Obama inspires candidates
Wed, November 12 2008
Jejomar “Jojo” Binay is getting used to being called “Jo-bama” – a nickname that could catapult him to become the next Philippine president.
“(With the name,) at least there is recall right away,” said the mayor of the country’s financial district Makati, a position he’s held for almost 20 years.
Binay said he is ready to assume a higher position in government. The head of the United Opposition believes Filipinos will look for change and reform in the 2010 elections.
“We have to get away from this kind of administration, where at the onset, her (President Gloria Arroyo) leadership is questionable,” he said.
Another opposition leader that is also being compared to the U.S. president-elect is Senator Francis Escudero. The 39-year-old placed second in the 2007 elections in his first attempt at a national seat.
“The two issues raised against him (Obama) were the very same issues that were raised against me when I ran for the Senate and when I ran for the House – that I was too young and that I lack experience,” said Escudero.
“Given the world’s problems right now, their gravity and seriousness, this is one of the few things that The Philippines can and should emulate from the U.S. – the fact that they gave their young leaders a chance, the fact that their younger citizens took the cudgels and carried the burden for their country,” Escudero added.
But more than producing the Philippines’ version of the United States’ charismatic leader, the country will need to cultivate critical and discerning voters to make the right choice for their next president.
Meanwhile, The Philippines Inquirer reports that the Palace names choices for president.
Vice President Noli de Castro is the one of the key choices for the incumbent administration for president in the 2010 national elections.
Malacañang’s choices also include Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Senator Richard Gordon, Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte.
“They are the administration’s choices. But we will have to await who the President will anoint,’’ said Cerge Remonde, presidential management staff chief.
For now, the President has refused to discuss the 2010 elections, opting to focus on contingency measures against the global financial crunch.
According to the third quarter survey of the Social Weather Stations, De Castro was the top recommended successor to take over from the President in May 2010, gaining 29 per cent of the respondents.
