Elusive unity

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Exactly 40 days after the death of his mother, after weeks of introspection, prayer and discernment, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the first term senator whose only claim to fame thus far is being the only son of Ninoy and Cory, has succumbed to the call that began with the overwhelming show of support during the wake and funeral of his mother, and has declared his intention to run for president in the 2010 elections. 

Noynoy becomes the first person to officially declare his candidacy for the presidency. However, being first and riding on a wave of a supposedly popular movement that is banking on the good works and virtues of his parents, who are regarded as heroes in this country, does not mean that his declaration will magically unite a heavily fragmented opposition that includes popular personalities from different parties such as Manny Villar, Joseph Estrada, Chiz Escudero and/or Loren Legarda, Eddie Villanueva, and even Jamby Madrigal and JC delos Reyes, all of whom have shown no signs of laying down their ambitions for the sake of a common goal.

Noynoy Aquino is running despite his inexperience and lack of charisma, because he probably believes, or has been led to believe, that the “Yellow Army” that propelled a simple housewife to the presidency can be reactivated and tapped once again so that this country can have a government that can be trusted by its people once more.  However, the sad truth remains that if the opposition continues to be incapable of uniting behind a common candidate in the coming elections, the well-funded and well-oiled machinery of the administration will ensure that none of them will emerge victorious.

Whoever from the opposition who wants to become the next president of this country must understand that the most difficult obstacle in the road to Malacañang is finding the ways and means to truly unify everybody behind just one candidate.  Whoever can find the solution to that tricky problem and succeed in uniting the hopelessly fragmented opposition truly deserves to be the next president of this country.

Whether that someone is Noynoy Aquino, or someone else more deserving is immaterial, but if the opposition manages to lose the 2010 elections, then they would have no one to blame but their stubborn and selfish selves.*