The election bug is starting to bite.
Filipinos are now looking for a new leader in the mold of US president-elect Barack Obama, one who will promise them “change you can believe in” come 2010, the year Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is scheduled, by law, to leave Malacanang for good.
Mirroring this mood, among the more recent posts and exchanges here at FV have been about Bayani Fernando or Jejomar (whose unique name is inspired by the Catholic holy family Jesus, Joseph, Maria) ‘Jojo’ Binay.
Fernando and Binay raise to 11 the number of personalities who have either declared or are known to nurture presidential ambitions.
Which brings to this writer’s mind the adage usually attributed to Euclides: “whom the gods wish to destroy they first make crazy.”
Who wouldn’t be given the ‘ungovernability’ of Philippine society.
The quote is apropos to Filipino politicians who “hear voices in their head telling them to run for office to serve the greater masses of our people,” and engage in all sorts of antics to be thought of as ‘jologs’ and maka-masa.
Never mind that the official monthly salary for the president is pegged at just P60,000 while running for that has been estimated to cost up to P2.5-B!
You have to wonder how the hell such an ‘investment’ will be recovered.
So becoming president is not supposed the road to material plenty unless you steal public funds or exploit the high office to amass ill-gotten wealth
Still relentlessly seek the presidency for the honor of pulling the levers of power in a society with a population of 80 million-plus.
The question is whether such power (once obtained in popular elections presumed to be honest and clean) will be used to craft a legacy of visionary public policy, responsive programs, and good governance
The downside for the people is when the public servant raids the national coffers, subverts democratic institutions, strips the people of their dignity and constitutionally-guaranteed rights, and sells out the public patrimony instead of protecting, developing, and conserving it for the public good.
Binay is throwing his hat into the ring while graft charges remain pending against him over property in scenic Tagaytay. He is hoping to parlay his position as president of the United Opposition (UNO), to become the Republic’s 15th president.
Binay joins former president and pardoned plunder convict Joseph Estrada, Liberal Party president and Senator Mar Roxas. Senate President Manny Villar, Vice President Noli De Castro, Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson and Senator Loren Legarda in the list of personalities with known or declared presidential ambitions.
What gives?
The list of wannabees reaches 11 when you add the 5 possible GMA ‘anointees’ announced by presidential management staff chief Cerge Remonde at the height of the reported new to overthrow Mrs. Arroyo.
By announcing is own short list is Malacanang writing in capital letters a commitment not to scuttle the 2010 elections?
So will Filipinos get their Barack? A Filipino Napoleon?
Or will a caudillo emerge from a so-called council of state if a power grab takes place?
Popularity: 1% [?]
You want a Barack? Let’s get PLM President Adel Tamano to run. He won’t have the money but we can get a grassroots movement going similar to what Raul Roco did.
By the way, I find the ‘Protectors of the People’ caption to the pictures of uniformed men armed to the teeth rather creepy.
Jeg,
I’ve heard Adel’s name mentioned in the ‘Obama context’ before and I do know he enjoys the respect of both Muslims and Christians. Tamano can perhaps be one personality with a unifying quality. He should develop a higher public profile to enables us to make a better assessment of his potential to offer us change we can believe in.
From what I know from MLQ3′s reporting, he was offered a spot in the UNO senatorial lineup which he turned down. This to me means he is not a person who is interested in power, and prefers to act in whatever capacity as a private citizen, although with a highly public task as UNO spokesman. UNO of course is dominated by Erap which could raise red flags to many people, but if he can succeed in overcoming Erap’s influence by having citizens behind him, and not Erap, he can succeed.
I dont think he wants to develop a higher public profile on his own. That means people who truly want change will have to do that for him. Invite him to symposia radio and TV shows to get his opinion, or on blogs. Interview him, Ding. See what he’s made of, and then post the interview here. He may not be ready for 2010, but who knows? Maybe he’ll be ready for 2016 when bloggers such as yourself raise awareness of his qualifications.
Comrado De Quiros once wrote that Tony Meloto would be a good candidate, but he also writes that he probably isnt interested. That’s the problem. Power is more attractive to the evil man than it is to the good man.
“…I find the ‘Protectors of the People’ caption to the pictures of uniformed men armed to the teeth rather creepy.”
I know such imagery can evoke suck an emotion, Jeg. But the reality is that is the constitutionally-mandated role of our MIB, our men in boots. The problem begins if wnd when professional soldiers are issued illegal orders, including oppressing the citizens they are sworn to protect. Remember Marcos?
I for one am thoroughly opposed to any military adventurism in our political affairs. I hold on to the hope that such a scenario will not come to pass, Jeg.
Protector of the People?
What protector of the people? Is it how to protect the people is by burning their houses, looting, bombing on civilians and torturing them? where is the justice in our country? The justice is only exercise if it is against the minority?
Lets not forget what the constitution said in Article 2, sec 3. “The civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Arm Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the state. . . .” Are those military engaged into war with the 102nd and 105th base command of MILF knows this article? I hope so, because this is the basic instruction to them.
What the government is doing? Are the executives exercising their duty to the people?
Where is the DEMOCRACY, Government of the People, by the people and for the people?
Rhem Kalim,
MILF supporter, eh?
PROVE IT!