After the Rain Has Gone, What Now?

One Saturday morning, the Philippines just woke up flooded and helpless. In less than a day, streets were turned to sea, houses were submerged, properties have been damaged and lives have been taken away. The flood has disturbed the way the country used to work like a tiny droplet that fell in still water. Important events have been cancelled or postponed, businesses have gone rock bottom and political buildup has been disrupted. After the rain has gone, I got myself thinking, "What now?" Before the flood came political talks about the upcoming elections were just heating up; now it died down just like that. Maybe a few weeks from now there would be time for politics. I was wondering what effect had the flood done on the standing of our presidentiables.

Obviously the most visible presidential aspirant throughout the nation's ordeal is Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro who is also the head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council. Right from the start and even up to now Teodoro has been very active in the rescue, relief and recovery efforts of the NDCC and has been teaming up with local and national agencies and international organizations to speed up and sustain the firsthand aid for the affected families. Setting aside taking opportunity out of this tragedy, just by doing his job Teodoro has shown to us that he is capable of putting resources together to rebuild the nation and lead us towards healing and recovery. This could gain him a lot of respect and even support for his candidacy because as early as now, he has proven enough that he could be a competent president. However he is not free from criticisms and some thumbs-down due to the slow action of the government at the height of the typhoon's wrath.

Senator Manny Villar is also one of the very active in aiding affected families with food and temporary comfort, but just a politician as he is, he has been criticized of his motives because every relief bag that he has given away is shouting his name and campaign color. So is former President Joseph Estrada who has been helping his constituents in San Juan and in other places. Vice President Noli de Castro then has with his shoulders the task to give homeless people decent shelter. Meanwhile Senator Loren Legarda could use her advocacy for a green presidency because heavy rains brought by TS Ondoy is primarily blamed at climate change. Just as she previously stated, she could offer herself as the leader of the country and give her full dedication to protecting the environment and rehabilitating polluted natural resources.

Senator Noynoy Aquino who was the man of the hour before it all happened was not at all visible in the rescue and relief operations but the Aquino clan has been very active in all the efforts to help people in different affected areas most especially Kris Aquino. Kris has been very instrumental in raising millions worth of funds and donations for the typhoon victims, asking help from well off people and companies working hand in hand with her and her fellow artists. I just don't know if it could turn the favor to Noynoy, but one thing is for sure: the disastrous typhoon has cooled down the boiling Cory Magic. Now it's up to Noynoy and his party if they could bring back the heat after all things have been put back to place.

But then all of those were just hunches and we'll all have to wait how this calamity could turn out for their political ambition. If it is to their favor or not, we still don't know.

Teodoro is the Administration's Standard Bearer

The Administration have already chosen a candidate for President and they chose Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to be Lakas-Kampi-CMD's standard bearer for the 2010 Presidential Elections after a closed-door meeting held by the National Executive Committe at Edsa Shangri-La today.

After having formed a quorum when 52 of 64 members of the Committee were present in the event, they proceeded with the meeting to decide which between Teodoro and MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando they would choose to represent their party in the upcoming elections. The selection process were done through secret balloting and after having tallied the votes, it appeared that for every one vote that Fernando got, Teodoro had eight. Meanwhile, DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno also received nominations for Vice President but the party said they would like to reserve the slot to give Teodoro the chance to choose his running mate.

To Run or Not to Run, That is the Question

Time is running out for Vice President Noli de Castro. He only has until midnight tonight to decide if he wants to be Lakas Kampi-CMD's standard bearer for the 2010 Presidential Elections. Though the VP's camp has said that Noli would announce his decision within this week, the Administration would be forced to toss the coin between Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando if Noli did not represent himself tonight, although it is apparent that they are still hoping that Noli would accept the offer. De Castro is the Administration's best based on the previous surveys. Other Administration candidates did not fare well on any survey, getting 1% or even less. But should De Castro keep his silence for the rest of this day, it is most probable that Teodoro would be the one to represent the Administration in the election. Testament to that is the expressed support of 90 Lakas Congressmen to Teodoro earlier today. If indeed the Administration considers Teodoro to be their standard bearer (this is just my opinion), I think and I am convinced that De Castro will still run for presidency, and since the slot has already been given away, he will run as an independent candidate. Well, I will take a close look at the political movements in the days to come and see for myself if I was right or wrong about my prediction. But until there is no definite answer to De Castro's political plans, to run or not to run, that is still the question.