With the 2016 elections just about one and a half year from now, the entire country and most of our big politicians are now very busy preparing for the next presidential race.
According to the latest Social Weather Stations survey, at the forefront of this contest are incumbent Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and a few others. However, I feel it is still too early for anyone to be able to predict the true political strength of every aspirant for the presidency.
Of course, the inclusion in the survey of “presidentiables” like Miriam Defensor Santiago, Chiz Escudero, former president Erap Estrada and others is understandable. But that of Roxas is out of place.
Why? Roxas, the vice-presidential candidate in the last national elections as running mate of the victorious Noynoy Aquino, has been shown that he is not acceptable to the people. I feel that if Roxas will be endorsed by his political party, he will be a sure loser. Roxas, after losing to Binay, is a political lame duck.
Former senator Panfilo Lacson, with his track record, may be the much stronger candidate although he also lost when he ran for president. But his loss was mainly due to his not being affiliated with an established political party.
To my mind, among the presidential aspirants mentioned, Lacson may be the most qualified to lead our nation to more progress, especially in the problem of peace and order, and in reducing graft and corruption in government.
It is hoped the learned and responsible leaders of our present ruling coalition, especially those in the Liberal Party, will consider and be receptive to this idea.
—ARTURO M. TOPACIO JR.,
Topacio Law Office,
Cavite City