President Leni Robredo in 2016—why not?
By Willie Jose
Come 2016, Atty. Leni Robredo, the widow of former DILG head
Jesse Robredo, could possibly be the
next president of the Philippines. Well, why not?
Some people might say that this idea is just a wild guess, a
figment of one’s imagination or it’s tantamount to virtually asking the
impossible to happen— in this life, but
more so in politics, nothing is impossible.
I’m not a political expert, but this piece is an
honest-to-goodness analysis of what I’ve seen, heard and read about the
political going-ons back home; this is a short commentary on what on the minds
of common people.
The only thing Leni and her loyal followers would have to do
is to turn into votes the tsunami-like waves of support shown by the millions
of Filipinos who had lined the streets
to welcome her husband’s cortege and had formed the long queues in the funeral wakes, braving the heat
and rains, to pay their last respects to her husband.
And this Leni’s presidency scenario is not really farfetched
since we have been witnesses to the unfolding of some unbelievably history-making
events in recent past—that of seeing the rise of reluctant and
"accidental” candidates (former President Cory Aquino and now President
PNoy) to the presidency.
Well, Malacanang is still a long way to go to-- but for the
meantime, Mrs. Robredo must run for the senatorial race next year in order to
test water first, so to speak, to find out if
she’s gotten the numbers that could
catapult her to the highest position of the land.
The 2013 election is a good barometer for Leni because
topping these elections could only mean that the people have found the right
person who could justly carry on President Benigno Aquino’s “ Tuwid na Daan” advocacy. Winning the
elections is also an indication that the people would like Leni to continue her
husband’s legacy of running the affairs
of the government with accountability, honesty and transparency.
Being a lawyer herself, Leni is said to have displayed the
willingness to help the common people by joining the Saligan (Sentro ng
Alternatibong Lingap pa Legal) and she has helped victims of human rights
.The Robredos have led simple life; their humble dwelling in Naga City and the
fact that they could move around with less security aides are proofs of their
simplicity and humility.
If she topped the senate polls, come hell or high water,
Malacanang would be within Leni’s reach.
These days, the cyberspace users —Twitter and Facebook— have
been busily exchanging notes and messages and lunching signature campaigns like
the Atty. Leni Robredo For Senator Movement, all aimed at convincing Leni to
get involved this early in politics.
One Facebook user has this comment “ OO naman, medyo sawa na
nga kasi mga tao sa trapos. Eh kaya ang mga Pinoy sanay sa subok nang subok
kung sino talaga ang puedeng umayos ng Pilipinas.Baka itong baguhan, mas may
magawa at mas may political will na maayos ang Pilipinas.” (Yes, the people
are sick and tired of these traditional politicians and that’s the reason why
we have kept on trying and trying to look for people who could really fix the
country’s ills. Maybe these new breeds of politicians will have the political
will to patch up the Philippines,)
Yes, our countrymen are pinning their hopes on President Aquino
and his possible successor Atty. Leni Robredo to bring about meaningful changes
in the country.
Is this not a wishful thinking?
But I would like to throw these questions: Are our kababayans
really convinced that these good
and sincere leaders are capable of fixing the country’s ills such as poverty,
corruption, pollution, natural calamities, diseases, crimes and other forms of
violence.
Quoting historian David Fromkin, he said, “Governments are
composed of human beings; therefore they are fallible and their prospects are
uncertain. They exercise a certain power, but only a limited one.” (The
Question of Government).
So the Bible (God’s Word) aptly warns us not to put trust in
man—Psalm 146:3
To conclude this article, I’d like to quote another verse in
the Scriptures which all of us can reflect on: “ It does not belong to man who
is walking.,” wrote the prophet Jeremiah, “ even to direct his step.”—Jeremiah
10:23
Yes, we humans are imperfect, we don’t have the ability to
govern ourselves and
God will soon intervene in humans’ affairs -- Daniel
2:44)
