Jamora: a picture of grace in defeat
To the end, Larry Jamora remained a true leader, steadfast and composed even in the face of defeat.
As the remnants of his tearful, disconsolate supporters trickled in to his Marymart office yesterday morning, it was Jamora who provided consoling words, a hug, an embrace, a pat on the back to the grievous and the gloomy. He thanked them profusely and downplayed their disgust and disappointments – no matter how big; no matter how deserved of those who were a total bust.
Jamora was a pure picture of grace in defeat and total acceptance of the outcome of a hard-fought electoral contest. If there were any regrets nor misgivings, he kept them very close to his chest.
“We put up a good fight,” he told them. “If it was not enough, so be it. We will not blame anybody.”
In truth, a fatal blow was dealt to the Jamora camp from within. On election day, many of his so-called leaders were nowhere to be found. This was what sunk Jamora, an election day meltdown the likes of which has never happened in Iloilo City .
Still Jamora’s equanimity remained even as he resigned himself to the harsh reality. “It doesn’t matter,” he said, “even if all of our leaders came through, it wouldn’t have made a difference in the outcome.”
If Jamora had any misgivings, it was for the city and its people. “We tried to present an alternative, but it seems the people weren’t listening, they had their eyes elsewhere.”
Iloilo City came this close to Camelot. For awhile, Jamora’s vision of an orderly and progressive city reverberated in the hearts and minds of many. Green, Jamora’s campaign color, proudly waved in those brief, shining moments before election day. But ultimately, the color of money in its varying shades and denominations, reigned supreme on the day of reckoning.
In his statement to the media, Jamora graciously conceded the outcome. “The people have spoken,” he said. “We abide by their decision.”
To the eventual winners, Jamora vowed his full cooperation but also reminded them of their responsibilities to the people. Quoting a Biblical exhortation, he said: “To whom much is given, much is required.”
