‘Blind’ by choice

You cannot give sight to those who choose to be blind. A businessman supporter of a presidential candidate recently asked if I knew someone who would consider sitting down with his candidate on the remote possibility that an objective outsider might be able to convince the candidate to throw his support behind VP Leni Robredo. Although the businessman was fully convinced of his candidate’s integrity and character, every survey showed him to be disappointingly at the bottom end of the charts and surveys. The businessman felt that if a “Holy Alliance” were to be made now, the chances of Leni Robredo would greatly increase, and Pacman could carry on pursuing his social agenda and vision under a Leni presidency.

While some people keep pointing to low rankings in surveys as an argument for alliances, many candidates are not alone and are in good company with the likes of Senator Ping Lacson and Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Mayor Isko Moreno. Lacson also shares Pacman’s optimism that things will get better as they get closer to the elections, while being dismissive about surveys as unreliable, if not paid, for the benefit of those who have commissioned such. It is indeed puzzling for many how many candidates seem to lose touch with reality or end up with invisible blinders that prevent them from recognizing the signs or writing on the wall, particularly if it shows their poor performance. It is possible that some candidates equate low rankings to mean being “unpopular” and, given the popularity of Pacman and Ping Lacson, such low rankings are truly hard to reconcile.

I believe low rankings are really all about perception and not popularity. From the very day that Pacman made known his intentions to seek the presidency, public perception of Pacman the boxer, the Christian and the man of the masses ruled over the idea of Pacman as president. While Ping Lacson has successfully made a go of becoming a senator, it is primarily because people felt safe with him in the Senate but not in Malacañang. The prospects of the Tough Cop/Top Cop becoming president has simply not been comfortable or necessary for many voters. If many people have not gotten over the Martial Law years, it should be no surprise if people don’t embrace Ping Lacson’s persona as president. Clearly becoming senator cannot be equated as basis for becoming president.

On the other hand, low rankings do not make a candidate unpopular, it simply means they have either been stereotyped, type-cast or don’t fit the audition requirements. Like it or not, people want what they want, and it takes years, not months, to get them to upgrade their mental references.

So, what is one to do under the circumstances? The more astute or wiser tacticians concern themselves with pragmatic choices and strategies such as joining forces to defeat a political foe, hence the desire of supporters to give way to Leni Robredo and it is something where timing and significance of such a decision is crucial. Some believe that such sacrificial moves or realignments is not about “If” but “When.” The first “opposition” presidential candidate to raise his hand in support of Leni Robredo will get all the media attention, the praise and will be the catalyst that could unite and solidify the opposition candidates. Once the other candidates give their support, chances are the millions of “undecided” voters will automatically turn “pink.”

Yes, it will all be a matter of timing. The first to make the announcement, assuming he does it with eloquence, sincerity and clarity of purpose, will be way ahead of the pack. That candidate gets all the attention as well as the praise. When Senator Ping Lacson’s camp recently announced a forthcoming press conference, almost every media outlet was abuzz with rumors that Ping was withdrawing and supporting Leni. That press conference turned out to be a false alarm because Lacson was simply announcing his divorce from the party of Congressman Alvarez. Had Ping Lacson actually withdrawn and gave support to Leni Robredo, he would have reaped praises for being pragmatic and prioritizing the nation.

Aside from perfect timing, such a withdrawal or step-aside must be significant. “I support” is not as powerful as “We support.” It has to be done as one who casts a vision and a purpose and pointing out why an alliance would benefit the Filipino people more than him. Just in case one of the presidential candidates decides to do so, I would suggest that you do so beside Leni Robredo because it presents a whole picture. Making such an announcement remotely or separately looks bad and incomplete.

When Congressman Lito Atienza publicly expressed his willingness to step aside from the vice presidential race and give his support to Senator Tito Sotto, I believe that Cong. Lito Atienza was not just addressing his medical realities; what he was trying to do was open the door to make it easier for the other men like Manny Pacquiao and Ping Lacson to consider a viable alternative to certain defeat. By coming together in support of one, the group becomes collective endorsers of a united vision and goal.

No one likes to lose face and, for most candidates, the idea of backing out may seem distasteful or embarrassing. Quite frankly I’ll take embarrassing any time over humiliating defeat! Yes, many political legends have tried and tried again, even beauty contestants nowadays do more than 3peats. In the world of competitive races one of the blackeyes for any competitor or team is the habitual recipient of the title “DNF” or Did Not Finish; the other is “Came in Last.”

Why commit political suicide when you have a chance to make your enemy’s enemy your friend and work out an inclusive alliance rather than find all of you excluded? In terms of reputations, the candidates have nothing more to prove; the question is, what are they willing to sacrifice for the nation?