The Political Circus Has Began

Even as the May 9, 2022 national and local elections are six (6) months yet ahead, it appears that candidates seeking national positions are out on the go seeking to win the votes of our electorate. Our very own VP Leni Robredo is mostly riding on social media as her campaign strategy, perhaps for lack of political machinery to propel her candidacy. Whether or not this strategy is effective to win votes for her only time will tell. Yet a very strong people’s movement across the country has seemed to have started to push her candidacy from the time she announced her Presidential bid. On the other hand, presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. who hails from the much vaunted solid north is not deterred by allegations from human rights advocates and other sectors that he is disqualified from running, due to his alleged conviction of crime involving moral turpitude for his alleged failure to file his income tax returns. Marcos. Jr. claims that the RTC decision has been appealed to the Court of Appeals, yet it appears the appeal has been abandoned, too. Lately, Presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio who all along has debunked allegations that she is running for President, has been touted by her supporters, foremost of whom is Albay Congressman Joey Salceda, and has thrown her hat into the presidential arena. Some political analysts however, express the view that she will eventually tandem with Bongbong Marcos as the latter’s vice-presidential bet. They say that if this happens, it would be a “ “formidable” team and may ultimately win the elections. The other aspirants like Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and his VP running mate Senate President Vic Sotto remain non-committal about what is said about their rival candidates. In the meantime, the Pambansang Kamao Senator Manny Pacquio staged a surprise yesterday by announcing that he had met with President Duterte in Malacanang and had a heart to heart talk with the latter. As to what was the subject of their conference, Senator Pacquio is, however, mysteriously silent. As to the last minute COC filer, former PNP Chief Rogelio “Bato” de la Rosa, he seems to still be awaiting for a party mate to file a COC so he can slide as a Vice-Presidential aspirant. All these events happening reminds me that politics in the Philippines is like a circus.

With this in mind, it is not enough that we cast our votes on May 9, 2022, but to see to it that the votes cast be counted.

TRIVIA:

Belated birthday greetings to our fellow column writer Ernie Verdadero who celebrated his birthday anniversary last November 7. Likewise, belated birthday greetings to my spouse Minda who also celebrated her birthday anniversary last November 8.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“POLITICS IS GOD’S GIFT TO US - A MEANS TO SERVE IN HOLINESS AND TRUTH” - ARCHBISHOP SOCRATES VILLEGAS

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“FOR THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD, AND THOSE THAT EXIST HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED BY GOD” -ROMANS 13:1-7