by Nicasio Angelo Agustin
It was, somehow, recently possible – but a mere six weeks ago, it would have been unthinkable.
Mar Roxas has stepped down from the 2010 presidential race to pave the way for a united Liberal Party that will field Noynoy Aquino as its candidate for president of the Republic of the Philippines.
I am not a political analyst, but I have spoken to people from many walks of life: all of them only had good things to say about Senator Roxas – and all of them have said that they would vote for Noynoy.
Quite suddenly, the current political landscape has been turned upside down and inside out. Suddenly, the likes of VIllar, Loren, Chiz, Gibo, Binay, Noli, Erap, Bayani and anybody else who thinks he/she could be a possible contender, has been left scrambling in the wake of this recent development, clutching at straws on the issue of actual winnability against Noynoy.
Suddenly, the playing field in 2010 has been defined by just two possible successes: that of Noynoy’s coming from the opposition, and that of the candidate the current administration will pit against him. Suddenly, the general sentiment has been transformed from that of frustration with the system of governance in the country to that of “may pag-asa pa ang Piilipinas!”
I have not yet decided on who I will be voting for. But if only for lifting the collective psyche of the Filipino people with just one press conference, Mar Roxas deserves the acknowledgment due a true statesman with his very difficult and humbling decision. While critics have constantly chastised what they perceive to be blatant insincerity in his informercials, very few were left dry-eyed when he said “ramdam ko kayo” at the Club Filipino. I believed him when he said he decided to step down because his love for country called for the sacrifice of his ambitions – I saw it in his eyes.
But the fact remains that the elections are eight months away – and knowing that the twists and turns of Philippine politics are worthy of a dramatic telenovela, I can only daresay that there will be more surprises coming. For one, as of press time, Noynoy has not yet unambiguously declared his intention to take on the challenge of his party-mates and supporters.
But the fact remains that we, as a nation, are infatuated with the idea of Noynoy for president. The recent death of Cory has fueled the fires of perceived idealism, sincerity and incorruptibility in her and Ninoy’s progeny, their unico hijo. Noynoy is living proof that charisma can be inherited. The desperate clamor for him to run and his winnability that cuts across all sectors – whether it be with the masses who braved hunger and rain to bury his mother, or businessmen who appreciate the economic benefits of a well-loved leader – points to certain victory next year.
The sentiment of the nation is that, hopefully, 2010 will be a time for positive change. While his detractors will surely engage in mudslinging by saying that he has yet to prove himself as a leader, I believe that Filipinos will never be content until Noynoy Aquino becomes president. For now, I believe that most are willing to let Noynoy prove himself by taking on the highest position in the land. It is a great risk and nobody is more scared than Noynoy himself.
But if hope wins against cynicism, it will surely be Noynoy in 2010.
Feel free to send your comments to nic_agustin@yahoo.com.
