Our Ideal President

Ang Kapatiran just had a meeting recently. They asked New Philippine Revolution (NPR) for some possible suggestions or thoughts on who'll be the most suitable person for the 2010 top plum. Before we give our thoughts, let us analyze the qualifications (strengths and weaknesses) of those people who are touted as "presidential material" come 2010.

Let's start with the youngest---Cheez Escudero.

Chiz will turn 40 by 2010. In terms of qualification, Chiz has it. He has a Bachelor's degree in Law from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. He was a former Congressman and run last 2007 as Senator after only about 1 term. He became popular when he took the spokesman role for the Opposition, especially when he aligned himself with former presidentiable Fernando Poe Jr (FPJ). He ran under the opposition and won second place behind Loren Legarda.

Many quarters say, he's the strongest contender for the presidency, given that he's young, purportedly an idealist and has a fine political pedigree. However, what's so dangerous about Chiz is simply his strong connections with Danding Cojuangco.

Apart from this, Chiz does not have any experience working for the executive department. Previous to his run for the congressional post, he never was a mayor nor a governor of his province. He does'nt have local government experience.

Plus the fact that Chiz is still highly influenced by his father. He belonged to an old and very traditional political family background and it's expected that he'll protect the same old and traditional economic and political interests especially of his father, and benefactor, Danding.

Is Chiz qualified for the presidency? No. He may be popular. He may be positioned as the Filipino Obama, but in reality, he's very different from Obama.

Ask Chiz about his vision for the country and you'll get motherhood statements such as "paunlarin ang bansa", " maging makatarungan", etc. But, simply, no concrete program of governance.

Mar Roxas--Scion of a Billionaire Mom and Banker par excellence

Like Chiz, Mar Roxas belonged to the elite. His mother is an Araneta, whose vast economic interests span the entire country. He's an investment banker. He served as trade secretary before and is now serving as a legislator with an ambition of becoming another President.

Unlike Chiz, Roxas has the intellectual mettle. I witnessed that personally when I joined a blogger party with Roxas. He has a very strong intellect and his heart is in the right place.

One problem though---Roxas is expected to protect the vast interests of his family. Is Roxas willing to divulge and divest his multi-billion peso investments for the presidency? Is Roxas willing to reveal his financial backers? And is Roxas willing to do a Gerry Roxas and be resolute in his policies for government?

If Roxas continues to have this dilly-dallying attitude, the "teka-teka" which bedevilled De Villa, then, he'll lose this elections. How can you trust somebody of governance when he can't even decide when to get married?

Manuel Villar---Biggest Real Estate Magnate

Same reasons---he started as a billionaire businessman with vast interests in the Philippines. His business connections are spread far and wide and this is the primary reason why people don't exactly repose full trust to him. Plus, there are rumours that he's quite sickly. Same dare with Chiz and Roxas---expose your business and political networks.

Joseph "Erap" Estrada---Para sa Masa Nga Ba Siya?

Former president Estrada has the biggest political and economic network among the presidentiables. His heart is in the right place yet what is still lacking is his gangsterist tendencies. He has many dubious friends from the high and mighty to the low and street smarts and a repeat of the Estrada tumultuous administration would add fuel to the present crisis rather than change our lot, which is the hope of everyone.

Kabayan Noli de Castro---Booming Voice with a doubtful Vision

Unlike Bong Revilla who went to UP to finish a course on Public administration or Vilma Santos who has an MA in Public Administration in the same university or that Manila Vice Mayor who finished his studies and is now finishing his Law course, Kabayan Noli de Castro is all fame and all voice.

Sure, he has the masa backing him up. Since he ran as senator of the land, Noli got the most number of votes. He's a media creation. He's the best there is. He's the Number One broadcaster.

President?

Well, we again don't need somebody with a voice. I'll vote for a mute and dumb president with a humongous brain rather than just a voice talent. Baby O'Brien will take care of that.

Ping Lacson---Enforcer of the Law

Since the first time I saw Ping, I knew he's presidential material. What I don't know is his tendency to dictate which his enemies accuse him of.

In all these years as a senator, Ping Lacson has proven to be a pragmatic nationalist. He does what he promises to do and does it excellently. He promised not to use his pork barrel funds and he does this until now.

Ping, without the imperfections that bedevilled him since his police officer days, is very near my ideal president. However, I would not wager with Ping at this point. He is still not the ideal president I hope this country would have.

Ping should reveal who are his financial and political backers. He must be straight forward with the Filipino People. If he wants to be the second president from Cavite, Ping Lacson should prove to all that he's fully determined to build a New Philippines and would use all his resources to see this though.

Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio and/or Eddie Villanueva and/or El Shaddai's Mike Velarde and/or Grace Padaca

Panlilio for president? Former activist Ed Villanueva as Commander-In-Chief of the country? Imagine Mike Velarde speaking before a huge crowd of diplomats, asking them to put out their handkerchiefs to be blessed? Or Padaca discussing agriculture and the latest anti-jueteng drive?

Do we really have a dearth of talents that we are now prone to hinge our hopes on priests, evangelists and former radio talents? I mean, come on!

Panlilio is not a very effective governor. Pampanga has not changed since he assumed the governorship. It remains a very problematic and backward province. And to think that his first term is a disaster and he's thinking of gunning for a higher post, a senatorial one at that, is simply a great disservice to the country. He has'nt changed the lot of the poor Pampagueno and he now aspires to run for Senator? Que horror!

Same goes to Eddie Villanueva and Mike Velarde. Yes, they're probably good managers. Yes, probably they're charismatic characters. But, as presidents? Do we really want to be a theocracy that we repose our trust with these Christian preachers? I mean, it's okey that your heart is in the right place, but you must at least have the managerial experience and people's skills to serve as president.

NOW THEN, WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA THAT A PERSON SHOULD HAVE TO BE OUR IDEAL PRESIDENT IN 2010.

1. He/she must have business and political acumen.
2. He/she must think that he's the top servant rather than the Chief Lord of the People.
3. He/she must have faith in the One True God without being burdened by any one religion.
4. He/she must be able to show a strong political will and should be oblivious to the interests of the elite
5. He/she must speak the Language of the Masses
6. He/she must be the chief enforcer of the Law and not its chief breaker.
7. He/she must have a strong intellectual stamina, able to withstand all brickbats and just move decisively forward despite all criticisms.
8. He/she must reveal who are his friends, who are his backers prior to his running for the presidency.
9. He must lead by inspiration and example.
10. He must be a visionary and a multi-tasker.

Later, I will write more. Got to leave. I have another meeting.