2010

It's still more than 2 years prior the 2010 National Elections in the Philippines, and yet a lot of names have surfaced regarding who will replace Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The list of possible candidates are not at all surprising- same people. The names of Vice President Noli De Castro, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, Sen. Mar Roxas, Sen. Manny Villar, Mayor Sonny Belmonte and even Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro all came out in the list of the so-called presidentiables.

As of today, one cannot really say who among the possibe candidates will win or at the very least who might win. As of now, all candidates are on the same platform. No one yet could tell who will reside in Malacanyang in 2010. A lot of events could still happen and everyone, even the popular ones, is not assured of that exclusive seat.

The road to Malacanyang is a dangerous one, albeit very exciting so to speak. One might do everything to arrive there first. One might fall back along the path and never recover. One might become impoverished of wealth or of friends. It is a road surely only one wins, but a road a lot dreams of. It is no surprise that many wants to follow the footsteps of Emilio, Manuel, Ramon, Ferdinand, Fidel among others. It is the seat of power after all and power, as history tells us, can breed greed.

Issues also arose if former presidents can still run. Why do people give so much hype on this, when in fact the constitution clearly states that elected presidents can't seek a new term. It is also very unlikely if indeed Cory, Fidel, Joseph or even Gloria would run again this 2010.

The road to 2010 begins now. That year is what people have been waiting for so long. The country has been under the Arroyo administration for more than 6 years and will continue to be in the next 2 to 3 years. People wanted to oust Gloria, but can't. And this upcomming elections will answer their prayers since it is the only legitimate way to get rid of an illegitimate one (as others would point out). The next polls would test the voters, the politicians and the entire country. How do they want the next 6 years to be? How wise are modern Filipino voters? How changed is our government system?

Those questions and more will be answered in 2 to 3 years from now.