This is not a couples-counselling column for the lovelorn. It's just a whimsical attempt to answer the 10 frequently asked questions thrown at me wherever I go. The questions are serious, the answers not so. There’s time enough for somber consideration Certificates of Candidacy are filed from October 12-16.
For now, while the slates are just firming up, let’s answer some of the questions with a smile. This could be the last time we will find anything amusing about the coming election.
Q1. Is Binay REALLY going to be the next President? Who will want to be his running mate with the corruption charges? Is Bongbong Marcos desperate enough to form JejoBong?
A1: It looks like the Jejobong alliance is indeed taking shape. The Binay free fall hasn’t hit rock bottom yet. He claims he has a core vote of 35%. But this was quickly exposed as wishful thinking when succeeding surveys placed him at 19%-20%.
My own fearless forecast is that his base vote will be anywhere from 12%-15%. Not enough to land the highest office. As it is, the hemmorrhage from the Binay camp hasn’t stop. That’s not surprising with “transactional alliances.” The minute the trapos no longer see how winnable their bet is, they jump from the sinking ship like rats.
Q2: Who has the heavier baggage between the Jejobongs?
A2: The presumptuous (oops, presumptive) VP candidate Bongbong Marcos must first read up on the real Philippine history, not the Ilocos version. An apology to the Filipino people instead of fictionalizing Martial Law might win him more votes.
Advice: This alliance is founded on wobbly ground. Both are seemingly big on denial and low on truth. Even the most pragmatic relationships require an iota of mutual trust. Can they see themselves in each other’s arms until the end of their term?
Q3: Is Leni Robredo going to accept the vice presidency? Will a MarLeni tandem propel Mar to victory?
A3: As far as I know, if Leni Robredo only had the blessings of her children, she would have thrown her hat in the VP ring when offered the opportunity to serve. The girls have legitimate and emotional concerns for not wanting their mother to go through the viciousness of a campaign. But we pray they will see the big picture in time.
Advice: Leni would really be a big plus in Mar’s presidential bid. She has a proven track record for defending the marginalized, a heart for the less fortunate. Mar’s attempts at projecting a “maka-masa” image haven’t gained traction because he truly is an Illustrado. That’s not necessarily negative. His strengths lie more on national policies and macro economic issues, which are as important as human development. There is synergy in this combination.
Q4: Doesn’t the Erice faction prefer Alan Cayetano as Mar’s running mate? Mar-lan (hmmm)?
A4: Congressman Erice is part of the mining group that has provided logistical support for Mar’s campaign from the onset. They are not shy in pointing out their contribution, like airplanes for sorties. They believe Chiz will target Mar and they need a pit-bull like Alan Cayetano to bark back at their nemesis. So Mar-lan are their men.
The cabal allegedly wanted the LP Bicol chapter headed by Robredo to recruit unsavory characters that claim they can make Mar win in their respective districts. This traditional thinking is aligned with political patronage. Robredo reportedly refused.
Q5: Isn’t Alan Cayetano offering to team up with Duterte to form the Du-Cay duo?
A5: Actually Cayetano seems eager to link up with anyone except Binay. Duterte has played the coy-card for too long. Those who have watched politics for sometime know that if it quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. Duterte’s TV ads and sorties are telltale signs. When he says he won’t run, what is most likely left unsaid is the challenge to his backers to put their money where their mouth is.
Advice: Duterte plus Cayetano is explosive. Duterte, with alleged ties to death squads and sharp-tongued Alan who does not mince words are a tad too menacing. They should tone down the rhetoric and the bleeps! Du-cay might benefit from a gender sensitivity course.
Q6: Is Grace Poe really qualified to be President? Is she ready for the highest post in the land?
Grace is the FOI champion in the Senate. I can vouch for her intelligence and excellent communications skills. She has a good education and seems genuinely eager to serve the people.
Q7. Is she a natural-born Filipino? Is she too ambitious? Is it too early in her novice career to aim for the highest post in the land?
A7: I’m not an election lawyer but it’s a stretch to think that she is not natural-born. It’s unlikely that she was born from two foreigners who left her at an Iloilo church. Renouncing her Filipino citizenship is another matter.
Ambition per se is not bad. But confidence that exceeds competence is dangerous especially when mixed with power.
Q8: Will it be Poe-dero in 2016? Who will call the shots? Will they pardon/release the jailed senators?
A8: In politics, no one is unbeatable. Although Poe-dero leads, there’s no telling if they can stay ahead in the race. History has shown that nothing is impossible in a game where sleeping with the enemy is par for the course.
There are fears that since Grace is a newbie, Chiz will lead her by the nose. She is surrounded by the trapos of the past as seen during her proclamation. But so far, there is little indication that Grace is not her own person.
And I doubt that the Filipino people will allow any leader to perpetuate impunity.
Q9: Can Chiz be trusted?
The Chiz I knew in 2009 could be given the benefit of the doubt. The Chiz of today…who knows?
Advice: Be authentic. The voters can smell showbiz a mile away. Popularity is fleeting. Study well and prepare to give the daunting job your best shot.
Q10. What if only Leni wins? Will it be all-female Poe-bredo? Or heaven help us, Bi-Ro?
Conventional wisdom says it’s better to vote for a team. After some thought, MarLeni seems to be the best tandem.
Some believe a Poe-bredo victory could be a refreshing change. They said, “We’ve had all male leaders most of the time. Why not all female?”
Bi-Ro is just a joke, right? – Rappler.com