Not a good time to be a Liberal

 The announcement of Junjun Davide that he was more than willing to step aside for Vice Governor Agnes Magpale if the Liberal Party decides to make her its candidate for governor was not the shocker that most people initially thought it to be.

 That is because the Liberal Party is only acting true to form. It is no longer the powerhouse party that it was when it counted among its members such illustrious politicians such as Ninoy Aquino, Gerry Roxas, Jovito Salonga, Serging Osmeña, etc.

 The Liberal Party has seen a steady decline ever since Ferdinand Marcos came to power and started dismantling political parties in favor of his Kilusang Bagong Lipunan. And while the KBL itself all but crashed with his ouster, none of the old parties ever regained their old luster.

 President Noynoy Aquino may himself be a Liberal, but it does not follow that he has succeeded in restoring the LP to enviable perch of old. Noynoy won not because of the LP but inspite of it.

 Noynoy won on account of his mother Cory, who died shortly before the 2010 elections. As I have said countless of times before, until Cory died nobody really ever gave Noynoy a serious thought as presidential contender.

 But when Cory died and millions turned out in mourning, it dawned on the Liberal Party that they can cash in on this momentum if they thrust Noynoy forward as standard-bearer. The rest is history.

 Thus it can be said that what power the Liberal Party has right now is largely ephemeral. It is not grounded on real strength but relies heavily on the emotions. Look how Noynoy fires up the emotions with grandiose promises that have not really materialized two years hence.

 It is therefore no surprise that Davide, reminiscent of the “sacrifice” made by Mar Roxas in favor of Noynoy in 2010, would now say he is willing to make the same “sacrifice” in favor of Magpale.

 But the truth is, there is never any real sacrifice involved in these developments. For just as Roxas could not win in 2010, it is just as likely that Davide would not win in 2013. It is no therefore sacrifice for him to give way to Magpale. It is the practical thing to do.

 Some would say Davide nearly won in 2010. That is correct. But the near-win was not on account of himself but because of Noynoy. Had Davide belonged somewhere else, he would have been wiped out. Not that he is not qualified. He is very. But political realities are what they are.

 The announcement by Davide that he is willing to step aside for Magpale only underscores the extent of the Liberal Party’s weakness. It is now two years since Noynoy came to power and the LP still cannot make up its mind who to field in the country’s number one vote-rich province?

 And now we hear that Luigi Quisumbing is joining the Liberals. Wrong move, if I may say. As I have said, the LP may count the president in its rolls, but it was never responsible for his election. And it remains doubtful until know if it has regained its winning power of old.

 In fact, how many do you think the Liberals managed to send to the Senate in 2010, the year Noynoy won as president? Why, only three — Franklin Drilon, Teofisto Guingona III and Ralph Recto. Serge Osmeña may have been on the ticket, but only as guest candidate, being independent.

 One would have thought that with Noynoy at the helm, the Liberals would have dominated the Senate race. But it did not. And while the three it managed was the most by any party, still it could have done better. That Bongbong Marcos would outscore Recto and Guingona says it all.

And that was in 2010. Going to 2013, the numbers of Noynoy in the surveys, while still high, have steadily been dropping. And as this was written, a new survey says more Filipinos now claim themselves to be poorer than ever. Not a good time to be a Liberal.