Opinion: Duterte don’t need to endorse anyone, the PDP-Laban has already done it for him…

“(I repeat), you better disabuse your minds about getting into guesses and assumptions. There is none. I will not be endorsing any presidential candidate now until December” – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (03.05.2022)

At this point in time and so close to the end of the campaigns, the incumbent and outgoing Philippines President Duterte don’t need to endorse anyone. However, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas Ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) did endorse Presidential Candidate Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Junior and Vice President Sara Carpio Duterte on the 21^st March 2022. That’s 43 days in between and shouldn’t be forgotten so few days before the polls.

The PDP-Laban National Executive Committee Resolution No. 26 of 21^st March 2022 was crystal clear and Duterte is a part of the Cursi faction. He knows the stakes and what his party did. So, Duterte is by association and the voice of the PDP-Laban endorsing the UniTeam without signing a document or release an official statement from himself. At this point… Duterte don’t need to do it, because the PDP-Laban party has already done it.

The party has done the job already and his neutrality is pointless. We knew that he wouldn’t go pink or support any other person than his family. The UniTeam is his place and we all know it. Not like he would endorse Isko or Robredo for that matter. If he did… it would be a shocker, but hard to believe, as his party has already resolved the matter long time ago.

That’s why today’s neutrality statement is pointless. He should just say that he will back the ticket of his daughter and current Davao Mayor Inday Sara Duterte. That’s something people would believe and it would be sincere. Because, the PDP-Laban doesn’t have a direct Presidential Candidate or Vice President. That’s why we know the party is endorsing and working for the UniTeam in this campaign.

The whole time there was a squabble and uncertainty, the PDP-Laban having various of tickets and candidates, which all backed out of the race, including Duterte himself. There was a month or so where the party toyed around with two three types of tickets, which all ended in a clean slate. Therefore, the UniTeam is the only for Duterte…

The PDP-Laban isn’t Switzerland or someone who acts like a neutral party. No, the PDP-Laban has already decided and you cannot backtrack that. Especially, when we know the drill and the reasoning behind it. He can hide behind his own “neutrality” but we know that it’s not totally true. The same with his party, which plenty said they would back Inday Sara. It was inevitable …. and bound to happen.

President Duterte can take us all for fools, but we know better and it’s just posing for the public. We know very well where his heart is and if it wasn’t he would betray his own family. Which we know the President would never do. He like anyone else wants a political dynasty and ushering the daughter to become VP would be the continuation of that legacy. Peace.

Halalan2022: A memo on the top 4 Presidential Candidates 10 days to the polls…

A teddy bear, a son of a dictator, a soft-core actor and a boxer. What do these all have in common? Well, they are now a part of the final stages to the polls in the Philippines. The stage is now getting set and COMELEC is preparing things. The final preparations are in order and the last part of the campaigns are happening too.

Now, the ones who haven’t made up their mind …. they got and should. The teams are already there. The Front-Runners have been clear for month. Two candidates have run high and mighty. This being Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Junior and Leni Robredo. They are stark contrasts and very different.

Former Senator BBM or Bong Bong isn’t very transparent or accountable. No, he is very selective and defensive. Not the sort of fella that you can interview or question. By any means… he prefers prefixed questionaries and puff pieces. The sort of man who is arrogant and entitled to return to the Presidential Palace like his father did in the past. The son of the dictator who has never supported or been part of EDSA. You can wonder if he will do that in office or dismiss it. As he remembers that as the time the Republic fought his father’s tyrannical reign and the agony of the marshal law. Alas, the son might be different, but he shows utter arrogance that would linger in office.

While Vice-President Leni Robredo is open, participating and answering. You might not agree with her or every political stance she has. However, everything isn’t scripted prepared or even published as fluff. No, she is pushed, dragged and belittle all over. Not just for the colour scheme of her campaign, but for whatever she does. She has even been asked to sacrifice her candidacy for others. Therefore, Robredo has stood tall.

Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, the mayor of Manila has created a storm and been in the wind. His campaign has never taken off and neither has his Duterte-Light approach to the campaign either. Isko is just one of those guys. He is the man who asked Robredo to sacrifice her role and called her a “bully” for standing tall. That just shows how he is a brat.

Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran Pacquiao the senator and well known boxer. A man who has gone up the ranks and become an established politician. Nevertheless, his own party dismissed him and the PDP-Laban threw him out, as he stood for Presidency. While they instead have endorsed “Bong Bong” much later. That just shows how weak the PDP-Laban was into this election. While Manny is far from totally seasoned or had a powerful team behind him. He has fought and sells himself a people’s champ. However, he will not switch to southpaw and win this one. No, this is going down for the count and he is not close to the 3^rd position even. Though his doing it by showing his true cadence and character, which is more than “Isko” and “Bong Bong” ever did.

I don’t know how this will go, but my prediction of the whole machinery behind Bong Bong Marcos was justified. That Robredo would be second or a front-runner was expected too. It wasn’t without a reason she was able to become the VP in the first place. So, now the question is… how will these two fare. That is something I don’t know and cannot tell.

What I do know… is that these will be ones to follow. The margins of error is slim. BBM haven’t really tested the waters and he will not do it now. He will continue his onslaught of prepared and prepaid content. While we can wonder what the others will do. Nevertheless, what ever Manny and Isko is doing will become more and more meaningless. It might help their next run or campaigns. But right now? Well… it won’t amount to anything. Not because they are no good, but because their reach aren’t close to BBM or Leni.

They have to fight a cute teddy and a dynasty. These two cannot match that. Neither can anyone of the not mentioned here. Since they are so far from the four mentioned. That I don’t even care to say their names. Even if one is a long standing Senator and other took a noble stance after the Withdrawal Party. Still, the facts remain…

It is a two horse race and we can just wonder who finish first at the finish-line. Peace.

 

Opinion: “Doy” Laurel’s legacy soiled in this election

“The United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO), is now backing the UniTeam on the May 9 National Election and their call for unity. UNIDO formally reemerged as a regional political party on Saturday, around two weeks before the May 9 polls. In an event at the Manila Yacht Club, it announced its support for Marcos and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Senator Francis Tolentino, one of the party’s honorary trustees, said UNIDO’s revival is an answer to the call for “unity,” which is the main theme of the Marcos-Duterte duo’s campaign” (ISIP Pilipinas 2022, 24.04.2022).

It is hard to imagine, but one man who worked for years to overthrow Marcos would allow his party and coalition to endorse the son of the dictator. However, that is now official, because the UNIDO is endorsing the UniTeam and Presidential Candidate Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. and Mayor Inday Sara Duterte. So, here we are and the current UNIDO is betraying it’s existence.

It is really striking and tragic that both PDP-Laban and UNIDO have both endorsed the UniTeam in the upcoming polls. The parties of the EDSA, Aquino and Laurel are now behind the son of the dictator, which they fought in the 1980s and chased from the office in 1986. Now, they are backing the son and this shows how times are changing.

I just want drop some of his own words and the reason for the UNIDO in the first place. “Doy” Laurel should be remembered and what he stood for. His now long gone and is late, but his legacy will live on.

Just read this:

“Scene I: On June 12, 1985, I was unanimously drafted presidential standard bearer of the United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO) in a national convention attended by 25,000 delegates held at the Araneta Coliseum. Cory subsequently threw her hat into the ring and announced that she had heard “the voice of God” and that she had been presented a “million signatures” urging her to run. Her announcement threatened to splinter the opposition. To prevent such a split — which could have only entrenched the Marcos regime — I accepted Cory’s written offer and settled for the vice presidency” (Dr. Salvador H. Laurel – ‘THE UNPLANNED SHOWDOWN AT EDSA’ – Salvador H. Laurel Museum and Library, 06.01.2021).

Also this:

“At the last minute, Laurel, looking at the example of his father who stepped aside for Ramon Magsaysay in 1953, gave way to Cory Aquino and ran as her vice president. The event moved the Archbishop of Manila, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, to say upon Laurel’s death: “He gave of himself so completely to the quest and helped recover freedom for the people, not by forwarding himself, but by volunteering to slay his own personal ambition.”” (Fernando del Mundo – ‘Doy Laurel: Forgotten patriot of Edsa I’ 23.02.2013, the Philippine Inquiry).

That’s why I am writing this today, as the one who has inherited the party or coalition of UNIDO is not carrying the Laurel legacy well. They are forgetting the reason for its existence and why it was a force to reckon with. The ones who is running UNIDO is banking on the fact that UniTeam will be the next administration and have good favours, but they have sold the soul of the party by doing that.

UNIDO is now a shell of what it used to be. The “Doy” Laurel era is long gone and been for a moment forgotten too. Maybe, the leaders of UNIDO hopes people are forgetful. Nevertheless, there will always be someone who can remind you and tell the honest truth. It is distasteful and disgraceful… “Doy” Laurel legacy had deserved better… but we know that influence and power corrupts. The current leadership cares more about their future, than about the legacy of the party. It is sold on the altar of possible power and be in proximity of Malacañang Palace. Peace.

Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL): ANFREL Launches International Election Observation Mission to the 2022 Philippine National And Local Elections (23.04.2022)

One Cebu Statement: Endorsing BBM-Sara (12.04.2022)

Opinion: PDP-Laban endorsement of the UniTeam was anticipated [and that means “Lakas ng Bayan” supports a Marcos!]

It is now revealed that the PDP-Laban and One Cebu Party has both endorsed the UniTeam. This means the PDP-Laban, which haven’t had an official candidate for the Presidency and the Vice-Presidency is vouching for Presidential Candidate Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Junior and Vice Presidential Sara Duterte.

Not that this is shocking this late in the game. That the PDP-Laban Cusi faction did do this after both “Bong” Go and “Bato” pulled out of the race. The same did the incumbent President, which was slated to be the VP in the up-coming election at some point. Therefore, this was in the cards after everything that has been said and done.

The ones that didn’t see this happening. Haven’t recalled the whole fiasco of the nominations and the internal bickering within PDP-Laban. That’s why this bound to happen eventually. Especially, since Inday Sara is on the ticket and “Bong” Go even promised loyalty in that regard.

So, everyone knew this was bound to happen and now it’s reported on. The papers from March 2022 is revealed and it was a planned effort. It has been a prolonged and an agony to reveal or even state it. Because, it is weak that the PDP-Laban couldn’t muster candidates directly on their own, but is vouching for the UniTeam.

They should know this. Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) which was ironically the coalition party that challenged the late dictator Marcos in the 1986 elections. Now close to 40 years late. The party of Aquino is now endorsing the son of the late dictator “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. and the daughter of the incumbent Inday Sara. That is reality here.

The People Power (Lakas ng Bayan) is now supporting a Marcos. That is extraordinary in one way or another. That Duterte would isn’t causing a stir or anything. He has entangled himself with the political dynasties and given them way in his time in office. So, from his perspective and position his ensuring more strength and political backing of his daughter.

That the PDP-Laban doesn’t have challengers or candidates itself is striking. Senator Manny Pacquiao stood up as a Presidential Candidate, but was ousted from the party. Which meant the PDP-Laban Pimentel wing went for him. So, officially Pacquiao is running for the party of Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives or Probinsya Muna Development Initiative (PROMDI) in the up-coming elections. Even if he was the one who really wanted within the PDP-Laban to begin with. We all knew “Bato” And “Bong” Go was a no show and replacement candidates to begin with. The only reason for “Bong” Go to do anything. Would be to continue to serve Duterte and that’s it. “Bato” on the other hand was a just a paper-tiger for the time being.

That’s why the endorsement of UniTeam isn’t only striking, but revealing of how much influence and power Duterte has in the PDP-Laban. As he can ensure this to happen. The former resolutions of the party is long gone and his “retirement” is legit. Because, he believes Inday Sara and Marcos Jr. will not touch him after his reign. These two will carry on where he left off and that’s it really.

That the PDP-Laban endorsed a Marcos should shock, but it isn’t at this point of time. The “People Power” endorsed a Marcos. It should shatter some minds, but here we are and this is how things are playing out in the Philippines. Peace.

Halalan 2022: The PDP-Laban ticket process has been a total mess…

Yesterday, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Tesoro Go or “Bong Go” stepped down from his candidacy as a Presidential Candidate on the PDP-Laban ticket. Since 15^th November 2021 the PDP-Laban had written on their resolution no. 16 to support the candidacy of Bong Go – Duterte tandem ticket. This was supported and stated by the National Executive Committee of the PDP-Laban. Therefore, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) is now without candidates in the highest offices.

The President has announced during November that he suddenly would be a candidate for the Senate. Meaning he will not stand as a Vice-President and compete with his daughter Sara Duterte who is standing on another ticket as a VP. Therefore, “Bong Go” and Rodrigo have both backed off and ditched the main tickets of the PDP-Laban ticket.

Yes, this is also following the Ronald “Bato” Del Rosa who first stood as the Presidential Candidate, because he was available and that got changed to “Bong Go”. Now, all three is gone and the PDP-Laban is a lot of wasted space.

The PDP-Laban could just have fielded Manny Pacquiao, but they rather run with none or run on empty. They practically don’t have an VP or a Presidential Candidate for 2022 at this late stage. Yes, COMELEC have no official withdrawal letter from “Bong Go” so it’s not official, but the message is already out.

PDP-Laban is total chaos with this… Just the announcing of “Bato” and dropping him for “Bong Go”. Rodrigo Duterte went from VP to be come a senator. While the PDP-Laban lost Pac-Man as well, who is running on another ticket. This is all showing how the party have done it and it have been hectic.

If this is all done to support Bong Bong Marcos – Duterte ticket. It is really foolish of them, if that is the end game. Because, what worth is the party? If they can easily trade it all away for political alliances and family members who is participating for others? Is the PDP-Laban party that easily traded away?

Because, Inday Sara is running elsewhere… the PDP-Laban have to be crucified on the national level? That’s how it looks like and it’s just weak tea. Who knew they lacked so much character and finesse to give up in this way.

Not like “Bato” or “Bong Go” was any good as Presidential Candidates. They are both side-kicks and loyal token soldiers of Duterte. These two doesn’t have the spine to stand-up for themselves. This is why they can be so easily shelved and not mattering. It is tragic that they make “Isko Moreno” look smart… which isn’t supposed to be a thing. However, that is what they are up to and it’s not looking good.

Who knew the PDP-Laban would be this sort of circus and be this chaotic…. This is supposed to be the parties who supposed to run a republic and have certain measures to secure things runs in order. PDP-Laban should be run better, but that is clearly to much to ask…

“Bong Go” dropping out is just showing why he was the side-kick and the water-boy of Duterte all these years. His the enforcer and the ones who deals with the decrees of the President. He isn’t a man to carry his own. That is why it’s right for him to back-off. However, why was the party believing in this man in the first place?

That just shows the foolishness … and how dumb this process has been. There is nothing in this that you can take as a smooth or a wise move. Unless, it is to strategically give BBM-Duterte an easier way into 2022. If that is the case… the trade-off better be golden and the treasury chest promised should cover all expenses for decades to come. Since, the “Bong Bong” Marcos still has plunder money to pay for his politicking. Peace.

Opinion: Is “Bato” the “free transfer” of this COMELEC Window?

““He [Dela Rosa] is the one who is available. We’re not saying he is the best because originally we were pushing for Senator Bong Go,” PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel when asked if Dela Rosa is the best candidate the party has to offer as president” (Daphne Galvez – ‘PDP- Laban Cusi wing: ‘Bato’ not best presidential bet, but he’s available’ 11.10.2021, Philippine Daily Inquirer).

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Cursi-Faction seems to have had a bad transfer video. They are clearly not selling Senator Ronald “Bato” Del Rosa well. The PDP-Laban Cursi-Faction had another idea and the party had in August made another ticket.

However, they ditched that. As “Bong Go” became the VP candidate, instead of being the Presidential Candidate. This maybe why things got confused and the incumbent was retiring instead of standing as VP. Has also made the utter chaos inevitable.

“Bato” isn’t a winning man. He is a useful man for the PDP-Laban. A loyal man and someone who is fighting the same causes as Rodrigo Duterte. This is why Duterte has vouched for him to stand as a President too. Nevertheless, the proof of here.

“Bato” was the last choice and not the one they intended to field. The PDP-Laban is showing that they are not sending their best. They are sending the “free-transfer” and the one “available”. Not the candidate who has the ability or the heart to be there. Neither the person who has the popularity or charisma to takeover from Duterte.

So, when the PDP-Laban says this man isn’t the best and the only one who swiped right on Tinder. Why should the people pick up the ballot and vote for this man in 2022?

Heck, this is the last effort to have a full squad. His the last draft-pick and the “lucky loser” who just happened to be there. “Bato” isn’t even cutting it. That is apparent, when a spokesperson describes it like that.

Interviewer: “Well, why did you marry “Bato” Mrs. Del Rosa?”

Mrs. Del Rosa: “He was the only one man on the island, I had no other option”

Interviewer: “Seriously?”

Mrs. Del Rosa: “Yeah, what can a girl do? You are alone on the island and he is the only man there. He had to be the one for me”

The same apparently happened within in the PDP-Laban party. That is not a sign of strength, character or skills. It is the last ditch effort to pitch someone to stand as a President. At this point, the PDP-Laban should have reconciled with Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. Since the Pac-Man or Pacquiao at least would look like a sincere effort. Now, they look clueless and panicky.

Yes, “Bato” got 19 million votes as a Senator in 2019. However, he is contesting in different race now and with other prospects. Why does he thin “soldiering on” is enough to become the Head of State? Is that how unserious the PDP-Laban has become.

The one who wasn’t worthy of a proper transfer, but could be picked up as Bosman player was fine and dandy. Well, that says more about the lack of coordination and planning in the final stages for the PDP-Laban. Which also makes things look ugly for “Bato”.

He looks stupid and also sounds unwanted. While his supposed to aspire for the highest office of the Republic. Peace.

Halalan 2022: Presidential Mediocrity [2 in 1 analysis of the tickets]

Today, the total of Presidential Candidates are finalized. Already looked into a few who was scheduled to become candidates. Some did and some didn’t. This is the ones that will PDP-Laban’s Rodrigo Duterte. That will not be an easy challenge. The person needs tenacity and strength. Also, have ability to stand strong with all the political dynasties and in-fighting in the Congress.

There been speculations who would be next and who would stand as candidates. The incumbent party PDP-Laban is sending Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. A former police officer turned senator. A man who doesn’t see himself as a statesmen. He is also the man behind Duterte’s war on drugs. So, this man has no trouble using violence. The second man on the ticket is the mid-term elected senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Tesoro Go or “Bong Go” as the Vice-President. He is Duterte sidekick and “utility” man. In that regard, they hope he will “Bato” executive assistant. Just like he was all the years in Davao.

The Liberal Party and current Vice-President Leni Robredo is vying the highest office. She had a hectic term and haven’t been in the good graces. Her pink Thursday might have launched online presence, but will she handle the highest office? She has to prove beyond the metropolitan and educated voters. That she stands for the ordinary people too. Sometimes she has a tendency to act a bit arrogant, because of her stature. This needs to be resolved in the upcoming campaign. Her running mate is Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan who runs for VP. Kiko has been called one of the most hard-working senators, but he has to prove that on the campaign trail now.

Then you have Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. The man who claims his father brought the “golden era” to the Philippines. When people were living under martial law and his family was plundering the nation. A man who is also not celebrating EDSA. So, this man will be a selfish President and not suitable for office. Neither has a good record as a Senator and his one of those dynasties that is self-serving. Not strange, they are the next in line after the dictator. He wants “Bong Go” to be his running mate. In that way it would be “Bong Bong Bong Go”. What a crazy scenario….

The People’s Champ Movement (PCM) is fielding senator Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran Pacquiao Sr. Manny Pacquiao is the first term Senator and haven’t been an effective lawmaker by any stretch. Only real achievement is to finally retire from the boxing ring. Also, because of standing as a Presidential Candidate he was expelled from PDP-Laban. He is supported by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. While Pac-Man shares a ticket with Lito Atienza, the Deputy Speaker of the House. The former mayor of Manila from 1998 to 2007.

The current Manila Mayor of the Aksyon Demokratiko party, Francisco Domagoso “Isko Moreno” is running for the Presidency. He has been the Mayor of the Capital since 2019. The former actor and local councillor have a long way ahead of him. The way his been publicly. He sounds like a meek and soft Duterte. Since he will continue where he left off and not challenge the current day today. He wants to unify the nation, but it’s not a nation in war. So, it seems weird to unify it in peacetime. On his ticket is Dr. Willy Ong, a social media favourite doctor, which sounds like a huge risk. As he has no political background and could be buried quickly. That’s a risk of media savvy Presidential contender.

The final Presidential Candidate and party I will list is Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma and their candidate Panfilo “Ping” Morena Lacson Sr. He plans to run on the same program as Duterte did in 2016. Ping has been a Senator since 2007 and this is his final opportunity to get promoted. The former PNP Chief and has a road ahead of him. Since he only got about 5% of the votes in 2016. He has a well respected running mate in Vicente Sotto III “Tito”. Tito has served in the Senate for 20 years. Over the years he has passed over 20 laws. The only last thing that he could be criticized for over the years. Is that during this term he tried to lower the age of criminality. Meaning, someone deemed as a child could be guilty and liable for participation in a crime. That is the only thing I feel bad for Tito.

So, we see the parties and their candidates. It is not a strong roost of candidates. There is nobody screaming of elegance or quality. None of these tickets are perfect. Nobody is perfect either, but they are not easy to sell.

Bato-Bong is the most mediocre from the incumbent party. Instead of fielding winning candidates and people who has charisma and charm. It is sending what feels like rejects and only Duterte loyalists. Hoping to continue where Rodrigo left-off. That isn’t a winning formula, but leftovers. Who wants yesterday’s frozen lasagna? When you can order fresh Italian food from the vendor around-the-way?

Final analysis of the tickets:

Robredo-Kiko is the ones with the finesse, but will it be a pay-off? Antonio Trillanes IV would have been more forceful. Trilanes will most likely be re-elected into the Senate after one term out. He could have brought more to the ticket than Kiko. Robredo already have to prove that her term wasn’t wasted and she has to be viable to rural uneducated areas. Will Kiko be able to promote Robredo there? I doubt that, but the liberals got to try.

BongBong wants to go Gung-ho with BongBongBongGo and that’s insane. The son of the late dictator should just enjoy the perks of the plunder and leave the Republic alone. Especially, when the candidate doesn’t want to take responsibility or fix the ramification of what his father did. The Marcos haven’t cared for the Philippines. They have hidden and tried to get away from the pain and suffering they put on the nation. He should retire and chill. Be lucky that he got to live lavish on the thieving of his father. That’s it really. Maybe not send “Emergency Alerts” and try to polish your public persona. Since we know the deal and you cannot polish a turd. A turd is a turd, no matter what do to it.

Pacquiao- Atienza is a gamble. These ones are risking their seats in congress. Pac-Man could have easily gotten re-elected into the Senate. Even when he has little to nothing to show for it. He lost his place in PDP-Laban and the faction of his on the open sea now. That he got a respected and seasoned politician on his side is good. Also having support of Pimentel III is vital here. However, is that enough for lightweight Pacquiao? Well, I doubt that… he got to drop a manifesto, which not only smells blood, but proves his sincerity in the race. It cannot be a half-baked project without any substance. Then he will be a fish out of water.

Isko-Ong is the futuristic and out-of-place candidacy. The Manila mayor have to get such a momentum that the big parties cannot contain it. However, to be able to do that. He needs to hit a nerve, but for now he sounds like someone who just wants to “build build build”. Isko Moreno might look like a fresh face, but is that enough? Really? If so… then there is little merit or proof before you get into the highest office. You know this ticket is risky when they just picked the most popular social media doctor to be his running mate. Not finding someone to bring experience or credentials. No, we pick the man that gotten popular during the pandemic…. It is so soft!

Ping-Tito is the most experienced of the bunch. Ping Lacson would be elected with advanced age just like Duterte. Would the same republic vote for an old head like this again? Tito is a respected VP candidate and has a positive record. Therefore, this candidacy is good, but will it be enough? I still wonder, if these two will able to fight and make a campaign worthwhile? They need to prove their experience and careers. Ping-Tito can show what they have done. However, can these challenge the rest and be viable? That I am not certain of, but in a race of mediocrity, maybe this is enough?

God knows what it will take, I don’t know, but these ladies and gentlemen seems like a mediocre bunch of candidates. Would hope for more… nevertheless that is too much to ask for in 2021. Peace.

Opinion: Pacquiao will be a lightweight challenging the Duterte-ticket

“I boldly accept the challenge of running as PRESIDENT of the Philippines. We need progress. We need to win against poverty. We need government to serve our people with integrity, compassion and transparency. The time is now. I am ready to rise to the challenge of leadership” – Senator Manny Pacquiao” (19.09.2021)

Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas Ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has already a resolution where the incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte is the Vice-Presidential Candidate and with Christopher Lawerence “Bong Go” Tesoro as the Presidential Candidate in the up-coming election. That was official like 10 days ago.

Now today, the other PDP-Laban fraction of Senator Pimentel have announced Pacquiao as the Presidential Candidate and with Senator Koko Pimentel as the Vice-Presidential candidate. This is happening a day after Pacquiao signed a coalition agreement led by MP3 alliance, which is between PDP-Laban – People’s Champ, PROMDI President Mimo Osmeña and PCM legal counsel Atty. Gacal.

So, the Pimentel fraction is giving Pacquiao a boost for his campaign now. They are willing to risk the newbie in the Senate who was only elected into it in 2016. He held a legislative seat in Mindanao since 2010, but haven’t been long in the Congress or a high ranking office. For some this will mean little, but the dismissal of “Bong Go” is for the same reasons as well.

While Pacquiao have been for a full term, as “Bong Go” only was elected in the midterms. These two will challenge each other and the PDP-Laban – People’s Champ have to prove this. This shows that both PDP-Laban tickets isn’t foolproof.

While the other ticket has the incumbent President on it. The main ticket is weak with the aide and a short term senator. These are both not winning or sincere ones. Yes, PacMan is a favoured man and a popular one. However, he is not a seasoned politician in the conning landscape of Filipino lawmakers.

Pacquiao has to show power towards the dynasties, the powerful families and the incumbent President. He is not only challenging “Bong Go”. He is going after Duterte who still has a huge following. It is not like Pacquiao is fighting against random candidates. That he has Sen. Pimentel on the ticket is helping, but is it enough?

I cannot see how Pacquiao or Pimentel will get this through the PDP-Laban at this stage. As they are working directly for Duterte and his causes. The fraction will have to challenge outside the party. Even if that meaning Pimentel have to leave the party of his father. “Nene” Pimentel Jr. founded the party in 1982 and this would be an end of an era with the possible break from the party. Because “Koko” does not have enough strength to compete with Duterte at this point of time. That seems impossible.

This is why with the challenge and dispute between these two tickets. Expect the “Bong Go” ticket to go ahead. While Pacquiao will have to do this on the outside. They have to make the People’s Champ Movement as a national party and run with that. Since, the PDP-Laban will be Duterte domain for now. Until proven otherwise, I will stand by that statement and Pimentel will not change this. He will be vital for the ticket of Pacquiao, but not enough to beat Duterte internally.

Pacquiao needs a K.O. but he will struggle on this one. He is not in the ring, but outside his comfort zone. This will be hectic, unfriendly and he will battle every step ahead. Pacquiao has been beaten and gotten punched before, but this will be humiliating and he deserves better. As the hero and champion he is. It is too early and he challenges someone who does whatever to get his way. This is why he going into a ring where he will be outplayed and outmanoeuvred. One wrong step and he will be an easy target to fall. Peace.