Politics, Philippine style, has always been a ‘weather, weather’ affair. There are no ideological divisions, no distinct choices of platforms: just a revolving door through which rulers pass, serve and leave office. Those in power in one administration are voted --- or booted --- out of power; those in the opposition take their turn at the helm. But the winds of change are blowing.
Writing on the two recent surveys of the Social Weather Stations that have established Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III as a clear frontrunner with still more than two months before the final cast of presidential candidates is known, SWS President Mahar Mangahas talks of climate change in the 2010 elections.
When I first read the headline of his recent newspaper column, my impression was he was citing climate change as one of the possible leading issues that will be decisive in next year’s elections, especially in the aftermath of two destructive typhoons that, scientists say, are part the phenomenon of global warming. But that is not what he meant.
He noted that despite Noynoy Aquino’s “substantial lead in the presidential race…the race is still long…(and) Ramon Magsaysay’s 69-31 point win over Elpidio Quirino in 1953, the most lopsided race in postwar history is still a safe record.” The key point, he emphasized, is this” “once one sees that a ‘climate change’ can happen in an election race, then one should realize that it can happen again.”
Climate change is a powerful metaphor; it is more emphatic than “game changer”. It’s not just the game of politics-as-usual that has changed. It’s the socio-political climate that is undergoing deep, profound change.
In a TV panel discussion earlier this week, former UP President Jose Abueva said that the choice of the next President goes beyond the stated or known qualifications and credentials of the candidates. He pointed out that the next President’s role “is defined by the expectation of our people” and “shaped by the circumstances of our time.”
He observed that there is a systemic failure: our highly centralized and concentrated form of government has failed to solve the poverty problem and respond to the Filipino masses’ basic needs. He said that there is “a collective failure of political leadership and institutions”, and that, as a result, our people have become aware and conscious that --- contrary to what the constitution declares --- sovereignty does not truly reside in them.
In view of this, what the country needs today, Mr. Abueva said, is a transforming, not a transactional President in the mold of the incumbent, that is, “somebody who can inspire followers and fellow leaders to raise their sights on the real problems (which are truly) institutional problems.” He said that the new President must be one who “can lead people in changing (and) redesigning the system”.
TV host Manolo Quezon echoes Mr. Mangahas’ reference to Ramon Magsaysay’s victory over Elpidio Quirino as a watershed event in terms of “climate change”. Dean Bocobo, a long-time friend of this writer from the First Quarter Storm days and a co-panelist of Mr. Abueva in Mr. Quezon’s TV program, also referred to President Magsaysay as a “game changer.”
So, finally, the crucial question emerges: Is Noynoy Aquino truly a harbinger of climate change in Philippine politics?
I was only four years old when Ramon Magsaysay died in a plane crash in Mt. Manunggal in Cebu. I recall faintly that there was sadness among the elders in my family and community upon hearing the sad news. This is how Wikipedia characterizes the Quirino administration:
“His six years as president were marked by notable postwar reconstruction, general economic gains, and increased economic aid from the United States. Basic social problems, however, particularly in the rural areas, remained unsolved, and his administration was tainted by widespread graft and corruption.”
If we’re looking to parallels in circumstances between the Quirino and Arroyo administrations, then, there is at least one: the reference to “widespread graft and corruption.” But our next President cannot simply ride on a tide of discontent; such leader must be perceived as a carrier of hope and a harbinger of real progress.
In my view, the climate change that people see in Noynoy Aquino is that he is a person who is honest and trustworthy. After a long season of corruption and decadence, we want to usher in a new era of good governance where leaders, starting from the President, will truly serve the best interests of the people --- and bring out the best in them.
I was appalled when a group of students in my corporate communication elective course at AIM quoted one of the presidential spokespersons as having said: “It’s not that government response (to the Typhoon Ondoy crisis) was slow. It’s just that the flood waters were too high.” It sounded almost like: “It’s not true that this government is corrupt. It’s just that (our critics’) standards are too high.”
Is it enough for the next President to be honest and trustworthy? Must he not be capable and articulate, too? Yes, to both questions, but honesty and trustworthiness are, far and away, the most essential qualities needed at this time. Having served in government under two Presidents with contrasting styles (namely, Corazon Aquino and Joseph Ejercito Estrada), I have experienced first-hand that, indeed, the leader’s character is of paramount significance.
Erap Estrada had charisma but, in the end, it was his character, not his lack of managerial ability that did him in. Cory Aquino stepped up and performed beyond her perceived level of competence. What shone through for her was her impeccable integrity, that she was honest and that she always kept faith with public trust.
In my view, the surge in public support for Noynoy is rooted in a belief that, like his well-loved mother, he, too, has the moral fitness and integrity for the position. Those that continue to disparage this phenomenon as being part of Cory magic or euphoria are in a state of denial. As pointed out by Mr. Mangahas, about two-thirds of his 60% rating came from supporters of other candidates. Many people had other candidates in mind --- but they have realized that Noynoy offers them a clear-cut, high-definition choice for President.
Now it is up to Noynoy to offer a concrete platform of government that will translate popular support to votes that will elect him as the country’s next President.
