EDITORIAL - Of Bong and Gwen tandem

The last presidential election was just eight months ago. But there is no stopping the political pot for the 2016 elections from boiling this early.

Reports have it that Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn would be joining forces in the next presidential election with Revilla running for president and Garcia joining him as his running mate.

Revilla and Garcia, however, remained mum on the reports. During his visit to Cebu for the Sinulog Festival, the senator could only smile to questions regarding their rumored tandem.

The next presidential election is still five years away. But there are now indications that Revilla has started laying the grounds for his run for the highest post in the land.

In fact, we can only guess his frequent visits to Cebu as a sign that he is starting to court Garcia to be his running mate. But it remains to be seen whether Garcia is interested in throwing her hat into the national politics.

It can be recalled that Revilla had said Garcia will make a good vice president. And during Garcia’s 55th birthday celebration in October, Revilla introduced the lady governor as the country’s next vice president.

Garcia has become the hottest commodity for those seeking for the presidency. In fact, in the run-up to last year’s general elections, many so-called presidentiables had reportedly courted her to be their vice president. But she refused, preferring instead to run for her third and final term.

But it’s early to talk about the next presidential election. Revilla and Garcia still have many things to do in their respective positions.

Of course, there’s no question about Revilla’s presidential qualifications. However, he still has to prove he is worthy to take a shot at the presidency. Except for that Hayden Kho sex scandal inquiry, he’s not really making waves in the Senate.

As for Garcia, we do not want to rate her chances if she decides to run for vice president, a post she is more than capable of handling, although her annual dancing to the Sinulog beat somehow boosts her national exposure.