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Ben Contreras

THE nation is facing a rare situation that could make history. A choice between the unpalatable candidates and the more sought for ones. The electorate can’t be more discerning this time.

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Vice President JejomarBinay has become a presidential candidate no one would like to be identified with. No one wants to become his running mate. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas remains a heavy baggage despite the Liberal Party endorsement. Unless Comelec has already “pre-cooked” the result, the next President can’t be Roxas.

The more sought for ones are Sen. Grace Poe and Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Poe is a clear victim of political harassment. After failed courtship from Binay and the administration, her citizenship has become a subject of scrutiny allegedly by the very same groups courting her.

Poe has no choice but to go independent. To be identified with political parties that have been known as repositories for traditional politicians (trapos), it could erode her clean image. Although she may be a working senator, but the pragmatists still see her as lacking in real experience.

Duterte has years of experience to his credit. Many may find his public statements unpalatable to the ears and his unorthodox way of doing things may sound undemocratic but more than those who have expressed dislike of him are evidently for him.

“DaangMatuwid” has been tainted with DAP and PDAF. PNoy may be clean but he cannot claim innocence of what his men are doing and what his allies are found involved with. And that makes him equally morally liable. This alone, coupled with the BBL and the Mamasapanoincident have roused a strong sentiment for change.

Duterte’s appeal to the masses and those who clamor for swift justice is making him popular. What he did for his city is ringing like a bell that can be heard all over the country. The booby trap lies in his choice of a running mate. One mistake could cost him dearly. The booby trap could be Bongbong Marcos. There is no need to elaborate this.

Although I always root for a Duterte-Poe tandem, Poe’s ambition to become President may not make this tandem possible. The latest pairing is a Duterte-Osmeña.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña is very open in his support for Duterte. Whether he is eyeing for the VP position or not is unclear. But his help alone is still crucial for the Cebuano votes.

Another is Rep. LeniRobredo. She may have already declined but there are quarters that are egging her to run with Duterte. Her record is unblemished, and she has portrayed a frugal way of doing things as a public servant.

As of this moment, Duterte is still playing it coy. The moment he declares his candidacy, we can expect an exodus of politicians to his side. And that is another pitfall for him that requires careful thought. Politics is addition they say, but it may not work positively sometimes.

Subdivisions have become an enclave for the rich and the middle class. Their security and safety cannot be relegated to our police authorities since most of them have initiated their own safety nets. Still, how safe are the people living inside?

They can be safe if the perimeters are secured. “Secured” means totally fenced and with ample number of guards.

Some subdivisions cannot hire enough guards because some homeowners do not pay their dues for flimsy reasons.

Another reason why they aren’t safe is because some homeowners bring with them people whom homeowners cannot question. It reaches a point when you don’t even know who exactly are living inside the house.

I suggest that cars with subdivision stickers but are heavily tinted should be subjected to passenger inspection. This will prevent the use of houses as hideouts or safehouses by questionable characters.

 

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