IDIOTORIAL: Take It Or Leave it

April 22, 2016

The countdown to the May 9, 2016 Philippine elections has begun: T minus 15 days! Assuming the absence of poll irregularities, it is the Filipino voters that would eventually decide who is going to be their next president and vice president.

The beauty (or stupidity, depending on your perspective) of Philippine election laws is that the voter is not obligated to stick to one and the same party when choosing the president and VP. One can vote for the presidential candidate of one party and the VP candidate of another. It’s mix and match. Like the Filipino halo-halo. Or pinakbet.

From all indications — other than the dreamworks of the Yellow party — the presidential race is down to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Grace Poe. Poll after poll has attested to that.

For VP, it is a contest between Leni Robredo and Bongbong Marcos.

The big question now is, which combination will end up victorious?

If opposites attract, then we predict a Duterte-Robredo win, or a Poe-Marcos tandem.

Both Duterte and Robredo pretty much lack the political experience — at least on a national level. Governing a city is very different from governing an entire country; and being the widow of a well-loved government official does not make one qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Similarly, experience separates Poe and Marcos. The former is relatively new to politics while the latter has been engaged in it for decades — directly or indirectly (and you know what we mean).

If Robredo becomes Duterte’s VP, what role will she play in the administration? One is an autocrat, the other a democrat. One’s vulgar, the other very prim and proper. And can Robredo stand up to the dictatorial ways of Duterte? Will she have the backing of the Filipino people should a clash occur between her and the mayor? Will she have the stamina to stay on, or will she eventually say, “that’s it, I give up?”

If Marcos becomes Poe’s VP, will he try to assert his ways? Will he use his political legacy from his father to try to scheme to amass greater power as VP, or eventually, as president? On the other hand, will Poe’s calm and charm overcome Marcos?

Well, the decision lies in the hands of the Filipino voters, whether they vote wisely, or blindly.

As for The Adobo Chronicles, we’re rooting for a different combination: Poe-Robredo.

We’ve had women presidents before and that didn’t go quite as well. But perhaps a woman tandem for president AND vice president will do the trick? After all, while the Philippines has largely been male-dominated in the halls of government, it has also historically been a very matriarchal society — where the woman has the last say in most every household. We’ve heard of the phrase, “Under the saya” so many times before (pertaining to husbands being subservient to their wives).

So, dear readers, which one is your “dream team?”

On May 9, 2016, may the best man win. Or the best women!

–The Adobo Chronicles