2014 may come to an end, but that means the 2016 elections is coming close, and this early alone potential candidates are beginning to “reach out” to people, even if campaigning this early is prohibited by Comelec (why Comelec is not warning the likes of Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, and Valenzuela Rep. Win Gatchalian for having political advertisements this early remains a question). Even if I would agree with Pres. Noynoy Aquino’s fight against corruption, most of the moves I have observed lately have a hint of political motivation in it, especially with the investigation on Binay’s alleged hidden wealth and properties, and with the courting of Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Sen. Chiz Escudero, and Saragani Rep. (and boxing champ and basketball player) Manny Pacquiao.
Battle of the titans
Make no mistake: I honestly do not like Binary to be our next president (and the stories my father shared about their reputation in Makati has been proven true by the testimony made by former Makati vice mayor and ex-Binay ally Ernesto Mercado). WhatI specifically do not like in the investigation on his alleged hidden wealth is the fact that it is his rivals, Cayetano and Sen. Antonio Trillanes, who is leading the investigation. As much as I do not like Binay, having Cayetano and Trillanes lead the investigation does not show any kind of partiality in the investigation. Trillianes is using the investigation to extract revenge after Binary has betrayed him during the Manila Peninsula siege of 2006. Cayetano, on the other hand, is using the investigation as a political vehicle to improve his “chances” for the upcoming 2016 elections.
The ball game would be different if the investigation would be led by Sen. TG Guingona, head of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, as you would see less political motive and partiality in the investigation. Mind you: Cayetano is no pure soul in terms of being clean from corruption. Who would have forgotten that he and his sister Pia have allegedly accepted money from then-first gentleman Mike Arroyo for their campaign as congressman and senator respectively back then in 2004? Also their father, the late former Sen. Renato Cayetano, has been allegedly involved in corruption with the BW Resources scandal of 1999 with former Pres. (and ironically now Manila Mayor) Erap Estrada, so I really disagree that the Cayetanos have a clean reputation (though I have respect for Sen. Pia, who is the better sibling).
The political fight between the Binays and the Cayetanos is a battle of the titans: One family lords over Makati, while the other lords over Taguig. It is not surprising that Sen. Alan would engage in a word war with Binary’s daughter Sen. Nancy Binay. Given the number of attacks launched against the Binays, I would not be surprised if someone out there would attempt to attack the Cayetanos as well.
Better election outcome in 2016?
Such mudslinging would remind me of former Sen. Manny Villar’s presidential campaign, where his opponents launched an attack against him by exposing his anomalous activities. the same would apply, to an extent, with what happened (and what would possibly happen again) with the campaign of then-Sen. (and now DILG Sec.) Mar Roxas in 2010. That’s the thing about Philippine politics sadly: opponents would resort to mudslinging against one another to tarnish the reputation of either party.
Back in 2010, I had this belief that politics would change under the leadership of PNoy Aquino but despite the improvement in our economy, an increase in transparency in government, the enactment of some key laws such as the Reproductive Health Law and Sin Tax Law, our politics still remain old school. However, the presence of fresh faces in politics in the form of Poe-Llamanzares and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo continue to give me hope for change in the political atmosphere of the Philippines come 2016.
To be honest, I appreciate that our voters have become wiser (again, only to a certain extent) in choosing its candidates since the 2013 midterm elections as there are less political dynasties who dominated in the elections compared to that in the 2010 elections. Change does not happen overnight after all, and I appreciate that PNoy for making small but relevant changes to the country.
Thinking about 2016 right now may be a tad too early, but seeing the recent developments, I do think that it is right that we think carefully of the possible scenarios for 2016. The one with the battle against VP Binary is just one part of the story. The one with Sen. Alan and Trillanes seeking higher posts is another. The Marcos’ (both Sen. Bongbong Marcos, and Ilocos Norte Rep. and former first lady Imelda Marcos) and Binay’s recent courting of Pacquiao is an interesting one, which is combined with other politicians trying to ally with the Pacman.
Also, talks of Poe-Llamanzares and Escudero being courted by the Liberal Party is also an interesting development especially since LP has no strong contender to match against UNA’s VP Binay (Roxas may do whatever he can do, but to be able to persuade the people to vote for him instead of VP Binay is one difficult task). As both candidates are independent, it would be interesting to see how both LP and UNA will do their best to get either candidate to run under their party.
Though Escudero is not discussing that much about 2016 due to his marriage to Heart Evangelista next year, it is interesting to see how his marriage to Heart will improve his odds in the 2016 elections. Just a flashback: Roxas’ marriage to TV anchor Korina Sanchez did play a factor in Roxas’ odds in the 2010 elections, so it will be interesting to see how Escudero’s marriage to Heart will affect his odds in the 2016 elections.
Of pork barrel and taxes
While some politicians are directly or indirectly talking about their ambitions for 2016, we should not forget the ongoing developments with the pork barrel scam. Sen. Bong Revilla’s bail petition has been rejected, while Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has returned to work and filed some bills. Interestingly, I have yet heard any developments regarding Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s case. The lady at the center in the scandal, Janet Lim-Napoles, has reduced her limelight thanks to the recent revelations regarding Antonio Tiu’s acquisition of a 350 hectare property in Rosario, Batangas (which is dubbed “Hacienda Binay) for his Sunchamp Agri-tourism park.
In both senate and house, deliberations with the 2015 National budget have became interesting due to the presence of lump sum funds and the senate’s redefinition of “savings” in light of the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). Some say that pork barrel still exist with the proposed budget, while I think the Department of Budget and Management did not allocate funds properly to all agencies. On a curious note: Why is there a need for a supplemental budget for 2014 even if 2014 is coming to a close?
Also, I have a few questions regarding the budget. Why the large allocation for the Conditional Cash transfer program? Why there are budget allocations shared by two or more agencies? Why did DBM need to submit an errata (we are talking of multiple errata here) on the budget, even if they have passed the proposed budget to congress? Even if I would praise PNoy’s administration over its improvement in comparison to the PGMA administration, I do question at how DBM crafts the national budget at times.
Even if PNoy’s administration would brag at the country’s economic growth, I barely feel the effects of an improved economy. Sure prices of oil are on a downward trend, but how come goods still remain expensive? Also, why does BIR insist that it is not collecting enough revenue, even if they are extracting a significant amount of money from people due to taxes? I do not understand why they would oppose (along with the Department of Finance) Senators Sonny Angara and Ralph Recto’s proposals for tax reforms. Just like the pork barrel issue, the country’s economic growth is equally confusing.
Random Thoughts and Musings. 