Maverick VP?

For someone who has been in public service for the past 50 years of his life, Buhay party-list Rep. Joselito “Lito” Atienza is perhaps the oldest candidate thus far among the vice presidential (VP) candidates in the coming May 9, 2022 elections. When it comes to leadership though, “age doesn’t matter” as one popular saying goes. But qualifications and competence do matter, especially in electing officials fit and capable to serve us best in the high offices of the government.

Atienza is the VP runningmate of Sen. Manny Pacquiao who is vying as the presidential standard bearer of the Cebu-based Progressive Movement for Devolution of Initiative (Promdi). The Pacquiao-Atienza tandem was the first to submit their certificates of candidacies (COC) at the start of filing period which ends today. Like what he does in his boxing matches, Pacquiao arrived with Atienza on a bus motorcade at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) national filing center in Sofitel Tent in Pasay City last Monday.

The 80-year-old Atienza ends his third and last term in the 18th Congress in June next year. Atienza admitted he is ready to retire from politics and let the next generation of his family build their own niche. Daughter Maile Atienza is running as councilor in the 3rd district of Manila while a son-in-law Vladimir “Von” Valdepeñas is the first of the three nominees of the Buhay Party list. A grandson Nico Atienza is running also for councilor at the 5th district of Manila.

But his planned retirement gave way to very fervent appeals by Pacquiao who invoked their friendship that started way back more than 22 years ago. Atienza was Mayor of Manila and Pacquiao, whom his son Ali discovered, was a feisty young prizefighter then. He remembered the young Pacquiao still having dyed-blond hair streaks and fought at the ring for a petty P2,000 prize money.

Joining us in our Kapihan sa Manila Bay virtual news forum last Wednesday, Atienza proudly recalled his first foray in politics during the martial law period when he first run and won for a seat as member of the parliament at the defunct Batasan Pambansa. After being jailed twice during the initial years of martial law, Atienza recounted being one of the five candidates in Manila from the Liberal Party (LP). They routed their rivals from the late president Ferdinand Marcos’ Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL).

Thus, Atienza frowned at the presidential bid of the late martial law dictator’s namesake son, ex-Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who is running as the standard-bearer of the Partido Federal. The KBL also endorsed the young Marcos as their presidential candidate.

Atienza welcomed with obvious relief the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to withdraw from the VP race and gave way to his long-time aide, Sen. Bong Go. He likewise welcomed Go in a “friendly competition” for the VP race even as the latter is supported by President Duterte and his ruling administration PDP-Laban.

Atienza holds high esteem to Pacquiao’s fighting spirit not just in boxing matches. Even after being knocked out as PDP-Laban president, Atienza believes the boxer-turned-politician would not be cowed by setbacks.

Throughout his stint in public service, whether in elective or appointive position, Atienza has demonstrated his independence of mind. At the Executive Branch, he was once the administrator of the National Housing Authority after the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that ousted Marcos. He run and won for two consecutive terms as Vice Mayor of the late Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

When Lim decided to run for the Senate in 1998, Atienza fought another tough battle in the mayoral race in the city of Manila with no less than the biggest names in politics. He still savors his victory over the late Senate president Ernesto Maceda, ex-Manila Rep. (Ramon) Amado Bagatsing and ex-Manila Rep. (Mel) Jaime Lopez.

With such maverick qualities, will Atienza be an effective VP?

Atienza credited his stints in the Executive Branch as best proof he can work well with a Chief Executive at Malacañang like Mrs. Arroyo or local chief executive at Manila City Hall like Mayor Lim but he never lost his independence of mind. Should their tandem win, Atienza disclosed, both of them have agreed to thresh out their difference of opinions and views as Christian leaders.

Pacquiao is a born-again Christian while Atienza is devout Catholic who carried his faith as Party-List Representative of Buhay Hayaan Yumabong which he co-organized with El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde and Mel Robles. While both of them have strong faith-based leadership, Atienza promises their tandem would remain respectful of religious differences as well as gender rights except “same-sex” marriage.

With all odds stacked against them, Atienza foresees his past political battles will be repeated in next year’s elections. Pacquiao though will face the bigger odds as he is pitted with political heavyweight rivals in the presidential race next year.

“Do not vote for me if you would not vote for my president (Pacquiao),” Atienza urged voters.

On issues of educational and lack of qualifications, Atienza assuaged Filipinos that Pacquiao will get all the help from him. “That’s why I would always be at Pacquiao’s side,” Atienza quipped.

His readiness to stand up for his principle on how to best serve the interest of the greater number of people earned Atienza the distinction of being a maverick leader. Thus, he reiterated the need to amend the country’s Constitution to elect a President and Vice President as one team.