BALER, Aurora, February 20, 2012-Before President Aquino went to Aurora this week for his much-publicized visit, questions linger in the minds of Aurorans whether he would indeed push through with his whistle stop in this known Erap country. Afterall, his partymates in the Liberal Party in the province belong to the opposite camp of the Angaras notably Vice Gov. Gerry Noveras who is the provincial chairman and former governor Eddie Ong whose son, Macky works in Malacanang.
There have been doubts that the President will ever touch down in the province and we have it from good authority that he has reservations because of the province’s relative remoteness and isolation, not to mention the fact that the population is not so encouraging for a presidential visit of a known champion of the masses.
But the President showed his statesmanship when he came over and joined the Angaras in the celebration of the 33rd foundation anniversary of the province and the 124th birth anniversary of Dona Aurora Aragon-Quezon.
It turned out that President Aquino holds the Angaras in high esteem. Senator Ed Angara, for one, was a former colleague in the Senate who showed him the ropes in the Upper Chamber given the latter’s track record as a veteran legislator wise in the ways of legislation.
Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo is also a former colleague in the House of Representatives who has distinguished herself during her nine-year stint in the Lower Chamber, a fact not unknown to the Chief Executive.
And Congressman Sonny Angara was likewise a colleague who fondly recalled how the congressman-turned-senator-turned-President has endeared himself to House employees with his mass appeal, even befriending utility workers and janitors while puffing cigarettes just outside the hallowed halls of the House.
President Noy surprised Aurorans by visiting Aurora and even unraveled a much bigger surprise when he extolled the Angaras. Some might argue that the President must have been “inspired” no end by the stellar roles being essayed by the father-and-son tandem of Senator ed and Cong Sonny who are there as juror and prosecution team spokesperson, respectively in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona.
This is particularly evident on how he expressed confidence that Senator Angara is neutral in the trial while Cong Sonny has been dishing out a visibly impressive performance as a mouthpiece of the prosecution.
Given the connections established by the Angaras, it is needless to mention that the goodwill and rapport they forged with political leaders even from rival camps is paying off handsome dividends for the province and for its people.
Kahit papano, iba na rin ang may pinagsamahan. The Angaras have mastered pakikisama as an art and turned it as a potent tool to bring manna from heaven for the people of Aurora
