The Philippines could elect an independent president in 2010

(First of three-part series)

The official word is that the Palace has declared President Gloria Arroyo would indeed step down after her term of office ends in 2010. The presidential election that same year will virtually make People Power 2 in 2001 come full circle. That event shifted the political landscape of this country from a loose multi-party system to a somehow solid two-party affair, although not exactly the way how the Nacionalistas and the Liberals did for almost 25 years since the end of American occupation.

For most part of this century, the spectrum of the political arena is divided between the followers of Joseph Estrada, who was kicked out by a popular revolt in 2001, and those loyal to President Arroyo. For six years, Arroyo almost had a firm grip in both houses of Congress. But that changed in 2007 when the people decided there should change in direction especially in the Senate although the President’s coalition party continues to enjoy filibuster-proof in the House of Representatives.

The people are clearly beginning to get wary of the President’s tax measures and corruption charges that are consistently being put under the rug. Despite losing seats in the Senate, however, time is on the Palace’s side since most senators are likely to take their positions next year in prep for 2010. That brings us to the elections. Clearly, Estrada and Arroyo will not be participating but this would be potentially the last time their respective parties, Puwersa ng Masa and Kampi, will face off in a political battle.

The problem is, neither parties do not have candidates directly from their stable that can be considered ‘presidentiable’. Look at the current candidates that have openly declared their intentions for the presidency: Mayor Jejomar Binay (PDP-Laban, Makati), Senate President Manny Villar (Nacionalista, Las Pinas), and Bayani Fernando (Lakas-CMD, Marikina). Even other potential candidates rumored to be interested in the position are affiliated with other parties such as Senator Mar Roxas (Liberal, Capiz), Loren Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Manila), Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero (NPC, Sorsogon), and Vice President Noli De Castro (Independent, Mindoro).

Filipinos seem to have largely forgotten about the hysteria of 2001 and the furious run-off battles that it brought which divided the nation for over half a decade. What I am saying is, the 2010 polls could be a potential free-for-all and those candidates mentioned above could definitely win without the baggage of an Estrada-Arroyo rivalry.

(To be continued)