Two former friends have turned bitter enemies in a no-holds-barred scrimmage for Manila mayor.

Transcription

1 BY THE WAY MAY 3-9, 2013 POLITICS makes strange bedfellows. Two former friends have turned bitter enemies in a no-holds-barred scrimmage for Manila mayor. 1 / 5

2 On May 13, Manilans will decide whether to reelect Mayor Alfredo S. Lim or replace him with former President Joseph Estrada or Erap. A recent arrival from Manila who professed to be a neutral observer thinks that Lim, backed by President Benigno Aquino III, will beat Erap by a nose. Probably. But oddsmakers don t rule out an Erap victory. Despite losing in the 2010 presidential elections, Erap still counts with mass support. He flaunts his credential as a true Manileno. As an actor, he played the role of Asiong Salonga, the notorious gangster from the slums of Tondo. In a TV debate, the two ex-buddies got down and dirty. Lim taunted Erap as a convicted criminal, which he was, having been found guilty of plunder by the Sandiganbayan and meted a life sentence. But his crime was erased after he was granted an executive pardon by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The pardon paved his way to run for president and now for mayor. 2 / 5

3 Why does he keep on running? In the United States, no former president has ever run for another elective office, opting to become instead as a statesman. Bill Clinton for mayor of New York City? In the Philippines, however, running for public office is euphemism for fund-raising for personal gain. And wealthy but shady businessmen keep on donating to certain candidates in hopes of getting fat public contracts to recoup their contribution. The coming elections are no exception. Money is flowing again. Unlike in the U.S., there s no limit to campaign spending. Hence, vote-buying is the norm, especially on the local level. If we have political dynasties, don t blame the politicians; blame the voters. They are the ones who elect them time and time again. 3 / 5

4 Is it good to have dynasties? It depends. There are some who really serve their constituents, earning the latter s trust and loyalty. We can t underscore it enough: We deserve the government we elect. In other words, we choose the officials who run the government. There is a long-standing law in the Philippines that prohibits political dynasties. It has the same effect as a proposed law banning typhoons. In the May 13 elections, political families (or members thereof) are running for various offices. There are the Marcoses of Ilocos Norte, the Binays of Makati City, the Estradas of San Juan, Enriles from Cagayan, Angaras from Quezon, among others. They are most likely to win because of their name recognition. Plus party affiliation. 4 / 5

5 Given an edge are candidates under Team PNoy, whose principal sponsor is President Benigno Aquino, titular head of the ruling Liberal Party. Giving the Team PNoy a run for its money is the main political opposition, UNA, headed by Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, an all-but-declared presidential candidate elections in 2016, when PNoy s six-year term ends. PNoy is moving heaven and earth to have his team garner a heavy majority in the Senate, as well as governors, mayors and officials of local government units. You know the reason why. filipinoreporter@aol.com 5 / 5