A tale of two Uys

IN the political theater in this particular corner of Northern Mindanao, one surname looms large with an almost gravitational pull toward centralized authority: Uy. Specifically, we speak of two distinct, yet strangely mirrored, figures: Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy and Misamis Oriental Governor Juliette T. Uy. They are not related by blood, but they are bound by a shared political DNA marked by a distinct brand of micromanagement and a fascination with control. The uncanny parallels begin with their respective bureaucracies. It’s a running gag — or perhaps a grim, perpetual reality — that government workers under both administrations have experienced the peculiar stress of delayed salaries. One might imagine this isn’t due to poor budgeting, but rather a final, meticulous check by the top, ensuring every single peso aligns perfectly with the executive vision. After all, if the Mayor or Governor hasn’t personally approved the decimal point, is the salary truly earned? This penchant for control extends effortlessly to the information highway. Both Uys have nurtured their own in-house “news media” outlets — a perfectly normal exercise, of course, for public servants who wish to ensure their good deeds are reported with maximum, unfiltered clarity. The city has its “Barkadahan,” and the province, the more formal “Capitol Press Corps.” It’s an efficient system: why bother with the messy objectivity of independent journalism when you can have a dedicated channel broadcasting the official narrative, complete with complimentary photo ops? Ultimately, the tale of the two Uys is a definitive study in control issues. From the specifics of delayed paychecks to the macro-level of media messaging, their shared approach suggests that governing is less about strategic delegation and more about being the sole conductor of the orchestra, the lead actor, and the script supervisor. One can only hope that, for the sake of efficient public service, their commitment to control doesn’t accidentally extend to controlling the release of the next batch of employee paychecks.