On subtle electioneering

The problem with next year’s national elections is that anything anybody does this year that is out of the ordinary and catches the public eye will be interpreted as having political undertone.

Take for instance Senator Mar Roxas announcement of his engagement to broadcast personality Korina Sanchez. Why only now, people ask? Compared with the policy of utmost secrecy adopted by the couple in the past, why all the media coverage all a sudden.

How about the change in boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao’s introduction during his recent bout with Ricky Hatton from being General Santos City’s pride to being one hailing from Saranggani? Pacquiao admitted he is running for a congressional seat in Saranggani. Of course, the announcement had something to do with that. The whole Philippines was a captive audience last Sunday, and it was an opportunity that even Pacquiao could not resist.

I was watching the Pacquiao-Hatton bout over MyTV and occasionally, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro would appear, his speech muted though and with the Solar Sports logo appearing underneath. I didn’t hear what he was saying but probably, he was wishing Pacquiao good luck. Gibo has announced his plans to run for the presidency so I don’t have to be a rocket scientist to place two and two together.

Not even Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno was spared from this. His call for moral recovery has been interpreted by some as a signal that he is interested in running for the presidency. Even after he flatly denied these insinuations by saying that after consulting his advisers (his grandchildren), he has decided to just spend his time fetching them from school, some people still cannot believe that someone can have such noble visions for the country.

All these appearances by MMDA chief Bayani Fernando, Makati Mayor Jojo Binay, Mar Roxas, Pagcor chief Ephraim Geniuno, Manny Villar and many others on TV, on billboards and streamers, and other outlets, can only be viewed as having something to do with the upcoming elections. But there are others, whether or not cynics like it, have only are futures in mind.

The launch of the Ako Mismo movement, with the support of PLDT-Smart Foundation, was viewed by some quarters as a signal that PLDT chairman and Philippine sports’ staunchest supporter Manny Pangilinan is interested in the highest elective position in the land.

This rumor is being spread via text messaging and so I asked Manny to confirm or deny the report. Here is his response, sent via text Tuesday at 1:02 a.m.

“Ako Mismo is a movement which aims to awaken and instill in the Filipino a marked sense of responsibility as an individual. Our heretofore historical reliance on community, government, and family must, at this time, with this opportunity, be balanced by strong personal accountability. It is a principle I happen to believe in, as must millions of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), who left our country, and fend for themselves. Yes. Ako Mismo is assisted by the PLDT-Smart Foundation as an apolitical, cause-oriented, socially beneficial project. And it is supported by others as well. I have reclused myself from Ako Mismo precisely to wash away any political color about it. As for myself, no, I am not running for any political office. I am truly at home running a business.”

Asked by reporters yesterday afternoon, he again said he is not running for political office. End of story.

Yes, there are some who are taking this opportunity to make known their plans come election time. Since the campaign period has not officially started, we cannot think of any other reason why people would spend so much money appearing on television just because they want to. But we have to admit that amidst all these election brouhaha, there are some people who just want to see real change happening.

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