July 27, 2003

The Philippine STAR, Opinion Page

Ideally, It Should Be 

Roco vs. Danding in 2004  

By Babe Romualdez

Despite all the stories we hear that GMA will run, I still would like to believe that she would keep her word and not seek the presidency in 2004. I’m certain Divine Providence will guide her through the next few months so that she will accomplish her role as head of this transitory government that would ensure clean and orderly elections next year. Hopefully, history would repeat itself, and as a woman president, she would preside over the peaceful transfer of power in 2004, much like what Mrs. Aquino did in 1992. I am sure, history would be kind to GMA.

The ideal situation today would be to have two candidates vying for the presidency so we could have, at the end of the day, a majority president. In my view, the most qualified are Raul Roco and Danding Cojuangco. Unfortunately, there are dark and sinister forces in this country that are trying to demolish these candidates. Raul Roco is obviously being demolished because of trumped up graft charges when he was still education secretary. Two private citizens with their lawyer filed multiple charges against Roco because he allegedly spent 1.8 million pesos to hire 10 advisers without the approval of the budget department, including his wife Sonia whom Roco allegedly hired a driver for, using government funds. Danding Cojuangco is a potential candidate who has not even declared yet but is now being bombarded left and right. At the end of the day, all these issues would come out anyway once the campaign season gets underway, and ultimately, it’s the public who should decide whether they will believe it or not. 

At the Rotary Club of Quezon City where I was guest speaker the other day, I spoke about how this country needs a strong leader who can exercise political will. Political will, I believe, is the key to changing the way this country is today and solving the problems we have. I was surprised during the question and answer how Danding Cojuangco’s name kept on popping up. I suppose the idea that we need a businessman to run the country as a corporation is slowly spreading like fire. Danding is known for his track record in the business community, how he was able to bring San Miguel Corporation to where it is today. The present growth thrusts of SMC and the increase of revenues came when ECJ took over, who is known by his people as firm, decisive, and determined. With the entry of Kirin Beer, SMC was able to acquire blue-chip market leaders like Purefoods and Cosmos, and has reacquired Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines. Today, the company’s market capitalization is three billion US dollars with a four-percent contribution to the tax revenues. From 20,000 employees, he cut it down to 4,800. SMC then farmed out businesses that SMC was not supposed to be in like trucking, warehousing, etc. to most of the 15,000 former employees who today are happy managing their own businesses. They are so grateful to Danding that up to today, they still call him “Boss.” Danding hopes to do the same in case he ever becomes president and trim down government bureaucracy, to which 65-percent of the budget goes today. In the meantime, SMC is expected to become a 10 billion dollar company in three years. Thaksin Shinawatra was one of Thailand’s most successful businessmen before he became prime minister. Many businessmen are hopeful that Danding can do a “Thaksin Miracle” similar to Thailand.

As of now, Danding has not yet made up his mind. Not for anything else, but knowing him, he will not get into it until he is sure that his chances of winning are better. More importantly, whatever he hopes to do for the country in improving the economy and managing its resources, he would be able to do it much in the same manner as what he did to San Miguel. Truth to tell, nowadays, he gets more excited talking about SMC’s expansion program rather than the country. You could see from his face when people talk to him about running – his mood changes, especially if it’s about the enormous problems of the country. He would always say it’s insane for anyone to want to be president of this country today. Nonetheless, in his recent trip to Pangasinan, he found out that the people who did not support him in 1992 are now urging him to run. Throngs of people gathered around him wherever he went. As a matter of fact, during a dinner recently at the YPO-WPO (Young Presidents Organization and World Presidents Organization), he was elated to see many of the young businessmen expressing their concern about the problems of the country. He came out of that meeting feeling good, realizing that even if he does not run, he could still share his ideas and experiences that would contribute meaningful changes for the country.

More and more I am convinced that the best thing that could happen to this country is if Danding Cojuangco decides to run. Obviously, Roco has made his declaration, and as such, he will run for sure. But if ECJ decides to run, chances are FPJ will not run. Ping Lacson will most likely bow out of the race and support Danding. Noli de Castro, I am told, would not go for it if Danding runs because he says he is not yet ready. So, ultimately, our choice would be narrowed down to two – Raul Roco and Danding Cojuangco. That situation would be ideal so that once and for all, we would have a clear majority president who will have the mandate to introduce real reforms that will get the country back on track. 

As I have said many times before, people of power and influence have this last chance to influence the outcome of 2004. Time is really running out. Every minute 3.7 babies are born and added to the ever-growing number of the poor. If this situation is not reversed, we will, in less than ten years, have 70 million people that will live below the poverty line. These people are tired of promises. They are desperate. They now demand meaningful changes in their lives. Because if we fail this time, they will surely take into their own hands – either through the ballot or with a bolo – the fate of this country.

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Email: babeseyeview@hotmail.com

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