The road to 2028

Just thinking about the run-up to the May 2028 presidential elections gives me the jitters.

For sure, it’s going to be one hell of a ride, with the road riddled with potholes – deep, dark and dirty as Philippine politics gets even dirtier and filthier.

This is what happens when politicians, instead of statesmen, are voted into power. As I previously pitched, what if, this time, we consider putting a tycoon as the head of our country? It’s not going to be a magic bullet but it’s likely better than having another politician as president, especially one with political scores to settle.

Have you noticed what keeps Malacañang spokespersons busy lately? They’re focused on answering the latest tirades from the Duterte camp.

Everything is all about the big ugly breakup of the Marcoses and the Dutertes – he said, she said; she said, he said – and the cycle goes on and on.

Is anyone minding the economy? The Philippines has missed its economic growth target for the second year in 2024 after hitting 5.6 percent, which was below the already trimmed target range of six percent to 6.5 percent. In 2023, growth hit 5.5 percent, also below the six to seven percent target.

We have a ballooning debt and still-elevated prices of goods and services. Students weren’t able to go to school because of the transport strike. Gasoline prices were again up by at least a peso per liter this week.

Now, Duterte supporters are threatening an OFW remittance holiday for one week, which I think will likely have a political impact rather than a direct economic impact – but again, no thanks to dirty politics.

Just the same, the political repercussions will likely create a perception of uncertainty in the country, which in the end may turn off investors or rattle the stock market.

It’s a curious case though how passionately some OFWs defend Rody Duterte. Have they asked themselves what Duterte did during his time to create gainful opportunities in the country so they wouldn’t have to toil in distant shores, away from their families? Have they checked how many of those repatriated to the Philippines during COVID-19 received assistance or were actually given jobs by the Duterte administration?

It’s true what they say: in the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

‘Magulo, corrupt’

It’s no surprise that Filipino voters generally have a negative view of Philippine politics, with more than half describing it either as “magulo” or “corrupt or all about money,” according to a recent survey undertaken by Pulse Asia, as reported by The STAR (March 24, 2025).

The report said:

The survey, conducted from Feb. 20 to 26, found that 37.9 percent of the respondents characterize the country’s politics as “magulo” or disorderly.

Another 17.3 percent said it was “corrupt” or “all about money.”

Some 10.9 percent said that it lacks unity and is full of infighting, while 5.8 percent described it as “cheating” or “vote buying.”

Only 4.2 percent described Philippine politics as “maayos” or orderly, the leading positive characterization among the answers of the respondents.

It was followed by more negative traits, including “exclusive, dynasties or elitists” (2.6 percent), “false promises” (2.6 percent), “personal interests” (1.7 percent), “fighting over a position” (1.4 percent) and “weak governance and failure to respond to key issues” (1.4 percent).

The survey had 2,400 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus two percent.

As the survey shows, Filipinos are feeling the pain of our dirty politics.

What can we do about this in 2028?

I hope an alternative candidate emerges. Is there any chance a tycoon or a businessman would run as president as I suggested earlier?

When I first wrote about it – and after the follow-up pieces from The STAR columnists Ambassador to the US Jose “Babe” Romualdez and Boo Chanco – I received comments from readers who said tycoon Ramon Ang would be an ideal alternative candidate – amid our increasingly dirty political landscape.

One reader, for instance, said: “Kudos to your article on the above subject. I have been thinking about that for quite a long time…given the kind of politicians we get as years go by…worsening!

“I respectfully and confidently nominate… MR. RAMON S. ANG!

“He has steered SMC to its great height over the years, overcoming and breaking barriers and broadly widening its business horizons under his leadership!

“Moreover, he has steered SMC to undertake projects purposely designed to help uplift the lives of our kababayans. His strong sense of patriotism can be easily gleaned from the kinds of projects SMC has undertaken over the years. The lives of our kababayans and the future of our beloved Motherland…are hinged on the strength and progress of our economy!

“Mr. RSA would know the buttons to press as president to achieve and propel our country to peace and prosperity for all Filipinos!”

I received similar messages from other readers who believe that RSA can be the alternative leader we need.

At best, these messages are reflections of readers’ frustration over the worsening political climate in the country.

I haven’t spoken to RSA recently about this or any other matter but Boo, in his follow-up column, said the SMC chairman and CEO is not inclined to enter politics.

I don’t know what will happen next.

It’s still a long way to go before 2028 but let’s buckle up for what may be an arduous and bumpy ride.

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Email: eyesgonzales@gmail.com. Follow her on X  @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.