The 2016 elections is proving to be one of the most divisive in Philippine electoral history. The partisanship has become extremely emotional especially on social media. Negative campaigning has reached new heights in this election.
The apprehension now is centered on the consequences of this vitriolic campaign after the election. Will the nation be able to unite? Who will be the symbolic figure that will try to heal the wounds?
The one candidate that has drawn wide support across party lines is Leni Robredo, the candidate for Vice President. She is the running mate of Mar Roxas. However, there is a growing movement of a Grace Poe-Leni Robredo tandem. There have been several mock polls that have also shown a Duterte – Robredo winning combination.
When she started her campaign, Leni’s ratings were in single digit – something like three percent. She ranked sixth out of the six vice presidential candidates. It was her lack of awareness among voters that caused this low ratings. But as the campaign started and after the televised debates, her awareness rating increased. She then begun her climb and now ranks as the leading candidate for the vice presidency.
The main reason for her surge in the polls is her authenticity. This means people believe she is trustworthy and sincere. In colloquial terms she is “genuine and not plastic.”There is only one way to prove that a person is an “authentic” leader. His or her messages must be reflected in their personal life.
In the urban poor areas, there is one Leni Robredo story that resonates. This is the story of her travelling, every week, from Quezon City to her home in Naga, Camarines Sur by bus and unaccompanied by bodyguards or aides. Perhaps, it is because the Filipino masses must endure the daily travails of an inadequate public transportation system that makes them believe that only someone who shares their life experiences is truly authentic.
Whether by design or not, the person who handled Leni Robredo’s campaign had the most effective messaging strategy. The leaflets and fans all carried the same message: “Sino si Leni Robredo.” The main stories were not on her promises but on her personal life story. It emphasized, for example, that as a lawyer she worked for the Public Attorney’s Office and an NGO. Her legal career was devoted to defending the rights of farmers, fisher folk, women and all those who could not afford legal fees.
During her term in Congress, the bills she supported show her preference for pro-poor and people empowerment legislation. These bills included People’s Participation in Budget Deliberation; People Empowerment; Freedom of Information; Full Disclosure; Tax Incentive Management and Transparency; Anti-Discrimination; National Food Security; Agrarian Reform Commission; National Land Use and Management; Healthy Beverage Option: and, Mt. Isarog Natural Park.
Who’s Afraid of Leni Robredo?
While most of the vice presidential candidates have focused on the presidential elections or their own candidacies, Marcos has resorted to the propaganda of a so-called plan B that Robredo will cheat him in the coming elections. Here is Leni’s reply:
“ It is saddening. I think he (Marcos) is trying to court the Duterte votes. He can court them without lying. It is sad that he has to resort to allegations such as this. He does not know me. That is not my world. They are the traditional politicians. I am very new in politics. The kind of politics started by my husband and I is not the same as theirs. “
The results of the surveys show that Robredo has been gaining more support while Marcos has remained stagnant. It is the other candidates, especially Escudero, who have lost a large percentage of voters. The surveys also indicate that the voters of Escudero, who used to top the polls, are moving primarily to Robredo. If this trend continues that voters supporting other candidates will shift to Robredo, then Leni Robredo will definitely be the next vice president.
One obvious place to watch is the Bikol region where there are several vice presidential candidates including Robredo, Escudero and Honasan. If the Bikolanos decide to solidify for Robredo, this will be a decisive factor. The other place to watch is Metro Manila where Robredo has been catching up with the front runner. The key here is whether voters will cross party lines and vote for Robredo.
It is clear, however, that the survey shows that Robredo and Marcos are in a statistical tie but Robredo has the momentum and is very well positioned to win as she continues to broaden her appeal to all sectors of the Philippine electorate.
Leni Robredo, the Servant Leader
Leni Robredo represents a rare personality in Philippine politics – the servant leader. Marcos represents the old, traditional politician who seek power for the sake of power and preservation of personal interests.
What is a servant leader? “The servant leader is a servant first...” It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first... The person is sharply different from the one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions...The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant leader first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served.” Traditional leadership involves accumulation and exercise of power while the servant leader shares power and puts the needs of others first.
To know the real servant leader, look at their personal lives. Does the personal life of Marcos reflect his message that he is really for the poor? Does Leni Robredo’s personal life tell us that she will work for those who are at the bottom of society?
There is one candidate that is truly a servant leader and can help unite a divided people. That is the reason I am voting Leni Robredo for Vice President.
Summer creative writing classes for kids and teens
Young Writers’ Hangout : May 21, 28 and June 4 (10:30am-12nn except June 4, 1:30pm-3pm) Classes will be held at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. For registration and fee details, 0917-6240196 / writethingsph@gmail.com
Email: elfrencruz@gmail.com