Interesting 2010 Presidential Race

Right now, the Philippines is struck with a confluence of events leading up to the May 2010 general elections. Formal announcements of major politicians aiming for the top post of the land -- the Presidency -- always hug the front pages of leading dailies in the country. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai has intimated to his flock about his desire to enter the presidential race. He in effect is conducting a feedback survey, asking his more than six million members if they are in one opinion with him to run as a presidential candidate. One reason steering Mike Velarde to run -- if the members will support him -- is his belief that there is no other worthwhile candidate currently vying for the top political post that will lead the nation to prosperity. Meanwhile, Mr. Velarde also told President Arroyo that he will only support her till her term ends in June 2010. This is one glimmer of hope in the sense that there is a possibility that 2010 presidential elections will push through and a new President will take over the control of government from Arroyo. Indirectly, Mr. Velarde is hinting that he and his millions of El Shaddai flock will not tolerate any "shenanigans" from President Arroyo and his minions like declaring martial law or pushing through with the Constituent Assembly leading up to Charter Change. Still, one cannot but nurture suspicions that there might be another alternative that the Arroyo regime is planning to implement to cause the extension of her term beyond 2010. The fact that Arroyo herself was very stingy with words to clarify in black and white her intention to leave her post after June 2010 keeps the Filipinos in a state of puzzlement. Anyway, the surge of patriotism that is evident in every Filipino right after the grand burial of the icon of democracy -- President Corazon Aquino -- is a source of comfort for everyone and a warning perhaps, to those who would create political chaos and place the country in the precipice of another political emergency. Right now, the only emergency that the people would want to face is the holding of the 2010 general elections. This is the only way that will put the Philippines in the map of real economic recovery and true political transformation.

Nuggets of Living Brought About by Cory's Legacy

There are nuggets of living that one can pick up from the legacy left by former President Corazon Aquino. One is how to become a good parent to your children. Mrs. Aquino was supportive of her five children. Having lost her husband to the violent politics in the Philippines during the Marcos regime, she had to raise her children as a single parent. But in the midst of this challenge, Mrs. Aquino wished to continue the fight that her husband had begun against the dictatorship of Marcos. This sincere courage of a simple housewife was what brought down the seemingly invincible fortress of of the Marcos regime. She accepted the challenge to be a candidate pitted against Marcos in a snap presidential elections in 1986. The rest is history. Mrs. Aquino became the first female President of the Philippines. Her courage or any courage of an individual is what will bring him or her, for that matter, to the dream or goal that she or he wants to achieve. Mrs. Aquino's triumph from a simple housewife to becoming a President was a destiny realized from a courage that she exhibited. Like Joan of Arc, she led her people in their fight against Marcos rule. It is therefore understandable that she came to be known in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people as the icon of democracy in their country. Her courage and leadership brought back democracy in the Philippines after years of supression of human rights beginning in 1972 when martial law was declared. Mrs. Aquino never veered in her democratic policies while in the seat of political power. The trappings of power did not corrupt her. Her unwavering support for the restoration of the democratic way of life and providing a true transition government was the focus of her work while President. In effect, her incorruptible service to her country during and after the end of her term, was what endeared her greatly to her countrymen. Her honesty and dedication in public service must be the explanation to the mammoth crowds that greeted her funeral as the flat-bed truck carrying her flag-draped coffin slowly negotiates its way for eight-long hours to her final resting place besides her husband at the Manila Memorial Park. Moreover, the large crowds never finished in their adoration as they expressed their gratitude and thanks to the departed leader. For she left nuggets of living that leaders and common individuals can learn and pick up on their way to attaining their life's goals.