FROM THE SIDELINES
By Alfredo G. Rosario
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The Manila Times
In the country’s political history, only one scion of a prominent family has ascended to the presidency once occupied by a close blood relative. She is President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, daughter of former President Diosdado Macapagal, who became president after her father left Malacañang more than four decades ago following his failed reelection bid in 1965.
In the 2010 presidential election, another member of a political family may try to replicate President Arroyo’s feat by running for president. He is Sen. Mar Roxas, son of former senator Gerry Roxas and grandson of the late President Manuel Roxas.
In a recent political gathering, Mar Roxas was installed as the new president of the Liberal Party which was founded by his illustrious grandfather when he ran for president against President Sergio Osmeña and beat him in the first post-war presidential poll in 1947. His election as head of his party was seen as a major step toward clinching his nomination as the LP standard bearer in the next presidential election.
Many believe that the senator possesses all the political advantages in seeking the country’s top post within the gift of the Filipino people. They see him as a formidable contender for the presidency.
First, he enjoys the advantage of name recall, being a scion of a well-known family. His mother, Judy Araneta Roxas, belongs to the affluent Araneta clan. He has a distinguished political record. In 1993, he ran for congressman in the first district of Capiz and won handily. Later he became the House majority leader and eventually Cabinet member as Trade secretary.
He surprised the whole nation with his extreme popularity in 2004 when he ran for the Senate and topped the race with an overwhelming 20 million votes, a record still unmatched in the history of the Senate.
Roxas has the political machine and the logistics to support a long and expensive campaign. The LP is one of the oldest political parties with grassroots organizations all over the country.
Above all, he has the integrity and passion for work. His educational, moral and leadership credentials have projected him as an articulate, intelligent and dignified person. He does not wear his social superiority on his sleeve and interacts with his fellowmen with humility and grace.
The central theme of his public life has always been the promotion of the national interest and the people’s welfare as evidenced by legislation he has authored and his innovations in job creation and consumers protection. His reputation has preceded him and earned him the recognition of the international community as “one of the global leaders of tomorrow” and “one of the young leaders in politics and business who will bring Asia and the Pacific to the forefront of world affairs.”
What are his chances in the 2010 presidential poll?
There are at least four other presidential contenders, notably Senate President Manny Villar and Senators Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda and Chiz Escudero. Of the four, Villar has made no secret of his strong will to run for president. Like Roxas, he has the Nacionalista Party, of which he is the president, behind his presidential bid.
He has a broad experience in the cut-and-thrust of political conflict. He was formerly Houses speaker, senator and now Senate president. He also has the wherewithal needed to wage an expensive presidential campaign. He is widely acknowledged as one of the richest men in Asia.
Lacson, who ran for president in the 2004 presidential election, finishing third behind President Arroyo and movie actor Fernando Poe Jr., has expressed interest in running again but has not shown enough élan and resolve to pursue it. Legarda and Escudero are playing coy about their presidential goal.
If Lacson, Legarda and Escudero abandon their interest in the presidential race, they may take other options, like seeking the vice presidential nomination behind either Roxas or Villar.
But the presidential race could become more complicated if former President Joseph Estrada, who was recently pardoned by the President and given back his civil and political rights, comes into the political equation. He made a vow not to engage in active politics but his body language in recent days belies his pledge.
The 2010 presidential race is far from predictable. We still have to reckon with the administration standard bearer who could be Vice-President Noli de Castro, the heir apparent, as it were, to the throne. That is if he gets the anointment of the President.