As can be gauged by the last Senatorial elections pinoys are now more savvy and intelligent voters, gone are the days when moneyed candidates (Chavit) or popular celebrities (Cesar Montano, Richard Gomez) are almost assured of a candidatorial win.
Yes, pinoys are politically aware individuals although some are more astute than others. A High School classmate of mine posted and commented (in our Yahoo eGroup) on the subject of Senator Mar Roxas' giving way to Noynoy Aquino's bid for President. He had a very insightful and edgy opinion of the subject and I quote him:
"With the development at the Liberal Party front, we may be expecting some major political re-alignments among the Opposition's rank, Chiz's camp included?
Many believe that Noynoy's unexpected rise in the political ring opened some window of opportunity for unity among the non-administration bloc, something that was considered closed and next-to-impossible before Cory's demise.
Sen Mar saw the writing on the wall. He was trailing behind paid and independent surveys, despite spending around 600Million in political tri-media ads, and despite the forthcoming union with broadcast and TV celebrity Korina. He also correctly read that if he stonewalled using his Party built-in influence (His late Dad was the founder of the Liberal Party) against the rising tide of Noynoy's popularity principally pushed by the Cory Magic (and even by Ninoy's stature), division among the Party's already tattered lines (occasioned by the Atienza-Mike Defensor faction) would inevitably lead to its possible collapse.
Would it be illusory to even hope for others to follow the selfless example of Sen Mar?
The Noynoy factor is seen by a number of analysts as some sort of a Divine Intervention, considering the timing. At a time when no apparent strong credible, presidentiable could unite the opposition, Noynoy's name surfaced from the mist of mourning eyes mostly of people who long for relevant change Cory's magic has woven into the minds even of the ordinary Filipino. He commands relative respect and credibility, hence, acceptability, for many reasons. One, he has no personal ambition to become president. This sets him apart from the other wannabe's. Two, he has no history of political wheeling-dealing, influence peddling, or has he been identified with corrupt politicians. Three, his apparent or perceived lack of political sophistication or savvy is no argument against his capability to lead a nation who needs moral integrity more than mercenary intellect, mental honesty than technical competence-- one who is patriotic and not narcissistic.
I hope he (whether he ultimately becomes the standard bearer or not) could unify not only the political opposition (many of whom do not even qualify as opposition if by opposition we refer to the act of fighting political patronage, endemic corruption, and abject poverty in this country) but also the ordinary people whose interests the traditional and elitist political players (both admin and Oppo) pay only lip service to, ever since "democracy" has been established in the national political landscape.
God bless this country, the only one we have!"Yes, Pilipinos are politically aware, the 2010 elections will put this point on center stage.
No comments:
Post a Comment