Gilbert Teodoro: A meeting with the would-be president of the Republic?

I highly respect Carlos Celdran, one of the country's foremost promoters of historical places in Manila and one of the online people whom I feel very credible. He's a Facebook friend of mine and he's an ardent supporter of Gilbert Teodoro, the palace bet. And I highly respect his views. (By the way, his cousin, David Celdran is a very good friend too).

I was fortunate to be invited by Noemi Dado, another good friend and highly respected blogger. She formed Blogwatch (http://blogwatch.ph/), which I was very fortunate to be a guest blogger. I commend Noemi for forming this group.

Anyway, Noemi told me that there is a Blogwatch event featuring presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro. Unknown to her, I was once invited to join the Green Team of Michael Ong, a group connected with Teodoro's closest associate and supporter, Raul Lambino. I attended the first meeting and never went there again.

Gilbert Teodoro---a leader, reformer and visionary

He sat at the head of a long table, an imposing figure with an authoritative air in him. Am I meeting a president? No. I am attending a Blogwatch. ph meeting with administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro.

Teodoro is an ideal leader. He's charming. He's warm. He's a critical thinker and what I discerned, he has a deep understanding of the political system.

Gilbert Teodoro has what other presidentiables lack---he's intelligent and he's definitely a technocrat par excellence.

His prescriptions are fresh, original and utterly doable. He's a quick thinker, a lover of people, and definitely a great listener. When I looked into his eyes, I feel that Teodoro believes in what he says. He is definitely a reformer.

1. Teodoro wants to prioritize education. He wants to implement what Ateneo educator Fr. Bienvenido Nebres prescribes--one year added to the primary and secondary grades. This is in conformity with international standards.

2. Teodoro wants to fast-track modernization through increasing food security. He wants to modernize agriculture, without affecting the environment.

3. Teodoro will definitely solve the worsening urban housing problems by prioritizing giving low-cost housing to the poor.

4. Teodoro wants to bring peace to Mindanao by allowing all stakeholders all "Mindanaoans" to resolve the issues among themselves.

5. Teodoro will definitely pursue peace with all secessionist and insurgency groups. He is quite confident he has the wherewithal to do this because he's friends with all political groups.

6. Teodoro wants to continue infrastructure projects started by his supporter, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

7. Teodoro will definitely reach out to other political parties and form a consensus with them.

8. Teodoro wants to solve the problem of poverty by boosting the economy. He will definitely implement a fair investment climate, with both local and foreign investors enjoying the support of government.

9. Teodoro wants to strengthen the stability of this country by implementing a no-nonsense peace and order policy.

One heavy weight that he bears on his shoulders is his close association with the devil enfant--Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, an association which affects his relationship with the ones he want to serve as president.

Teodoro is now at the bottom rung of the surveys--only 5 percent trust and approval ratings from both the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia. The People have spoken---they don't want Arroyo anymore and being the "anointed one", the People feel that they ought to reject Teodoro's bid for the presidency.

What is admirable about him is his realistic assessment of things---he knows how the system works and definitely knows how to speed up its modernization.

Teodoro is definitely better than other presidentiables. It's just that.....he is still directly connected with Arroyo.

However, come to think of it, that's actually an advantage instead of a disadvantage because it shows the character of the candidate.

I remember one interview with Teodoro. A journalist asked him why is he not disassociating himself with Arroyo? Teodoro answered curtly: he will definitely not do that because that would not reflect well of him. He was raised as a child with traditional values, especially on "utang na loob". Why would you bite the hand that feeds you? It would not look good if he does that.

What is certain is this---Teodoro will not prevent nor influence or use the Office of the President in pressuring anybody who wants to file a case against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Carlos Celdran heaved a sigh of relief. Carlos is a supporter of Teodoro but hates the guts of Gloria. At least, after June 2010, even if Gilbert wins, surely, those who want to prosecute Arroyo will have a free hand expressing themselves against the former president.

If God wills, Teodoro will win this elections. Like what a Prophet said, miracles do happen.

Chiz Escudero tops People's favorites for New Prexy

Senator Chiz Escudero of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) topped the latest Ibon survey on the people's favorites for the presidency. Following him is Senators Manny Villar and Loren Legarda. Joseph Estrada placed a poor fourth place while nothing has been heard of Mar Roxas while Vice President Noli de Castro is a few notches below Legarda.

Despite my previous criticisms of Escudero, I congratulate him for earning the trust of the people. I am a firm believer of Ibon Foundation surveys and when the people say that they want Escudero as their president, as a humble servant of the masses, I humbly submit to their will.

I would prefer Chiz than Manny, who is now embroiled in this humiliating ethics scandal. It would have been good if the people decide to elect someone with experience in economic matters or someone with a strong political will like Senator Ping Lacson. This just shows how disjointed the views of those in my class with that of the masses. I admit I am still ignorant of how and why the masa thinks and acts this way.

Maybe the masa got tired of old, trapos and want a young, idealist like Escudero. Or maybe the fight would all boil down to age. We don't know. What I do know is, if this elections pushes through, this will result to a diminution of the party and the rise of individual political powerhouses.

What I just want to be assured of, if Chiz or any of his supporters read this, is for Chiz to disassociate himself publicly from Danding. Chiz should also be very transparent on who backs him up financially should he decide to really run for the presidency. Likewise, Chiz should present an agenda that is totally consistent with the Will of the People. No more compromises. No more motherhood statements. No more pa cutesy moves. We deserve someone better. We deserve a young leader who will hold the hand of the people and lead them to a better Philippines.

If the people want you, Chiz, to be their president, I, am, with you.

Political Differentiation

Political differentiation is a term which means being different. That's the secret of Trillianes' victory at the Senate race. And that's what's lacking in our list of presidentiables now.

What would constitute political differentiation?

In branding speak, this is what we call brand equity or positioning. Nowadays, the people lump all politicians together in one category: trapo. Surveys upon surveys reveal the people's desire to see a non-traditional politician ascend the rungs of power. What would define such a politician? What would be a non-traditional politician be like?

A Non-traditional politician espouses the people's cause. And what's the people's cause? The people's cause is a better life. And what would define a better life? Improved economic conditions for every Filipino family, peaceful co-existence, better opportunities, etc. For a Filipino, a roof over their heads, three square meals a day and a secure job constitutes a better life. This is the end-all and be-all of Filipino existence. For Filipinos, whatever it takes to get these things is irrelevant. If it means struggle, then, so be it. If it means going to the streets or voting for a politician, then, let it be so.

A non-traditional politician should have this cause in mind when he or she crafts his/her platform of governance. That platform should have an ideological construct, the kind that inspires and yet, delivers the goods eventually. To be different, a politician must be able to prove that his platform works based on his years' of experience in public service.

Judging from the list of political parties constituting the political spectrum, the Liberal Party holds the most promise. It has a fresh image. However, its posturing is not enough to qualify it as a non-traditional political party. Until now, Mar Roxas has not communicated the reasons why people should vote for Liberal Party or for him come 2010. Yes, he has his palengke tours. Yes, he has remonstrated his opposition in some of the palace moves. Yet, Mar Roxas still lacks political differentiation because he has not been as maverick as Trillianes is in the minds of the public.

Likewise, Mar Roxas shows no "halos" so to speak, that the public saw with Erap and Ramos. Roxas should command a stable following and the public should see it. Roxas should be seen as a rebel with a cause, the kind that inspires and not just for publicity sake. He should do it by 2008. Otherwise, he'll lose momentum and probably could suffer the fate of one of LP's stalwart, former Senator Salonga.