Seeing stars with Mar Roxas and VP Binay

By the stars in the skies, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas is destined to become the next president. It is written in the alphabets and in history.

Just as Aquino (Cory) of 1986 was followed by Fidel Ramos in 1992, Aquino (Noynoy) of 2010 is destined to be followed by Roxas in 2016. Aside from starting with the letter R, both their surnames have two syllables and end with the letter S.

Aquino the mother was the solution to the Marcos corruption, and the loyal Ramos benefited from the normalcy; Aquino the son was the solution to the Arroyo corruption, and the loyal (and royal) Roxas can be the beneficiary as soon as the pork barrel (PDAF and DAP) issues clear up.

Many believed it was Ramos’ facilitation of the P1-billion “National Aid to LGUs” that earned him important local votes in 1992; Roxas will similarly succeed with typhoon and earthquake relief funds.

In the next 12 horoscope months of Roxas, his little stars will keep on twinkling, and P-Noy will verbalize his support for Roxas’ presidential run by October of 2015. By that time, today’s “MORE2COME” will have very minimal tweaking and become “MAR2COME!”

Shooting stars will also be very kind to Roxas as 2016 enters, with the centennial of the Senate. Being the grandson of the third most widely acknowledged statesman in Philippine politics, President Manuel A. Roxas (the two others being Presidents Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio S. Osmeña), Mar has the advantage of a famous name; and if his Liberal Party plays it right in assembling other famous names in their senatorial ticket, the centennial spirit will work for him.

If he is cast along with co-grandsons like Manolo Quezon III, Serge Osmeña III, Tito Guingona III, Erin Tañada, Ralph Recto and even Darlene Antonino-Custodio, some nostalgia (centennial, sentimental) votes will be won.

But speaking of centennial sentimentalities and respects, Mar and his LP must first pay tribute to the only living LP great, Jovito Salonga, not just for “pampa-buwenas” but to show that he is earnestly indebted to history. And that will translate into more “elderly” votes.

It also helps that by 2016, the two-party (Liberal, Nacionalista) system will be stronger, unlike in 1992 when the system was weakening and the nation ended up having to choose from among several presidential contenders from about seven parties.

If and when Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago sees the futility of running despite Fr. Joaquin Bernas’ push, Ilonggo votes from Negros and Central Mindanao will troop to Mar, and that’s about 20 percent of the 1992 voters (who went for her).

Another strong contender, Chiz Escudero, would soon realize that running independently would be like “ipit sa nag-uumpugang bato,” and may just choose (and agree) to be Mar’s running mate. Escudero, by the way, is providentially born president.

But in 2022 yet—and only if he wins as vice president first, just like Erap Estrada who succeeded Ramos in 1992. And although it will be Mar who will benefit more from the team-up, Escudero, like Estrada, can win alone when his time comes; and he can count on the Liberals for a sure and easy win.

And so it is written in the stars that, as future surveys go, Jojo Binay’s number will come exiting, while Mar Roxas’ figures will become exciting.

—LIBETO F. VARGAS JR.,

Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City

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