As early as today, which is two years from the next presidential elections, some personalities have already started testing the viability of running for President. The frontrunners so far are Vice President Jejomar Binay and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II.
Binay has announced that he may choose Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as his running mate. Many are wondering why and do not welcome the choice because the senator is involved in the pork barrel scam, one of the biggest scams in our history.
Many asked me why Binay still chose Jinggoy despite his involvement in this controversy. I can only surmise that Binay is looking at Jinggoy because of his potential as a vote drawer coming as he does from Metro Manila. Binay believes that Jinggoy is still popular in Metro Manila where his father is mayor of the capital.
Secretary Roxas as of today is the best bet of the Liberal Party that has not yet found a vice presidential bet. President Benigno Aquino III is trying his best to help Mar’s candidacy by involving Mar in many government projects but so far has not been successful. In the effort to recover from supertyphoon Yolanda, Mar got involved in the controversy with local government officials.
The popular Kris Aquino has been floated as a possible running mate to Roxas but so far nothing concrete has come out of this discussion. Kris may not want to immediately get involved in national politics but may focus on the local politics by running for governor in Tarlac.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has made known his intention to run for president in 2016 and will definitely settle for the vice president position. Well Cayetano may just be testing the waters. Another person being talked about is Sen. Grace Poe who has the potential of getting the votes because she was no. 1 in the last Senate race.
Poe has continued to ignore the talk though it may become tempting. Poe, nevertheless, could be very good material for vice president to Mar Roxas.
I still believe that someone will take up the challenge of running for President whose name has not yet come out. The Catholic Church and businessmen are searching for possibilities. Let us pray that we shall be gifted with God a presidential bet who is honest and competent.
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Last Saturday I attended the induction of officers of the Cebu Lady Lawyers Association (Cella) at the Casino Español as one of its honorary members together with Justice Gabriel Ingles and lawyer Alex Monteclar.
Allow me to congratulate Cella’s president, lawyer Jojie Z. Decal and vice president, lawyer Michelle Mendez Palmares. During the program, the guest speaker, Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen delivered a very good speech that silenced the jampacked room.
During the event I had the opportunity to hear the reactions of some lawyers to the transfer of the Cebu city courts to the Qimonda buiding. Apparently many are not happy. Some lawyers told me that when one flushes after using the toilet the building vibrates and jolts everyone.
Another complaint that I heard is the proximity of the court rooms. Judges could overhear each other speaking. Other lawyers said renovation work was still going on and some areas were full of dust. I hope the Supreme Court can look into the condition of the lawyers and judges who deserve better.
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