This coming 2010 presidential election is turning out differently. The mechanics is definetely different because of the computerization. And because of that, candidates needs less people to man the polls, less manpower is needed than the traditional manual election, meaning this coming political organizations will be trimmer.  Vote buying will not be as massive than before because political operators do not have the blueprint on how to execute the fraudulent act. I might be wrong, but if this be viewed as a battle of those who want to cheat and those who wants a clean election, I think the good will win agains the bad. That is one silver lining that I could see this coming election.

If we are also to observe the attitude of the candidates and their spokespersons, their handlers and those sympathetic to their causes, with the exeption of Madrigal and Lacson, every body is behaving civilly. Good governance is not only the only thing in the spin these days but also is good behaviour. That silver lining number two

Hopefully, it will up another gear where candidates will discuss about their platform of government, their vision for the country, and critics will dissect each candidate base on their performances, or credentials, their skills, and not on their balding hair, not on their association with the present yet very unpopular president.

Hopefully also, we will see an end to the politics of the old, although apparentlly, the younger candidates of today are simply extensions of the old political families, but hopefully they will bring another palate to the table.

Hope, I think is reinvigorated.

One of the most important winning ingredient of the 2010 philippine presidential contest would be the Cojuangco factor.

The 2010 electoral contest is more interesting now with the entry of NoynoyCojuangco Aquino. It can not be denied that the cory magic is still working as can be seen by welcoming signs of his entry into the presiential derby.

This entry has added another Cojuangco to the derby. If NPC would field their own candidate like Escudero, then that would be another Cojuangco boy thrown into the water. Rumors has it, that the reason why Gilbert Cojuangco Teodoro left NPC is because of of his uncle’s preference to Chiz Escudero. NPC of course move along the wishes of their big boss Danding Cojuangco.

If the trend in the Lakas-Kampi, as exemplefied by the endorsment of 48 governors of Teodoro’s presidential bid, continues, the admin will likely field their own Cojuanco factor into the game.

Whether people will like it or not, the Cojuangco factor will be big this coming election. But how will this affect the Mindanao concerns?

To those who are not so familiar with Mindanao land scape, Danding Cojuanco owned thousands and thousands of land in Mindanao. His Mango agri business venture in Davao del Sur is a very fine example. His San Miguel Corp. has large AgriBusiness venture in Bukidnon, which is in fact larger than many of his agribusiness farms in Luzon.

Noynoy Aquino went to Zamboanga to seek guidance. Celso Logregat of Zamboanga is there to welcome him. One of their most loyal ally is Jesus Ayala of Davao. One inner circle boy of LP is from Bukidnon, Nerius Acosta.

Gibo Teodoro made his biggest impact on the national scene with his handling of the MILF conflict specially the Kato/Bravo terroristic attack on some villages in Mindanao. His most ardent supporter are from Mindanao. He was recently nominated by Migs Domingues, the Governor of Sarangani Province. I don’t know if the two studied in america at thesame time. They seem to be of the same age.  The two, however, came from wealthy parents, whose Mindanao interest is enormous.

In the 2010 election, one ot the most important issue is the structural reform with our government setup, an issue that Mindanao people so strongly supports. Federalism, autonomy for the Muslim group, is the call of the time. And Mindanao is the loudest caller for this need, and how will these presidential aspirant handle this call is critical. Metro Manila is of course still in the same mood. They dance to the tune of the time, they dance to the PR instigated dance steps, they react to the Gloria-hatred agitation. Mindanao is dancing to the tune that they like, so is Visayas.

The question is; how will the Cojuangco factor play with Mindanao’s concerns.

Despite the withdrawal of Mar Roxas there are still more than 10 interested personalities who would positions themselves to become the next president of the Philippines.

The most laughable of them all is Erap who threatens the fragmented opposition to unite themselve or else he himself will run. I can not blame Erap for his attitude because surveys after surveys, specially those that are paid by him, shows that he is still a force to reckon with even if his chances of regaining the presidency is legally questionable.

Erap has proven himself to be incompetent in running the affairs of the land, but I cannot understand why so many intellectuals (kuno) from UP are still enamored by his leadership. Some are even comparing his stint with that of Ramos. If some of our academics could be charmed to believe the unbelievable, it is understandable why people in the lover echelons of society would think lowly of candidates like Mar Roxas.

Roxas along with Villar, Teodoro, Fernando, and perhaps Binay are the more equipped candidates. All except Villar is languishing at the lower portion of the rating. Of course, when was the time that leadership skill has become the defining element of choosing the president of this country? This is an electoral fact and will continue to be so.

This is one reason why Noynoy Aquino is considered a strong candidate. Honestly, what will Noynoy bring to the table? No vision, not much experience, management skill is questionable, stand on critical national issues is a defeaning silence, decision making is still in the process of consultation with my sisters, and some Sisters in the monastery,…. He is clearly a Cory Magic rewind. A person being swallowed by the PR campaign of some beastly interest, and made to believe that he is the messiah that would solve the country’s problems.

Noynoy’s entry into the presidential derby did not only eliminate one of the better candidates in Mar Roxas, but is also jeopardizing the candidacy of his cousin Gilbert Teodoro. If I am to compare the two, in terms of pedigree, wherewithal, experience, training, educational qualification, and all of those utopian characteristics of a leader, obviously it would be in favor of Teodoro. But, it is Noynoy who is now creating a lot of noise. Even his retreat, in Zamboanga is being follwed by the media and, the telenovela is also being watched intently by the masa.

Wow!

Bayan Muna… ang ating intindihin. Papaano na ang hacienda Luisita. Kakalimutan na lang ba. Kakainis naman kasi itong ating labandera. Dahil sa kanyang negative charm, pati mga progressive minded groups ay falling into the trap. Placing too much hope, of change coming from an angel.

Bayan, ano ba?

“”"” “”  “

This is just wishful thinking. Noynoy is a reluctant candidate. He knows he is not so qualified (to be civil about qualifications), it should be better for him to do a Mar Roxas thing. Forget about his presidential ambition, forget about his messianic annointment. Just support candidates who are really qualified. Like Bayani Fernando, or his cousin Gilbert Teodoro.

The conflict in Mindanao, driven by the muslims desire for self determination, is a major problem that major politicians (read; presidentiables) should not pay lip service.

Is this the reason why not one failed to say anything about the recent  military encounter that resulted to the mutilation of some military people? Gilbert Teodoro is the exception since it is within the ambit of his duties as Defence Chief.

Almost a year since the Kato/Bravo attacks, the rebels are headlines again for another killings. So this is the kind of confidence building that our peace loving NGO’s and activist are clamouring for? So this is the confidence building initiatives that would pave the way for a peaceful resolution of  this conflict?

Not a word from these honorable people was uttered to criticize the MILF, why? Of course because they are afraid to get the ire of the muslims who will also vote in the election next year. Are the peace advocates afraid that critical statements will derail the re-started peace negotiation, like what happened with the MOA-AD?

One thing is very clear which I would like to point out. When there were no peace negotiations, the muslim group are creating trouble. When the peace process failed to follow the designed course, the likes of Kato and Bravo went berseck. When the peace negotiation is about to begin, they still make trouble. Conclusion; which ever way we go, these trouble makers will always make trouble. Maybe that is the reason for their existence here on earth.

So tell me now, who knows better about mindanao culture?  Could the likes of Noynoy Aquino solve the problem like Muslim Mindanao?

Negotiation for a peaceful settlement of the moro insurgency problem in Mindanao is once again on the go. As a mindanaoan, am I happy for that? Yes because somehow that opens a better window of solving conflicts which is always better than through guns and bombs.

The sad part, however, is that the process is once again following thesame path as all the peace negotiations before. Once again, the negotiation is headed by Manila people,  by people appointed by the powers that be from Malacanang palace. Most of the major players representing the government side is from Luzon with the exception of Dureza who is from Davao. Why can’t anyone from the conflict affected areas participate in this settlement?

Can’t the goverment find one from Cotabato province, one from South Cotabato, one each for Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, One from Sarangani, one from Sultan Kudarat, one each for every affected provinces…down to Basilan. Will representative from each affected provinces make the negotiation untenable? What I am trying to say is to envolve the affected people in the negotiation.

This really a big blow to the sensibilities of the local people. As  a Mindanaoan, I am envious of the position enjoyed by Malaysia, or even America. Mas maayo pa sila, because they are consulted on how to end this problem. I can understand why Manny Pinol is complaining again about this so called unilateral move by Manila.

As a Mindanaoan I would like this country to move forward because where this country goes, Mindanao goes. If this country grows, Mindanao grows. That is a fact contrary to the  flip side that asserts; where Mindanao goes, this country goes.

As a Mindanaoan  I would also like to have a fare share of political power, even at least the power to decide where to go, what to aspire for, how to do it, and most importantly to realize my/our potential and become productive member of this society. If Mindanao should do it her way, it would be more effective because the Mindanaoans who know best what they really want.

But the system that is so rigid is proving to be a hard nut to crack. And even harder is the power welded by few people, the minority elites who controls the destiny of the poor majority. They are the 5% that controls the 95% of the country who could bully their interest into ours.  We the poor mortals would love to move forward, but they won’t allow us, they keep on inventing reasons to have thesame banana over and over.

We desire change. A new system that a federal set up could provide….but would never seem to  happen. Fortunately, this desire to look for something better will never stop. As long as man is alive, he will always try to find some way.  Change will start somewhere, and that glimmer of hope is spark by the plan to automate the election system.

Hope, is once again alive. Unfortunately, some people is going the opposite direction. Represented by a certain Harry Roque, they are petitioning the Supreme Court to stop the automation.

I am tempted to rant, to say what a pity. Is he out of his mind? Does he think he is doing a service to his country?  But apparently, behind this vieled cavalry (in tagalog, kabalbalan), are few greedy individual who think firstly about this self, and second about their wealth and power that tell them to hold on. My question then should be; who exactly is Roque representing?

Last weekend, after about five months of relearning chess,  I played in a club tournament to asses how I am progressing with my chess rehabilitation. After five games I won two, and lost three games. I lost one game to a kid, and another winning game was lost to a very simple blunder. A game which I would like to share.

The game opened with d4. I failed to develop as I would like to, and I have to struggle in a close set up. As the middle game approaches, I notice that my opponent is bent on attacking my king side, and I analyzed that he can’t check mate my king from my well entrenched position. And I noticed that he is so eager to to really tryto breakthrough, so I accomadated his aggresiveness, give him some opportunity to attack with the simple plan of winning via his losing time. In the end game, I have about 15 minutes left to his one minute. With no clear attack whatsoever, and he is fast losing time. He is moving rapidly and it affected me. I can feel my heart beating, and I wondered how the tension would affect me since this is my first tournament after a long long time (about 26 years), and my first since I was diagnosed to be hypertensive.

After about five minutes of intesity, lo and behold, I blundered and have my rook captured via the back door. I tried to hold on hoping that time will be my saviour, but the younger player simply thinks quicker, that eventually I lost my game.

I am happy though that even if  I failed to play in the level that I used to play, at least I can say that I can now see some lines, and I can somehow see some beautiful line of attack. If I would rate my game from 1-10, I would like to give my self a 3.

Change.  That is the catch word today, but will it happen here in the Philippines?

Those who protect the status quo seems to be holding on stronger than ever. Philippines is destined to remain the sick country, the sick economy of Asia, a democracy of the few. It’s sickening.

The flawed system seems to be diagnosed right. But as always, there are millions of reasons why Philippines should remain in its flawed state. Wealth distribution is at its worst. Only about 5% of the population controls about 90% of the nations wealth. Visayas and Mindanao will always be second or third class regions of the country. Still, Manila equals Philippines.

We have a congress that is mal functioning, yet they are the one task to repair their malfunction. We have a senate that proclaims themselves as the more intellectually superior than their lower ranks (lower house representatives) conterparts, but similarly are only politicking.

Changes with the form and system of government will never happen in 50 years. But we have to start somewhere. Lately, I was optimistic that the election will finally be automated.But just as all the rest in this country, it seems to be the same.

I am very very disappointed.

2010 presidential election is around the corner, and before we know it, a new leader will emerge from the ranks of the presidentiables. But what the heck.

In my younger days, I dream of the day when the poor will have better chances of getting to the top. I was once full of optimism, to someday see my country become the new Singapore. I always dream of seeing my starting point at thesame  point with the rest of the competitors.

But over and over, time after time, I see thesame lemon. Lemon, lemon, lemon. Manila still gets hold of the rest of the country. The elite which are about 5% of the entire population still controls about 90% of the country’s wealth. Moviestars and basketball players are still the idols of the masses. The politicians are still the most knowlegeable person on this part of the globe.

Income level is still horendously unequal. Metro Manila resident still gets the higher economic graces, as if they are more deserving than people in the provinces. If you stay in the province you will be lucky to find a 15 thousand entry level salary. But what can that buy you? That may make you eat three time a week, live a pretty decent life, with not much stress to bother you. But will it buy you a car? 15 thousand salary will  definitely will never allow one provinciano  a car .

We may find a thousand reason why we don’t need a car, but if one has a choice, like owning a car, I am quite certain that people will not argue against owning one. Many people in the provincies are still awed with people who owns a car. It may be a provincial reality, but it is a reality that people in the Metro would just dismiss.

That is the sad reality that I still hope would someday disappear. I hope that a true leader will emerge to finally lead this country through. But who will be this person. Who will be this Simon Bolivar?

There are natural leaders and made up leaders. The natural leaders are those who have in them the elements of leader, which is difficult to distinguished from leadership qualities which are propagated through PR campaign.

So how do we-the ordinary mortals who were not trained in the modern discipline of brainwashing-are going to defend against the invation or enfluencing being propagated by giant communication experts. We ordinary mortals are prone to fall to tricks being peddled by these experts. It is not far fetched for us to believed what they say.

The battle in the fortcoming presidential election will be the battle of PR practitioners and Advertising firms. True qualities, real skills, or experiences that we should be looking for from leaders will not be the major factors that will determine who our next president will be. The enfluencers will most likely determine that.

So as an ordinary voter, how am I going to select whom to vote?