Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Volume III, Number 43 November 30 - December 6, 2003 Quezon City, Philippines |
News
Analysis ‘Da
King’ and the Kingmaker Fernando
Poe Jr.’s hero image in his films for several decades now and
his expressed “love of country” are symbols that may be etched on his
election platform and the mountain of promises during the campaign. But as had
been in the case of Estrada and other past presidents, there will always be
trade-offs and concessions and those who were instrumental in catapulting these
figures to power will have their interests entrenched first in the new
presidency. By
Bobby Tuazon
In the heat of the oust-Estrada movement in late 2000, then Vice President Macapagal-Arroyo resigned from the cabinet as social welfare secretary and gave a mouthful of promises including making the land reform program pro-peasant, to review the country’s free trade commitments as well as “special ties” with the United States. Right after taking power, she took the reverse position on those issues and in the process has made herself the target of another campaign seeking her resignation. If
however the presidential elections are to be decided on issues, Macapagal-Arroyo,
who will campaign on economic performance, will be voted out for having ruined
the economy irreversibly. Former
Sen. Raul Roco, another presidential contender, voted against the ratification
of the controversial Visiting Force Agreement (VFA) with the United States and
supported the move to oust Estrada. He is known, however, to be all-out for free
trade and other anti-people policies and his record has been tainted by
allegations of corruption while serving as education secretary under Macapagal-Arroyo.
Yet, for all these, he is reported to be topping in presidential surveys at
least until last week. Roco,
however, remains mum on many issues although he is expected to tout about his
clean record when takes the campaign trail. Sen.
Panfilo “Ping” Lacson was the police general who, about three years ago,
said that he hates politics and hates politicians. But he admitted that
Ferdinand Marcos is his idol. The Kuratong Baleleng rubout and other cases
pointing to his cold-blooded treatment of crime suspects and questionable wealth
will haunt him in his presidential bid. His hard sell TV commercials project him
as a no-nonsense politician out to shoot corruption and criminality out of the
country. Authoritarian rule is not remote in his presidency. FPJ Among
the list of presidentiables, movie king Fernando Poe, Jr.’s (FPJ) announcement
to run for president had all the elements of a coup. Until Nov. 26 at Manila
Hotel when he finally announced his availability as a presidential candidate,
nobody was entertaining him as a serious candidate. For
a number of reasons, the action king’s candidacy has been received coldly with
those opposed citing his lack of experience and competence. Some Filipinos who
voted for Joseph Estrada in 1998 said they have had enough of actors as
president. His entry into the electoral arena, others also believe, will further
split the “United Opposition” which will choose early December who between
Poe and Lacson would be its common presidential bet. Poe’s
supporters however see their candidate (known to them as “Da King”) as being
different from Estrada citing the specious reason that the fact that he is not
of a politician’s mold makes him clean, moral and incorruptible. Blend this
with his supposed popularity and you have a sure winner. Yet
the veteran actor has said nothing about what he intends to do if he’s indeed
elected president. Quite disappointing for a popular figure because he could
have used the occasion at the Manila Hotel to declare his vision and capture
bigger media attention. His silence tends to confirm speculations that, given
the fact that Poe has no base of support – except maybe the movie industry -
let alone campaign machinery, somebody else is behind his candidacy. Reports
say that businessman Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr., an acknowledged kingmaker, is
bankrolling Poe’s candidacy and that in particular he has offered some $1
billion for his campaign. It was also Cojuangco who, in 1992, caused Estrada to
give up his presidential bid in favor of being his (Cojuangco’s) vice
presidential running mate. Cojuangco lost but Estrada won paving the way for his
presidency in 1998 which the businessman also supported. Aside
from Cojuangco, Estrada and the Marcoses are expected to also go for Poe. United
Opposition Initially,
however, Poe has denied his candidacy is being supported by any business or
traditional political group and said he would submit himself to the nomination
process of the United Opposition led by Sen. Edgardo Angara and former Sen. Juan
Ponce Enrile, both allies of Estrada and Cojuangco. Popularity
may be a major asset of Poe but popularity alone cannot deliver the votes.
Considering the formidable machinery and government resources that will be
mobilized by Macapagal-Arroyo’s camp for the coming elections, Poe needs the
financial and party machinery to translate his popularity into votes in order to
beat his opponents. Poe’s
hero image in his films for several decades now and his expressed
“love of country” are symbols that may be etched on his election platform
and mountain of promises during the campaign. He, like any other candidate, will
make promises. Was it not Estrada – Poe’s best friend - who presented
himself as pro-poor and who promised food, jobs and housing? But as had been in
the case of Estrada and other past presidents, there will always be trade-offs
and concessions and those who were instrumental in catapulting these figures to
power will have their interests entrenched first in the new presidency. Sure the action star may – and not necessarily will - win the presidency but there will always be bigger winners. Bulatlat.com We want to know what you think of this article.
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