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Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Malig: President FPJ, Prime Minister Danding
By Jun A. Malig
I really doubt if the House of Representatives, as a whole, would vote for the most qualified congressman to run the country's affairs. I doubt if some, if not most, solons would choose integrity, honesty and competence over financial considerations and political favors as the footings of their votes for the Prime Minister. I simply doubt it if the Philippine legislature has achieved even the minimum degree of political maturity required in a Parliamentary form of government.
*****
It was a cool Sunday morning last month when we chanced upon hundreds, or possibly thousands, of Filipino overseas contract workers at the Statue Square along Harcourt and Charter roads in Hong Kong Island's Central district. Most of them were women. We were on our way to a plea market that day to look for budget priced souvenir and gift items. It was our last day in the former British colony, and buying something for loved ones and friends was definitely a must.
But upon seeing so many Filipinos at the square, colleague Ram Mercado convinced us to pursue one of our plans - to conduct random survey on the Hong Kong OFWs' preferred candidates in the Presidential race next year. Through the help of our guide, a very kind contract worker named Vivian Ortega we met earlier that morning at the Kowloon Park, we asked about a hundred or more kababayans whom they would vote for in the 2004 elections.
Most of the respondents in the informal survey were outspoken enough to express their sentiments or explain their replies. It was quite a revealing moment. Most of the respondents prefer Raul Roco. Truth may hurt for many Kapampangans, but President Arroyo was at the end of their choices. Fernando Poe Jr. and Ping Lacson were neck and neck in the second place.
Although we got replies from several OFWs that none of the presidential wannabes was fit to lead the Filipino people, what instilled in my mind was the reply of one respondent. The woman said she would not vote for FPJ. And when asked for her reason, she simply replied: "E, hindi naman pelikula ang buhay."
Monday I checked the inbox of one of my email addresses. There were a couple of new messages from friends and relatives. Among them was titled "Pinoy Doomsday." It was about FPJ, and it was already forwarded to numerous people via email. "Brace yourselves," said the message, "we will have FPJ as our next president, thanks to the masses who adore him." It stated that San Miguel Corp. executive Danding Cojuangco would finance FPJ's campaign "withtons and tons of money, free use of his plane and helicopter, and unlimited San Miguel beer." (Of course, such a claim could not yet be confirmed, as Danding is reportedly still considering whether he would go for FPJ or GMA).
The most intriguing part of the email message was that if FPJ would win the Presidency, he would allegedly appoint Senator Tito Sotto, the comedian-turned-politician as "little President" (executive secretary) and would endorse a parliamentary form of government "wherein Danding will eventually become prime minister (2007)." President FPJ and Prime Minister Danding? What can I say? I am sure the intellectual sectors of our society would not want this to happen. I just hope the Nationalist People's Coalition boss would not try to become the most powerful man in the land through the votes of the congressmen. The latter are perceived to be vulnerable to political maneuverings because they rely only on pork barrels to have some kind of authority in their respective districts and they do not really have territories they can control.
It is true that winning the country's leadership via the votes of the members of the House of Representatives would be a lot cheaper and requires much lesser effort than winning the Presidency in a general election. In some countries like the United Kingdom and Japan the Parliamentary form of government works well. But in a third world country like the Philippines, and considering the traits and characteristics of most Filipinos (both politicians and ordinary citizens), I doubt that such a form of government would truly result in reforms toward the common good.
I really doubt if the House of Representatives, as a whole, would vote for the most qualified congressman to run the country's affairs. I doubt if some, if not most, solons would choose integrity, honesty and competence over financial considerations and political favors as the footings of their votes for the Prime Minister. I simply doubt it if the Philippine Legislature has achieved even the minimum degree of political maturity required in a Parliamentary form of government.
I guess I am still waiting for the day when no one would dare call our congressmen as "tongressmen" because of their probity and independence from political plots. When they do not just say that their loyalty to their party ends when their loyalty to the people begins, but instead actually practices it. But I guess I am just a dreamer to even wait for such a day.
If Danding really wants to lead the country, he ought to earn it through a general election. The power of the barangay folk, including those in Barangay Ginebra, to elect their leader should not be snatched from them.
(December 9, 2003 issue)
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