Their moments of truth - I

Politics in Philippine setting takes all kinds and variations. The aphorism that all’s fair in love and in war may find its home in politics, wherein also all is fair; or, it’s all fair to be unfair. A fortiori, there are no permanent friends and enemies, only permanent personal interests.

There’s that awful pretense that what an American does, the Filipino does better. This had become a bad habit that the famous Douglas-Lincoln debates in US pol campaign and the later vintage forensic rhubarbs of White House aspirants have been aped by the Filipinos. Now in vogue is “roasting candidates” over a gauntlet of impromptu “open forum” with no holds barred.

For instance, the business community in Cebu had its “Choices and Voices for 2010” that featured six presidential bets followed by the La Salle schools held at its Taft campus, grilling a larger number of presidentiables. The UST previously invited the Palace wannabes, also well covered by media and, many informal give-and-take in TV talk shows have featured them.

The format, mechanics, and overall protocol are almost on all fours: the presidential “guinea pigs” submit to the same discipline and regimentation on time limit, drawing of questions by lots, or the order of speaking turns, et. seq. The forum facilitators rule on whatever kinks in making the questions and answers as brisk and smooth as possible.

Woe unto the unprepared or the “shallow waters”, or the cheap bluffers, or in short, those whose capacity between the ears is in short-shrift that the “exposure” can be so cruel and irreversible. But to the mentally-gifted, and with the gift of clear expression, sans humbug, or immodest in speech and demeanor, the forum is a favorable revelation of truth.

Take the pathetic Erap in Cebu’s konfrontasi, who sounded blank in his turns at the lectern, just mouthing monologues in disorganized mumbles; and, always overtaken by the bell with no sensible answers given. Or, even Noynoy at first doing his sing-song delivery of sounding a dutiful son whose side-trip recall in Cebu years back cut short by time, and no response in three minutes. The usually articulate and clarity of thoughts of Gibo T in seizing the questions plumb by the proverbial horn, also got snagged in the La Salle sortie, on what wrongs is GMA vulnerable and, what he would do if elected. His attempt at “escape” tied him up in knots.

It was at La Salle that Manny V was stomped silly when asked that instead of his solicitude for the poor, what would be his agenda for the rich. For his part, the often suave and arrogant candidness of Dick G did depict not only his brilliance but also his hubris.

An organized forum covered by tv on national exposure is both a priceless opportunity for public revelation of the candidates’ worth, and also a bane in unwanted exposure of their unworthiness. Being telegenic or pleasing personality is a built-in advantage, but it’s also self-destructive if the gift of gab be lacking, or sincerity be wanting, and the drought of mind that desert dry, be most revealing.

These entertainment-political exercises by media-socio-civic-student groups might have been persuaded by the political handlers of certain presidentiables with potentials but are lagging in poll surveys. For instance, there’s a strong bet who hasn’t picked up as yet the desired exodus of sympathizers as against other leading bets who might be heading the popularity pack. So, the handlers subtly agitate business, professional, student/academic leaders to sponsor candid public forums under media coverage, with assured funding.

One thing though, it’s a sure participant-getter because even the unwilling, the reluctant, and weaker public speakers or not candid debaters have no other choice; otherwise, they lose the opportunity to be heard, or they be called craven “yellow” no-balls, and sans any platforms to present.

(To be continued)