Political spectacle versus serious leadership

Private or chartered planes, “chance” meeting of national political actors in Cebu, courtesy calls with Cebu officials, enigmatic hoodies, a handwritten resignation letter – these, among others, constitute the spectacle that we have witnessed in the past few weeks. Media is closely following the political plot as the November 15 deadline for substitution of candidate looms.

Amid these shifting and illusory images that the people passively consume, I believe that nearing its final stretch, the fate of a candidate’s campaign for the presidency will ultimately depend on how it responds to the realities that the people are facing, not on the whims and gimmicks of the political elite.

In the end, the winner will be the candidate who can be trusted, who can show strength of values and character, and along with these two, the political infighting as well as consensus-building skills.

Senator Panfilo Lacson has the political infighting and consensus-building skills, but he seems to be trustworthy only on matters that suits him and his views. His far-right beliefs regarding public order and the role of the state in the development of a country are too straight and narrow for comfort.

Senator Manny Pacquiao is unquestionably sincere as a leader. But what he has plenty in the ring – the skills and savvy of a fighter – he sorely lacks in politics. He lacks the political pedigree and infighting skills. A few months ago, he vowed to expose the alleged corruption in the Duterte administration but that promise bombed at the Senate box office. Then suddenly this week, he was seen in Malacañang making peace with the people who had called him “punch-drunk” and hypocrite.

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. is obviously backed by plenty of resources; Marcos fanatics and trolls in social media are what’s keeping him visible in the public eye. He behaves himself well, like a compliant actor being glossed up backstage by “makeup artists” called the election marketing department. His naive determination to revise the past and revive a tarnished family name in Philippine history speaks volumes of how gullible he is to believe in his own self-delusional lies.

The Duterte brand, to be represented by either Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio or Senator Bato dela Rosa, is a tainted brand. Six more years of the same kind, even by a ‘Daughterte’, is a guarantee of further polarization in the country. It will be six more years of temperamental governance and parochial incompetence from a shady and shallow bench of characters that compose their inner circle. They definitely don’t represent the Philippine politics and society of tomorrow.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno is a politically-savvy candidate whose image is made up by social media and showbiz chutzpah. He plays well for the camera with his good looks and alert and articulate mind. Foreign media has unfairly labelled him a porn star when he merely had starred in some sexy productions in the distant past. But his brand of politics might as well be associated with stimulating the public’s imagination and satisfying their lust for visually-appealing heroes. Put the spotlight on him longer – you might see a mere contrived character which can buckle under the weight of our national challenges. His campaign must prove otherwise if they want him to win come May 2022.

Vice President Leni Robredo is not yet on top of the SWS and Pulse Asia surveys, but her numbers have been increasing and she has already the momentum. The question is, will that momentum be steady and strong enough to bring her on top of the race during election day?

She has the backing of the middle class and independent minded professionals. The big challenge for her campaign is to reach out to more classes of voters. Her campaign is not made up of grandstanding or fanfare; it does not have to be. Robredo has already displayed an innate ability to be a good campaigner. Whomever she meets can be easily swayed to vote for her.

She has displayed strength of values and character for serious leadership and along with these, the political infighting and consensus-building skills. VP Leni has shown this when petty and bigoted people in power tried to belittle her. She has survived and stayed relevant at the right time because she is focused, not on strengthening her own position, but on the objectives to be achieved and the common interests at stake.