In a recent widely circulated article in the Freeman, a Cebu-based newspaper, one of its columnists Atty. Josephus Jimenez dismissed the idea that House Speaker Martin Romualdez has a chance to become the next President, succeeding President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. He said that the Speaker is suited to be Prime Minister but not President. This is another way of saying that unless the Constitution is amended in, say, 2029, our Speaker will not become His Excellency.
Let us look at the surveys mentioned in newspapers. The latest one placed the Speaker as number 8 in the ranking of potential aspirants. Then I did more research. I wanted to know how many Speakers have aspired to be President but lost. The answer: six, namely: Jose Yulo, Sergio Osmena Jr., Jose B. Laurel Jr., Manny Villar, Jose de Venecia, Jr . and Ramon Mitra Jr. Every time a Speaker wants to be President, he loses. (The only “survivor” was Manuel Roxas.)
It is astounding, even outlandish. What is in this position that leads to those losses? It is like a jinx, even a curse.
This incontrovertible fact is surely in the minds of those who want the Speaker to be the next President. Right now, the survey shows he is only ranked eighth. But the election for President is in 2028 or almost four years away. Anything can happen.
Much of the task of making the Speaker improve how people view him rests largely on his Public Relations staff and how they manage the “reputation” of the Speaker.
With such a high position in the government hierarchy with lots of resources at their disposal, why did those Speakers lose?
It looks like the character of the person as perceived by the public is what matters most. The problem here is that character is shaped through time and cannot change overnight. Therefore, the sooner that change starts, the better for the candidate.
In a system where parties do not have significant ideological differences, our party system is based on personalities, not policies. Candidates stress issues and promote slogans, but in the hustings on the campaign trail, these policies do not matter. It is the reputation of the candidate and what he is known for that matters. Even well-oiled machinery can be defeated by reputation.
The presidential candidate with the best positive and distinguishing features wins.
Should this region adopt what Atty. Jimenez said?
Under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, this region has received billions of pesos in projects that will help provinces develop. However, it is obvious that the projects, may be well-funded but their effectiveness is uncertain. High-impact projects are needed to solve low productivity in agriculture which continues to be a major block to high incomes in rural areas and in a region where 25 percent of the population lives below the poverty line.
The Speaker should listen to a candid report on the economic situation in agriculture. He can also take a look at and support effective strategies that will promote industrial development and tourism now that three major projects: Babatngon Port and Transshipment Hub, Second San Juanico Bridge, and DZR International Airport will be completed in two to three years. PBBM’s term will end in 2028. The next President will govern until 2034. By that time this region would have taken off and overtaken other regions.
After writing a series of essays, I have concluded that supporting the candidacy of the Speaker to be the next President of this country will be a boon to the 5 million people of Eastern Visayas.
We must make it happen. Let us prove Atty. Josephus Jimenez wrong.
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