This presidential race is bound to be a riot

Among the advantages of a two-party system are the apparent ease on the part of voters in selecting between only two choices and that, eventually, matters of governance could be decided swiftly based on party principles of the controlling majority. While Congress is divided into the majority and the minority blocs even under a multi-party set-up, the majority coalition is often based on personal interests in committee chairmanships and considerations other than platform of government.

Hence, there is always the possibility of rocking the boat any time friction ignites in the majority coalition, as we had experienced so many times in the past. Although the multi-party system offers the electorate a variety of choices, the process allows monied political butterflies to muddle and complicate the situation by conveniently floating from one party to several others with their personal agenda in tow, rather than pursuing party objectives.

Instead of having only the best candidate from one political party, any aspirant who is rejected by his partymates could simply join another party and pursue his presidential ambition elsewhere. Moreover, don’t you think it is very stressful to choose from among a bunch of wannabes? Even in beauty contests, there is the elimination phase and the semi-final round before the final choice is made. Can you imagine having to choose Binibining Pilipinas from among 40 or more candidates on the very first round? There will be chaos, protests and boos from all corners. The same is expected if a president is elected by a minimal fraction of the electorate and with the slimmest of margins, which may happen in the 2022 political rumble we are about to be part of.

In one corner, there is Ping of Partido Reporma, the Heneral ng Bayan and long-time reliable senator of the Republic, taking his second shot at the presidency. In another corner, there is Isko of Aksyon Demokratiko, the young promising mayor who is leaving the City Hall of Manila after only one term in a bid to transfer to his neighboring Palace along the Pasig River. Then the pambansang kamao, Manny, who filed his candidacy under the political party PROMDI after the alleged “hijacking” of the PDP-Laban, is now ready to rumble in his quest for the ultimate championship in the political ring. Of course, BBM of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the man with the name of his father, is now eyeing a Malacañang homecoming party after 35 years, obviously unperturbed by his defeat in the vice presidential race of 2016. Is he not running under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan of his father? Then comes the independent candidate, Leni, the alienated Vice President and thus far, the only rose among the “serious” thorns, literally coloring the virtual town pink with instant hope for those disgruntled with the “rough” ways of the present administration. The trolls still say she is yellow deep inside. And lo, from out of the blue appeared Bato of the President’s PDP-Laban-Cusi faction, whose intention in filing a Certificate of Candidacy for president was immediately associated by many to a political strategy of substitution similar to what the President employed in 2016.

Has the President’s party run out of options, or is this part of a political drama? The good senator is better known as a minion of the President, who earlier expressed his wish to have a Duterte-Go tandem. Will the “Run Sara Run” movement finally “convince” Mayor Inday to follow the footsteps of her father via substitution on or before Nov. 15? A former Comelec official said the substitute must be a member of the same political party at the time the certificate of candidacy was filed, but it seems the prevailing rule is that a substitute may become a party member right before the substitution. For death, disqualification and bona fide withdrawal, substitution is readily acceptable. But if it is used as a strategy to condition the minds of the people, it certainly leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Should this anticipated substitution happen, we will have two ladies going against a bunch of gentlemen.

These names are only a small part of about 97 aspirants for the Philippine presidency in 2022. I think we might set a world record for the most presidential hopefuls in an election. It is a bit amusing but also frustrating to think that most of them seem not to appreciate the seriousness of running for the highest position in the land. Even if the list would eventually be pruned to about ten candidates, the presidential race is bound to be a riot.

Others will say the more the merrier. More big-time political spenders, more opportunities (moral or otherwise) for Juan to earn money, and better for the household economy. But this is only temporary. The price to pay thereafter may be more, as it has always been the case. I hope the next administration would seriously consider revisiting our multi-party system or, at the very least, find a way to limit the number of political parties qualified to field a candidate for national office.

How many of our registered political parties have actually won seats during elections? Are there political parties being maintained just to wait for an opportunity to adopt a rejected aspirant, or to provide a ready vehicle for a monied candidate in search of a registered political machinery? There may be flaws in the two-party system being used in the United States of America, but at least there is benefit in having the president and vice president coming from the same political party.

Our Philippine experience showed us that a vice president from a political party other than the sitting president’s party is usually relegated to idle obscurity, as he or she is perhaps perceived as a threat to the incumbent president instead of being a useful ally. Under a two-party system based on clear-cut principles of governance, the president and vice president can work together without the fear of a power grab, real or imagined. Their common focus will be continuity and smooth succession by winning the next elections.

Yet, more significant than overhauling our electoral system is an overhaul of the Filipino discipline and election-related practices and traditions. For as long as our leaders in government act more like they are in a family business with an interest to protect, and for as long as political parties are allowed to mushroom for personal convenience, no particular system would ever deliver us from our problems on criminality, corruption and poverty. When will we ever learn?

The coming presidential election is another chance for change. I hope we grab the chance wisely!