On the other side

If Lakas is weak in its line up for the 2010 elections, the other side has too many.

Here is a partial list of opposition “senatoriables” tipped off by veteran kingmaker Manong Ernie Maceda:

Muslim lawyer Adel Tamano, former Cavite Congressman Gilbert Remulla, Bukidnon Congressman Teofisto Guingona III, incumbent Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Jamby Madrigal.

As much as 40 names have been mentioned in one report.

Count in returning senators like Frank Drilon, Serge Osmeña and Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., and almost senator Koko Pimentel.

If we were to have fresh and young leaders, the Liberal Party has the likes of Congressmen Erin Tañada of Quezon, Ruffy Biazon of Metro Manila, and Jun Abaya of Cavite, and the NPC has Darlene Antonino-Custodio, who knocked out Manny Pacquiao in GenSan.

A number of those mentioned as “presidentiables” might also slide down to the senate slate.

(7:35 a.m.)

Lakas is weak

The ruling Lakas party has come out with a “wish” list of probable senatorial candidates for 2010.

I call it a “weak” list.

Bereft of a viable presidential bet and short of funds that it cannot even hold its national directorate meeting, its list of “senatoriables” is a so-so line up of weaklings on a national campaign. A number of them may be provincial heavyweights like Congressmen Raul del Mar of Cebu and Simeon Datumanong of Maguindanao but I doubt if they can be considered the same on a nationwide scale.

The other 3rd-term members of the Lower House in the list are even worse, Ed Zialcita of Paranaque, Prospero Nograles of Davao, Arthur Defensor of Iloilo.

The experience of Prospero Pichay should give them wise lessons.

Lakas’s other bets include QC mayor Sonny Belmonte and Milagros Magsaysay of Zambales, and reelectionist senators Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid. Of the two movie stars, the former might win again but the latter I doubt.

Belmonte, who is tipped as a presidential material could suffer an image problem if he slides down to the senate. Milagros Magsaysay would have a problem as a more famous namesake Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. is set to return to the Upper House.

As in the 2007 elections, the admin line up is in for a drubbing.

(8:12 a.m.)

Count him in too

US-educated former military man turned politician Rep. Roilo Golez has called for the “democractization” of the selection process for the 2010 elections.

He says we should not limit the choice to the 8 or 10 high profile personalities prominently mentioned as “presidentiables” and leave the decision to “political bosses.”

He believes the long period between now and 2010 should serve as a “winnowing process” to level the playing field.

He ticked off a list of more presidentiables longer than my New Year’s Resolutions. It includes outstanding local officials like Mayor Rody Duterte, moral crusader priest turned politician Governor Ed Panlilio, members of the Lower House and even militant leaders like Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel of Akbayan.

I agree with him that with almost 90 million Filipinos, the nation has a truly deep bench of dedicated leaders to take a crack at Malacañang Palace.

I say lets count him in too.

(5:42 a.m.)

Money game

Presidential wannabes have become a dime a dozen with the on-going Pinoy style primaries.

At last count, here are the “presidentiables” - Vice President Noli de Castro, Senators Chiz Escudero, Dick Gordon, Ping Lacson, Loren Legarda, Mar Roxas, Manny Villar, Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Mayors Jojo Binay and Sonny Belmonte, Governor Gwen Garcia, MMDA chair Bayani Fernando, ex-President Erap Estrada, and with the latter’s dare, also ex-President Fidel Ramos.

These names were also mentioned - Senators Jingoy Estrada, Jamby Madrigal and even FG Mike Arroyo.

Impressive list? Hohum, our mayor sees no one among them winning his vote. He says he might declare Davao an “open city” in 2010.

In the US, they trim down the wannabes by the state caucuses and primaries. Here, veteran kingmaker Manong Ernie sees money as the ultimate eliminator.

With a required war chest of about P3-5 billion, he estimates only four have the financial capacity to wage a decent, and might not not even be a winnable, campaign.

Elections are clearly a money game.

Denial queen

2010 is almost in everyone’s lips these days but the Palace occupant is as usual the denial queen.

She warns that early talk of elections can cause instability. Hohum.

On the contrary, not talking about a peaceful transition in 2010 is what I would call a serious threat to democracy.

After the assumption of Senator Mar Roxas of the leadership in the Liberal Party last Monday and the centennial bash of the Nacionalista Party last night led by Senate President Manny Villar, now comes the Nationalist People’s Coalition’s annual Christmas party on December 18.

Boss Danding Cojuangco is expected to be more generous this Yuletide with his victory over the ownership of 20 percent of San Miguel Corp.

What about the administration Lakas and Kampi parties? Well, they are busy backstabbing each other. If not, they are wasting people’s money with a junket to Spain and England next week in spite of the pressing matters at home. No less than 40 administration congress members are joining GMA to Europe. Hohum!

I say oras na (it’s high time) to discuss 2010!

(6:43 a.m.)

Wanted 2010 bets

The ruling party has finally started its search for its standard bearer in 2010.

Two Metro Manila mayors, Sonny Belmonte of Quezon City and Bayani Fernando of Marikina, now the head of the Metro Manila Development Authority, are currently shortlisted.

The Lakas-NUCD is searching for one who has the following criteria:

Popularity, charisma, track record, integrity, leadership, competence and vision.

Looks to me that the seven requirements fit Liberal Senator Mar Roxas.

(5:28 a.m.)

Plenty of stories about 2010

In barely a week, I have made 14 posts in this new blog

This only proves that there are plenty of stories to write about the Liberals and the 2010 elections. (6:23 a.m.)

2010

The next presidential elections is still way off, three years away, but things are heating up this early.

I planted the seeds for a possible Liberal president by then in a new blog. I am happy it is getting positive feedbacks.

I took the liberty of listing down presidential wannabes from Billy Esposo’s most recent on-line column.

As expected, the list is long. Thus, the reason we should be discriminating in choosing whom to back in 2010.

I have made my choice this early. How about you?