Political Jumpship

There was a time that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was an answer to all our prayers. Suffering from an obviously corrupt government, we thought that an educated, firm, a woman could strengthen Filipino's nationalism and lead us away from the political scum that hinders us to move ahead and excel. But just like what Fantine in the Les Miserables musical would sing, "...there was a time when it all went wrong."

Whatever happened to the glorified name that Pres. GMA started with? She was once a favorite because of her intelligence and banner of hope. Her motherly image and strong mind made us confident citizens. That was before exposes upon exposes continue to shock us that made us frustrated and angry. In truth, nowadays we are not surprised if something else comes up; and frankly we have become negative. We're sick of what we have become. Now, I don't really know which government is better, ERAP's or Hers, a comparison I never thought I'd make. In terms of ratings, she's not surviving either.

Whatever happened to that first family? Listening about the ZTE scandal just made my stomach cringe and what about the San Francisco home that Mikey Arroyo, a presidential son, bought along with the so-called "corporation?" Now that's stupid. For all we know, we, the citizens, are the corporation he was referring to. If Pres. GMA is a lousy, unclean leader, her family never failed to echo the same footsteps.

Whatever went wrong? Technically, she's now just a president for formality's sake until that most-coveted position will be handed to another aspiring, hopefully better, candidate next year. To say that Pres. GMA is to run again for higher office is a joke and something that I'm not worried about. Even if it's for local office I doubt if she or any of her family members would survive the heat once power has been stripped off from them, thanks to the countless administration scandals.

There's no question that the wind is veering towards the Opposition and that's why I understand why her own political party mates are jumping ship.

Probably sensing that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and imminent administration presidential bet Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. would not be potent forces in the 2010 elections, members of ruling party Lakas-Kampi (Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino)-CMD started shifting allegiances to rival parties. (inq7.net)

These political ambitions made administration candidates to be strategic. They know that to associate themselves with the dying, highly unpopular administration is a kiss of death to their own political careers. And in due respect and honesty to the admin-presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro, it's high time to accept that Noynoy and Villar can easily leave anyone eating dust.

All you can do but sigh and reminisce that it all started okay, but then it all went crumbling down in the end. Now we're seeing the demise and gradual political exit of a president that once became our hope against corruption, stagnation and immorality. We are also witnessing her party mates jump ship to the other side of the fence, which makes the scene sad and pathetic. Now we, even THEY know, that it all went terribly terribly wrong.

Just a thought.

I was talking to a colleague the day after Noynoy announced his intention to run for President. Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this. A part of me feels that the candidacy is premature. There is no question that he has experience and he has the heart and will to serve, but there's still that anxious feeling somewhere that he might just be overwhelmed with the whole idea and support. I would've been more confident if he ran for Vice President or his decision didn't come in as a spur of a moment. I don't even know his specific platform or agenda. It's good that he's kindhearted, smart and not corrupt, but are those enough?


My colleague also has reservations about him running for President, but she admitted that he has a good chance in winning. With what she sees, the country apparently needs is an uncorrupted individual who has an equally strong experience in governance. What we also need is an articulate president who could best represent this country and create avenues for development. If there's no powerful reason why he can do this, there is also no specific reasons why he cannot. He is educated, experienced, well-supported and a nationalist. Noynoy has if not average, but impressive qualifications. But it's no question that his major selling points are being certified incorruptible and an offspring to the two powerful and positive political figures this country has ever known. Maybe we don't need old, utterly experienced and savvy candidate. Maybe what this country needs is just someone like him.

But if he does win, he has a lot to live up to. The support might turn into grand expectations. This is where his personal conviction should hold him down. The pressure will be intense much more if you're Noynoy. I just hope he can withstand everything. We'll just have to see.

Whatever Politics

I'm no expert in politics though I try my best to observe. I very much form my own opinions, although not really accurate ones, but honest and real. For one, I can publicly say that I find presidential ads on TV with all the jingles and dramatic skits very annoying. Every candidate has resulted to showbiz means of reaching out to people. Most even violate the allowable campaigning period subtly by making infomercials of their departments or any advertisements for that matter. From endorsing herbal medicine to laundry detergents, they expose their pristine selves nationwide. Randomly appearing in prime time shows giving out money, entertainment and livelihood may be saintly, but onion-skinned in covering the highest political ambition. It's annoying, but what can I do? They had to bow down to the Filipino strategies to win.

But nothing beats the dramatic turn of events that happen within the campaigning period. A lot of things may change around and it's often dramatic and interesting. Mar Roxas, a senator who comes from an influential family, had been one of the first hopefuls to keenly eye on being the next president. His grandfather was one and no doubt he has a good track record. He is not one of those politicians who generated negative heat from the public. He is if not one of the best bets, he's one of the safest. Like all presidential hopefuls he is strongly for change. His very choreographed and meticulous commercials often stressed it.

But one unassuming day, he announced that he will be pulling out from the race to give way and full support to Senator Noynoy Aquino, who has yet to announce his official candidacy. It seems a lot of people are egging for Noynoy to run and win, there is still that whiplash of people's support for what his mother, late President Corazon Aquino, stood for.

After the formal retreat had been made, family members and loved ones of Mar Roxas were seen crying out of pride and out of sadness due to the senator's biggest political sacrifice. Some saw it as a form of statesmanship, some are still baffled as to why he quit the race when the other one has yet to announce his candidacy, others saw it as a graceful exit since his poll standing is not as promising as expected. A lot of interpretation could be seen from this. And I just hope that his move created positive ripples elsewhere. Now, everyone most especially the other presidential hopefuls are waiting for Noynoy's announcement to gauge the change of the playing field. Then we could expect changes from there. Philippine Politics, if not a pain in the ass, serves as an amusing ball of events.

Personally, it's too early to tell who's going to win. That's why I don't get it why people are becoming so emotional now especially on national tv. To say that one is hurt and disappointed is one thing, but bawl his/her eyes out on TV is another. It doesn't look nice. It looks desperate and very power hungry. Second, one shouldn't only consider running out of mere popularity. A sure ball win and support doesn't necessarily make one a good president. Presidential hopefuls should always remember that they are running because they themselves know what to do to make this country turn around, that they have personally accepted the desire and challenge to take up the post. It's different if the post seems freely handed to them and they took up the challenge. There should be personal convincing involved. Third, it would be interesting to see how the voters would finally act on the ever changing choices given to them. The votes will tell us what we believe this country needs, I just hope we think it through and not be swayed ourselves.

From the list of hopefuls that's both weird and amusing, to the dramatic turn of events that seem shocking and interesting, to the uncertain future that lies ahead, one thing is for sure. Philippine politics will never lose its luster. Thanks to the last remaining efforts of the administration to gain support, we are enjoying non-working days ahead for this month. Whatever, politics.

The So-Called Goodwill Advertisements

Don’t you just hate listening to goodwill advertisements of various politicians who are obviously going to run for the next presidential post? They are slowly easing their names, their causes and their achievements through these highly scripted commercials. They're reaching out to people who are mostly smart enough to realize that this is one of campaigning strategies being adapted today. Ugh.

These politicians, who have montages in commercials, say that it’s not a form of advertisement. Those are public service commercials of course, to let people know how to contact you and trust you. Public service? But of course, some are even coy enough to deny their desire to run until the day they file for candidacy. But at the end of it all, those who advertise will run anyways. I bet on it.

May it be print ads, commercials or radio announcements, some major politicians who have dreams of becoming the next president, strongly make it known to the whole world of what they believe in and what causes they are fighting for. They do it by reaching out to people, not only through careful and positive advertisements, but by presenting hotline numbers, websites on how to reach them. Knights in shining armors we thought we never had. But those politicians who have never been eyed to run for highest post, nor were their heads within the radar of political movements, remain quiet and low profile. No commercials, nothing grand. You would never or seldom see them on TV unless if it’s an official hearing. What gives for those politicians who advertise?

I’m not against advertising. Hell, that is needed to reach out to people to make the right choice, but I do hope they do it right and not mislead people with their grandeur...scripted grandeur. I hope they would stop insulting the Filipino people by putting out advertisements of goodwill when we can clearly see the vetted self interests behind it. If they're going to advertise, there's a time line and everyone should be able to follow and not the get ahead just because you're rich or the camera loves you. There’s something really wrong if their goodwill stellar performances are unknown beyond the realm of TV, don't you think? I do hope their advertisements really mirror what’s happening in reality, otherwise our politics have been deduced to shows and funny commercials in between.