Farewell, Joker

By: Ricky Poca - 9 years ago

The people in our beloved country including this writer are mourning the death of a modern day hero. Sen. Joker Arroyo recently died during a trip to the United States. Joker is remembered as a human rights lawyer who defended the poor and oppressed during martial law under President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Joker was a staunch and fearless opponent of the Marcos dictatorship. He was one of the voices of the opposition. He also opposed the abuses of the presidency of Joseph Estrada. As congressman of Makati, he was a bright and cerebral advocate who impeached the president. Then he was elected senator.
Unlike many senators, Joker did not accept or use the pork barrel allocated for him. During the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, he was criticized for coming to the side of the beleaguered president. Joke Arroyo lived up to his reputation as a human rights lawyer in defending GMA. Joke Arroyo was a public servant. He was what we Rotarians call a person who showed and exemplified service above self.
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The vice presidential race has become more interesting with six in the running – Chiz Escudero, Leni Robredo of the Liberal Party, Allan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Antonio Trillanes, Gringo Honasan of UNA and Bongbong Marcos.
As we analyze their chances of winning, we note that four come from one area – Bicol. There can be no solid Bicol vote then for Escudero, Robredo, Cayetano, Honasan, and Trillanes.
In the case of Marcos, he is the only vice presidential candidate from the north so he can carry the solid north of the Ilocos region plus parts of Leyte in particular Tacloban City.
Marcos seems to have the edge in the race unless one of the candidates could capture the imagination of voters and create a bandwagon effect.
Many were thinking that with Leni Roredo recruited by the Liberal Party, she was a shoo in for the vice presidency but only time will tell if she can live up to expectations.
In the presidential race, Sen. Grace Poe is leading in the surveys but I reserve my opinion. Time will tell if Poe can walk the talk.
Poe still has to comment on major issues affecting the nation such as the dispute with China in the South China Sea. It is difficult to guage her this early since we have not heard her articulate her stand on various issues.
Mar Roxas seems the perfect candidate for president except for his identity as one of the rich elite and some of his behaviors which turn off a lot of voters.
Binay has the track record of running a local government as Makati City’s chief executive and can boast of performance except that he’s been swamped lately with allegations of graft and corruption. The best choice for election is a matter that requires a lot of discerning by voters.