Politics: Back to reality

The successful visit of Pope Francis made many people wonder if they were in a different country as the traffic, the pollution, the political mudslinging and the negativity all took a backseat. For five days, people who saw the Pope had this overwhelming spiritual experience, with everyone’s hearts moved by compassion, kindness and concern especially for the poor and the broken. News networks all over the world could not believe the number of people who braved the rains – in Tacloban and in Luneta – to listen to the pope’s message of hope, comfort and encouragement. (By the way, our worst fears have been confirmed that there were in fact two reported attempts to assassinate the Pope – one in Manila and one in Tacloban. We should all thank God it was foiled. This is one reality we live in today – terrorism at its worst.)

Today we see reality back in the country, starting with the news about truckloads of garbage (138 metric tons according to MMDA) that people left in Luneta, Roxas Boulevard and other areas that the papal convoy passed; taxi drivers robbing their passengers; and PNP personnel supposedly getting duped of their allowance for being on duty during the papal visit. As someone put it, it’s like being jolted awake from a “heavenly divine dream.”

As expected, politics is also going into high gear with potential candidates examining their options and calibrating their moves as the 2016 presidential elections approaches. The Supreme Court’s decision to junk the disqualification case against Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada – with the complainant saying she will no longer file a motion for reconsideration – has given the former president a fresh wind, with everyone around Erap urging him to make a run for the presidency once again.

Opinion continues to be divided on whether the former president can run for president again considering the constitutional provision that says any elected president may not run for reelection. Erap supporters however insist that the said provision only applies to an incumbent president, and that the Supreme Court ruling has upheld the Commission on Elections position that the pardon granted the former president is absolute – fully restoring his civil and political rights.

Vice President Jejomar Binay is still topping the surveys and continues to be the run-away winner among 2016 presidentiables despite the allegations of corruption that have been hurled against him. In August last year, the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee began the hearing about the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall building, with the focus eventually zeroing in on the VP as one corruption accusation after another was thrown against him.

Not surprisingly, businessmen and other people perceived to be closely allied with the vice president have also been dragged into the fray, with their businesses also affected in the process. Many are complaining that they, too, are being subjected to harassment, and that their reputations are being unfairly tainted because of the allegations which they vehemently denied as unfounded.

The reality is, anyone who tops surveys and is seen to be the frontrunner will be the main target with all guns pointed at him. Naturally, those who are identified with the target could expect to find themselves being targets as well. Obviously, the Vice President will need to counter all the accusations against him.

Murmurs are also getting stronger about Senator Grace Poe being a potential presidential contender. At our PeopleAsia awards event, she told me she does not even want to talk about it. We’re told a lot of businessmen are pushing and urging her to make a go for it because, as they claim, she seems to be the only “clean” candidate.

Malacañang is trying to draft Grace to be the running mate of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas whose ratings have picked up a little, but he is still far behind Binay and Poe based on the most recent surveys.

The one good thing that can come out amidst the disheartening political developments is the thought that all these will eventually come to a head. Potential candidates who see themselves under attack should just brace themselves against the onslaught. It’s much better for a candidate to see the line of attack from opponents sooner rather than later so they can prepare better in calibrating their responses when the same attacks are launched again in 2016.

Meantime, I think the administration should also focus on doing what needs to be done – and that is to make sure that the elections are perceived by the Filipino voters as clean, honest and credible to prevent any instability due to suspicions that the person declared as winner has not really been the choice of the people.

No one will argue that the visit of Pope Francis has electrified the nation with his message of compassion and kindness for the poor most especially the children. However, the pope’s unequivocal rebuke against corruption has also resonated deeply, making the people keenly aware about the need for real and inspiring political transformation that hopefully will pave the way for wisdom and maturity among the electorate.

Many are also hoping that the words of the pope have also left a lasting impact on the political landscape, penetrating the hearts of politicians and rekindling “a sense of shame and an element of conscience in the hearts of corrupt leaders” as a Huffington Post article put it. Hopefully, the Pope’s timely visit will lead Filipino voters to listen to their hearts and follow their conscience in choosing the best leaders who can steer this country towards real, positive transformation in every aspect – socially, economically and politically.

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