By: Joe Sprite

Sometime ago, we met Paris Macarayan. It so happened that his wife, Rose had organized a cooperative membership seminar and there was a sort of gathering so he decided to invite some friends along. Aside from prospective coop members and speakers, the fellows, who were with us were Vito Jamila, Titong Saylon and of course Lucresio Sajulga. Willy Aranas was there when we arrived. When Paris was able to attend to our non cooperative member group, we talked about cooperatives and its role in development.

Then the topic went to Jagna and development with Vites and Titong as listeners. First, the talks were about Jagna as an agricultural, fishing and port town and its potentials. Paris talked about his observations in the developments in some places where he had been assigned and how it might be able to be applied here. Performance of past administrations were discussed, improvements if there are any, were expounded what was noticeably absent was the criticism of the performances. Plans were in general terms; it would need a think tank to come up with details. Members of the brain group were mentioned. The selection seems to be based on their track records.

Finally the discussion went to politics. The administration party has possibly three vacancies. Boy Nayga has already served three terms. Sir Okit is independent unless he will be absorbed by the administration party. Along Gales is the lone opposition. The vacancy will be four if Amay Café decides not to run. However, that is only a speculation since Pare Amay can still function effectively as a lawmaker if he wants. Mayor Eksam Lloren is definitely running. He has yet another term to serve if he wins before he will graduate. His running as congressman under a party list banner may be peculations floated by the opposition to clear the field. Even if Eksam is identified with Akbayan, he is still considered an administration man. Pundits say that Eksam will still run for mayor. He is unbeatable up to this time.

When Paris was asked about his political future, he was noncommittal. He intimated that he had received a call while he was in Shanghai from an influential person who he did not identify offering him to run. He did not say yes or no as the offer was not yet definite. Besides he has some years to go before he will retire although he could retire now if he wants. He says if he is going to run, he will run to win, not just go through the motions of running because for the fund of it – pun deliberately intended.

He says if he will run, he will spend only party money. Funding a campaign out of ones pocket will tempt him to recover his expenses in some undesirable manner. Besides, he wants to keep his friends. If one spends and he does not win, he will suspect his friends of betraying him. Since non friends definitely outnumber his friends, he will not be able to point out which friends had not voted for him but will suspect him anyway.