Far From Neutral Notions - Philippine politics, culture and stuff

Good government never depends upon laws, but upon the personal qualities of those who govern. The machinery of government is always subordinate to the will of those who administer that machinery. The most important element of government, therefore, is the method of choosing leaders.

Law and Governance - The Spacing Guild Manual, Children of Dune

Looking at the current crop of senatoriables and incumbents got me thinking about the 2010 Presidential elections — if Gloria ever lets it happen, anyway. Hopefuls that still have half of their terms left are bound to start making some noise soon, and those seeking office this May will likely base their ambitions on how many votes they can convincingly buy — err — how well they do in the polls.

Then, while I was looking at the list, I almost threw up. Which is funny, because the list was full of crap as it was.

Would we even dare vote, anymore? Vote buying’s even taken a back seat to vote rigging. At least when you buy votes, you’re paying for it. Vote rigging, well, the military and the Comelec takes care of that for Gloria. Elections are important in any democracy, but there isn’t anybody that I believe in, and it’s a damn shame. I miss Raul Roco. He was feisty and mean-tempered, but I believed in him.

I remember when I once thought Michael Defensor was promising, rather than compromising. I never even dreamed that the late Raul Roco’s wife would align herself with Erap. How in the blue hell did Chiz Escudero transform himself from being Erap’s lapdog to being the great brown hope? And what’s up with Noynoy invoking his late father’s name to justify his political ambitions? Hacienda Luicita, Kris, Tessie Oreta… my, how the Aquino name has fallen.

And a lot of them are setting their sights higher, too. After all, the Senate has long been the breeding (festering) ground for future Presidents. Just a few of the obvious ones:

Mar Roxas

My old Consti prof at UP Visayas, Teddy Ledesma — whose class was the only one I attended because the guy is frikkin hilarious and offensive — used to call him “Mario” Roxas. Heee-larious. But back to Mar. Never mind that his family has had their fingers in every pie in my hometown, with a lock on power since his gramps was President, resulting in every political hopeful needing to pay homage to Madam Judy. Never mind how Roxas City and Capiz are a few knights short of a feudal kingdom. Never mind how Roxas City has a shit-awful drug problem that nobody seems to notice. That’s old news that people don’t even notice anymore. How about this, though: how about Mar’s utter lack of testicular fortitude?

Ever heard of taking a stand, mister palengke? I can still remember the guy sucking up to Erap when he came to town. Just once, I’d like to see the guy passionate about something other than winning an election — and DO NOT even mention Korina Sanchez. Although they do belong together, since they’re both full of hot air.

Chiz Escudero

Currently the butt of many emo jokes. Is he really in that much of a hurry? Probably so he can pardon Erap before the guy chokes on his lechon. Is he even old enough? Personally, I don’t trust the guy, Marcos/Erap roots and all, despite the fact that I admire many things about him: he knows how to answer the phone in Filipino. Kaya din nya mag puyat sa umaga. And that forward moonwalk is amazing.

LOL

His media hype aside, Chiz strikes me as the embodiment of one of Ashleigh Brilliant’s epigrams: I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it. ‘Nuff said.

Franklin Drilon

As trapos go, he’s not overly so. In fact, I like Drilon. If he ever gives Raul Gonzales a debilitating stroke, I’m giving him “personal hero” status. I applaud his call for GMA to resign, but his stand on the VFA taints him for me.

Manny Villar

Along with Drilon, a moderate trapo. He’s on the short list of politicians-I’m-not-making-a-joke-website-anytime-soon. Mostly because he’s boring. But boring can be good. Just look at Miriam.

Joe de V

Ye gads, is he still that delusional? Maybe he and Chiz can have a who’s-got-bigger-ears contest. Not a Senator, but he’s always been hopeful…

That, dear reader, is by no means a complete list; what do you think? Who’ll run, who won’t? Who should, who shouldn’t?

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