For P-Noy, Grace, same ‘daang matuwid’ but for the diverging approaches and exits

WHEN SEN. Grace Poe told President Aquino not to wait for her response to his offer to be the running mate of the ruling Liberal Party presidential candidate—as she had yet to decide whether to seek for a higher position or not—the President seemed like a love-struck suitor who continued to profess his undying love, vowing to wait until the object of his affection shall have been paired to somebody else at a wedding altar, so to speak.

So what made Poe politely decline such an offer when she could have practically gotten a free ride to the vice presidency, without having to worry about a strong political machinery and logistics support?

Did Poe sense that the offer was just a ploy to keep her out of the presidential race, in much the same way some groups are questioning her citizenship? Are they so afraid of a Poe presidency? Certainly, there must have been some reasons for the President’s profession of his “undying love” for Poe.

Poe and Mr. Aquino quite agree on the idea of serving the people through “daang matuwid.” However, they are poles apart when it comes to how it should reach its destination. For instance, while Mr. Aquino is pussyfooting around the enactment of the Freedom of Information law (FOI), which was an election promise of his, Poe is pushing hard for its immediate passage. While Poe, who chaired the committee that investigated the Mamasapano tragedy, is determined to give justice to the fallen SAF 44, Mr. Aquino (who could have hastened the filing of charges against those responsible for the massacre, and seized the opportunity to clear his name of responsibility for the bloodbath, as reported by her committee) appears to be delaying the wheels of justice by directing a new Mamasapano probe based on new leads to an “alternative truth.” Could it just be an afterthought eight months after the incident, when all the investigating bodies, except for the Department of Justice, have already submitted their findings?

How then could a resolute Poe, who willingly welcomes the investigation of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) about her citizenship, possibly have an ideal alliance with a procrastinating President, even if only through his anointed successor (Mar Roxas)?

If the Philippine presidency is Poe’s destiny, nothing can prevent her from becoming president… not even her purported lack of experience.

If Moses, a foundling like Poe, had a Joshua as military commander during the Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness, Poe can have not only one but even a battery of Joshuas as her advisers, if need be, to lead this nation out of bondage (widely perceived unrestrained corruption and selective justice, among the perennial problems that have been haunting our people).

To be fair to Roxas, the President should have made him wait for his choice of running mate. Roxas and his vice presidential candidate have yet to formulate their platform and campaign strategy for the coming elections.

—ARMANDO LIBRANDO ALPAY, [email protected]