by Miriam G. Desacada
Borongan City–House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan declared to the public that he has no qualms in making a sacrifice for the sake of the party in general, and in fulfillment of his dream to liberate the people of his home province of Eastern Samar from the cudgels of economic woes.
“I am not disappointed,” he said about the decision of President Bongbong Marcos (PBBM) and House Speaker Martin Romualdez to dissuade him from running for a district seat of Eastern Samar against incumbent Rep. Fe Abunda, another administration ally.
Libanan declared instead that he will abide by the ruling of PBBM and Martin, give way to Abunda, and will go back instead to the 4Ps party-list as its first nominee and re-electionist bet.
Libanan’s decision to sacrifice himself for the sake of unity of the administration party was, by and large, literally unexpected considering that he bared earlier that he was more than ready, physically or whatever, to win the congressional seat of the lone district of Eastern Samar currently held by Abunda.
“To my supporters, bear with me and my decision (to back out of candidacy for E. Samar representative). He described his act as similar to playing a guitar, of which he is publicly known as one of the finest acoustic guitar players in the country.
His sacrifice for the party, he said in a press meeting yesterday, is like that before playing a guitar you have to tune first the note of every string to be able to match or harmonize all six strings into one concordant sound otherwise you can’t play the guitar for music.
“Don’t be disappointed because I will remain as 4Ps representative as its first nominee. And if fate has it, I might still be the House minority leader in the next Congress,” Libanan said.
The Libanan sacrifice was a decision he bared during the meeting in Borongan City days ago. He discussed political matters with Martin, who was accompanied by Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list, in a conference with the mayors of Eastern Samar province, and Governor Ben Evardone.
Libanan recounted his recent meeting with Martin during last day of House session when he told the Speaker: “It’s been so long that you haven’t smiled, and I could see that you are so stressed, so I am yielding myself to whatever the wishes of the party leaders.”
Apparently, Libanan already knew about Martin’s preference for Abunda’s re-election and the party’s wishes for him to back out from contesting the congresswoman’s bid for the 2025 midterm elections. “If I am causing the problem of the party here, then I am willing to sacrifice myself,”
Libanan frankly said he knew he could win the congressional seat hands down, but he said he was overpowered by the thought of putting party unity above all for the sake of the welfare of the people of Eastern Samar who will in turn be benefitted by the party’s programs and projects.
“I saw the Speaker smiled,” said Libanan. Although his sacrifice is naturally easier said than done, Libanan showed the grit of a political savvy and effective leader who is willing to sever a decayed branch to let the whole tree survive.
Partywise, within the Marcos administration, observers said Libanan’s sacrifice brings resolve ahead of probable party infighting or bickering, while forging unity between the two possible protagonists within the party, and provide compromises favorable to each of them.
In the Borongan meeting, however, Libanan told Martin to also listen to him and his allies on what they need to do in return. “Help us,” he said, after which Acidre came out with a prepared nitty gritty or details of an agreement.
First provision of the agreement is that Abunda would be the one to run as administration’s bet for representative of Eastern Samar, based on her earlier posts on social media asking the public to let her serve for her last term.
The second provision is that Abunda shall dissuade her mayoralty bets in various towns of the province to backout from their plans for election, save for Abunda herself whose equity of the incumbent principle shall be upheld.
In doing so, Abunda shall give way for the candidates to be fielded by Libanan to ensure their electoral victories in the towns they are running for various posts.
“That is now her task in the provincial and municipal level,” said Libanan. In turn, Acidre assured Libanan that he will see to it that the details of the agreement will be complied with.
Libanan shared to the media his stand on the matter: “I am actually the one being in a difficult situation here, but then I saw here that somebody must sacrifice (for the sake of the whole). If ever they would not comply (with the agreement) and field their candidates against mine instead, then I would be compelled to defend my supporters and candidates.”
It was learned that some supporters of Libanan were disappointed of his sacrifice, but the congressman said he is like a good soldier who follow orders from his superiors in order that his vision for the progress of his province, and Samar island as well, shall continue to be implemented.
Among the big ticket items that the Speaker acceded to Libanan’s requests for the development of Samar island is the allocation of P100 million to fund the conduct of feasibility studies for the construction of a bridge from Allen, Northern Samar to Matnog in Sorsogon.
Martin also assured Libanan the continuation of the latter’s project, which is the completion of the Jipapad-Las Navas road linking Eastern and Northern Samar provinces, including the allocation of additional funds to finish the Maydolong Road, among other infrastructure projects leading to the development of the province. —–Miriam G. Desacada