By: Ismael A. Amigo

(The author heads 1st APLUMA, an organization of community newspapers)

SO WHO could it be for the fourth and last allotted slot for Nacionalista Party in the three-cornered unholy alliance between the ruling Liberal Party, NP and Danding Cojuangco’s Nationalist People’s Coalition?

According to the grapevine, it’s between former Surigao Governor Ace Barbers and Bayan Muna Party-list lawmaker Teddy Casiño.

The question remains: Who could it be between them?

If and when party seniority and loyalty will be followed, it simply is no other than Ace Barbers being the party spokesman.

But if “palakasan” system will prevail it might be Ted Casiño, who is avowedly close to Sen. Manny Villar and better half former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.

It might and yet again, it may not be for any of them.

Senator Bongbong Marcos, who’s ostensibly eyeing the presidency in the 2016 national elections, actually sees many, many problems the alliance would encounter ahead through the run up the 2013 midterm elections.

For one, Marcos, an NP stalwart, suddenly found himself in alliance with President Noy’s administration party, LP, which for some, immediately rings a bell or have eyebrows raised.

Indeed, how could political archrivals be found in one political mix that will slug it out in the senatorial race in ’13.

Another is, how could Villar make an alliance with a political party that is perceived to have ruined his presidential ambition back in 2010 through those infamous “C5 insertions”?

And worse, how could President Noy accommodate Villar when the latter is perceived to have plotted the fake psychiatric tests demolition job against the former in the same national elections?

And there is this biggest question: How could said tri-alliance function fully well given all of the above?

But lest we forget in politics, there are no permanent friends nor enemies but interests.

Going back to Ace and Ted, the latter, regardless of his closeness to the Villars, he too has something to explain to the ruling party before he could be accepted.

Foremost, it was Ted who accused the Aquinos of “dynasty building” in the national media following the announcement of President Noy’s cousin in Bam Aquino to run for senator under LP.

He is highly-qualified for a senate seat said Bam owing to his broad public service credentials.

So given, that this will all be forgiven, will Ted or Bam be comfortable with each other’s company in the campaign sorties?

Your guess is as good as mine.

So Ace Barbers could be it.

Go Ace let’s ace that!

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