NEW ELECTION BATTLE: VP LENI VS. THE REST OF THEM

 

Weighing against VP Leni today, Marcos Jr. is no more than just a straw man – his laziness unearthed by his father’s diary, his lies unveiled by his shifty education, and his cowardice unmasked by his dreading the debates. He is a run-of-the-mill candidate who holds on to his presidential ambition by no more than just clinging to the opinions of 1,200 people (50% of survey respondents which his operatives have been fighting tooth and nail to keep “at all costs”) -- propped up by his family’s gargantuan ill-gotten wealth which, by the way, belongs to the Filipino people. Solid North? Leni, just being a widow, who derailed Marcos Jr.’s 2016 bid for Marcoses’ lofty political comeback, was a far cry from the VP Leni today, who as an exploding "pink star” has been turning the political landscape of each city into “pink” terrain with her campaign rally. UniTeam? Lethal "variants" – Leni-Sara & Isko-Sara -- are tearing it down.

Let’s sort this out to a greater extent.

VP LENI’S TALLY OF ENDORSEMENTS

160 Economists plus 5 former NEDA chiefs & former CB deputy governor

150+ Law deans and professors nationwide

180,000-member Alliance of Concerned Teachers

1,000+ Educators of the La Salle schools in the country

400 Educators of the University of Santo Tomas

150+ Human Rights Lawyers (FLAG, SALIGAN, ALG, UPL)

130 Former Officials & Staff of Philippine Commission on Women (PCW)

23 Former President Fidel V. Ramos government officials

47 Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government officials

95 Former President Benigno Aquino Jr. administration government officials

16 Former Presidents of the Philippine Bar Association

Current & Former Heads/Presidents of Schools, Colleges, and Universities

Individual Faculty Members & Staff of Ateneo Professional Schools

PHILRECA Party List (represents 121 electric cooperatives, 23 FVR officials)

Pamalakaya (Fishermen’s group)

Makabayan

Pinunong Pinay Power

4 Women Leaders of Indigenous Tribes from Mindanao

Five National Artists of the Philippines

1Sambayan

100+ members of religious order Society of Jesus (Pope Francis religious order)

Pari Madre Misyonero Para Kay Leni (Religious men and women in Philippines)

Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas

De La Salle Brothers of the Taft Community

Missionary Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica’s Priory

Couples For Christ International Council

Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Community

Tahanan ng Panginoon Community

GROUPS SAY “NO” TO MARCOS JR. PRESIDENCY

Anakbayan

Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA)

Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA)

Kapatid-Families and Friends of Political Prisoners

Kabataan Partylist of Negros

League of Filipino Students-Bacolod

ACT Teachers Party-List-Cordillera

National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP)

VP LENI’S “MARKET-FRIENDLY” ADMINISTRATION

“[Ms.] Robredo is likely seen as more qualified to oversee a post-pandemic recovery as the incumbent vice-president, as well as her platform of implementing a strategic roadmap that focuses on key sectors such as healthcare and education,” Singapore-based Nomura Global Research’s chief ASEAN economist Euben Paracuelles and analysts Ranga Cipta, Craig Chan, and Wee Choon Teo stressed in a report “Philippines: No Holiday Cheer.” Nomura gave Leni-Kiko tandem a perfect score for national experience and business friendliness.

US NOD & EU-VP LENI GOAL CONGRUENCE

“The announcement by President Joe Biden of another lady envoy to the country comes at almost the same time as the official start of our presidential election campaign, a not-so-subtle signal for Leni Robredo. On May 9, the Filipino voter is faced with a crucial choice – to go along with Joe Biden, or to kowtow to Xi Jinping.” (Excerpted from Ramon J. Farolan’s PDI column “Uncle Sam signals support for Leni”)

“The European Parliament issued a resolution on Thursday underscoring the human rights situation in the Philippines and warning of the withdrawal of the country’s trade privileges with the European Union (EU)… urged Philippine authorities ‘to step up their efforts to ensure fair and free elections and a nontoxic environment‘ for campaigning.” (Excerpted from PDI news item “EU lawmakers warn PH of losing trade perks due to rights record”)

EU’s human rights stance above has buttressed Leni’s fight against PRRD’s drug war which she has brought to the world’s stage.

“We are heartened that the issue of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines today is being discussed in an event such as this. To know that the international community’s eyes are on us and to feel that human rights advocates are watching over our country gives us comfort, courage, and hope.

“We are now looking at some very grim statistics: since July last year. More than 7,000 people have been killed in summary executions.

“We agree that our people deserve nothing less than a safe environment so that anyone can walk the streets safely, whether in daylight or at nighttime. But drug abuse should not be treated as one that can be solved with bullets alone. It must be regarded as it truly is: a complex public health issue, linked intimately with poverty and social inequality.” (Excerpted from Leni’s message in observance of the International Women’s Month, March 15, 2017)

PINK: BEING PAINTED ON PH FACE

“Leni-Kiko camp eyes cases vs. Comelec for ‘unconstitutional’ removal of tarps” (Rappler)

“Presidential bets slam Comelec’s removal of campaign posters in private properties” (GMA network)

“Robredo’s supporters decry Comelec’s ‘Oplan Baklas’ on a mural in Isabela” (Manila Bulletin)

The crux of the above headlines: the “unconstitutional” removal of tarpaulins and posters (put up mostly by Leni and Kiko supporters) in private properties and even those hanging inside the volunteer center. The bright side: those headlines have revealed the breadth and depth of support Leni has been getting from the wide spectrum of Filipino society as spelled out by the following FB netizens:

“This is my first time to witness a lot of Filipinos selflessly using their resources to help a candidate. Leni has inspired doctors to provide free clinics, lawyers free legal consults. There are food drives, feeding programs, concerts, caravans, and all sorts of creative community services to raise awareness and help her win.” (FB netizen Ed Gumboc)

This is a familiar scene wherever and whenever VP Leni is on PH’s face:

“We were at the [Iligan City] plaza as early as 5:30 am so we could park nearby. The people came individually, in twos or threes, some in group of less than 10, mostly mga bata-on [youths] and some families. Wa koy nakit-an nga dagkung trak nga nanghakot (I did not see big trucks carrying and unloading people). Wa say nanghatag ug pagkaon ni snacks (No one handed food not even snacks). Naay duha ka batan-on nga nanghatag ug pink masks (Two youths handed pink masks). Natagaan ko ug 5 ka buok nga ako ra sab gipanghatag sa mga nangayo nga sikad drivers (I got 5 masks and gave them to tricycle drivers who needed them).

“Pagkahuman sa rally, nag announce ang emcee nga nay snacks nga nilung-ag nga kamote ug saging nga gi-andam sa mga “Vendors for Leni” (After the rally, the emcee announced that snacks were available – cooked camote and banana prepared by “Vendors for Leni”). We went there of our own accord because we believe in our VP Leni. (FB netizen Sally Orquieza)

VP LENI VS THE REST OF THEM

This is an election campaign position that has now evolved. For Leni to recognize and take on such a position (which I think she has) is like taking a vaccine to defend her against an election campaign “pathogen”: the divided opposition – its Achilles’ heel. Besides the inescapable damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t perceived “quid pro quo,” some opposition candidates may be still waiting for Marcos Jr. disqualification as a “game changer” in the campaign, and thus, have kept on holding on to their presidential ambitions. Be wary, for it could be a “quicksand” to keep on dividing the opposition until the election. It is worthy to remember Marcos Sr.’s mocking words to the opposition in his heydays:

“I cannot lose an election to an opposition that is hopelessly divided. They will tear each other to pieces.”

Hence, today, there should only be Leni’s opponents (including Marcos Jr.). Besides Marcos Jr., each of them had their “share of losing” as the popular “My Way” song phrase goes.

ISKO: THE CLASSIC TRAPO

“A trapo, like the dust rag, is mainly characterized by the opportunist politician who stops at nothing to get what he wants. He is part of a political system that does not play by straight party platforms but goes more by the strength of personalities; allows personalities to float from one political party to another; and is prone to unethical behavior.” (Dennis Acop, Baguio City)

Exhibit A: Dropping his VP Dr. Ong like a hot potato.

Exhibit B: Keeping P50M excess campaign fund to himself

Exhibit C: Salivating PRRD’s endorsement unashamedly.

LACSON: NO GUTS, NO GLORY

Senator Leila De Lima exclaimed:

“Akala ko ba pinagtatawanan  lang ni Sen. Ping itong persecution and harassments being done to me, as he recalls his own harrowing experience with the Mawanay episode. Why is Sen. Ping saying now, based on media reports, that there’s enough basis to now file charges against me prescinding from what transpired at yesterday’s House hearing? Is he convinced of the authenticity and veracity of the “stories” of those obviously perjured witnesses? I’m aghast by some people’s propensity for doublespeak!”

As a presidential wannabe, Lacson possesses no “tough stuff” inside him laid bare by the wrongful detention of Senator De Lima that has revealed his innate flaw. The whole Senate has been enfeebled but Lacson is the one running for the presidency: his ambition deserves the “tough stuff” scrutiny.

PACQUIAO: GOOD INTENTIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” (Henry G. Bohn’s A Handbook of Proverbs)

The less said, the better, about Pacman.

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!