The much-awaited list of presidentiables and vice-presidentiables of 1Sambayan came out last Saturday, June 12. The significance of the date of the announcement, which coincided with our country’s celebration of its 123rd Independence Day, is not lost on us. The names being offered represent the people’s champions who will free our people from an unwanted regime that is accused of human rights abuses, incompetence and growing militarization.
The six anointed political stalwarts are public figures who are or have served in government with purportedly clean records of public service, competence, track record and upright stand on public issues. One underlying consideration is that the anointed ones must not be enablers of and affiliated with the Duterte regime. You may agree or disagree with 1Sambayan’s initial selection of Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Grace Poe, former Senator Antonio Trillanes, Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, CIBAC Partylist Representative Eddie Villanueva and Human Rights lawyer and founding dean of the De La Salle College of Law, Chel Diokno, but I’m sure the half dozen nominees have been subjected to meticulous scrutiny and evaluation by 1Sambayan based on its rigorous standards. After all, 1Sambayan is not selecting a candidate for a barangay chairman position but the flag bearer of the opposition. He or she should be a worthy alternative to the candidate of the ruling party, which will be backed up by a well-oiled political machinery selected and blessed by President Duterte. Former DFA Secretary Alberto del Rosario, another convenor, had earlier announced that other names may be added to the list. But before the day ended and earlier than the public could react to the chosen presidentiables, four of those included in the list, namely, Poe, Santos-Recto, Diokno and Villanueva, have politely declined their anointment for various reasons. In fact, even before the announcement, Senator Nancy Binay whose name emerged as a possible candidate had earlier requested the convenors to exclude her from consideration. Same thing with Mayor Isko Moreno, who had begged off before the release of the list of presidentiables to concentrate on his work as mayor of the capital city.
Some pundits don’t look kindly on the four who have withdrawn their names after they were included in the list. Supposedly, all presidentiables under consideration by 1Sambayan were consulted beforehand and, as disclosed by the convenors, have agreed to submit to the selection process and the anointed one will expectedly run for president if drafted. Were they just engaging in an ego trip and self-aggrandizement knowing that they would be included in the magic list? Now they can always claim that they were short-listed but refused the offer. Had they advised that they would back out ahead of the selection, other worthy names could have been considered. Or are some of them actually setting their sights on a lower position so that they can invoke that if they were good enough to be considered presidentiables, they have every right to be included in the senate slate, or even the vice-presidential slot, of the opposition.
On the other hand, the withdrawal of other possible contenders has opened a great opportunity for VP Leni who has been perceived as the frontrunner for the opposition if ever she decides to bid for the presidency. Compared to the rest of the field, she enjoys the winnability factor. She has proven her mettle and worth while serving as our VP despite being regarded as a persona non grata to the administration. Under the present administration she is a pariah, but she has performed well under the most trying conditions. Now, it looks like the opposition’s choice is limited between VP Leni and former Senator Antonio Trillanes, although the latter has repeatedly been quoted as saying that he would only bid for the highest post if VP Leni decides not to run. Well, he can always renege on that promise. We have seen and heard countless politicians who had sworn that they would not seek the presidency only to eat their words, and were rewarded by the gullible electorates by voting the liars and bastards into office. Or maybe Trillanes can slide down to the VP position and pair off with Robredo.
Where will that leave the others who have also dreamt big of occupying Malacañang before they graduate from politics? For instance, both Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senator Richard Gordon make no bones of their desire to serve as president of our country. No one doubts their resolve to be of greater service to our country and the presidency is the only missing position in their colorful political career. From the start, both have not shown enthusiasm to join 1Sambayan. They are both fiercely independent and they can always launch their own presidential campaign sans a major political party backing them up. In fact, that was what they did in the past, but unfortunately they both failed. Their vast experience and preparedness for the office are formidable assets that can set them apart from the common run of aspirants. The equation will not be complete unless their participation or non-participation in the presidential derby is resolved.
This recent development should augur well for VP Leni. We can understand her present indecision to enter the presidential derby. Meeting the stiff criteria set by the convenors, including winnability, is not the only consideration. With her emerging as the likely choice and the withdrawal of other contenders who may throw a monkey wrench in case they are not chosen, there is a greater chance of achieving unity and fielding a common opposition candidate. The remaining problem is funding. If she is seen by big businesses and kingmakers as a viable candidate, money will pour in. President Duterte won despite all his handicaps at the start of the campaign. Yet a couple of weeks before the election, he was seen to be the winner even by the ruling party. Otherwise, why did it propose to Senator Poe, the other major contender, to withdraw her candidacy and endorse Senator Mar Roxas so that their combined votes and resources could overcome President Duterte’s wide lead? The voters knew the real score and they voted as called by the pollsters. Robredo has the momentum now. She should seize the moment. She cannot choose the time. Time chooses her.