The D Spot

It’s eight months away from the national elections, and here we are into this roller coaster sort of ride, with at least 15 presidential wannabees vying for our attention,via media blitzes here and there,  announcing their intention to run one time, yet backing out at another, mergers here and there, former antagonists uniting, personalities pulling each other down, yet others aiming for national unity using the dead martyrs to champion their cause, and many more.

What else is new? Only in the Philippines do we have this brouhaha—when can people ever be serious about it? When can there just be one who truly has the sole intention, selfless beyond reason,  to bring us out of this sorry state and at the same time catch up with at least our Asian neighbors, who, half a century ago were all behind our country in terms of economic growth.

The most that I can do at this time, as a responsible citizen, is to meet my presidentiables, listen to them intently, not to be sweet talked either, ask questions and clarify the doubts I have in mind, and look straight in the eye once given the chance to come up close and personal—then vote wisely.

Another thing I can do is join a citizen’s watch, an independent one, with the aim perhaps of disseminating information, educating people, coordinating with the major players–a grand ambition, but it is possible.

Something new pops up everyday. Senator Mar Roxas declaring his decision to give up his ambition for the presidency to support Senator Nonoy Aquino surprised most of us. Now, it is in the news that Senator Aquino plans to meet up with former president Erap Estrada, with the intention of uniting the opposition by fielding only one opposition candidate to fight the administration of PGMA, which recently chose to field Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro over MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando. Senator Chiz Escudero who feels that the youth are in his side said he won’t budge, he would still run, while Senator Jamby Madrigal said she has her own platform so different from the others. There’s Brother Eddie Villanueva intent not to give up until the final leg, while Governor Panlilio has dropped out of the race this early.

Tomorrow what? Expect more to happen, from the unbelievable to the absurd to the shocking, until November when the political parties finally declare their official candidates and raise their hands from among any of these people (and who knows who else):

1. Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” C. Aquino III (Liberal Party (LP))
2. Vice President Manuel “Noli” L. de Castro, Jr. (Independent)
3. John Carlos “JC” G. de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran Party)
4. Former Pres. Joseph “Erap” E. Estrada (Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP))
5. Sen. Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero (National People’s Coalition (NP))
6. MMDA Chairman Bayani “BF” Fernando (Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats)
7. Richard “Dick” J. Gordon (BAGUMBAYAN)
8. Sen. Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda (National People’s Coalition (NPC))
9. Sen. Maria Anna Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal (Genuine Opposition)
10. Nicanor Jesus III P. Perlas (Independent)
11. Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” C. Teodoro, Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats)
12. Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas)
13. Sen. Manuel “Manny” B. Villar, Jr. (Nationalista Party)

It was so simple years ago, when there was only the National Party and the Liberal Party vying for the presidential seat.  Blame this on former President Marcos when during his time politicians changed color or formed a new party on their whim and fancy, then back again to the party only to leave again. Again, only in the Philippines! Leaving the 90 million or so Filipinos at the mercy of whoever is in power; making slaves out of the 10% who have become OFWs who sweat, nay bleed it out, in foreign lands. In the meantime they continue to bring in millions of dollars just to keep the economy afloat. And what happens? The status of their families range from semi-dysfunctional to dysfunctional. And what about the 90% of the population who are left behind? They, I mean, we who are left behind are witnesses to the never-ending cases of corruption, deceit, power tripping, shameless display of wealth, manipulations, etc., etc. while the poor, the homeless, the sick, the hungry and the dying are left on their own, the soldiers fighting for our cause left with the barest to support themselves and their families, the working force toiling each day not even earning enough for their keep.

Oh yes, undeniably, there are positive developments—we see roads, we see bridges, we see schools and hospitals, we hear so many promises, we see so many things nice and beautiful but can we just turn our backs on the ugly side of the fence? Indeed, we are a nation of people so diverse. A nation that has so far remained stagnant, rather, a nation that has been sliding,… sliding… down… down….down. This is the true state of our nation, don’t you think so?

When will we Filipinos learn our lessons? If indeed we have learned our lessons, are we doing something about it?

It’s not yet too late. Let this be my journey, your journey, our journey. Let it begin with me…let it begin with you…let us all do our part, our share, no matter how small for love of country, even though it is a cliché allow me to say, “So that our nation can be great again”.

This is the first of the series–I will share with you, dear Readers, what I have heard from them, learned from them, and saw in their eyes, once I get the opportunity to meet them. And by gosh! I will grab each opportunity that comes my way to meet them.

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