Ducky Paredes

Malaya (02.27.09)

“(P)erhaps, the question ought to be whether any country has ever progressed without a culture of national discipline?”

by Ducky Paredes

If we take at face value Gloria Arroyo’s protestations of no ambitions beyond 2010 — and why should we not? – who are left for the political parties that are allied with her (KAMPI and Lakas-UMCD) to choose from?
Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte has formally declared that he is not interested in the job. At 73, he wants what he thinks to be a more sedate jab – being an ambassador for the country in some faraway place.
In fact, as if in an effort to erase the idea of his being drafted by his political party for the presidency, he has publicly declared that his personal and political loyalty would be more to his friend Ninoy Aquino’s widow.
So, are Kampi and Lakas-UMCD that presently holds most of the positions in our Local Government Units (LGUs) and in Congress left without a candidate from within and must look outside for one?
Must these two behemoths coalesce with the smaller  Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the even smaller Nacionalista Party (NP) or the half of the Liberal Party (LP) that is pushing for their own presidential bet?
Would Lakas dump KAMPI and Gloria to enter into a coalition with the Nacionalista Party headed by Senator Manny Villar, a declared presidential candidate? To do so would place Lakas in the same positikon it nmow is with Gloria’s KAMPI without being sure of capturing the presidency in the election.
Vice President Noli de Castro, an independent, seems to be a natural but Noli has be hedging and may actually opt to withdraw from politics altogether, according to some sources who are close to him. (If Noli actually does this, he would prove himself to be an exceptional politico in the sense that he is someone who has come so close to the presidency only to give up even trying for it. He would be like Fernando Lopez who was VP to two presidents and never hungered for the presidency.)
Or, should Lakas coalesce wit the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) to recruit Senators Chiz  Escudero or Loren Legarda as its Presidential Candidate?
To do any of these would place Lakas (and KAMPI, if it continues its coalition with Lakas as playing a secondary role in these coalitions). Obviously whoever is the presidential candidate will be in control how the election campaign is waged.
Or, why not the remaining original, native Lakas Muslim-Christian Democrats member as its standard bearer — Bayani Fernando, the Lakas vice president for the National Capital Region and Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Bayani has been getting endorsements from an increasing number of political personalities. In his latest foray into the provincial area, Mayor Ramon Guico of Binalonan, Pangasinan announced his support for Fernando’s candidacy and raised the MMDA chief’s hand before a large crowd in the town plaza during the town fiesta. Mayor Guico is a relative of Gloria Arroyo on her mother’s side, Macaraeg.
Earlier, the MMDA chairman was reported to have received the endorsements from political leaders from the Solid North. Among those who were reported to be supportive of Fernando’s presidential bid are Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Congressman Edwin Uy of the First District of Isabela, Governor Grace Padaca of the same province, Ilocos Norte Governor Michael Marcos Keon, Mayor Michael Fariñas of Laoag, and Mayors Joseph de Lara and Alberto Balintona, both from Ilocos Norte.
On top of all these, former President Fidel Ramos who is the founder of Lakas, is widely perceived to be partial to Fernando who is an engineer like him. FVR was once heard to have quipped that what the country needs in the Palace is an engineer, more than a politician. So, is the possibility of Fernando being nominated as the Lakas standard bearer getting any closer?
The question has to be on whether Bayani Fernando can become a winnable candidate? Surveys (the present-day virtual equivalent of a Bible on which politicos will swear) vary. The latest Pulso Ng Bayan survey conducted by the Issues and Advocacy Center indicate that BF is gaining acceptance among a growing number of people. The Center is an independent political think tank and is a member of the World Association of Public Opinion Research (WAPOR).
The survey was held from January 6 to 9 and had 1,200 respondents aged 18 to 56 who were selected to ensure proportionate representation from each of the country’s 17 regions. Males comprised 65% of the respondents and females 35%. Those who belonged to the ABC socio-economic classes constituted 18%, the D class 44% and the E class 38%.
The results showed Fernando in a tie with Senator Mar Roxas at 7th and 8th places, both of them getting a rating of 6%, a notch above Senator Richard Gordon, another presidential aspirant, who was in 9th place with a 4% rating. This survey is in stark contrast to an earlier four-day poll conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) starting Nov. 28 last year which showed Fernando garnering a rating of only 2% in a tie with Makati Mayor Jojo Binay.
What qualifies Fernando for the presidential run? A lot, say people who believe in him and admire what he is doing for Metro Manila. They point to Fernando’s track record and many accomplishments as chairman of the MMDA. Having a great deal of political will is another big factor. He is not afraid to make unpopular decisions. In enforcing the law and bringing order to the metropolis, he has antagonized sidewalk vendors, squattters and jeepney and bus drivers, who belong to the poor and struggling sectors of the population.
Bayani has also earned the enmity of the rich and well-to-do by tearing down structures and parts of buildings that extend into the sidewalks and parts of the public domain. He has hauled off trucks and vehicles owned by businessmen who have turned certain streets in Metro Manila into their private parking lots.
Can someone who is so strict in enforcing laws and rules someone who can still win an election (or, more properly, a popularity contest) among ill-disciplined voters? Or, perhaps, the question ought to be whether any country has ever progressed without a culture of national discipline?

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hvp 02.26.09)