Reason and Concern

By Ronquillo C. Tolentino

A Philippine Political Epiphany

Far from its literal meaning of being a Christian festival commemorating the showing of Jesus Christ to the Magi, I would, in the light of the Philippines political development, use the word epiphany from a secular point of view of its being a sudden realization or comprehension of meaning of something. James Joyce, in his novel, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916) referred to those times in his life when something became manifest, a deep realization.
As the United States braces for a presidential primary elections and caucuses from January 3, 2008 to February 5, 2008 presidential contenders for the November 4, 2008 elections have been identified, as follows: Republicans: Rudolf Giuliani, Mike Huckabee. Duncan Hunter, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mill Romney and Fred Thompson. Democrats: Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson. Other political parties are Constitution Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, Prohibition Party, Socialist Party USA, Socialist Equaltity Party, Socialist Workers Party. Also, there are independent and write-in candidates.
The first week of January 2008 opened with an earlier call by the ruling Lakas-NUCD with a decision for a coalition with probable presidential contenders like Sen. Mar Roxas, Sen. Manny Villar, Sen. Ping Lacson, Sen. Loren Legarda, Vice Presaident Noli de Castro and Sen. Richard Gordon. From its present ranks, the ruling party are still lacking with stronger presidential timbers with the exception of Vice President Noli de Castro who appears to be undecided what party to be identified but was ubiquitous at the Quiapo Black Nazarene celebration.
Not to be outdone, notwithstanding the constitutional prohibition provided by Section 4, Art. VII of the l987 Philippine Constitution that the President shall not be eligible for re-election while the Vice-President shall not serve for more than two successive terms, are the pronouncements of former presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada of their interest for the presidency.
Whether done jocosely, sincerely, half-hazardly or as publicity stunts, we cannot probably fathom their intentions. And even as I write this, Malacanang, through Executive Secretary Ermita had washed its hands declaring innocence on the political events even as DILG undersecretary and Lakas-NUCD excutive director had been reported to have courted Senator Loren Legarda to return to the folds of Lakas.
There is evident awareness of all political parties to prepare for the 20l0 presidential elections – their early political epiphanies exhibiting in bold reliefs. /MP Viva kay Señor Sto. Niño!