There are other options not just "tuwid" nor "malinis" na daan: there's a "banal" na daan and "kapatiran"

IN this mid-term elections, Aquino's political friends will try to picture only two options for the Pinoy electorate---a so-called "tuwid na daan" which pundits say leads to nowhere and a "malinis" na daan which again, others claim to be so slippery, those who use it always falls down.

Not to mention those who claim to be able to provide the "banal na daan" which, again, based on perspective, Satanists would claim theirs is "holy".

Why do these politicians use the term "daan" in their political slogans? Simple.

In the Filipino psyche, daan means two things---the physical road and options. For Filipinos, there are always two options when faced with a problem or a challenge, and it's always a fight between good and evil, or an option which is better or best, worse or worst or simply option a which is always different from option b.

In all these choices, Filipinos realize that there are risks involved. For those who suggest that Filipinos are not risk takers, think again. The proliferation of SME's in the landscape will definitely show you the level of risks Filipinos are expected to take. These risks go beyond the ordinary sometimes.

Filipinos would go to great lengths even go to the farthest regions of this earth for a high paying job. Or, he will abandon all riches in exchange for love.

In politics, Filipinos already know the risks. Now, it is just determining the level of risks these options have. In politics, Filipinos equate this "weighing" of options with that of "performance".

For example, was this person responsible for paving the road leading to my barangay? Was he responsible for bringing prosperity to my barangay and so on and so forth. The "daan" imagery is really epal in its practical form.

This elections, political propagandists of UNA and TEAM PNOY would paint only two options, options which, if seriously analyzed, is just one thing---the ruling oligarchs running reportedly using two roads but pointing to one direction only---the perpetuation of power of the EDSA gang.

Seriously Filipinos must be made to think of differing and multiple options not just A and B. When the time comes when Filipinos are used to think about multiple options, then, things will probably change in the political front.

Turning Opposition

The Opposition is lambasting the Liberal Party of its policy of not allowing common bets, Grace Poe, Loren Legarda and Chiz Escudero to campaign with them. UNA leader Joseph Estrada said it's unfair. It's also tyrannical.

Okey, so, I thought that UNA candidates are running ahead of everyone else, why this complaint? Nothing coming out of the camps of the aforesaid senatoriables, then, why complain?

UNA is trying to create something out of an anthill. It is laying the groundwork for an "open, oppositive war" against the administration. The best response is actually no response or nonchalance.

Worse, Malacanang walked right into the trap by giving a response, something uncanny for the palace to do. Worst, DOTC secertary Abaya was the one tasked to respond, which further worsened the situation, and even pictured the administration as "uncaring," about the political fates and campaigns of its three candidates.

It is in the best interest of Malacanang not to engage UNA publicly. When UNA declared that it is not entirely opposing Malacanang, the public viewed this political party as a creature of the administration too. Hence, it eliminated any excitement in the senatorial race. Instead of an ideologically based war, the senatorial race became a personal one, rending the importance of a political grouping as nonsensical. Meaning, it is not that important where you are affiliated right now. What's important is that the people know you and is talking about you.

This favors those who have longer or fatter political kitties. Since both the LP and the UNA have this "gentleman's agreement" not to fight each other in this elections, then, the campaign is really entirely personal. You are left to fend for yourself, something which is burdensome to those who do not have enough funds to spend for this elections.

Not turning opposition, renders UNA's existence and relevance as nothing short of a boy's club. It is an aggrupation without meaning, a grouping only of people with vested political and economic interests.

UNA is forthwith---it is not a political party of the people and by the people---only a shaky coalition of diverse interests.

With this image, UNA will not entirely clinch all of the top seats in the senatorial race. It is likewise, entirely doubtful if it will even get a sizeable fraction of Congressional and local seats.

If UNA wants to win, it must regain its fiscalizer stance or it must turn opposition. UNA leaders must not mind these surveys that show a high trust rating for the administration. This is just a myth.

There is an undercurrent of dissent against this administration. It exists. The reason why it has never been articulated or amplified properly is the fact that even those opposed to this administration is not planning to exploit this rising dissent below the line because of their ideological or association's links with the administration.

I think the UNA realizes this so it is laying the groundwork for a temporary break with the administration, sooner or later.

Events that shape 2012 in the Philippines

2012 was the year when President Benigno S. Aquino III tightened the screws against perceived enemies of the administration. Despite repeated protests that it will worsen the state of relationship between the Executive and the Judiciary, Aquino pushed on and completed attacks against the former Chief of the Supreme Court, Renato Corona. Corona was deposed largely by a sympathetic Senate. He was replaced by Justice Sereno, whom many thought too young for the post and too close to the palace. Until now, Sereno has not repaired her ties with fellow justices who still refuse to share the stage with her every single flag-raising ceremony at the Supreme Court.

Worse, Sereno is now embroiled in a very embarrassing situation when she allegedly "faked" a Supreme Court resolution establishing a judicial council in the Visayas. She is being made to explain by her colleagues but she always manages to forego it. Her flagging techniques are irritating members of the Court who still see her as a stooge of the administration.

It seems that this administration is trailing its guns against remnants of the political forces which supported the previous dispensation still entrenched in the Visayas, specifically Cebu. Before Christmas, the DILG implemented an order of suspension against Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, whom the government accused of abuse of powers. Garcia was suspended for ninety days, enough to prevent her from using government resources to prop up her political allies in the island. Garcia refused to toe the DILG line, asking the court for reprieve. Seems like the new year will start with a political controversy, unless of course, Garcia finds someone close to Noynoy and enters into a political compromise. Sources however say, this is unlikely to happen since Garcia is really perceived as a strong political enemy by the Liberal Party in Cebu. In all likelihood, Garcia will eventually be forced to vacate her post.

Garcia is claiming to be an administration ally but she is not. She belongs to the UNA, a party which is being run by Vice President Jejomar Binay. Binay's party has recruited the best oligarchs and political heavyweights in every province in time for his bid to the presidency by 2016. Garcia's vaulted political influence in Cebu has not escaped the eye of the former Makati mayor whose popularity continues to amuse the minds of political observers.

What is so surprising is the fact that former Arroyo men are being recruited or has jumped into the UNA bandwagon, something which has surprised many loyal UNA "survivors". It seems that the policy is not of attrition, but of "addition without principles" something which leaves a very bad taste in the mouth. This early, we see a Binay presidency without the moral backbone.

Speaking of morals in governance, we mourn the passing of Ramon Magsaysay awardee Jesse Robredo. Robredo died in a plane crash. The nation wept at his death, an untimely one since many regard Robredo as a paragon of new politics, something greatly needed by this country. In his lifetime, Robredo showed how honorable public service really is, something which boosted the feelings and trust of many behind governmental institutions. Robredo was a great example of a man whose actions were always, always imbued with principles. He lived a frugal and honest life, something which we never saw in other government officials.

With Robredo's death, the complexion of the DILG changed. Robredo's time, there was a perception that the agency was being used to serve the people. Now, under the helm of former presidentiable Mar Roxas, this agency is now being considered as a springboard for the 2016 candidacy of Roxas.

There is no doubt at all that Roxas is really hell-bent in gaining a strong political foothold before 2016. The thing is, some observers say, he lacks the political intuition of a Robredo and the political savvy-ness of a Binay. He continues to be perceived as a weak political force, something which he needs to address very early in the game. Yes, the DILG, when handled properly, could actually boast his chances. He should have put his foot down and transformed Mindanao into a mini-Marshall plan area.

Pimentel bolts UNA

Finally, Senator Koko Pimentel decided to leave UNA (United Nationalist Alliance). Pimentel said, he just followed his principles. He just cannot accept the proposition made by his partymates on sharing the same stage with former Senator Migz Zubiri, whom he accused of electoral deceit. 


Former president Joseph Estrada, Pimentel's "godfather", accepted the decision. Vice President Binay, UNA president, however, did not give any statement.


Pimentel's act is anti-climactic because people really expected him to bolt the alliance. What was sad was the fact that Pimentel was one of those who stuck it out with the people behind UNA since 2010. Pimentel serves as President of PDP-Laban, the political party of his father. 


Sources say, many people are really feeling uneasy with former Arroyo stalwarts joining the party. Many felt that this is one of those traditional political moves which could hurt the party in the long run. 


UNA is really a political hodgepodge, the kind that leaves a very bad taste in the mouth. Honestly, UNA's slate is a combination of political names which have made nothing significant insofar as the people are concerned. These political bigwigs gave public service a very bad name, by sticking it out in politics just for the sake of personal aggrandizement. It is a pure naked display of power politics. 


I hope UNA will be the very first political party to disintegrate due to the lack of principles.

United Nationalist Alliance is a Trapo party and a dangerous one

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is supposed to be a different political animal than other political configurations. Its recent choices for Senatorial bets however, show that it is not as different from other parties as expected. 


The UNA is as spineless as other political parties for one thing--it believes in political accommodation. It is not a principled party. It has a very twisted view of things. 


For example---how in the world did this party, which is supposed to usher changes in our government, treated former political personalities who supported the tyranny of the previous administration for nine long years? BY asking them to join the UNA senatorial lineup, that's how.


There is this thing called justice. For Filipinos, justice first before reconciliation. The previous acts of former administrations which led to the non-prosecution of former political personalities responsible for bringing ruin to this country, contributed immensely to the present state of our society today.


The message that UNA has shown in their choice of Senatoriables reflect how traditional they view politics in this country. Their acts also show how elitist the party views governance, politics and justice.


I have nothing personal against Mitos Magsaysay, MIgz Zubiri or Gwen Garcia, except that these people were very cooperative when the previous dispensation was wrecking havoc the very future of this country.


Fact is, they issued statements of support behind former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Their participation hindered the popular movement for the ouster of Arroyo. At the very end, Mitos Magsaysay was issuing a mouth-full against the Aquino administration. When her principal was acting like a spoiled tyrant, Magsaysay issued statements of support. She was as unconcerned about the condition of the masses as Arroyo was. 


Same goes to Migz Zubiri and Gwen Garcia who even made their respective provinces veritable citadels which provided succor to Gloria and gave legitimacy to her illicit actions.


These things are now recorded in the annals of history. I simply cannot understand the logic behind teaming Zubiri up with, say, Joey de Venecia, who sacrificed his future and his own life fighting Zubiri's boss.


I am likewise clueless how, say, Gwen Garcia would campaign side by side with Koko Pimentel, whose father, Aquilino Pimentel Jr. resisted the tyranny and the dictatorial ways and wiles of the previous government. 


I am now concerned that UNA, should it achieve power by next year, would reverse the progressive gains achieved by the people under this administration.


I am fearful of a Binay presidency because this early, he has exhibited a spineless political leadership who knows no enemies--Binay only knows people who can give him what he wants in exchange for the people's welfare.


There is nothing nationalist about UNA. If at all there is a nationalist color in UNA, it is probably the nationalism espoused by the early ass lickers of the American colonialists in the thirties.

Chopsuey Politics in Philippines and the Emergence of a Third Force

Next year's election is crucial for this administration. This election is some sort of an appraisal of the three year performance of Noynoy Aquino. A failure by the Liberals to get a majority of seats in the Lower House and the Senate will be interpreted largely as a public indictment of the way Noynoy is running the affairs of the State. A vote of no-confidence is surely not a welcoming sign for Noynoy. 

Binay's move a few days ago, is quite expected considering that the PDP-Laban cannot wait for the Liberals forever. When Binay recommitted himself with Erap shows how deep their relationship is, both had been prosecuted by Gloria Arroyo during her term. Curiously though, Binay allowed allies of the previous administration and critics of Noynoy to join his senatorial slate, a move interpreted by the palace as a direct affront against the President. Mitos Magsaysay and Ernie Maceda are staunchly anti-Noynoy. This baffles the palace, says DBM secretary Florencio Abad.

Abad dares Binay to reveal which side he is, really. Is he anti-administration or pro-administration? Abad's question really reflects how politicians perceive politics in the Philippines---it is personality based, not principles or ideology-based. This also shows the prevailing thought inside the palace--a "black and white" thing or a Bush-like policy of "if you're not with us, you're surely against us".

This explains why no alliance or coalition has been formed. The Liberals are trying to preserve their unity among groups, which has been forged by the 2010 elections. The party is not solely being dictated anymore by just one dominant group, but by numerous groups with dissimilar interests. Thoughly largely ideology-less, the administration's direction is dictated by partisan interests, which, is based on political expediency, much less, survival beyond Noynoy's term.

The peculiar and earlier-than-expected pronouncement of the President that he will not be seeking another term opened the floodgates for numerous forces and interest groups to jockey up for stronger, firmer political associations. The criterion is really resources--whoever has the resources enjoys a bigger, wider space for coalitions. Coalitions are two-way engagements yet in Philippine political reality, coalitions are interpreted based on a hegemonic framework. The bigger party acts as hegemon to the smaller party which expects to get as much resources as possible from the bigger one. In the end, however, nothing really proceeds from this arrangement because the bigger party gets nothing from the smaller aggrupations while these smaller groups grapple with the realities of running a campaign with a small budget.

Analysing Binay's aggrupation reveals a weak coalition. UNA is a political coalition for convenience. Why get untested candidates like Magsaysay if you have a very deep bench? Why get Maceda whose previous runs have been dismal? Magsaysay and Maceda are just there to fill in the gaps, so to speak, while UNA forges other mergers and coalitions. There is still that possibility of UNA changing their slate at the very last minute.

The political environment really is these two groups are forming their own and will eventually compare and will probably merge, if the right conditions are present. For example, if Noynoy's popularity ratings remain high and not plateau, chances are UNA will open its doors to accommodate common candidates from the Liberal party. This option will be a cause of dissension within the UNA ranks, since some candidates will definitely be given least priority in resource allocation than, say, common candidates. 

What is really evident at this point is the possibility of a third force emerging from all of these movements, a third force that is composed of citizens already tired of traditional politics. This is the time when personalities like Nick Perlas or those of the Kapatiran Party are expected to rise up and dominate the political landscape.

The opportune time to do it is next year's election, 2013. If the elections will be clean, then, a Third Force is expected to get a sizeable mandate from the people, tired of the failed promises of traditional politics.

UNA versus Liberal Party in 2013

Vice President Jejomar Binay announced the establishment of the United Nationalist Alliance or UNA--the political party which sprung from the merger of two (2) parties: Binay's Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and former president Joseph Estrada's Partido ng Masang Pilipino. 


The announcement is not premature since it is only a few months prior to the 2013 Senatorial or mid-term elections and any candidate who is dead serious in running for a Senate slot should, by now, already campaigning silently in major cities and provinces. 


Sources say Binay told his allies inside the Aquino administration that the party will still welcome the inclusion of several of the LP candidates provided that the administration party finalizes its slate. However, up to presstime, no such final slate yet.


President Noynoy Aquino already intimated his desire to re-field the 2010 Senatorial slate, to be led by former Congressman Ruffy Biazon. Biazon, according to sources, is still undecided. His father, however, Senator Biazon is the one who wants to get back his old post. Several former candidates are also still undecided. There is a possibility that SLAMMATLORD will not be able to form another slate. The possibility is, it probably only be Mano Po, or Slamatpo.


Anyway, the slate of Binay is strong since it consists of former legislators, re-electionists, and new names who has the political clout already to win. 


The preliminary UNA slate consists of former Senator Migz Zubiri who already started his campaign using the Philippine National Red Cross.


The other one, Mitos Magsaysay, who seems unable to shake off her pro-Gloria tag. 


The rest are shoo-ins: JV Ejercito, Jack Enrile, Joey de Venecia, Ernesto Maceda and re-electionists: Greg Honasan, Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, Jamby Madrigal. The only new name here is Nancy Binay, eldest daughter of the Vice President. 


Of course, in politics, everything is pretty fluid. This will still change based on surveys. 


Now, in the administration side, you have Riza Hontiveros, Ruffy Biazon and Danny Lim as possible candidates. With at least five re-electionists, the only available slots for new comers would be seven. 


The thing to be considered is this--is it worth it? Is it worth the effort of someone to gun for a senatorial slot when the odds are going against new comers?