Teodoro, Villar or Aquino?

A Conundrum for Filipino Voters

Once upon a time, a while back, the mid-1950’s to be more precise, ours was a country envied by most of Asia. We were America’s strongest ally in the region and with that came strength and self confidence. We had emerged from WWII and with Ramon Magsaysay occupying Malacanang Palace everything was coming up roses. The exchange rate was a strong two pesos to one dollar. Industries were on the rise. Education was top notch. Our population was upwardly mobile compared to many other Asian economies.

In the 1950’s there were maids who were uprooted from their country to seek employment elsewhere, but these maids were from Hong Kong and the country they went to for employment was the Philippines. Little American children running around Luneta were often overheard speaking Chinese; they picked up the Fujienese dialect of their imported amahs.

Flash forward to 2010 and we have several millions of Filipinos who have now done what the Chinese amahs from Hong Kong did in the 1950s, go to foreign countries as maids. Irony of ironies several thousands of these Filipina maids are working in Hong Kong today.

This article is not about going over what went wrong. We are now facing elections in a couple of months and have a unique opportunity to reshape our future for the better. If only we could get the right man into Malacanang as our president, perhaps we may have a chance. Let’s not kid ourselves, the problems are immense and expecting radical change to take root and become a fiat accompli within the next few years is decidedly quixotic. What we can hope for is that with a new president we can at the very least begin the transformation of our government, economy and culture all for the better.

The eminent economist, former secretary of finance under the Aquino administration, former Stanford University professor ( and most especially, fellow Cebuano) Jess Estanislao has been writing a series of columns in the Manila Bulletin dwelling on the concept of developing the “Road Map for the Philippines 2030”.
He outlines 12 specific “strategic priorities” among them “Responsible Citizenship” and “Strengthening the Drivers of Change”. He seeks a transformative pathway for our population and if achieved could indeed radically change the direction and character of our country. His columns are a “must read” for all Filipinos. Every teacher in the country from first grade to college should have what he writes read aloud before the start of each day.

What Estanislao proposes to take place can truly be enhanced in an environment that not only nurtures his ideas ( and ideals) but also one where the country’s leadership makes every attempt to successfully live by them. Are Filipinos going to elect a president who can, thru progressive policies and by being a sterling example of integrity, create the environment that will make it possible for the Estanislao proposals to become reality?

There are currently three front runners for the presidency: Manuel Villar, Gilberto Teodoro and Benigno Aquino III. Former president Estrada, Senator Richard Gordon and a couple of others seem to lagging behind and, unless several miracles take place, are not expected to win. So let’s look at the three.

Manuel Villar is bandied about as one of the wealthiest people in the Philippines and thru massive advertising in all media is rumored to “practically buy” the presidency. Scandals about him and his family and companies are floating all over the place. Has anyone established a clear timeline that shows clearly how and when he made his billions? As I understand it, from all I’ve read and heard, he made a killing after convincing former president Aquino to route all government housing funds thru a funnel that he controlled and in the process diverted billions of pesos of housing funds thru his companies and corporations. Is he someone who can lift our nation and country along the lines advocated by Estanislao?

Gilberto Teodoro, charismatic, young, dynamic and impeccably credentialed looks very promising. He has one major drawback that is tugging at his shirtsleeves with seemingly great discomfort: he represents the Gloria Arroyo administration that is not only not loved but extremely hated by the population. The fear is that he will help sweep away all the ongoing scandals perpetrated by GMA and her family and friends and eventually act as her protector. His bland statements of independence has not, it seems, impressed nor convinced many potential voters.

That leaves us with Senator Aquino. I’ve seen him on TV, I’ve read reports about him and he seems to be the very epitome of “mellowness”. He seems to take more from his late mother Cory than from his late father the dynamic Ninoy. Is he the answer?
Using the Estanislao proposals as the barometer of measurement, will he be the one who can lift the Philippine ship of state from the precipitous maelstrom that the past administrations have driven it into? Can he set us on a course that offers some glimpse of a better tomorrow for our country? Who will he be, Cory or Ninoy? Has he learned from the mistakes and shortcomings of his mother’s presidency? The recent “brown outs” and power shortages are grim reminders of the frustrations of those days. About the strongest statement made in his behalf comes from a long time colleague of mine from Cebu. She says:

“(Noynoy) has unquestionable integrity and (the) determination to fight corruption is definitely his strong suit. And so we must start somewhere. And he will lead us in this start.”

Will this be enough? Is personal integrity the key and “Noynoy” the door? Is “competence” essential and therefore Gibo?? Will business savvy and chutzpah make Manny the choice?

A conundrum indeed, and the electorate has less than two months to sort this out.
May the country win, for once!