with Carlos Antonio Leonardia

When Mar Roxas’ set aside his presidential ambitions to make way for the unexpected rising of the star of Noynoy Aquino, it boosted his image better than his trisikad-driving advertisements ever could.  Here was a man who had long declared his intentions to run for president, one who had prepared for the battle of 2010 for years, one who could be considered a legitimate contender in a crowded field of wannabes, one whose professed love for a popular newscaster was doubted by many as a mere sham that was designed to maximize publicity in the hope of getting any kind of edge over the competition.  This was a man who definitely wanted to sit in the highest office of the land and yet when a less ambitious person was suddenly thrust by circumstance into a seemingly better position to snatch the country away from the grimy hands that have allowed its plunder over the past decade, Mar Roxas showed his countrymen what he was made of when he became the first major opposition candidate to make the agonizing move of putting aside his personal ambition for the sake of achieving unity, something that the hopelessly fragmented opposition has not tasted in a long time.

Of course, Mar’s act of sacrifice could still be wasted if the opposition still cannot get its act together. Erap continues to put the opposition in disarray by planning to insult the intelligence of the Filipino people by being the first ex-president convicted for plunder to aspire once more for the presidency. As for Manny Villar, it seems that nothing will stop his dream of becoming president in 2010.  Chiz Escudero and Loren Legarda have been virtually mute ever since Noynoy came into the picture, which leave us wondering if they are also willing to walk the talk when it comes to the all the rhetoric on putting the nation above self.  Only the candidates who have almost no chance of winning and whose battle cries would have been rendered redundant by Noynoy’s qualities and values have made noises about withdrawing.  Governors Ed Panlilo and Grace Padaca, Mayor Jojo Binay, the unknowns: environmentalist Nicanor Perlas and Kapatiran candidate JC delos Reyes.  Even religious leaders Mike Velarde and Eddie Villanueva are all expected to withdraw in favor of Noynoy if he does decide to run for president.  If Noynoy’s entry into the race can finally whittle down that extensive list into a more manageable number, then the opposition, who would have had the presidency on a silver platter if they only they got their act together, would finally have a decent shot against the massively unpopular but well run, cash rich, and well-oiled traditional political juggernaut that is the administration.

Mar probably deserves a shot at the presidency more than Noynoy.  Most of us have an idea what issues are dear to the heart of Mar.  When it comes to Noynoy, all we know is that he is the son of Ninoy and Cory and the sister of Kris.  If these two guys had to go on a debate, Mar would probably eat Noynoy for breakfast.  Mar looks better and talks better than Noynoy.  In my book, Noynoy has only beaten Mar in the current girlfriend department… that hottie councilor gf definitely beats the aging newscaster fiancee.  Our country has deteriorated so much that it is now necessary for qualified men and women to step aside for an untested and unremarkable son of heroes for the so-called opposition to stand a chance against the puppets of a solidly entrenched and power hungry administration.

In an ideal world, I wouldn’t give Noynoy Aquino a second look.  In an ideal world, those who aspire to be loosen the grip of despots on nations are not underachieving offspring of great people but leaders who are truly qualified, immensely charismatic, or revolutionary thinkers.  In an ideal world, we would have a real choice who can get us excited about trooping to the polls so we can make change happen and expect great things to come.

Unfortunately for us the world we live in is far from ideal.  If we want to live in a better country, have a leader that we can truly admire, respect, and serve as role model for our children; then we may have to start with someone who is flawed but willing to get the ball rolling in the right direction.  It could be Noynoy Aquino, it could be Mar Roxas, it could be Manny Villar, or it could be someone else but the important thing is, the so-called opposition will have to get solidly behind him first if he wants to have a decent shot at reforming the battered soul of this country.  Mar Roxas sacrificed his ambition for that cause. Who else among our self-proclaimed saviors will follow suit?

 

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