February 15, 2003

The Philippine STAR, Opinion Page

We Need More Choices in 2004

By Babe Romualdez

PGMA’s decision not to run in 2004 will ultimately be good for the country and help it get back on track. Because of the way she came into power, her decision somehow dissipated the political tension, which in the past was fueled by endless coup rumors. Obviously this caused a lot of economic and political instability. The opposition would have done anything and everything to overturn her bid for another term. From the way I see it, her decision also did her a lot of good health wise. Today, GMA looks more relaxed and at ease.

In spite of the many doubting Thomases around us, I would still like to believe that she will not change her mind about running in 2004. But just the same, there are still people who want to try and influence her to break her word. Like in the case of her trip to Capiz recently where a number of people greeted her with placards saying, “Mrs. President, please reconsider….”  This was obviously orchestrated by a few brown-nosed people who want to remain in power. They are missing the point. PGMA has already made her mark in history, and if she changes her mind, history will not be kind to her. I suppose GMA realized that her role was that of a transitory president, with the task of getting the country back on track, much like what Cory did in 1986. The credible elections of 1992 created a perceived economic boom. History, I firmly believe, will repeat itself in 2004.

So far, there are only two candidates who have openly said they will run – Raul Roco and Ping Lacson. There’s no doubt Roco is experienced in government service, having been education secretary and senator. He almost won in the 1998 presidential race. Ping Lacson, on the other hand, in spite of the numerous accusations hurled against him, still has the Filipino-Chinese community supporting him, and they swear that he is the man who can solve the peace and order problem of the country. Of course, there’s FPJ who was, at least, candid enough to admit that he knows nothing of running a government. We should all be grateful for his honesty in spite of the fact that many believe that if he runs, there’s a better than even chance that he will win. Some people should stop pushing FPJ to run for president. We cannot afford to play with the future and lives of 83 million people – and rapidly growing.

One of those whom I think should take on the challenge is Sen. Juan Flavier. I respect Johnny highly because of his clean work ethics, impeccable track record, and his stand on population growth. Apparently, he is extremely popular both with the masses and the elite. Even our friend Amado Doronilla agrees Flavier would make a good candidate. The only problem is Juan Flavier is not confident he could do the job because of his health.

There is one person, however, who has decided to stay away from politics, but many feel he is the kind of person we need today – a businessman- politician with strong leadership qualities and a stable political machinery. Danding Cojuangco’s Nationalist People’s Coalition, formed in 1992 when he ran for president, continues to be solid and intact with 90 members of Congress still under his wing. In fact, he almost won that year, but since then, has remained on the sidelines supporting his party. ECJ refuses even to discuss the idea of running for president. But there are still many who still believe that he is the strong leader we are looking for to run this country today.

Enrique Zobel, despite his condition, still keeps tab on the country’s political and economic situation. He told me the other day that even those who were vehemently and violently against Danding in 1992, especially from the Makati group, are now singing a different tune. Many of them now strongly feel the country really needs an astute businessman with enough political background like Danding Cojuangco.

When ECJ conceded to FVR in 1992, his only request then was for him to be given a fair shake in the cases that were filed against him. In fact, while in exile from 1986 to 1989, his cousin Peping Cojuangco offered him a compromise agreement. Danding turned it down and had only one request: that he be allowed to return to the Philippines and face all the accusations that were leveled against him. Many of his friends tried to persuade him to take the easy way out and give in to a compromise agreement like the rest. But he refused and remained consistent up to this day.

Today, Danding Cojuangco has not changed; he still believes in this country. He could have easily written it off to find his future elsewhere. But he has remained, with high hopes for the Philippines, and continues to take risks like a true businessman. He is street smart, and of course, his biggest achievement is what he made San Miguel Corporation today -- a world-class corporation. Even Enrique Zobel, who was vice chairman of San Miguel in the late 70s, admits he has never seen anything like SMC’s phenomenal growth today.

It is sad though because Danding, who many believe his time has come, refuses to even discuss the idea of running. For now, he continues to resist all those who have been trying to persuade him to run for president in 2004. With the enormous problems of the country, one cannot blame him. He is happy running San Miguel Corporation, which has grown by leaps and bounds under his leadership. And for the first time in many years, he is now free to fulfill his biggest passion -- farming. He regularly goes to his farm in Negros where he spends a lot of time with his lovely wife, Gretchen Oppen Cojuangco, a fine and classy lady.

I still hope that people like Johnny Flavier and Danding Cojuangco would reconsider and answer the call of duty for country. This nation does not only deserve to have a wider choice, but a good choice. With good leadership, there is no doubt this country will soon have its day in the sun, and ultimately grow like a world-class corporation. Just like in 1992, history will repeat itself, but this time I am certain the boom will be for the long haul. At the end of the day, all Filipinos want to see this country become a better place to live in. The Philippines deserves to be blessed, not only with a good leader, but an outstanding leader.

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