IT WAS a Wednesday night when our professor went on with his usual antics on politics, since next year’s presidential elections had been the talk of the town.
News was brewing that the administration was set to announce its standard bearer and Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro was expected to get the highly coveted endorsement.
The professor dismissed what was then just speculation, arguing that no matter how qualified Teodoro may be, the administration would not risk its meal ticket on someone “unpopular” to the masses, and even more to the elite. The confident professor even made a deal with the class that if the administration chose Teodoro, he would treat 40-something of us to Starbucks.
That same night, the ruling Lakas-Kampi party unceremoniously chose Teodoro over MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando to keep the party in power, with a 42-5 vote. It means that Teodoro would go against Liberal Party presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who was incidentally Teodoro’s second cousin.
While we wait for our frapuccino until November, or the filing of candidacy for the 2010 elections, we could only imagine to what extent this “family feud” would escalate once the two have started campaigning. Filipino voters have interesting options – Teodoro, who has the credentials but lacks the popularity, and Aquino, who stole the people’s hearts but still has much to prove. Which faculty should prevail this time? Is it the head? The heart? Or gut feeling? Whatever happens, the outcome might just show whether or not blood is indeed thicker than water.
Going back to Noynoy, critics say his accidental run would not have happened without the outpouring of public sentiment following the death last month of his mother, former president Cory Aquino.
Indeed, it influenced Senator Aquino’s decision to run for presidency under the Liberal Party, where he is a member and Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas is the president. The country knows how vocal Roxas had been in wanting to run for the highest position in the government, having exhausted all means to promote himself.
But for obvious reasons, Roxas had to give the platform to Aquino, saying it was “for a noble cause.” How noble the cause is, it’s still up to the people to decide. If it was worth the millions spent on numerous infomercials, the energy and momentum, and the golden opportunity to fulfill promises of change, only Roxas would tell.
Meanwhile, Roxas’ fiancé, veteran broadcaster Korina Sanchez, continues to be under the spotlight. How would the girlfriend react after tirelessly supporting the man she loves in his residential quest, only to see him withdraw? Given the circumstances, they even had to move their much-anticipated wedding.
September wasn’t over and we had seen a lot, or nothing yet. This whole circus that is the elections is becoming bigger by the minute, with a handful of candidates joining the ruckus soon.
Who else are we waiting for? The rich senator scandalized by double insertion and the impeached president hoping for another shot at the position. Expect other creatures to follow: ET, the Lochness monster, and even Eddie Gil.
These I shall watch in horror with a cup of coffee to calm – or shock – my nerves.
