With the circus of the May polls over, Filipinos here and in the United States are now watching the events leading to the American elections in November. The outcome will have consequences on their individual futures and on the Philippines’, being a US ally. The race itself, however, highlights what could be improved in our own system—aside from the entertainment value it seems to provide.
Businessman Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have secured the nominations of the Republican and Democratic Parties, respectively. The next step—picking out their running mates, supposedly those who would boost their chances of being the next president of the United States.
Trump, reports The Washington Post, chose from an initial list containing 16 names. Whoever the vice president would be was supposed to be in charge of domestic and foreign policy, while Trump would focus on “making America great again.” Applying a “distinct blend of practicality, impetuousness and disengagement,” Trump settled on Indiana Governor Mike Pence, said to be popular with conservative evangelicals. The Post says that Pence, while he did not come from a swing state or have any presidential campaign experience, had one important trait—knowing how to say “yes” to the presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, Clinton’s choice is Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, described as a “steady and seasoned hand” in government. Kaine is perhaps best remembered for his handling of the Virginia Tech massacre and is known for his popularity among Latino and white working-class voters. The choice of Kaine is said to boost Clinton’s belief that experience is the best way to keep Democratic control of the Executive branch—not the sizzle that is best exemplified by her Republican opponent.
American voters no longer have to evaluate the qualifications of Pence and Kaine: That choice has been made for them. They need only decide who it is they want as president. Whoever wins will take the vice president of his or her choice to the job; the assumption is that they have determined that they could work well together. The vice president would provide invaluable support and guidance to the chief executive in a relationship founded on mutual respect and confidence.
We can only look on with envy. Here at home, the vice presidential contest is a distinct race in itself, sometimes even racier than the presidential fight. And in the common occurrence that the winning president and vice president come from different parties, there is instant conflict and distrust between them that first must be smoothed out before any real work can be accomplished. Ultimately, the vice president serves as nothing more than a spare tire, somebody to step up to the job if the incumbent dies or is taken seriously ill.
Of course, there is an attempt to be cordial. Vice presidents are normally given executive portfolios and are expected to attend Cabinet meetings. In the case of President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leonor Robredo, the mutual dislike was so bad that she had said she could not work with him and he had refused to grant her audience. Their first meeting, where they were seen giggling like teenagers, was so out of the ordinary that it was given undue attention by the entertainment press and social media.
But this arrangement is written in the Constitution and unless changes are introduced to the fundamental law, the system remains. What we can do, in the meantime, is to hold our highest officials against a higher standard. Once elected, they must shed political color, stop turning every issue into a personal advocacy, and simply work toward the common good together, beyond cosmetic pleasantries.