Rina Jimenez-David
Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 4, 2010

MUNTINLUPA REP. AND LIBERAL PARTY senatorial candidate Ruffy Biazon joins other analysts in positing that even if Sen. Noynoy Aquino succeeds in winning the presidency on May 10, and even if Sen. Mar Roxas wins as vice president, the Aquino administration may still be hamstrung by a glaring reality: not enjoying majority support in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

In what he asserts is a “worst-case scenario analysis,” Biazon writes that the House would “most likely become an Arroyo stronghold.” With Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo most likely to win a House seat (although a miracle could still take place), former Cabinet members seeking both congressional and party-list seats, and many more incumbent pro-Arroyo representatives seeking reelection, “it stands to reason that the future Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has a very good chance of getting the speakership,” or head the formation of a major bloc which would be “big enough to be a significant threat” to a future Aquino administration.

Should Aquino and Roxas win on May 10, it would also mean that Senators Villar and Legarda will re-take their seats in the Senate, points out Biazon. Based on the current composition of the Senate, and of the ranking candidates based on opinion polls, the Senate, says Biazon, could be dominated by a large number of Villar supporters. “With a bloc composed of 10 senators who are members of his party, vocal supporters or known sympathizers, Senator Villar will only need three more to gain the majority in the Senate and propel him to the Senate presidency.”

Thus, concludes Biazon, “There is a possibility that the relationship between the 15th Congress and an Aquino presidency might be a hostile relationship at worst or a difficult one at best.” Ominously, he notes: “Noynoy Aquino could be held hostage by an Arroyo House speakership and a Villar Senate presidency.”

SO VOTERS who desire to see Noynoy succeed as president, says Biazon, “should give equal and committed support to his senatorial candidates in order to ensure that he has enough allies in the legislature to support his plans and programs.”

The trouble, though, is that the voting public seems to be guided more by name recall and popularity than a serious examination of the senatorial candidates’ qualifications and what they hope to do during their term in the Senate.

It would be self-defeating, indeed, to vote into office a candidate or a team that promises to work for change and reform, only to saddle it with a legislature that will prove to be obstructionist, if not outright hostile.

To even the field somewhat, here’s a listing of some candidates I find worth your consideration, but who may not enjoy much of an advantage in terms of name recall or familiarity.

Let me start with Ruffy Biazon himself, a three-term congressman from Muntinlupa who implemented a “6K program” that pursued kalusugan (health), kaunlaran (progress), karunungan (education), kabuhayan (employment), kapayapaan (peace) and kalikasan (environment) in his district.

Hard-working and outspoken, he has gained my support mainly for his advocacy of mass screening of women for cervical cancer. This is a health issue that is only now gaining public attention, but when Biazon agreed to have Muntinlupa as a pilot area for the one-stop detection and treatment for cervical cancer (with the use of visual inspection with acetic acid wash or VIA), the campaign was still in its infancy. Certainly his support for the program, and for women’s health, has been invaluable and would prove even more valuable once he joins the Senate.

YASMIN Busran Lao. I have written quite frequently about her, since she is not just a friend and a sister in the women’s group Pilipina, but also a brave, articulate and dedicated fighter for the rights of Muslim women in the Philippines, for the rights of civilians (Christian, Muslim or lumad) caught in the crossfire of violence in Mindanao, and for more meaningful and successful negotiations for peace and for development.

At the same time, Yas is an advocate for reproductive health, knowing first-hand and through her organizing work with Moro women the problems women face in a society where they are placed in a subordinate and disadvantaged position. Indeed, she offers a fresh, unique voice within the Senate.

Nereus “Neric” Acosta. Another friend, who has carved a proud record as a congressman (author of the Clean Air Act, for one) but who chose to banner himself mainly as “Teacher Neric” when he began his campaign. Aside from his grasp of environmental issues, Neric also offers a sophisticated, global perspective on politics, having built an impressive network of contacts around the world in his work as both legislator and political scientist.

RISA Hontiveros Baraquel. She may not need as much help as far as publicity goes, since she seems to enjoy rapport with the media mainly because, as they say, “the camera loves her.” But though she is within “striking distance,” Risa needs all the help to project herself and her advocacies even more, especially since her reasoned voice and compassionate approach to most issues is such a balm in our heated political culture.

Dr. Martin Bautista. I was immediately impressed upon meeting and hearing him. He promises to inject humor and insight into Senate deliberations, while his experience as a medical doctor will prove valuable in crafting legislation to address our entrenched health issues.

Alex Lacson. He embodies good citizenship and practical idealism. He strikes me as the quintessential good guy, responsible citizen and decent family man. Should he make it to the Senate, he will be a voice for the “ordinary” Pinoy.


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