This is the final piece of a 3-part collaborative series by the authors to explore the US and Philippine elections side-by-side. The first piece focused on each country’s electoral systems and the second explored voter demographics that could influence the outcome of each election.
There are a few days left to the May 9th Philippine national elections and the U.S. primary season is nearing a close. Surely many have long decided and campaigned for their respective candidates. However, there are also undecided voices who have the best intentions for their country but do not feel that one person or party fully captures their concept of “ideal leadership”.
While campaign platforms are important to consider and would be the base of policy directions taken, in the end what will drive the effectiveness of a leader to deliver is their ability to influence and inspire.
Influence is determined not only by their strength in communicating, but also the power and resources they have to make things happen. Inspiration is kindled through a person’s trustworthiness, likeability and competence. Do they aspire for the same values that you aspire for? Do they want the same kind of governance that you as a citizen desire?
The horse race in both countries
In the United States, a recent CNN poll revealed that Americans think it will be Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump on election day. While Bernie Sanders has not yet officially conceded, Ted Cruz and John Kasich have now suspended their campaigns, leaving Trump as the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party. Sanders is still at it mainly to influence the platform discussions of the Democratic Party, but the Democratic Party nominee will most probably be Hilary Clinton.
In the Philippines, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is the clear frontrunner. He is ahead by around 10 points or more in the latest polls, with Grace Poe and Mar Roxas statistically tied for second place. Vice-President Jejomar Binay seems to have fallen behind in the end game although an upset by him cannot be discounted given his local political machinery.
The last and final election surveys will come out this weekend; if Duterte keeps his lead, it will be very difficult for the other candidates to catch up. One must observe though that a quarter of the voters are still open to changing their votes, meaning surprises are possible and a dark horse candidate could still win.
The American candidates
Hillary Clinton probably has a good share of people who either don’t like her as well as people who want to be like her. She exudes this aura of cool confidence and experience from being a former secretary of state and US Senator.
It is interesting to read comments on how, as a woman, Clinton must strike a difficult balance between competence and likeability which is not raised much as an issue for her male counterparts. In terms of influence, she has the ability to rally the Democratic party if it comes to a fight against Trump at the end of the year.
Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist, definitely seems likeable, especially to young voters. This is the kind of man of meets with the Pope and also shows up at Coachella. His populist stance makes him popular with those who believe he can change the status quo and bring in an era of civil rights and equality. However, is he competent and will he be able to move a large government forward?
With Sanders highlighting his background as a civil rights activist, people might forget that he actually served in the House of Representatives for 16 years, was a member of the Senate Budget Committee and chaired the Senate Veteran’s Affairs committee.
The attraction to Donald Trump is that while he is viewed especially by his opponents as brash and loud-mouthed, he inspires the folks who are seeing the world around them change and need to feel more security about the future of America. He relates to those who have felt left out by changes under the Democratic establishment.
He truly believes in his competence and thus makes his followers believe in him (though his track record based on his business ventures has been questioned). Republicans might not be able to pin down exactly where he stands or where he will steer the U.S. with him at the helm.
In the Philippines
Rody Duterte, more popularly known as Digong, has been described by western journalists as the “Trump of the Philippines”. Except for the excesses in their use of language, Trump and Duterte are actually polar opposites.
Trump is the ultimate capitalist while Duterte says he is a socialist. The Donald is flamboyant in everything: in his houses, clothes, cars, among other things. He flaunts his money and properties, and even his wife. Digong, on the other hand, dresses simply and lives in a humble dwelling. While there are charges that he has hidden wealth and as corrupt as many Filipino politicians, that remains unproven.
It would be fair to criticize both Trump and Duterte for not having well thought out policy positions and platforms of government. While highlighting his anti-crime emphasis. Duterte has not said much about the economy and foreign policy; in fact he has said he will just copy the good platforms of his rivals. This has been criticized by some as lazy, while the anti-crime platform is too simplistic.
As for the other Philippine candidates, their positives and negatives are well known.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, long-time mayor of Makati, has a long, successful record of government service. His platform is about government services, and making the rest of the Philippines like his city where medical and educational services, among others, are fee. Binay however faces serious and persistent corruption charges and that is why his ratings have gone down after leading the race in the early stges.
Former Interior secretary Mar Roxas is an intelligent and experienced manager and politician. He represents the case for continuity with the daang matuwid administration of President Benigno Aquino III. He has been criticized for indecisiveness and a not so stellar record in the Department of Transportation and Communications and for the inadequate response of government to Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Senator Grace Poe brings a fresh face and voice in Philippine politics and governance. She promises a compassionate government which leaves no one far behind. She has been attacked for once renouncing her Philippine citizenship to become an American citizen and for her inexperience in governance.
Finally, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, possibly the most brilliant legislator in our Congress, has been hobbled by her health condition and has not been able to campaign extensively.
Choosing the president we want
This is not the place for the authors to articulate our personal preferences. We would just end this series on this note: even a little taste of power can corrupt. Imagine what the power and authority of the presidency can do to candidates. It can amplify even the slightest tendency to ignore basic rights and civil liberties.
As we all review the slate of candidates in the US and the Philippines we should consider what each of them would do with that kind of amplified power and what we, as members of humanity, should accept in this day and age. Consider what his or her presidency can offer, but also what his or her presidency can take away from the soul of a country.
Like it or not, Clinton or Trump will be elected president of the United States in November this year.
Next week, we will have a president-elect In the Philippines, and like it or not, it could be Duterte, Binay, Roxas, or Poe. – Rappler.com
Dean Antonio G.M. La Viña is outgoing dean of the Ateneo School of Government. He is an adviser to presidential candidate Grace Poe. His co-writer Denni Jayme Cawley is a Filipina based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Her main passion is being a wife and mother but she is also an avid observer of public and international policy developments.