Political winnability

As in the case of my esteemed and respected columnist Teddy "Man" Benigno, I have been also asked "by many people" from different walks of life who are "complete strangers, whether the Philippines can still pull through," and my answer has also been yes, "if we can muster the courage, the will, and resolution to fight the battles of the future" and reexamine and evaluate the still undefined, unclear, and uncertain developments raging in the political landscape in the country today in light of the unexpected candidacy of Mr. Fernando Poe, Jr.

I cannot provide categorical advice or opinion about the determined candidacy of my good friend and lawyer Raul Roco and the Rev. Eddie Villanueva. I sincerely believe that they both mean well, and are capable to provide leadership to our country and people.

But at the same time, I am honestly not alone in becoming more and more concerned that if they stick to their decision to seek the presidency and slug it out without giving due consideration to flexibility in building a formidable political infrastructure of team winnability and leadership against the backdrop of a ticking clock that little by little is deliberately narrowing the window of opportunity to compromise – their chance of winning the battle for the presidency could be lost come May, 2004.

This may sound harsh and unthinkable – but many people have been toying with the possibility of a team-up between President Macapagal-Arroyo and former Senator Raul Roco.

What a combination: Macapagal-Arroyo and Raul Roco, president and vice-president, respectively. The possibility energizes me.

We have enough press releases about the incumbent president. We have just so much of Roco. We’ve been reading about Roco’s charges of this government being graft-ridden and lacking in leadership. We‚ve been on the receiving end of press releases recalling his accomplishments as DepEd secretary, and how, in only eight months under him, the department, which had been considered the fourth worst corrupt government agency, according to a Social Weather Station survey), was ranked by the same survey group as most trusted agency of government. Can you imagine Macapagal-Arroyo and Raul Roco slugging it out, the two of them, to cleanse the government and lead it to greater heights?

As to Mr. Fernando Poe, Jr. I have no doubt he is sincere in his aspiration to lead our country and people. Why not? This is a free country.

I have met him personally – posed for pictures with him – and chatted with him during the Bulong-Pulungan at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel Christmas party, and I was convinced that he looked amiable and charismatic. But frankly, I did not feel comfortable, and I have reservations about his presidential capability based on my observation during that fateful meeting and from the newspaper reports I have been reading about him.

This may be hard for Mr. Poe and his handlers to take or agree, but I am just being very frank in my observation since I have not heard him speak his mind about what he plans to do if and when elected.

All I have been hearing and reading about him are "niceties" and disarming charm to maybe allure possible voters to vote for him – which is not enough, and I hope he will be more substantive and specific in his discourse.

I also do not agree about the comments of some persons that because a prospective candidate for president lacks the experience in public governance, that person is not qualified to run for president. But again, in the case of Mr. Poe, he should now be able to articulate his own thoughts – not those coming from his propagandists or handlers. He must be his own man – and speak extemporaneously about complex issues that will confront him in the event that he become an official candidate – or is catapulted to the presidency. So much is at stake for our country and people. He must provide and convince the public about what kind of a leader he is made of and his ability and capability to govern this nation.

This adamant reaction is fair and important, not only to me, but also to the general public who may just be coasting along with the superficial bandwagon being created by the media hype in connection with his candidacy. He owes it to himself and the public to really express what he believes his place and role are, in whatever direction and fate his election campaign lead.

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The world-class Loboc Children’s choir of Bohol province will star in a Yuletide concert called "Songs of Christmas" at the Festival Mall in Alabang this afternoon at 3 o’clock (for the preview) and tomorrow, at 4 p.m. at the mall‚s Carousel Court Level 2 (the gala show. The choir is a three-time NAMCYA first-prize winner and won first prize in the children’s choir category at the Europe and its Songs 6th international Folksong Choir festival in Barcelona, Spain, last September 2003. Those interested to buy CDs of the choir may contact the Bohol association of Metro Manila inc. (BAMMI) at 723-2948 or 721-8602.

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