MUSTERING of number among allies in the upper echelon of power is rudiments in political engagement: it gives the politician a semblance of control and he pays for it with his money or not. The approach, while not necessarily foolproof, widens opportunity of resource application.

Given therefore roadblocks of limitations that our politicos, who see no other venture to channel efforts with exorbitant profits, are eager to dismiss even on speculative terms, that knack’s rule can outdo the craftiness of a greenhorn, the inattentive of course. So what for is interest in public service when its rationalization reverts back to unreason, pure and simple?

This was apparent in the latest session of the Naga Sanggunian. To settle issues in a resolution seeking the ouster of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for violating the principle of public trust in the Gloriagate scam, the group scheduled an open hearing. It was resolved, alright, in favor of the proposal only to be deferred later.

Some analysts point out that Mayor Jesse Robredo, who was out of town due to a Liberal Party meeting, must be consulted of the matter. If party lines are sought for in the decision of the kagawads, the same observers claim, no more arguments are needed in the deliberations of councilmen with its constituents for the highly-situated Liberals have already signed up with PGMA since Day 1.

It’s clear. Everyone, who took to task that they were doing something for the Nagueños in catalyzing sentiments in very critical times of the Republic, was taken for a ride. Yes, it was for sightseeing.

Or was it done to keep the team intact? Well, it has its advantages. Naga’s developments have been propelled by the unity of the LGU since Robredo took the reins of its administrative machinery. This is not an estimation but a fact.

But some sectors see the incident differently. The passion of the governed is being disregarded after being elicited in a manner so wrought in enthusiasm. How else could it be interpreted when concerns of every nature have to be put aside for the conference of thought-for seriousness and intent. The sadder it becomes when egos are left belittled in the whiles of machination that the constituency starts to anger at condition and the team retorts in the equivalent lapse of judgment. You have a credibility problem.

This situation finds affinity to the story of the lion and the man who once enjoyed each others company, then the latter muzzled the beast so he ended up inside. If it’s among the kagawads, methink it to be self-explanatory.