The wives of 2016

If the talk swirling around political circles turn out to be true, 2016 may well be the year of women. Or make that year of the political wives.

Several wives of incumbent officials are being talked about as possible contenders to the positions their husbands have left or are leaving behind: Sheila Yap Saratan in Talisay, Marissa Montelibano in Silay, and Mary Ann Mirasol in Binalbagan.

If these girls run, Saratan and Montelibano will be gunning for the positions their husbands are leaving after finishing their three terms. Mirasol, I heard, could run for mayor of Binalbagan while hubby Rep. Bebot will go for re-election as 5th district congressman.

Of course we already have women in power hereabouts. There is the young and energetic, incumbent Rep. Chedeng Alvarez of the 6th district who continues to enjoy her single-blessedness. There is also Araceli Somosa of Calatrava, quietly transforming her town. And then there is La Carlota Mayor Yoyette Ferrer, wife of Rep. Jeffrey, who is also rumored to make a run for the position her husband will vacate in 2016.

With more women on the ballot, however, you can expect 2016 to be well, more than interesting. For one, how they will conduct their campaigns will surely impact on the political landscape: after all, it is not everyday that women stand as candidates in the otherwise male-dominated exercise.

With women on the forefront of the campaign, there is the real possibility that the issues will take on a broader character and even turn heavily into the domestic sphere. For example, aside from discussing the hard and cold issues of development, will they also take such “feminine” issues as breastfeeding and other maternity concerns?

While the Philippines has had two women Presidents, most of our local governments have not experienced yet elections involving woman candidates for the top position.

The country's experience with Cory Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose campaigns and eventual presidencies were vastly different from each other, should provide a learning experience for the women who will be in the political ring next year, especially those running for the top posts.

Cory's campaign was framed as the ordinary Filipino housewife's attempt at seizing our destiny. Her advertising materials asking “Magkano na ba ngayon ang isang kilo ng galunggong? How much is a kilo of galunggong now?” had connected very well with voters struggling with the high cost of living. While her opponent, the brilliant Ferdinand Marcos, kept framing the Presidency as something that required experience and exceptional erudition –- you know, the economy, foreign affairs and such things -- Cory kept hammering at it in very plain language and simple issues like the price of galunggong.

Arroyo on the other hand showed us how women can very well do what men do, and even do it better. She showed us how women can be Machiavellian about things and on that she succeeded. Of course at what price she got and enjoyed, her victory is something history will eventually settle, but for now, we can look at it as a rich source of political lessons especially for women who throw their proverbial hats into the political ring.

Our women can follow Cory's campaign and define the issues from the perspective of the housewives. We all know wives and mothers are sensitive to issues most of us are not even aware of because of their positions in our homes.

Or they can follow Arroyo's example: marshall everything no matter what the moral and economic costs to win the elections.

Whatever their choice will set the directions of where their communities and the country will go before and even after 2016.*

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