I see there is a big debate between Philippine Presidential candidates Tuesday so it might be a good time, (probably not), for someone who has no idea what he is talking about to weigh in.
First a disclaimer: It has been 15 years since Linda and I lived in The Philippines and 8 years since I have visited. I do have many dear friends I consider family living there but my knowledge of their current politics is about the same as my knowledge of laser brain surgery. But never to be one to be afraid to stick his nose in where it does NOT belong, I will press on.
Following is an assessment of the current candidates based on…on…Nothing really.
- Lenny Robredo – Vice President: Once again The Philippines are ahead of the USA in yet another aspect. Three women have served as President of the Philippines. I am not sure about her governing skills but she is VP and seems to have been more than competent And wouldn’t you much rather see her picture on the front page of The Manila Bulletin every morning in place of the current President?
- Ernesto Abella – Former Presidential Spokesperson: Not sure how it works in The Philippines but in America the title “Presidential Spokesperson” translates to “lying sack of baloney.” In the USA, however, you are rewarded for that. Three of the previous Liar-in-Chief’s spokespersons have done OK. One got on “Dancing with the Stars,” one got a job with Fox News where lying is #1 on list of applicable skills and one is running for Governor of Arkansas.
- Leody de Guzman – Chairman of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino and founding member of Partido ng Manggagawa. That is what we call a “Mouthful!” I give him points for being able to pronounce all that but what it has to do with being President I have no idea.
- Norberto Gonzalez – Former Secretary of National Defense. With China building islands in the South China Sea and trying to muscle in on your fishing territories you need someone tough. If his Philippine Democratic Socialist Party is truly interested in seeing help actually filters through to the people who need it the most, he might be worth considering.
- Senator Panfilo Lacson – Incumbent Senator. Again, I don’t know how it works there but here being an incumbent congressperson is not always a plus. Most are more interested in retaining power than governing a nation. But I do love the name “Panfilo.”
- Former Senator Bongbong Marcos: Winner of the “Coolest Named Candidate” award. One wonders how he got a 2-bong name. I imagine he was in college at a wild frat party and a friend yelled “Hey, pass me the Bong…Bong!” and the name stuck.
- Mayor Isko Moreno – Mayor of Manila. That is no small job. With 13,000,000 people including an influx of up to 2,000,000 workers a day it is an impossible job. Better leave him there. He would be bored as President.
- Senator Manny Pacquiao – Is there any question as to the best choice? I sat with friends in the theater at The Shangri-La Mall on December 6, 2008 and cheered while PacMan turned Oscar De la Hoya into guava jelly in 8 punishing rounds. Let’s start a wave and raise our voices: MANNY-MANNY-MANNY!
I hope I did not leave anyone out but since I have no real insights to share, it doesn’t matter! I am sure you will all make the right decision; or not.