POLITICS of all sorts has elevated to a higher tone with just five months away from the date when politicians are expected to swarm the Commission on Elections offices to file their certificates of candidacy for the 2022 general elections.
The likes of Sara Duterte, Bongbong Marcos, Manny Pacquiao, former Senator Antonio Trillanes, Alan Peter Cayetano and Dick Gordon have already signified their wish to take over the highest national elective post. There have also been reports on Isko Moreno and Ping Lacson as wanting to throw their hats into the presidential derby.
Conspicuously missing from the list is Liberal Party’s Vice President Leni Robredo. Presidency is something that Robredo should decide now if only to guarantee a united opposition against whoever would be anointed by outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.
If Robredo would run for President, she should at least say so. That way, the opposition would have the luxury of time preparing everything that is required for her to be able to launch an effective campaign and a winnable slate. If she won’t, she still is duty bound to at least inform her party of her plan.
The way the Vice-President has been behaving reminds me of former Vice President Noli De Castro who, like Robredo, was wooed to run for President. He made political bigwigs wait too long only to shy away from race, thus depriving his own political party from making the necessary adjustment and preparation for the 2010 presidential race.
To cut the long story short, Liberal Party’s Noynoy Aquino emerged victorious over Partido ng Masang Pilipino’s Joseph Estrada, Nacionalista Party’s Manuel Villar, Bangon Pilipinas’ Eddie Villanueva, Bagumbayan’s Dick Gordon and Lakas-Kampi’s Gibo Teodoro.
For the 2022 presidential race, five are expected to join the fray. Of the five presidential wannabes, four are known to be allies of the Duterte administration – except for Cayetano who was dumped by Duterte himself for being stubborn.
The number may even go up especially at a time when a huge chunk of the voting population are seemingly veering away from Duterte over the way he has handled two issues – the pandemic and the West Philippine Sea.
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On a lighter note, a very dear friend sent me a piece that made me laugh while in sick bay. According to her, Pinocchio – a 1940 animated wooden character whose nose would grow longer every time he tells a lie. Allow me to share the story of this naughty citizen I would rather refer to as “Madam Promdi.”
Pinocchio, Snow White and Superman are out for a stroll in town one day. As they walk, they come across a sign which reads: “Beauty contest for the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“I am entering,” said Snow White.
After half an hour she comes out and they ask her, “Well, how did you do?”
“First Place,” said Snow White.
They continued walking and saw another sign which reads: “Contest for the strongest man in the world.”
“I’m entering,” says Superman.
After half an hour he returns and they ask him, “How did you make out?”
“First Place,” answers Superman. “Did you ever doubt?”
They continued walking when they saw an unusual sign which said: “Contest! Who is the greatest liar in the world?”
Pinocchio says “this is mine.”
Half an hour later, he returns with tears in his eyes.
“What happened?” they asked.
“Who the hell is Duterte?” asked Pinocchio.