Answered prayer

Last Monday, I wrote that we needed a miracle. I didn’t sound too hopeful that a miracle would happen. But it did. The pre-election surveys showed how miserable our situation was. Most of those deemed likely to be elected – traditional politicians or showbiz discards – have failed us before or have no experience or track record in public service. The election was lost before it was held.

But miracles do happen. People prayed and did something about their prayers. Many of us made strategies on how to vote. I decided to vote for only three senatorial candidates: Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan and Heidi Mendoza. I was thinking that voting for anyone else might cause Bam, Kiko, and Heidi trouble if the race got tight for the last slots.

Not sure if what I did helped, but I was pleasantly surprised that Bam and Kiko did very well – in fact, they were among the top five. Bam is even number one in the Lingayen-to-Lucena corridor, including the NCR.

The other good news is that Bong Revilla, Willie Revillame, Ipe Salvador and Manny Pacquiao didn’t make it. The surveys said they would, and that added to our feeling of hopelessness. The discards of showbiz should do a Dolphy and stay out of politics. PacMan should now retire to Sarangani.

I believe in scientific surveys, but never was I so glad that they were wrong this time. Or maybe it was a blessing in disguise that the surveys made us very afraid for Bam, Kiko and Heidi. So, we worked and prayed harder.

It was a day of miracles, even for Heidi, who didn’t make it. She got over seven million votes, with no political party, no ads and a measly campaign budget of P2.5 million. Camille Villar was reported to have spent P3.5 billion in advertising; Imee Marcos, P1.9 billion; Abby Binay, P1.29 billion; and Francis Tolentino, P1.867 billion. Binay and Tolentino also lost.

To me, Bam’s and Kiko’s victory is an answered prayer. Our pleas for our nation’s future were heard on high.

But one might ask, why are the likes of Bato dela Rosa and worst of all – Marcoleta among the winners? I guess that’s to keep us praying and working to ensure a brighter future for our next generations. Even as we thank God for answered prayers, we cannot rest. For one thing, there is 2028 to plan for.

The most important message in last Monday’s election is the unfinished business of Duterte. We saw how he still mesmerizes a large part of our population, especially in Mindanao. People have yet to see and understand the damage he and his family have done as they abused the power entrusted to them.

The shadow of Duterte will loom large in 2028. And if he dies in The Hague before the election, VP Sara will repeat a PNoy. That’s why it is important to demystify the Duterte cult among our people. We have to open their eyes to the fact that the Duterte years have set us back in terms of good governance.

For example, the Dutertes have not explained the Pharmally scandal, where billions in borrowings for the pandemic were lost. VP Sara refuses to explain how she has spent hundreds of millions of our money while she was at DepEd and as VP. Pulong must account for the P50 billion in pork funds he got. AMLC should explain the Trillanes bank account records once and for all.

Public service is not a family business. At least two LGU officials – Vico Sotto in Pasig and Benjie Magalong in Baguio – have demonstrated how to run a city with total transparency and without enriching themselves or their families. It can be done, and that’s what we must insist on with the public officials we have elected.

With the results of last Monday’s election, BBM is fast becoming a lame-duck President. The billions of pesos in pork funds that Speaker Martin Romualdez gifted his congressmen didn’t do much to get a majority of their Alyansa Senate slate elected. They still have a House majority because the congressmen apparently concentrated on helping themselves, to the detriment of the national slate.

The failure of BBM’s Alyansa ticket validated his low trust rating of 25 percent in the Pulse Asia survey prior to the election. Worse, the election results showed the power of the Duterte name. The new Senate will not be able to convict VP Sara on the impeachment charges. That means she will be a force to reckon with in 2028.

Indeed, the campaign period for 2028 has started with the end of last Monday’s election. BBM cannot afford to have a successor like VP Sara, who is totally at odds with him. If it happens, he needs to borrow the neck brace of FPGMA.

For his own good, BBM must start building up a viable successor – and that is definitely not Martin Romualdez.

Alternatively, BBM can develop someone from his own group, like Ralph Recto, but only if he stops making him take the blame for stupid stuff like raiding the coffers of PhilHealth and PDIC to raise funds for the pork barrel kitty of his cousin.

Or, a tactical alliance with anti-Duterte forces will be necessary to protect him after he leaves office. A run by Risa H or Bam A now looks viable.

Another miracle may happen too: Cabinet members in charge of basic needs like food, healthcare and education may finally start delivering results rather than press releases.

The country’s political scenario is still murky. But the election of Bam and Kiko has given us a glimmer of hope.

Now more than ever, our people must grow up and demand honesty from public officials.

We can pray for more miracles, but the miracles we need must come through our own efforts.

Boo Chanco’s email address is [email protected]. Follow him on X @boochanco.