From October 2007 until as recent as June 2009 amid continuing crises of confidence in government fueled by its historic lack of credibility, when we need most to believe in democracy, two constantly provide with leadership we can trust.
Last Tuesday, when Senator Loren Legarda answered not simply political wooing but a timely appeal to serve a higher calling, the equations defining 2010’s tandems of convenience based on “winability” changed. Suddenly there was substance. Senator and Business Mirror columnist Manuel Villar chose his running mate correctly. For all the mud thrown his way, in recent history Villar is still credited for heroically rising against presidential corruption. We know that he can be relied upon to do the right thing at the right time.
The convergence of objectives at the Laurel House is not simply a matter of commonalities. Measured by third-party pollsters, the former Senate President and Legarda share, not just numerical superiority in garnering the highest mandates for the Senate, but more importantly, poll numbers show they epitomize the most trustworthy.
There is an essential distinction among those who simply provide alternatives to failed governance and those who represent underlying desires and have consistently actualized promises through advocacies, platforms and proven programs. Among the few credible before us, most fall under the first. Only Villar and Legarda are under the latter.
There is an underlying desire that pervades among the despairing, rarely felt as we view without moral imperatives either graphic images of poverty outside, or, on laptops, historic records of involuntary hunger. Distrust is something the happiest people on the planet hide well.
In any electoral derby, trustworthiness is often undeclared, not less important than competence, experience and intelligence. And not a bit less than honesty and heart. As we measure, indulge our digression from the cliché qualifications. While some might argue the atypical, to do so would be to place Arroyo on a pedestal antithetical to the 2010 exercise.
To appreciate the importance of trust, situate what Legarda and Villar represent against the status quo offered by administration candidates. Undeniably, Arroyo acts like a president. But it is likewise undeniable, she does not have the public’s trust.
Against that bleak backdrop, it helps to analyze the emergent chemistries of president-vice president tandems. Specifically analyze the Villar-Legarda option against current frontrunner’s and another that seeks a second chance for an abruptly abbreviated presidency. Ignore nuisance tandems. Ignore sideshows that waste government funds, languish in single-digit preferences; depend on an immature electorate and whose chances are backstopped by machinery or popularity.
What generates trustworthiness? To answer, look at what is said of Legarda.
Elected with votes surpassing that needed for the presidency she was quickly chosen to be the Senate’ Majority Floor Leader. Her record is substantive. She authored legislation benefiting women and children. Exceedingly competent, Legarda is likewise “naturally compassionate, (with a) deep concern to uplift the unfortunate, protect and care for the environment, improve agriculture and rural conditions, safeguard the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), and their families and mind the weak and the sick.”
Array those against Villar’s campaign for the same constituencies, OFWs, and that from which he rose, “the poor, the weak and the sick” and one might see why the chemistry between the two is better suited than any quickly contrived for 2010.
Our best analysis comes from a particularly profound political analyst, Filipino Voices’s Patricio Mangubat, who opined that when Legarda had opened herself, it was at then that she gained our trust. According to Mangubat, when Legarda “provided us with a six-point “pro-Poor, pro-People, pro-God agenda, which was devoid of neither necropolitical imagery nor the self-serving halleluiahs of ass-lickers” here at last was a candidate with a platform.
He declares that we may not agree with her, but he “appreciate(s) that Loren took the time to analyze Filipino society and provide the direction for us to take in the next six years”.
“All these men who came before us did not even care to provide us with their visions. They only expressed their self-serving dreams, but nary anything about service or a road-map towards rehabilitating our damaged institutions. All these men who said they want the presidency for themselves, treated us shabbily, even with disdain, thinking that campaigns are showbiz affairs and the great masses are an un-thinking lot and just a waste of their precious time telling us what they intend to do.”
Res ipsa loquitur. It is likewise Villar’s circumstance. Offer genuine care and trust is returned a millionfold.
Popularity: 1% [?]
A qoute from the Great Leader Mahatma Gandhi of India: ” A man cannot
do right in one Department of Life. While attempting to do wrong in
another Department of Life. Life is one INDIVISIBLE WHOLE.”
I have no comment on Loren Legarda. Since Chiz Escudero abandoned
her. She has to find a new running mate.
I have many comments with regards to Manny Villar. The issues on
the C5 controversy is like an Albatros on his neck. He refuses to
answer them. He is very ARROGANT in absolving himself. By BUYING
fellow Senators to absolve him of the guilt. He did not attend any
hearing of the Senate. To tell his side of the controversy.
Leardership, as I have known in the government and in the corporate worlds depends mainly on TRUSTWORTHINESS. You simply cannot lead. If you have a question on your CHARACTER. TRUSTWORTINESS comprises both CHARACTER and COMPETENCE. They are like indivisible whole in a good leader. CHARACTER is your integrity. Your ability and commitment to do good. COMPETENCE is what you can do. On the issue of CHARACTER. Manny Villar is plainly lacking.
He diverted our attentions of his lack of good CHARACTER by: (a) giving us voters entertainments thru: (a) Wowowee Revillame and Pokwang ;and (b) by continuing to dodge the issues against him.
The man is simply not fit to lead. I have met good leaders in the
corporate and in the government worlds for many years. I know the true leaders and the fake plastic leaders. You can simply judge them on how they handle themselves when you subject them to pressures.
Assumptions:
1. We trust your wisdom, from your near anonymity online, that you think Villar is a lousy corporate leader.
2. Again, under the cloud of infallibility, that you know “Leardership”. And so, that Villar simply cannot lead because he is lacking, in no particular order, “Trustworthiness, Character, Competence”. Traits that somehow evaded him when he rose out of poverty. Oh, and his track record in the senate and congress by the way.
3. That you assume Villar “bought” his fellow peers in the senate VS. his fellow peers in the Senate respecting him and proving his innocence in this based on their IQs and reasoning.
4. From your in-depth quote-analyzing techniques, that Villar is not fit to become a leader since he is involved in another controversy of which he does not defend himself(of which you assumed he isn’t because he is cracking under pressure).
5. Villar was “entertaining” by appearing in Wowoweee (don’t know where you got this certain hostility towards that. Of course, if one assumes Wowowee is an agent of evil, the negative vibes of your comment would be enforced). “Diverted his lack of good CHARACTER…”? What the hell are you talking about? Do you KNOW what you are talking about? Is Character something you could divert people away from?
Clearly, I do not understand (you). Correct me if I am wrong.
I dont endorse any candidate. My purpose is to inform
fellow voters. I am a private person. So, I just want
to inform. However, check on knowledgeable sources. If
what I am informing everybody is true. Decide on your
own. I just want to help clarify for their choices. This is my sole purpose. I will be commenting and reviewing what ALL CANDIDATES will stand for. Then I will analyse, if they are true agendas. Or agendas that deceive like what most of our politicians are doing…
If your thick skull cannot understand the term CHARACTER. Then, I will clarify it. A man can divert (hide) his/her true evil character as good. Most politicians hide their true charscters during election
campaigns. After the election, their true evil characters emerge. Or their true colors come to the
surface. Look at what happened from Marcos to Erap to Arroyo. Did they not “divert” or hide their true evil characters? When will we ever learn!
Some of the Mafia Gangsters in New York,U.S.A. rose out from
poverty. They did it by scamming anybody they can scam. Some
of the worst Crooks rose out from poverty. The question of
good leadership is not about rising out of poverty. It is your
CHARACTER and COMPETENCE. Study True Great Leaders thruout
the world who really made a positive difference for mankind.
Then, you will understand what I am talking about.
I thank you for the responses.
First of all, you are accusing a man. Let that sink in.
And let me just say, you have good intentions. And that your desire to “inform” people is commendable. But based from what you said, my thick skull understands that you are basically accusing a man, judging him, and making conclusions about him based on….. what exactly? subjective interpretation of facts from false assumptions and misinformation?
false assumptions:
- Villar scams people because he is rich(?). || You can’t prove that, and I can’t prove that. But that doesn’t make it true and absolute. We simply don’t know. (Of course, you could cite the C-5 trial, of which he is cleared of, and still he is a person under a (quasi)court, by which he is innocent until proven guilty)
- Villar has no character. || This view is subjective, simply because he has commendable achievements and a track record; facts that is against your opinion. I would even go so much in saying that even Mafia has strong Characters. Not the good one, but still, strong Characters. Capable of leadership even.
Let me correct myself when I asked if whether one can hide one’s “Character”. I’m sorry, I admit the construction of the sentence was wrong and I haven’t had time to edit that. But what I really mean to ask is, what is YOUR definition of Character?
So, maybe you mean GOOD/NOBLE/GOD-LIKE Character perhaps?
- Villar is incompetent. || Again, subjective.
————————————
I totally agree with all that you’ve said about politicians etc. My youngest brother could agree with what you said and he is not even in high school.
Once you say that stealing is evil, everyone can agree. But once you say that someone is evil, because YOU THINK he is a thief, that’s a whole different story.
So the real issue here is, can you apply your accusations to Villar? You can only do so much in harping ideals, and throwing out quotes, and preaching, and informing people and what-have-you, if your accusations are proven true. Otherwise, you’re being an ignorant fool with good intentions. But what do I know? I’m a guy with a thick skull.
Here is an analogy of what you said:
======================================
Mafia Gangsters = rose out of poverty;
Worst Crooks = rose out of poverty;
======================================
if,
Villar = rose out of poverty;
————————————–
then,
Villar = mafia gangsters/Worst crooks! (OMG!!!11one1!)
=======================================
Ironically, I learned that this is a fallacy of accident, (in which you destroy exceptions to the rule) from my little brother.
For Your information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accident_(fallacy)
—
PS: I don’t endorse Villar.. yet.
Is this post a paid ad for Villar? 0_o
Dean,
“We know that he can be relied upon to do the right thing at the right time.”
How do we know this, especially when he signs documents clearing himself of transgressions? Seems rather a charade to me.
What is the source of your confidence? I agree he is a stronger “doer” than others, but he seems to “do” on his own behalf whilst doing for others, and that still sucks the life from a productive, rational economy.
Joe
According to 2009 Index of Economic Freedom : Investment Freedom
If Manny Villar will become president knowing that he is a real estate guru, it may further limit the country’s investment freedom.
On Property Rights: .
Intellectual property rights are privilege information that must be disclosed to public for investment purposes. If Manny Villar becomes president, he will gain direct access of “intellectual property rights” including location of future investments and the required real estate for such investment…
Manny belongs to the private sector not public management. Most rich individuals are content with their private businesses unless laws must be broken to achieve a selfish higher goal. Corruption equals conflict of interest.
Congrats, Dean De La Paz! Good analysis!
@Hyden Toro: Regarding the C5 issue, the investigation of the supposed charges against Sen. Manny Villar, first by the Ethics Committee, and by the Committee of the Whole is all for show or media circus, aimed and calculated to subject Senator Manny Villar and his family to public humiliation and scorn, and frustrate Senator Villar’s presidential bid in 2010.
As Sen. Joker Arroyo said, the situation that Mr. Manny Villar finds himself today can be likened to Ninoy Aquino’s trial before the Military Commission No. 2. There was sure conviction due to unfair rules and unfair judges. Beforehand, the sentence of death by musketry of Ninoy was a foregone conclusion. He further added that there is dignity in not attending a trial with built-in rules stacked against you.
I have been in Real Estate business myself in the U.S.
I know the move of Property Speculators. The move of
Villar to appreciate his properties/subdivision by putting
Roads at GOVERNMENT EXPENSE is just a easy move to spot.
If you put Roads or Highways near your properties. The value
of your properties will appreciate. I have also attended some
college courses regarding real estates. He is not the only
one knowledgeable in Real Estate.
Villar is a just slimy businessman. Using his position
as a Senator, to feather his own nest. He is just a plain low level real estate Speculator. Watch out for this Opportunist!
yup, access to informaton is not free. And Manny can take advantage of it easily if he becomes the president. insiders information like intellectual property rights are good for private investors. But for a person running for office, kawawa si Mang Juan and Pedro
“We know that he can be relied upon to do the right thing at the right time.”
The right things, for himself? Sure. That’s the reason why he’s the richest of the senator.
The right things for the country? Not sure.
Legarda the right thing for Villar? Naah, she’s an albatross hanging at his neck.
Money and Beauty Tandem:
The more things change, the more they remain the same. “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” – Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr.
“the former Senate President and Legarda share, not just numerical superiority in garnering the highest mandates for the Senate…” etc..
Senate elections involve 12 positions. It does not necessarily translate to exercises involving preference for one. The polls show Legarda has not carried her senate mandate with her higher ambitions.
Now, take this glaring factiod from Loren Legarda: She claims she has planted 1000 trees in Luneta. We take this as meaning SHE PHYSICALLY PLANTED 1000 trees (sans alalays). These trees should be around 5-10 years old on average, since she claims to have started in the late 90s.
Presumably, she would have planted dipterocarps spaced at least 1 metre apart.
Now, WHERE ARE THESE 1000 TREES PLANTED BY LEGARDA IN LUNETA? Or have you been to the Luneta recently and enjoyed the 1000 trees that Loren physically planted herself?
SPIN or LIE?
I’ve lost count, is this Loren Legarda’s 7th political party? She’s not Pacquiao you know, but a political whore.
“I am like the bamboo, resilient.”- Loren Legarda
Four political parties, two husbands, two religions.
She’s more resilient than the bamboo.
Legarda has her own private life. Let us leave them off. Go
to the issues facing our nation. Villar refuses to answer
the ethical issues against him. He does not know how to answer
them. So, we will continue to put third degree pressure
on him. Until he will shout the truth!
too bad, Legarda is also a big liar.
so truth telling is not going to happen anytime soon.
Rule of Power # 20 DO NOT COMMIT TO ANYONE
It is a fool who rushes to take sides
Loren was swoon by Villar. It’s part of her risk to take Villar though, yet she doesn’t have any other candidate to join with since Chiz left her. Now, maybe, Loren was just being rational in trying to compromise with what Villar has. Villar has a good advocacy and a reputation in helping people. Let’s not see it this way, that because of his wealth, he already pays people… that because she’s pretty, she’s a whore and she doesn’t know what she’s doing already.
Try to compromise and let’s prevent uncalled judgments. It will be of no help for The country.
Villar & Legarda is one of the best tandems…it is one of the best decisions of Loren. Villar has the funds that she does not have..and still in the opposition side…kung baga pinili lang niLoren ang lesser among the evils..mahirap naman magng independent..risky
let us wait and see… i want to listen and see what these candidates will offer to the taong bayan..more importantly those that are pro poor…pro OFW, pro environment and pro GOD..
I’ve watched Loren Legarda’s speech at Luneta last October 23, and i must say, we finally have the best candidate for Vice-Presidency.I always adore Loren on her works.All the bills that she had passed in the Senate,including the Climate Change,is really one of a good work that a politician does for her country. Her tandem with Manny Villar, will help our country to have “CHANGE”.They share the same vision for our country.I dont think she’s a butterfly, nor a political whore,hinde po ba nakikita ng ating mamayang Pilipino ang mabuting idudulot ng kanilang pagsasama? Their tandem is desire to help uplift the Filipinos from poverty, to protect the environment, uplift the welfare of overseas Filipino workers, promote equality for Muslim brothers and sisters, attain peace in Mindanao and to work for good governance and transparency in the government,Let’s SUpport Loren and Villar if we really want a “CHANGE IN OUR COUNTRY”
PAgmamahal sa bayan, paglilingkod ng tapat, at pagmamahal sa kalikasan, iyan po si Loren Legarda. Kahit sa kabila ng iniwan sya ni Chiz Escudero, hinde pa rin iyong naging hadlang sa kanyang pagtakbo sa susunod na halalan..At nandiyan si Manny Villar na sumusuporta sa kanyang mga adbokasiya at plataporma Villar and Legarda are both aiming for good governance and lasting peace.Huwag na po nating siraan si Loren Legarda, isa syang mahusay na Senador and im sure She’ll also be a Good VIce-President of our country.. Let’s Vote wisely! Let’s SUPPORT LOREN LEGARDA na maipagpatuloy nya ang kanyang adhikain para sa ating mga Pilipino, para sa ating BANSA!
Sa dami ng tatakbong Vice-President ng ating bansa,ang tanong ko sa aking sarili ay ano ba ang kakayahan ng mga ito na mamuno sa ating bansa..At ano ang nagawa ng mga ito ng sila ay nanunungkulan pa lamang? Mar Roxas?Wala akong matandaan na siya ay may ginawa para sa kabutihan at kapakanan ng sambayanang Pilipino, may nabasa akong article na may namatay na isa s quintuplets dahil sa kanyang pagpapa asa na tutulungan nya ang mag-anak, subalit hinde naman pala, ginamit lang nya sa pagpapakuha ng picture para nga naman maging maganda ang pangalan nya.. Bilyonaryo pero nag kuripot sa pagtulong.Tama ba ito??At ngayon tatakbo sya??para ano???Jejomar Binay–Sino ba ito?? Sori pero sikat lang sya siguro sa lugar nila..Edu Manzano??artista??Un lang…PERO SI SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA, naiyak ako sa kanyang kabutihang loob at pakikinig nya sa pangangailangan ng mahihirap,isang mabuting tao, mabuting senador at handang tumulong..Nagpakita sya ng katapangan sa paghahangad ng pagbabago sa ating pamahalaan, katapangan na pangalagaan ang ating kalikasan. Hinde na natin dapat pag-isipan pa kung sino ang dapat natin iboto dahil tanging si Loren Legarda lamang ang may kakayahan na magkaroon ng pagbabago ang ating bansa…