Even if the presidential election is more than a year away, I am already announcing my support for Among Ed Panlilio and Grace Padaca (or whomever they will support in 2010).
Previously, I have told several of my friends and colleagues that among those who have announced their intention to run for president I am likely to vote for Bayani Fernando. He has very good executive experience and a practical, can-do attitude. It seems then that he is the least among evils. I was likely to vote for him but not support and/or campaign for him.
The news about the possibility that Pampanga Governor Panlilio and Isabela Governor Padaca teaming up in 2010 brought mixed emotions. It raised my hopes up, but I fear for their safety. I imagine the groundswell of support from the grassroots and the possibility of disappointment if they lose. I have anticipated all the criticisms to be launched, character assassinations, mud slinging and all the dirty tricks than any one can think off.
Right now, the traditional political elite are cooking up plans to sabotage their campaign. Expect any or all of the following.
1. Among Ed and/or Grace Padaca have illegitimate children (this is a big issue because Among Ed is a priest while Grace is unmarried)
2. Among Ed and/or Grace Padaca had an affair with someone
3. Among Ed and/or Grace Padaca are secret NPA members or at least supported by the NPA
4. Among Ed and/or Grace Padaca are disabled hence incapable of leading (Among Ed has a skin disorder wile Grace was a polio victim. This criticism sounds stupid, biased and unfair, but their critics have no sens of fairness).
5. Among Ed and/or Grace Padaca are as corrupt as any other politician.
It will be an uphill battle and my stomach will probably turn every time I hear politicians launch any of the attacks against them. Please support them also, but please prepare for the worst.
Doesn't Padaca have more experience? In this case, I'd prefer Padaca for President and Panlilio for VP.
ReplyDeleteI expect to vote in 2010. I should be home come election time (but if not, I'll be an absentee voter). But as early as now, I am regretting the fact that none of the likely candidates give me any sense of euphoria. Maybe that's not such a bad thing too. All too often, we've blamed Filipinos (ourselves as a whole) for letting our impressions and their popularity guide our voting decisions, instead of looking into their track records at least.
Anyway, I've heard the names of BF and Gordon floating around too, aside from the usual gang members (Loren, Noli, Ping, Villar). Despite being turned-off by BF's posters last year in faraway Ilocos (definitely outside MMDA's jurisdiction), as you said, I like his can-do attitude. He has rubbed a lot of people off the wrong way, but I think any President worth his salt should be able to face an inordinate amount of friction and resistance. He/She should be willing to butt heads with a lot of sectors - especially since the kind of change (ooh, still heady over Obama and change) we want to see in the Philippines is humongous. I'm just not sure if people outside NCR know enough about him.
As for Gordon, just like Bayani who has Marikina to speak for him, he has Subic to speak for him. But really, I don't know much yet about him.
I'll definitely keep tabs on Padaca and Panlilio. I just hope his supporters don't bandy around too much Panlilio's being a priest, like it's a plus factor for him, because I really think it's irrelevant.
One last thing: One challenge they have to face is pragmatism (or practicality). Many voters who want them to win might vote for somebody else because they think these governors have no chance of winning. Consequently, they become unwitting parties to their self-fulfilling prophecies.
I personally prefer a Padaca-Panlilio tandem. Padaca is a already two-term governor, a CPA and a former COA auditor. She has more executive experience and her battle against the Dy-dynasty is more legendary. I am not sure why the tandem was packaged as such. Probably, Padaca has a bigger chance of winning as vice-president... hence, higher chances of becoming president in 2018.
ReplyDeletepersonally, I think anyone NEW who would join the race for presidency would become popular quickly. Not popular as in everyone would like them immediately, but it's not going to be like before when newcomers are not given a hoot because they're not "already famous" in the first place. kasi naman, wlang mapili sa present list of candidates. admin or opposition, blech. wla na bang iba?!
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