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.