Yesterday, Senator Mar Roxas was elected by the Liberal Party National Executive Committee as the LP president. With the theme of “Oras Na,” the LP gathering signaled its intention to field a presidential candidate in the 2010 elections. To no one’s surprise, the name that kept coming up was Mar Roxas’ own.
With this move, the transition to the 2010 electoral scenario started unfolding. All are taking notice, not the least the other presidential hopefuls waiting in the wings. The Nacionalista Party’s own grand 100th anniversary is just around the corner and on everybody’s lips is the question of Senate President Manny Villar’s own announcement to throw his name into the ring.
While some may say that this is still a premature move–given the 2½ years still to go until the election day in May 2010–the LP move (and possibly, NP’s own) addresses the immediate danger to the presidential election. This is none other than the President’s pronouncements (and actual moves) for a preemptive charter change initiative. At this late in her term, this can only mean one thing–a political maneuver to extend her stay in power.
The LP move thus–in its own way–preempted Malacañang’s preemption. It has put squarely the charter change within the context of a term extension. It dares GMA to go ahead and risk a widespread resistance, possibly beyond last year’s opposition to Malacañang charter change.
It also puts the LP–and Mar Roxas–in the pole position in the presidential race. Other presidentiables are put to the challenge of surpassing media and public projections of yesterday’s events. The ruling coalition will find it harder to maintain the fragile cohesion of its components as some of of their members attended the LP meeting. The countdown has started for realignments and loyalty changes along the 2010 presidential elections.
This puts more pressure on GMA to finally decide on her narrowing options for political survival. The next few weeks will be more interesting than the last few months.
[…] Mon Casiple, a long-time observer of the Philippine political scene, analyzes: With this move, the transition to the 2010 electoral scenario started unfolding. All are taking notice, not the least the other presidential hopefuls waiting in the wings. The Nacionalista Party’s own grand 100th anniversary is just around the corner and on everybody’s lips is the question of Senate President Manny Villar’s own announcement to throw his name into the ring. […]
SWOT analysis of Mar Roxas ( President ,the Liberal Party).
STRENGTHS:
-”De Buena Familia”;part of the influential/very wealthy Araneta/Roxas poltical clan.
-Favorite of Philippine Wall Street(”Ayala Ave”)
-Rated K support.
-Senatorial Topnotcher
-”Mr.Palengke “projected image
-authorship of the Cheaper Medicine bill
WEAKNESSES:
-”Spineless”in crisis(quickly disappears and leaves for abroad when he needs to make a stand).
-No political organization(what’s the Drilon wing of the Liberal party right now?)
OPPORTUNITIES:
Among the the current 2010 presidentiables”,Mar Roxas appears to be most decent.He can be trusted.No taint of scandal/corruption at all.
Mar Roxas can become the most trusted political leader as soon as he finds his TRUE NORTH. Mar,Speak from the heart,not from the brain all the time.Feel the pain and real agony of the suffering Filipino masses.
THREATS:
The Lacsons and Gordons of this world project an image of “CAN DO/WILL DO’ leaders who the masses might desperately cling to.
We also have the political chameleons waiting in the wings.They can become oppositionists or administration depending where the political winds blow? Where will Mar Roxas be in this wide spectrum of political animals?
I agree with you, Mr Casiple, that LP preempted Gloria’s ChaCha. Indeed, “The next few weeks will be more interesting than the last few months.” I wonder what tactics Desperate-Glo, as well as her minions would do, or create ?
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By the way, The Equalizer, nice SWOT analysis of Mar.
[…]The Liberal Party is carrying the slogan “ORAS NA!”, which I think is the prelude campaign slogan to bring back the old glory of the party in the upcoming 2010 elections and place a Liberal in Malacañang. I was also able to met my fellow Mar Roxas for President in 2010 blogger Peter Laviña in the event. I was also able to talk with Senator Roxas and called me as his “inspiration.” Wow! That was a great compliment from my idol! I said that it was a stressful day for me, but the event was worth remembering[…]
Check out http://marroxas2010.blogspot.com
Sign the online petition at http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/marroxas2010
10 Questions I would Really Like To Ask Mar Roxas
* Define honesty
* Is there anything you disagree with Gloria Arroyo on?
* Is the Liberal party an opposition party?
* Who do you want to be your running mate?
* What makes you different from President Arroyo?
* Is the presidency worth it?
* Do you plan to ever get married?
* What do you plan to do if elected in 2010?
* Do you read blogs?
* Most importantly, do you want the endorsement of Gloria Arroyo???
When Mar Roxas came out virtually launching his presidential bid, presidential wanna-be Manny Villar was asked for his comments. He said 2010 was too far away and it would be better to just concentrate on the legislative work at hand.
But lo and behold. Just a few days later, he also virtually launched his 2010 campaign.
And I thought Manny was beyond such “Glorific fibs”.