“Our innate capacity to suffer fools gladly cannot go on for years and decades on end”
This early, with three months to go before the May midterm national and local elections, why do we get the sense that we’re likely to wake up one day after the political exercise with the nagging—perhaps even sickening—feeling that this country will be going nowhere but downhill with the quality—or lack of it—of the potential winners in the senatorial race?
The possible winners in the senatorial race are members of political dynasties out to preserve power and privilege, showbiz personalities relying mainly on their popularity with ordinary folk, and people closely identified with former president Rodrigo Duterte who’s under investigation by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity because of his bloody war on drugs during his term.
That’s a big problem, as far as I’m concerned, because we’re not likely to see grand statesmanship, fresh ideas or perspectives on politics and governance, and well-thought-out solutions to poverty, corruption and other problems besetting this benighted country.
The latest Social Weather Stations survey commissioned by Stratbase and conducted from Jan. 17-20 showed that eight administration-backed candidates are among the top 12: Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo; former senators Tito Sotto, Manny Pacquiao, and Panfilo Lacson; re-electionist Senators Pia Cayetano, Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid; as well as Makati City Mayor Abby Binay.
Tulfo leads the list of 12 potential winners for the upcoming senatorial elections, with 45 percent of possible votes. He is followed by Sotto in second place with 38 percent. Lapid and Bong Go are tied for third and fourth place with 37 percent each.
Lacson ranks fifth with 35 percent, followed by Ben Tulfo in sixth place with 34 percent. Cayetano and Pacquiao share seventh and eighth place with 33 percent each.
Binay holds ninth place with 31 percent, while Bato Dela Rosa ranks tenth with 30 percent. Bong Revilla, Willie Revillame, and Kiko Pangilinan are tied for 11th to 13th place with 29 percent each. Imee Marcos ranks 14th with 28 percent.
If this survey representing a snapshot of voter sentiment at this particular period holds until May, then they will be joining the incumbent ones that include Chiz Escudero, Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, Grace Poe, Robinhood Padilla, Loren Legarda, Koko Pimentel, Migz Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Win Gatchalian.
Will the Senate in the 20th Congress lead the nation to a new era in Philippine politics that continues the illustrious legacy left by the likes of the eminent nationalist Claro M. Recto, or the unflinching stand of Jose W. Diokno and Jovito Salonga against dictatorship and demagoguery? Or will it bring the nation to the brink of despair with their hollow rhetoric and stultifying underperformance?
Who will defend and strengthen democracy and the rule of law in the 20th Congress? As far as the Upper Chamber is concerned, who can we can rely on to defend the ramparts of Philippine democracy from vicious attacks by those who will try with all their might to maintain the status quo and keep themselves in power for as long as they can?
Senator Riza Hontiveros showed her mettle when she called out Rodrigo Duterte for thousands of extra-judicial killings during his bloody war on drugs from 2016 to 2022. She stands out among the current crop of senators for her strong advocacy of the rule of law and due process as inalienable parts of a democratic system.
Our innate capacity to suffer fools gladly cannot go on for years and decades on end.
We must elect to high public positions only those who demonstrate high intelligence and even higher standards of decency and genuine concern for the future of this country.
I understand that the Senate is now constructing an ultramodern and multibillion-peso office building in Bonifacio Global City that 24 senators and their staff will occupy in the coming years.
But I think what the Senate needs at this point is not luxurious surroundings in a ritzy part of town, but men and women of substance who will be resolute in fighting for our democracy and sincere in bringing about a brighter future for all Filipinos.
Otherwise, billions of pesos in taxpayer’s money spent for a magnificent building for those with supine intellects and supersized egos but paltry accomplishments in nation-building and even lesser concern for what’s good for the country will rule the roost and send this nation down the road to ruin.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)