Tuesday, September 09, 2008 Escudero: Dalawang tulog na lang By Edcer Escudero Wit or without
NO, it's not too early to talk about presidentiables and the 2010 presidential polls. In fact, the earlier we deal with it, the better, because we get to know who is serious and who is not, who has the better chance and who is just plain nuisance.
Politicians who are coy about their political ambition deceive no one but themselves. In politics, which is essentially about leadership, tentativeness or hesitancy is a negative factor, not a plus one. It is a poor tactical move.
If you aspire for a political office, you must say so in no uncertain terms. You must assert, take the initiative, and call the shots. You must be definite. If you start early, you have a head start. That the early bird catches the worm is not an empty axiom. It stirs you into action.
Actually, 2010 is just two years away. To the consummate politician, it's just like "dalawang tulog na lang."
Now, speaking of early birds, there are seven of them who have their eyes in the direction of Malacañang Palace by the Pasig River. All of them think they can run the country better than the 41st most powerful leader in the world.
Here they are, in random order: VP Noli de Castro, Senate President Manny Villar, Senators Loren Legarda, Richard Gordon, Panfilo LAcson, Manuel Roxas II, MMDA chair Bayani Fernando.
Three have already started their campaign early this year disguised as product endorsement, sports promotion, and traffic awareness campaign.
Lacson endorses on television a beauty product that guarantees users fine skin; Villar is into sports; Fernando is a poster boy.
Villar is sponsoring the Senate President Villar Cup, a series of billiards championships that will be held in key cities all over the country.
Villar has never been known as a patron of sports. Why the sudden love for billiards? Undeniably, the billiards cup is a publicity masterstroke. Undeniably, too, Villar is using sports for political gain.
There's another Villar campaign gimmick on television wherein he professes concern for OFWs who get themselves in trouble while abroad. In all the years that Villar has been in Congress he never championed the cause of OFWs. Now, as 2010 approaches, he appears on the idiot tube essaying the role of father of perpetual help to OFWs.
Loren Legarda. The 1998 senatorial topnotcher is still a political undergraduate. She is a wimp and politically spineless. She has no sound political philosophy. She completely lost credibility as a discerning politician when she joined the Erap bandwagon and gambled her political future as the running mate of a high school graduate with the political IQ of a kindergarten.
Legarda pretends to have expertise on certain advocacies, but the only expertise that she can boast of is news reading on television, a job that has been given the glamorized title of news anchor, which actually doesn't require much brainwork.
Bayani Fernando. Here's one guy who puts the wrong (not best) foot forward.
Imagine flooding Metro Manila streets with posers bearing his face using government money! He denies it's a campaign gimmick with the stupid alibi that he has a serious look on his face. One more thing, the man recently declared with indecent bravado that he will be the next president of the Philippines.
Poor Bayani, he thinks that Metro Manila is the Philippines. This early bird will have difficulty catching the worm.
Manuel Roxas II. This 2004 No. 1 senator is a big disappointment. Much was expected of him as a GMA ally, but he gave so little of himself to the administration cause.
When controversies pushed GMA to the wall and brought her administration to the brink of collapse, Roxas was a mere bystander, mute and anemic. He kept mum.
When he opened his mouth - which was infrequent - he sounded more like a critic rather than an ally. GMA helped him win a Senate seat; he simply forgot that.
After being quiet for most of his term, he now parades an image of a leader who has the answers to the nation's problems. Does he? His best credential is his pedigree. Other than that, he's as hollow as a cement hollow block.
Richard Gordon. He has my vote for president of Republic of Olongapo. He's charismatic, creative, pragmatic, impulsive, parochial.
Panfilo Lacson. A former soldier and crime-fighter, his political future is blunted by a questionable crime fighting past. He's an intellectual dwarf.
Noli de Castro. Kabayan. Kaibigan. Kapamilya. When he won as vice president, it was a given that he will take that trip to Malacañang. He's scandal-free and continues to top the surveys. He has been, so far a dutiful partyman, existing in the shadow of GMA.
He has been highly successful in parrying opposition attempts to lure him to their side. He'll probably make his move next year.
There you are. Seven early birds, which one will catch the prized worm?
