#AnimatED: Reality check for LP and allies

The presidential contest is starting to sizzle, 6 months before the deadline for filing of candidacies. Yes, we know, this is an eternity in Philippine politics. 

But the most recent Pulse Asia poll on presidential preferences gave us a surprise, with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte making it to the top 3 (12%), the first time he ever did.  He came next to Vice President Jejomar Binay (29%) and Senator Grace Poe (14%). 

His numbers climbed after he conducted his “listening tour” in parts of Mindanao and Luzon where he dropped heavy hints about aspiring to run for president.

Senator Poe, meanwhile, appears reluctant yet she has often placed second to Binay. She ran as an independent in the 2013 elections but was allied with the ruling coalition.

Mar Roxas, the “sentimental” favorite of the Liberal Party (LP) for 2016, as Secretary Florencio Abad once quipped, is way down below, placing 7th (4%).  The interior secretary’s ranking has hardly improved.

Duterte, it turns out, has shifted allegiances from the PDP-Laban to the ruling LP, one of those twists and turns that make chameleons out of politicians. 

Hello, Grace. Hello, Digong. Goodbye, Mar?

Welcome to the Philippines, where political parties are flags of convenience, where succession planning is alien, where political patronage prevails, and where popularity of candidates reigns.

This has always been a cause for worry. Recently, the Makati Business Club (MBC) has been explicit about this, that the next president may not continue the anti-corruption efforts, transparency initiatives and development programs of President Aquino and lower investor confidence in the country.

Ramon del Rosario, MBC president, said in a speech that the “most critical” test for this administration in preserving its gains is the “choice of the presidential candidate who will continue good governance and development agenda.” This candidate, he said, should be supported by the administration’s political party and machinery. He stressed that this should not be taken lightly. 

This “critical test” comes at a time when President Aquino’s endorsement power has weakened, his ratings tumbling to an all-time low of 38%, from 59% in November last year.  

The President and his coalition have yet to make a big decision on who their candidate would be, one who could sustain the economic growth and make it inclusive, lifting millions from poverty; one who would not taint Malacañang with corruption and would not tolerate it in all other branches of government; and one who would not reverse gains in transparency.

The Liberal Party and its allies are in for a major reality check – and time is flying fast. – Rappler.com