“I ask you to judge me by the enemies i have made.” – FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.
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If the polarized political conditions and the arising circumstances today are to be read with keen eyes, any barbershop patron would assume the 2028 presidential elections are already around the corner.
Why?
Barely have the presidential and vice presidential winners warmed their respective seats that snooping and sniping have permeated the air, aided in majority part by the unceasing coverage of the mainstream media.
The barrage of diatribes appear to be targetting VP Sara Duterte who, as any astute political reader will agree, is considered the likely successor to the incumbent PBBM when the latter’s tenure expires.
I wonder if you see what I see.
The circumstances and conditions today surrounding VP Sara are almost similar to the era of former Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay who in 2010 was next in line to the presidency then occupied by the late Benigno Aquino 3rd.
Binay was literally roasted by anti-Binay groups, more partticularly in the Senate where Senators Allan Cayetano, Koko Pimentel and Sonny Trillanes combined to pursue a “quest” that brought Binay’s presidential aspirations down and out.
At this time when the country is only regrouping and recovering from the economic collapse caused by the two year pandemic lockdown, as a right thinking citizen of this republic, I believe we the citizens have the mandate to decry and denounce the people behind this conspiracy.
I say a conspiracy because the destructive effort cannot be singlehandedly done by one person.
The objective is identical to the pattern taken by those who brought down Binay.
Initially, there is an inquiry questioning the mis-use of confidential funds in the House of Representatives.
Second, there is now a follow up in the senate where the cantankerous and assertive Risa Hontiveros is leading the way.
The conspirators are waiting for something more flammable materials that will result to a conflagration where anti-Suterte forces are supposed to come out like a band of renegade commanches attacking a US cavalry on patrol.
Mainstream media, including paid trolls and vloggers, are picking up the small details, writing, piblishing and airing them as if they matter like life and death.
Hopefully, these machiavellian efforts and sinister energies do not produce anything substantial.
Unlike in Binay’s case, even his family was not spared as both the wife and son – both former mayors of Makati Cioty – were dragged into the fray, the skeletons in their closets were thrown open
Of course, the speculations and insinuations are that ambitious people salivating at the presidency are merely doing their homework.
The earlier they start spadework, the clearer they see the path to pave for the road to Malacanang.
Although these conspirators have yet to be publicly unmasked, the Filipino electorate already know they are.
By their respective body landuage alone, it is easy for one to give himself (or herself) away.
However, these presidential pretenders or wannabes forget that VP Sara need not stretch our imagination for the Filipino people to know and realize what is forthcoming in the 2028 polls.
Whether we like or not, whether she announces it today, tomorrow or whatever date it would be, Pinoys already know and accept the fact that VP Sara is the logical and likely presidential candidate after PBBM’ term expires.
The repetitious and redundant voices hollering about the VP’s confidential funds are striking while the iron is hot.
Can’t blame them.
Very obviously, one (or two) of them would love to throw his/her hat into the presidential ring as nobody today among their previous peers are now being floated as next in line to become their party’s presidential standard bearer.
Good for them.
Otherwise, there would be some more ambitious people like Brutus who Mark Anthony said in his funeral ofration was an honorable man.
They should be advised that the road to Malacanang is like climbing Mt. Everest. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com). GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
