Complicating the Race

By Rolo B. Cena
Arabian Diaries
Dumaguete Star Informer
20 September 2009

The Commission on Elections, through the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia marked 31st of August 2009 as the deadline for all Filipino migrantes to register for Overseas Absentee Voting. Coming from an early morning jogging routine along the famed Corniche Boulevard last Thursday, we scurried to International Philippine School of Al-Khobar (IPSA) to dutifully comply with the requirement of the law. While we were in cue, I raised the issue “how much” are we expecting for a vote, which actually converted the entire room into laughter.

Apparently, it sounds silly especially to persons who don’t know whether or not you are just throwing a joke to break the stillness of the moment. Though I don’t really mind of comments, it somehow disturbed momentarily my already-perturbed mind after the resounding echo of the phrase I released rung intermittently in my ears.

How much? What a question, I recalled. I remember the most recent election where I received a lot of money. Yeah, honestly, I accepted these monies for one reason: these are my monies which were just taken out from the national coffers to finance the dirty electoral tricks of these mentally-dehydrated politicians. Call me hypocrite, but yes, it’s true. But there was one thing I am sure of: they were not able to buy my vote. Believe me!

Browsing the web of the country’s top national dailies and broadsheets, I happen to read that we have quite a bunch of contenders for the presidential bid: eighteen contenders - an array of stars who vowed to give lights to the dimly lit archipelagic Philippines. What a number!

Two of the country’s top religious leaders are running: Eddie Villanueva of Jesus Miracle Crusade and Mike Velarde of El Shaddai. Although Eddie has once gained a full view of the limelight when he volunteered to talk to Abu Sayaff during the El Nido Kidnap-for-Ransom incident, his deportment would only be limited to his group. Mike Velarde on the other hand, claimed that his people are solid and united for his cause. Really?

Good to hear from the camp of Fr. Panlilio that he is already backing out in support of Senator Aquino. Too good to be true, indeed!

One of the National Dailies’ bannered “Erap is 99.9% sure of running!” Multi-discipline reaction ensued: “again? Can he still manage to lure the entire Filipino community into believing that indeed he was not guilty of the charges?”

Madam Gloria must have been wrong in giving him the Presidential Pardon. Don’t you think so, elitistas?

Friends and relatives of Noynoy Aquino are wooing him to run for presidency. Sen. Roxas on the other hand is willing to be his running mate. The original plan was Roxas-Aquino for Laban? If hard-court switching takes place, it looks like it’s going to be Aquino-Roxas tandem. My question is: are they marketable?

Can the Cory Aquino mourning and Kris-Aquino-entertainment-charisma ever help the duo to survive and garner the feat? Conversely, can the Roxas-Sanchez Quiapo Church wedding ever help the race?

Sen. Manny Villar is also a strong contender. Just what happened to Wowowee Willie Revillame conservative style of showing his intention to run for public office in the ticket of the Senate President? Hmm, will this ever catapult Manny to Malacanang or vice versa? Or, will his Central Bank loan issue pull him down?

Crabs are us, gentlemen! When someone is leading to the top, all crabs are pulling him down. Gee! Philippines will never move on or move up. We will still remain as we were since 1907 when the first national election was held.

Just what in the world is happening to my dear “Pearl of the Orient”? Can we do better than this?

“Be still, Philippines!” Lo, typhoons stop to his credit. Bravo! Zoro would love to play with it. Or, make miracles for calamities to stop pestering the already-pestered Republic? Or, pray over the two houses for wisdom, fortitude, reconciliation, submission, and good deeds? Or, bind and cast those ill-fated politicians and exorcise their money-is-the-root-of-all-evil-stricken houses?

Gee! Your hair would not just really smell terrific this time! Your scalp will be itchy more than ever!

With the unconfirmed eighteen (18) contenders for the two (2) highest elective offices in the land, I don’t think we are getting the nod of the entire political world. This is a complete picture of a dysfunctional Philippines. This shows that we are not united for one noble cause.

Today, all sorts of media will expose the platforms of these contenders along with their firm stature over the matter. They will campaign with their chosen entertainment personalities from north to south, east to west. As the Election Day draws nearer, one after the other will withdraw their candidacy in favor of the stronger contender. Pay-off, buy-out or simply “suhol” will circulate and dominate the press. Tomorrow, payment will be received. The following morning, National Dailies and tabloids will print: contender so-and-so withdraws candidacy; supports contender 2. On the final judgment day, this contender leaves the country unheard and unnoticed.

Arguably, these people are just complicating the race.

People of the Philippines, while these power-hunger politicians are trying to mess around with us during this delicate times, as the voting public, we still can do something: choose objectively.

While races like these require analysis, sometimes our own personal judgment can outwit all other presentations if we are just keen in what is happening around us.

Stop the complication! Vote with conviction!