what happened to superstar Nora Aunor in 2001 who lost by around 200,000 votes to then Gov. Luis R. Villafuerte, the biggest in the history of Camarines Sur gubernatorial race. The people must also believe what the candidate is saying; if not, the candidate must forget the fantasy of getting elected.
The public perception of the candidate as to his character, in dealing with leaders and constituents and the manner he conducts his life, is a crucial factor which money cannot overcome. The candidate must have the tested capability to be an effective legislator and not obsessed primarily with material concerns. The sincerity of the candidate is also a paramount factor. The parameter of sincerity is no less than Congressman Villafuerte himself. I have not seen any politician as frank and sincere as Congressman Villafuerte.
Tigaon Mayor Elmo Bombase is among those being groomed to run for congressman. But he is reluctant to risk family resources. He would not even run for board member even if he is being offered a slot.
The choices are obviously narrowed down between Atty. Ted Cruz and former Congressman Eduardo Pilapil. Between the two the criteria will apply. Assuming that both have money, who has the better character, credential and credibility?
