Who says only tangible products or services should be properly marketed? Even major political decisions have to be properly packaged, marketed and sold to the public.
I am not a fan nor a critic of Sen. Migz Zubiri (MZ). I am writing this to see how the good senator has skillfully managed his own political career in the face of mounting electoral protest of cheating which finally led to his resignation.
After carefully digesting his speech, watching his demeanor in an interview over TV Patrol (with no less than his former party-mate Noli "Kabayan de Castro" doing the interview), in a nutshell MZ was saying like this: "While I have not personally cheated nor caused others to cheat to win votes in my favor, the revelations of Zaldy Ampatuan and Bedol were too hard to handle. Their admissions, regardless if they appear in the proper substance and form or not, have shed a heavy cloud of doubt as to the integrity of my proclamation as a senator. I may not have a direct hand in these purported election irregularities, but it is profound and clearer than ever with their confessions, that there were indeed illegal activities that have directly or indirectly benefited myself - which have materially affected the results of the elections. Therefore, in the spirit of delicadeza, I am resigning from my post."
The question now is if MZ has done it as a matter of pure delicadeza? Or was he simply saving his face from imminent defeat? With current reports from the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) recount showing that Koko Pimintel has already overtaken MZ by 257, 000+ votes, which is more than enough for the former to cover for his measly 18, 000 vote-deficit, MZ and his cohorts could have already seen the tell-tale signs of an impending defeat - and Koko Pimintel's victory.
The senator could have already thought that there is graceful way of existing the office - something that will unfold with drama, something historic, and something that can make him gain public sympathy, let alone be perceived as someone who is a brand new statesman in this corrupt-laden society. Thus began the strategic plan on how to package, market and sell one of the toughest political decisions in his political career.
I do not believe that the decision made was more of a spur-of-the moment reaction. MZ and his legal team of experts and advisers have already prepared for this eventuality 2-3 years ago perhaps. They were just waiting for the clincher which was not evident at that time. Finally, the powerful spokesperson of the Ampatuans blew his whistle which was corroborated by Bedol. And with the mounting pressure to prove his innocence and unbearable burden on his family to justify his continuing stay in the institution, Sen. Zubiri finally saw it fitting to resign than be checked mate by Koko which is more humiliating.
As a consolation though, we should not take away the fact that the good senator has done notable accomplishments in his 4-year stint at the senate. Give credit to where credit is due. But his accomplishments - no matter how long the list is - cannot camouflage or sugar-coat speculations that he may have no direct or indirect knowledge of vote-tampering in the 2007 elections. Maybe, he intentionally closed his eyes first on the truth in order to experience what it is to live, breath and act as an elected Senator of the Republic. He may have thought there was no end in sight and he could always buy time.
For those who are not in the know, or those who want to be swayed by emotions and image of being the underdog, then Sen. Zubiri's resignation could have been masterfully packaged, marketed and sold. But for those who already dug deeper into the issue and decided not to be carried away by media antics, they have already replied and said: "Sorry, but NO, we are not buying it."
I do not believe that the decision made was more of a spur-of-the moment reaction.
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