Our Ideal President, part 2

Dick Gordon's Voluntarism

When Mt. Pinatubo erupted way back in the 90's, American troops decided to leave the country. Clark and Subic were abandoned. Thousands of Filipino families who depended on these two American military bases were left to fend for themselves. Some were hopeless. Others just went to other places to find work. Most stayed because someone gave them hope and inspiration.

Through the courage of former president Cory Aquino, preparations were made to administer the two military bases. She tasked then Olongapo mayor Richard "Dick" Gordon to administer SBMA. Many thought that the base would just be left as a "shell" of a place, since many business interests want to exploit its rich natural resources.

But, no. Exemplifying good leadership, Gordon launched what he called then as "voluntarism". He urged the idealistic youth to go with him to SBMA and transform the place. He instituted discipline. He laid down the rules and made sure that everybody, and anybody who enters the area follow the prescribed law.

Gordon and his volunteers protected Subic's natural treasures like it was their own. No one touched the pristine jungle. Animals were also protected. Yes, Gordon opened SBMA to business but did'nt take all those who want to set up shop in. They need to be qualified. And these businesses should exercise environmental responsibility and stewardship.

Gordon's legacy is still being felt at SBMA. Recently, me and my family went to the place and everybody, and I say, everyone continues to follow the rules (especially traffic enforcement) inside the base. How did Gordon manage to do that---make the Filipino follow the rules?

Dick, despite his poor showing at surveys, has some of the qualifies that we need for our 2010 president. He shows exemplary leadership skills. He's charismatic and leads by example. He's intelligent. And he's fair. His conduct during the Joc-Joc Bolante probe was fair. When everybody thought that he'll just insulate Joc-Joc Bolante and the palace because he's a perceived administration ally, Gordon did the opposite. He allowed both parties---the accusers and the accused--fair share of airtime.

However, Dick's weakness lie in his being self-absorbed some of the time. He thinks he's right all the time, says an observer. Shades of a tyrant?

Loren Legarda's Green Advocacy and Leviste's Shadow

After graduating with top honors from the National Defense College, Loren was immediately pulled out of the broadcast industry by then president Fidel V. Ramos and was made a senatorial candidate. Because of her integrity as a top-notch broadcaster, Loren shot up to the Number One slot. She continued her advocacy to protect the environment and strengthen the rights of women. Loren took part in some of the historical milestones of this country, which led some observers to consider her as a very serious contender for the presidency.

However, talks about her former husband's pervasive influence upon her smeared her chances. Malicious tongues wag about how former Batangas governor Tony Leviste influenced some of the bills she successfully filed and passed at the Senate. Many perceive Leviste as Loren's alter-ego. He's the real senator, some say, not Loren. Other personal issues cropped up. Some even commented about her temper, which, basing their experience with Mrs. Arroyo, even compared her with the former.

Yet, all these things have been put behind her. Leviste is now serving sentence for allegedly killing his aide. With Leviste out of the picture, Loren is perceived to have now been freed from the dark shadow of her former husband. Loren and Tony also dissolved their marriage, which some quarters say, is questionable from the beginning since Tony is still allegedly married to someone else.

Loren is perceived to be strong based on surveys, but weak in reality. She's not being supported enough by financiers. Coming from a tumultuous reign of a woman, many think that Loren's chances to get the top executive post remain very slim. People will not vote for another woman.

Another question---who are the financial backers of Legarda? Are they of unquestionable integrity or the same old traditional economic forces out to perpetuate their rule upon us? Like what I wrote previously, Loren, like Mar, Chiz, De Castro and the rest, should all come clean and show the people their list of financial and military supporters.

Binay's Transformation

Makati mayor Jojo Binay ruled the country's financial district right after former president Cory Aquino appointed him as city administrator. Binay immediately created his mass base. He passed laws that favor the poor, without taxing the rich more. He equalized opportunities to every Makati resident. By doing so, he not only solidified his base of support which continues to show at the polls in full force of him, he also instituted real change in his city.

From a recognized and highly principled human rights lawyer, Binay transformed into one of the country's top local executives. Binay's rule over Makati has spanned decades. Now, he's being touted as a presidential candidate.

Like Gordon, Binay remains at the very low end of the surveys. Name recall is high, yet his trust ratings remain very low. Maybe because people still think of him as just a mayor, good only for Makati. His long stay at the Makati city hall probably impacted on public perception of him as just a mayor, not for the "big guns" such as Malacanang.

His handlers are positioning him as "Jojo-bama" or the Filipino version of US President Barack Obama, playing on his skin color. But, that will not work. His career is actually similar with that of former New York mayor Julianni. However, no US mayor has ever ascended the presidency.

Likewise, some of the elite hate Binay's guts. Some commented on the iron-fisted traffic policy inside Makati, reinforcing perceptions that the city remains under Binay's tight rein. Corruption charges were also brought up against Binay, and these have not been resolved, just yet. Binay remains a strong and credible voice of the Opposition though. His fight against the palace sometime in 2007 left a very lasting impression upon the people.

These things have got to be communicated to the people, if Binay is really dead serious on running for the presidency.

Gilbert Teodoro---Gloria's Defensive Line Backer

Teodoro just recently announced his intention to run for the presidency. Unlike other presidential candidates, Teodoro gave one thing which stupefied even those who truly like him to become the next president--he gave a categorical statement that he'll run only if Mrs. Arroyo gave her the go-signal. When almost everybody, including some administration allies, try to avoid being associated with the devil enfant, Teodoro was the only exception.

Teodoro was probably joking, some say. But no. Teodoro was resolute. He wanted Mrs. Arroyo to commit her support to his candidacy. Many analysts already said that by doing so, Teodoro just committed a political harakiri.

Like Gordon and Chiz, Teodoro is an astute politician. He has a legal mind. He graduated with a Commerce degree from the De La Salle University and finished law at the University of the Philippines College of Law, top honors. He pursued further legal studies in Harvard.

He has legislative experience and now as Defense secretary, Teodoro gained executive experience. His handlers want to position him as a Magsaysay, but the similarity is just superficial. Magsaysay was a World War two veteran who ascended the defense secretary portfolio due to sheer hard work. Magsaysay was a mechanic before he became defense secretary and eventually endeared himself as the People's Guy due to his pro-poor stance and his fairness with the Huks.

Teodoro is not a Magsaysay, not for a mile. Teodoro belongs to the elite, controlled by his uncle, Danding Cojuangco. Everyone knows that Danding wants to perpetuate his economic influence and the only way to do that is control Malacanang. He has three contenders who are sure to protect his turf from economic and political predation once Mrs. Arroyo leaves the palace and they are Chiz, Loren and his nephew, Teodoro.

Teodoro has not been entirely fair with the dissidents of this country. He wants them annihilated, an act considered as pandering to the military elite. Teodoro is a technocrat. He has not shown any real intention of pursuing the People's Cause and remains subsevient to his socio-economic class.

Teodoro is a poor copy of Magsaysay. In fact, his poor showing at the surveys reveal much about the people's perception and trust of him. Truly, Teodoro is not just a poor copy---he's also the exact opposite of a Magsaysay. Magsaysay was never a poster boy of the military elite, which Teodoro wittingly or unwittingly play at this point.

Additional Criteria for us to consider come 2010 Presidential elections

1. He/she must pass laws that equalize economic opportunities for both the rich and the poor.
2. He/she must try to improve on the agrarian situation in this country.
3. He/she must be the primary example of fairness
4. He/she must be a charismatic leader
5. He/she must have a strong political will.

Next....who are the most qualified presidential candidates.