Evaluating the presidential wannabes

There are politicians who have declared their intentions to run for the presidency  this early in the game. Some of them are  involved in  controversies or are trying to sow controversies to grab public attention and enhance their political stock.

Some have been quite visible with their paid TV advertisements aimed at informing the  public of  their intentions.

So far, among the personalities floated as presidentiables are Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Vice President Jejomar Binay and former senator Panfilo Lacson.

The latest presidential prospect and the most popular at the moment, Sen. Grace Poe, is being questioned by Binay’s political lieutenants on her residency requirement and citizenship.

But the most pressing question now is: who among the personalities seeking the highest office in the land is the most qualified and competent to run and manage the country’s affairs?

Despite topping the surveys, Binay is mired in allegations of corruption.

Yet one must acknowledge that Binay has experience in local governance as a multi-term mayor of Makati City and has national exposure as vice president.

Roxas is considered an honest public official with a solid track record in the Senate and the  author of such  legislation like the  law seeking to lower the prices of medicines.

Roxas is doing very well as DILG secretary but he has a problem in connecting with the people as shown by his subpar showing in the surveys.

I know Roxas personally and I can vouch for  his  honesty and humility despite his being a scion of a landed family.

With less than a year to go before the elections, I pray that our people think carefully and choose wisely  who they will vote to govern and manage the affairs of the government and our country.

It is very important that our people use both intellect and heart when  they pick the next president of our country since the new president is going to serve us in the next six years.

Let’s look beyond the promises of politicians and look into their track record.

Many asked me about Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte. What I can say is that Duterte managed Davao City well as mayor but I am unsure if he can replicate that performance in governing the country with its multiple, large-scale problems.

My good friend and fellow teacher Rhoderick Abellanosa explained that Duterte manages to control whatever variables and problems he faces as a local chief executive.

He said this is vastly different when one is managing the country.  Indeed, Duterte is good presidential material and has the potential to become a very good leader.

But it’s best that we look at Duterte’s record on human rights which is very important because we are a democratic nation and summary killing has no place in our country.

What worries me  is Duterte has no qualms about declaring, “I will kill you” on TV and that’s scary.

I asked myself what is going to happen to our country if  Duterte becomes the president.

The same problem hounds former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson who remains linked to the infamous “Kuratong Baleleng” gang rubout in the ‘90s. I still have to hear him explain his side about the incident.

What about Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos?

I don’t know if our country is ready for another Marcos. Those old enough to remember what his father, the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos, did when he imposed martial law in the country will doubtless be vigorously opposed to another Marcos in the Palace.

Then there is Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano, who I believe is good presidential material. But he and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV have become part of a demolition team out to destroy those perceived as enemies of the Aquino administration.

For us, Cebuanos, it is best that we examine closely the candidates especially in relation to what they can do or what they promise to do for Cebu and the Visayas.

I would like to hear whether they can commit to implement infrastructure projects like the bridges that would connect Cebu to Bohol and to Dumaguete and the railways in Cebu.

Cebu had been neglected by the Aquino administration which is unfortunate because we Cebuanos delivered the votes to President Benigno Aquino III in the 2010 elections.

Despite that, the President still has to commit funding for projects like the Cebu City Medical Center.

The Aquino administration’s performance in Cebu is quite apathetic. If this inequity persists, maybe it’s time we consider shifting to a federal form of government where we can retain 70 percent of our revenues and contribute 30 percent to the national government.