MANILA, Philippines - Now that Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has announced that he will run for the presidency in 2010, he is now fair game for potshots from the administration and other detractors. The most common weaknesses on Noynoy’s candidacy that has been pointed out are that 1.) The presidency cannot be inherited 2.) He has no clear platform 3.) He has no experience in the executive branch of government 4.) His stand on some key issues like genuine land reform and the coco levy funds are questionable at best 5.) He has no charisma 6.) He has no money 7.) The Liberal Party is divided and does not have a complete machinery. These weaknesses will also tie Noynoy to a lot of strings and a lot of people will have a say in his campaign and if he wins in his administration.
His supporters say that these can easily be hurdled once Noynoy decides to run and he unites the opposition but solving these weaknesses is not that easy. The first part has already been accomplished and he has to face the second requirement as well as solve the above problems at the same period or he will run out of time.
In uniting the opposition there has been some progress, Senator Mar Roxas, Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and some reports say even El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde have already dropped out of the presidential race and supported Noynoy. Environmentalist Nick Perlas has also expressed that he is also willing to back down as well. Binay has also urged Noynoy to talk with Joseph Estrada so that the former leader will support him.
With this scenario the presidentiables have been trimmed down but it is still quite large. To date those who are still signifying that they will run are Senators Manny Villar, Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda (pending talks in the Nationalist People’s Coalition), Jamby Madrigal, Richard Gordon, Jesus is Lord Evangelist Eddie Villanueva, MMDA chair Bayani Fernando, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and still to announce his plan Vice-President Noli de Castro.
If Noynoy can have the support of at least four more opposition presidentiables who have a significant following then he will have a strong chance of winning the presidency. Yes, the outpouring of support at his mother’s funeral was overwhelming but these have still to be converted into votes. He may be an alternative but so are the other candidates and they have better track records of service and of being clean.
The only thing that is going for Noynoy now is momentum and the hope that it will snowball. — Carl Ala, carl_ala@yahoo.com