A Simaranhon asks: Botika o Botik?
(Recently, I shared a blog article in the FB group Simara News & Event. I wrote the blog article myself and it is titled “Team Botika’s Pro-Poor Program for Hospitals and Health Services”. The title must have elicited the question from Johmy Fajilan. As those familiar with Romblon politics know, “Botika” is an acronym derived from the nicknames of Budoy Madrona, Otik Riano and Arming Gutierrez who ran together under the same coalition for congressman, governor and vice governor respectively during the elections held last May. According to his FB wall, Mr. Fajilan was born in Corcuera but now lives in Los Angeles, California. He is a member of the Philippine bar; president of J Fajilan Group/Tagumpay, Inc; and once taught at the prestigious Claret School in Quezon City. Below is the full transcript of our exchange.)
Johmy Fajilan:
Kumpleto pa ba ang Team BOTIKA?
Jose Rizal M. Reyes:
Yes, kumpletong kumpleto. Bakit nyo naman naitanong?
Johmy Fajilan:
Jose Rizal M. Reyes Hindi ba BOtik na lang yan?
Jose Rizal M. Reyes:
Botika pa rin po sapagkat kasali pa rin si Arming Gutierrez sa kanilang team. Nabanggit ni Gov. Riano na marami syang ipapagawa kay G. Arming.
Johmy Fajilan:
Arming lost and hence not an elected official. Will he be appointed to a provincial office? And would the Team, being a political creation, be running again in 2022?
Jose Rizal M. Reyes:
Per the inaugural speech of Gov. Otik Riano, he will be giving many assignments to former SP Member Arming Gutierrez. And as far as I know, the latter remains in high standing among the leaders of the ruling coalition.
So far, I have not heard any serious proposal to change the name of Team Botika except from some jokers and commentators. There is an ingrained culture among Madrona’s circle of followers and allies that nobody is left behind. No insider that I know of is in a hurry to drop Arming Gutierrez from its coalition name or nickname.
Until the coalition leadership indicates that it wants the ruling coalition to be called by another name, Team Botika remains to be a convenient tag for the ruling coalition — a coalition which, in its fullest scope, is composed of winning candidates, losing candidates and those who never ran at all.
Would the team be running again in 2022? Sure. Will there be changes in the lineup of candidates? Most likely, especially at the municipal level. Will the Top Three candidates still be Budoy, Otik and Arming? Time will tell. I suppose even the coalition leaders haven’t thought about the matter at this point in time.
(The original exchange can be viewed here.)
Related Articles:
- Team Botika’s Pro-Poor Program for Hospitals and Health Services amidst various developmental challenges facing Romblon province
- A shoeshine man called Ito
- Regarding Pragmatic Idealism
- Facebook groups and pages for Romblon and Romblomanons
- Firmalo at Madrona.. parehas namang mabait at may kakayahan pero…
- Quantum of proof required in administrative, civil and criminal cases
- 5 reasons why we should vote for Budoy Madrona for congressman
