‘Sobra na, tama na, palitan na!’ was Cory Aquino’s battlecry. Millions of Filipinos responded to her call in sufficient numbers to bring about a People Power revolt. “Oust the dictator, restore democracy” was the common ground upon which a rainbow coalition was cobbled. A just cause and a credible leader --- these were the two salient factors that spelled the success of the yellow revolution.
What is the just cause and who is the credible leader that could unify our country today?
Today’s “just cause” is good governance. Nine years of a regime that flaunted its misuse of power and authority is more than enough. Graft and corruption have seeped through the entire bureaucracy. Our country’s competitiveness continues to slip further. Even without a global financial crisis, our economy is unable to grow at a pace that would meaningfully alleviate widespread poverty. The Philippines has one of the worst income distribution patterns in these regions. Decades of collusion between traditional elites and bureaucrat-capitalists who dominate our economic and political life have marginalized the lives of the teeming millions who populate the bottom of the pyramid.
But there are many presidential aspirants and an even more dizzying array of political parties that are wooing popular support behind candidacies and advocacies. Who among them is the most credible, the most competent and the most deserving?
That was the same dilemma facing Cory Aquino as she pondered on how to bring about a peaceful transition in 1992. Eventually, she chose General Fidel Ramos, her trusted ally through seven (he claims there were nine) coup attempts over other allies like Ramon Mitra, Jovito Salonga and (erstwhile Cabinet member) Miriam Defensor Santiago. Ranged against them were two opposition stalwarts, namely, Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. and Imelda Marcos. Allowing Imelda to return home proved to be a brilliant move as she neutralized Danding Cojuangco’s vaunted vote-getting prowess. Somehow, Mr. Ramos succeeded in winning over the most number among the Edsa and Cory faithful to pull off a squeaker over Madam Miriam.
Take your pick among the announced presidential wannabees (in alphabetical order): Joseph Estrada, Bayani Fernando, Loren Legarda, Jamby Madrigal, Fr. Ed Panlilio, Mar Roxas, Gilbert Teodoro and Manny Villar. Bring in Noli de Castro, Francis Escudero and Dick Gordon. And, of course, Noynoy Aquino’s name surfaced after his mother’s death and funeral.
In three months (by end-November), we will know for sure who among them will eventually pursue their avowed or imagined dreams for the presidency. Meantime, we should start a process of discernment that would enable us to make an informed decision.
I recall that in 2004, I chose Raul Roco over the two leading aspirants, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Fernando Poe, Jr. I chose Mr. Roco because I believed he was the best qualified I chose him despite the widespread belief that he could not win because I refused to choose “between the lesser of two evils” which was the way the choice that year was framed by conventional wisdom.
In 2010, I believe the choice must be based on who is the leader who can build on common ground and unify our nation behind an agenda of good governance for economic prosperity and global competitiveness. To be credible and acceptable, such a candidate must have both competence and character. Two competencies are essential: leadership ability and managerial expertise. Leadership ability means the ability to rally and unify our people.
Managerial expertise includes the administrative ability to manage the complexity of our political structures and processes. Cory Aquino had superior leadership ability and an acceptable level of managerial expertise. What she lacked in the latter she more than made up by choosing her people well, despite the challenges posed by the diversity of the rainbow coalition that supported her.
Using Cory Aquino as the standard, it may be difficult to find another candidate that could pass the character criterion. Integrity is used alternatively to denote the quality of wholeness, congruence, or consistency in thought, word, and deed. What made Mrs. Aquino stand out was that she was pure of heart --- a trait that may be nearly impossible to find among the present crop of aspirants. I believe our people want a leader they can trust and believe in.
But we must also recognize that these are different times and that the national mood --- while being similar in some respects to Edsa Uno --- is not exactly the same as the sentiments that prevailed in 1986. Yes, there is an outpouring of affection for President Cory and there is a growing outrage over the malpractices of her present-day successor. But there is a multiplicity of possible choices --- not just one clear choice. And the time of reckoning is near. Realpolitik will soon set in and pave the way for the emergence of the eventual contenders.
Do we want the return of a previous President who sees the election as a path to personal vindication? Do we want young --- even if inexperienced --- leaders who are offering themselves as fresh alternatives? Do we want to consider the standard-bearers of two traditional parties --- Liberal and Nacionalista --- who are projecting themselves as reformists of our age? While the case for change is all too evident and palpable, the jury is still out on who will lead the change. Let the spirit of President Cory guide us in our process of discernment.
