Friday, January 04, 2008 Roperos: Presidential aspirants By Godofredo M. Roperos Politics Also
IN yesterday’s issue of the Manila Times, the headline was: “Lakas names bets for 2010.” It was a tacit declaration of challenge to the other political groups to come up with their own bets this early in the day.
But really, what does the move of the dominant Lakas-CMD party mean?
Does this have something to do with the oft-repeated desire of Lakas for another try at cha-cha?
The early naming of possible Lakas presidential bets could be good or bad for the political personalities named. If there are other aspirants in the ranks of Lakas, then the two names become targets of political intrigues and attacks within Lakas’ inner sanctum over the next two years that could diminish their political aura.
On the other hand, their other flank will become prime targets by opposition aspirants.
Truth to tell, though, those who have long nourished a desire to try for the presidency are right now jockeying for position in the national consciousness of our voting population. That is, basically, the reason why they are coming out openly with their aspirations this early.
In Lakas, there are other aspirants as well, such as Vice President Noli de Castro and Sen. Richard Gordon, although the latter may form his own independent group.
However, Gordon will have to come to terms with the reality that his possible rivals in the Lakas umbrella, Metro Manila’s Bayani Fernando and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, possess very pleasing images in Metro Manila and Quezon City.
Of course, eventually the voting public may have to fall back on the cliché that “the proof of the pudding is in the eating.” With so many aspirants, the people will have a wide field to choose from.
It would be a matter of any man for himself since political party influence can not effectively work at this stage. The party can be fully useful only in the end game, when the focus would be winning the elections.
The situation really is like flying a kite. At the start, it is dependent upon the one who tosses the kite to the air, but once tossed, it is up to how the kite was made to sustain its flight.
A political candidate is similarly in the same situation. The party can only nominate or toss one’s name, but once tossed, it is up to the candidate’s quality and capability, his political charisma and vote-drawing power.
It’s the person, not the party that makes the victor.
