The number two is often ignored. People do not care so much for vice presidents. All eyes are focused on the presidential race. Vice presidents are always considered spare tires. The common assumption is that they do not have a clear position description or term of reference. And the joke is that their only task is to pray that the president resigns, becomes impeached, or is removed by quo warranto, declared incompetent to continue holding the office, becomes incapacitated physically or mentally, or dies in office.
The exception is when the vice president is given a portfolio or a Cabinet post by the president. There were attempts to give Vice President Leni some token offices but they were just largely ceremonial and symbolic. Vice President Jojo Binay was given some jobs to do and Vice President Noli de Vastro was also given work by GMA who had a falling out with his first VP, Teofisto Guingona Jr. Erap treated GMA well just as Erap was dealt with decently by FVR. Fernando Lopez also had a falling out with Ferdinand Marcos. The best relationship was between two LP partymates, President Diosdado Macapagal and Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez. Macapagal, who belonged to the Liberal Party, was ignored by Carlos Garcia, who was Nacionalista Party. Fernando Lopez was LP like his boss, Elpidio Quirino, and Vice President Don Sergio Osmeña was the bosom friend, classmate, and BFF of President Manuel Quezon.
In the 2022 elections the following are running for vice president: Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan of LP, Lito Atienza of Promdi, Dr. Willie Ong of Aksyon, Tito Sotto of NPC, Walden Bello of PLM, and Sara Duterte of Lakas. Kiko, born in 1963 is 58 years old. He is an incumbent senator, a lawyer, a UP and Harvard Law graduate, married to Sharon Cuneta with four children. Lito Atienza, former mayor of Manila, now
party-list representative and deputy speaker, was born in 1941, now 80 years old. Doc Willie, a doctor, is a UP and La Salle graduate, was born in 1963 and 58 years old like Kiko. Tito Sotto is the incumbent Senate president, a comedian and musician, actor, and husband of Helen Gamboa with four children. Born in 1948, he is now 73 years old. Inday Sara is Davao city mayor, a lawyer, a reservist colonel in the Philippine Army and presidential daughter. Born in 1978, she is the youngest at age 43. Former congressman Walden Bello is 76 years old, born in 1945.
In 2016, there were 41,066,884 valid votes cast. Leni Robredo won with 14,418,817 (35.11%), over Marcos's 14,155,344 (34.47%), Alan Peter Cayeatano's 5,903,379 (14.38%) and Chiz Escudero's 4,931,962 (12.01%), Trillanes' 868,501 (2.11%) and Honasan's poor 788,501 (1.92%). In 2010, there were 35,165,531 valid votes cast. Jejomar Binay won with 14,645,574, (41.65%); Mar Roxas got 13,918,490 (39.58%). Loren Legarda was a distant third placer with 4,294,664 (12.21%); Bayani Fernando's 1,017,631(2.89%), Edu Manzano's 807,726 (2.3%) Perfecto Yasay's 364,652(1.04%), Jay Sonza's 64,230(0.18%), Dominador Chipeco got a measly 52,662 (0.15%).
In 2004, there were 30,322,884 valid votes, and Noli de Castro won with 15,100,431 (49.8%), a thin lead over Loren Legarda's 14,218,709 (46.89%). The two tailenders were Hermino Aquino with 981,500 (3.24%) and Rodolfo Pajo's 22,244 (.07%). In 1998, the total votes cast was 25,559,269 (49.56%) followed by distant Ed Angara's 5,652,068 (22.11%), Oscar Orbos' 3,321,779 (13%), Serge Osmeña’s 2,351,462 (9.2%), Francisco Tatad’s 745,389 (2.92%), Ismael Sueno’s 537,677 (2.1%); Irene Santiago’s, 240,210 (0.94%), Camilo Sabio’s 22,110 (0.09%) and Rey Pacheco’s 21,422 (0.08%).
In 1992, there were 20,420,169 valid votes. Erap won with 6,739,736 (33%), Marcelo Fernan got 21.74%, Lito Osmeña 16.47%, Ramon Magsaysay Jr. 14.2%, Nene Pimentel 9.91%, Vicente Magsaysay (yes there were two Magsaysays) with 3.43% and Eva Kalaw,1.25%. Based on official Commission on Election figures, there were 20 million votes cast. Arturo Tolentino got 50.66% or 10.13M votes and Doy Laurel had 45.85% with 9.17M and Eva Kalaw with only 0.18% or a mere 710,681. The truth was that Cory and Doy lost the snap elections but because of too many doubts on the honesty of the elections, the EDSA Revolt made all election results irrelevant. People Power prevailed over the rule of law. And the rest is history.
This year, my boldest prediction is that Leni Robredo will win as president and Tito Sotto will give Sara Duterte a big, big surprise ending. Mark my words.