Roxas’ Endorsement Today

Some things in the world of politics will happen whether we want them or not. There’s nothing we can do to stop the gathering at the historic Club Filipino late afternoon today, July 31, 2015, where President Benigno Aquino III will endorse DILG Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II as Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer in the 2016 elections. The endorsement (I would not use “anointment” because for me it connotes religious rite) coincides with the birthday of Mar’s mother, Judy Araneta-Roxas. The event is called “A Gathering of Friends” for it is not legal to hold a Political Convention at this early juncture while COMELEC is yet to issue its calendar of activities to guide election players and the public in general, the schedule and the Do’s and Don’ts for the May 9, 2016 polls.

Even the might and power of the rule of law cannot stop what is about to happen today in San Juan: PNoy endorsing Mar. From the looks of it, both the letters and intent of election laws, specifically Section 13 of RA 9369 that provides for the holding of political conventions 30 days before the filing of CoCs and Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code which provides that, in case of manual elections, such political conventions could be held “within thirty days before the commencement of the campaign periods,” as stressed by election law expert Atty. Romulo Makalintal.

I just do not know if the event tonight would bring excitement to the masses as the televised Mar’s wedding proposal to Koring at Willie Revillame’s program “Wowowee” some years back.

PNoy’s endorsement of Mar apparently cannot be stopped even by The Big One and the shaking of the West Valley Fault. As I have said time and again, I am writing this political opinion from my mere standpoint as a story teller. Though this would not make any difference at all, it is mortal sin for a story-teller to sit back, sigh and just allow the things to happen without telling what you have to tell. Also, a PM discussion with my journalist friend Madonna Virola of Philippine Daily Inquirer yesterday on the matter compelled me write this piece. 

Like this blog entry, the endorsement would make no difference if the Liberal Party and the ruling coalition would be divided and the LP would crack into factions (In politics they call it “wings”). What is the use and practical benefit of such action if solid support and massive votes cannot swell from all frontiers? There’s already a looming break-up, according to reports, inside the ruling coalition between those who support Senator Grace Poe and Mar Roxas or maybe, other possible presidential candidates, like for instance, Panfilo Lacson who has been the rehabilitation and recovery czar of PNoy.

I would not be surprised seeing the ruling political leaders of Occidental Mindoro at Club Filipino today. But judging from my previous blog entry about the provincial results of presidential elections from 1992 to 2010, local endorsements in no way affect the outcome of our province-mates' votes in the last 23 years.

It is foolish to measure a live snake as well as to ascertain the impact of BS Aquino III’s endorsement as of yet. This question needs an answer: Who among the "presidentiables" or coalitions would be the true opposition? There are still a lot of things about to happen ahead. Endorsement, I think, is a volatile measuring tool for the success and failure of an electoral campaign of a certain candidate for presidency. Same true with surveys and those who are close to Grace Poe knows that. Remember how the survey leader Manny Villar was in the end toppled by PNoy in 2010? Binay himself only had a low 4 % rating before the 2010 elections but he eventually won over Roxas. Roxas may still pull a surprise win over Binay in their “re-match” come 2016 while Binay, as he said, might unload “a lucky punch”. The only certain thing today is uncertainty with regards to presidential aspirants. Another thing, both Roxas and Binay are unstoppable but it would be the more the merrier for the latter. 

The election fever is on today and the madness is about to start. The circus is about to commence. They are unstoppable…  

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(Photo: Hataw Tabloid)