LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March Fianza
Who should be the next President?

The answer lies on what Filipinos wish this God-forsaken country to become after the administration of Madam Gloria. There is a continuing clamor for a change in how the country is being run. This, aside from the series of ouster moves made against GMA in the past. Although, nothing positive came out of the attempts because of lackluster support from the people.

There are reasons for failed attempts. One could be the fact that booting out GMA will mean the ascension to the highest public position by Vice President Noli de Castro – something that a majority of the people will not agree with, despite a consistent high score in popularity surveys.

Second, although a military take over by idealists in the organization got considerable moral support from the public that too was bound to fail because it did not have physical and logistical help.

Third, the crisis that the country has been experiencing even before the economic slowdown in the US and Europe was felt has effectively pushed the Filipino to concentrate more on looking for food for the family rather than attend rallies at Edsa.

By the way, unlike the past Edsa revolts, the later assemblies could no longer muster a good number of participants needed to bring down an administration because there were no more donors who could give money for fastfood burgers and softdrinks. Not only food but even bus fare was refunded to participants from the provinces during the first Edsa actions.

After all of that, many feel regret and shame for helping in the ouster of then President Erap Estrada which catapulted GMA into power. All that we can do now is to prepare while waiting for the national elections in 2010, unless there is not going to be any.

So far, Erap, Mayor Jejomar Binay; Senators Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda, Ping Lacson, Manny Villar, Mar Roxas, Jinggoy Estrada and Dick Gordon; MMDA boss Bayani Fernando, Vice Pres. De Castro and former Speaker Jose de Venecia compose the list of presidentiables.

As far as they are concerned, all of them say that they are qualified for the highest position in the land. That is as far as they or their lawyers and political plotters are concerned. But as far as the people are concerned, and by comparing the would-be candidates in the list with all the rest, you and I can see who among them are really suited for the job.

When it comes to finances, they all have their resources – personal or otherwise. Maybe financial support for Erap, Binay and Jinggoy originate from a common money chest. Villar, Roxas, Legarda, Lacson and Gordon have their own millions stashed somewhere. Fernando and de Castro look up to this administration, Escudero may be backed by coconut money courtesy of businessman Danding Cojuanco while de Venecia enjoys the support of his businessman friends here and abroad.

But after several moments of rethinking, we will surely find a shortened list as many of them will reconsider running second fiddle or stay as senator. For those who will be finishing their terms in 2010, they might consider running for congressman, governor or mayor in their quiet little town.
When that happens, maybe all that remains in the list will be the names of Binay, Lacson, Gordon, Fernando, de Castro, Villar and Roxas.

There are those in the grapevine who say that if Erap’s candidacy will be questioned he will turn over his candidacy to Jinggoy or Binay under the substitution process which is allowed by law.

On the other hand, the grapevine news says that this administration has to look for a winnable ‘surrogate’ who will be expected to protect his masters who may soon be charged for their past sins. But former education secretary Butch Abad, a supporter of senator Mar Roxas said the coming election is not about Erap and Gloria. The 2010 elections is all about “change.”

In a quick appearance in Baguio City last week Mar Roxas said the country is deeply mired in graft and corruption and that it can not be stopped because the “government itself is in the center of it.”

“It is the other countries that are pointing out to us that there is graft and corruption” citing the case of Gen. Garcia, the Phil. Army comptroller who was caught in the US for possessing unexplained millions of money and the Euro generals who were found by the Russians with excessive money.

Accompanied by former Kalinga congressman Larry Wacnang, former Benguet congressman Ronnie Cosalan and former Batanes congressman Abad, senator Roxas said the “country is not lacking of Garcis.”

If indeed the next elections is about change and the fight against corruption, who among the other would-be presidents are qualified to talk about it? Gordon, Binay, Lacson, Fernando?

After being accused of inserting government for the alleged improvement of that their family corporation owned, can Villar still talk about fighting corruption?

Who should be the next president? Unless the country is going to be controlled by the powers that be so that there would be no elections in 2010. – ozram.666@gmail.com