One of my favorite people in the world sat across me, sipping coffee in a café that he owns, on the top floor of a mall that he started. He ran and lost in the 2010 presidential elections but has since recovered, financially and emotionally, while quietly and deftly leading a business empire that he had painstakingly built from the ground up with his wife, Senator Cynthia Villar.
Today, former Senate President Manny Villar is happily back at the helm of VistaLand and is listed as the 13th richest Filipino according to Forbes Magazine.
Citizen Manny shared with me his thoughts on what awaits the next president of the Philippines: “The world is on a bumpy ride, economically, with what’s going on in China, Greece and recent upheavals in the Middle East. Although our economic fundamentals are strong and our exposure in Greece may be small, we should not ignore what has happened nor should we over-react to what’s going on in other parts of the world. What’s important is for the government to care enough for those affected regardless of number, and make sure that there are enough safety nets to cushion the effects especially on our OFWs and their families.”
“As the US economy gets stronger, it will attract more investments that have been going Asia’s way. The next president will also have to contend with the Mindanao peace process. Whoever wins cannot simply set aside the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law because it is already in play. The next administration must confront issues concerning infrastructure development and better, safer and more efficient transport systems whether via land, sea or air. I doubt if the people would be just as forgiving and patient when these issues remain unresolved for another six years.”
The head of the Nacionalista Party also cited the need to ramp up the country’s gross domestic product. “Nothing can replace high economic growth as the best antidote to corruption,” Villar added. He noted that a 5-6 percent economic growth would benefit the already rich and powerful while an 8-9 percent growth rate would make a dent against poverty.
So who among those perceived to be running in next year’s presidential elections has the capacity to galvanize a more competitive and economically viable Philippines?
For President Aquino, the choice is clear. He is pushing for the candidacy of long-time party mate and good friend, Mar Roxas, the current Interior and Local Governments Secretary. The choice is not surprising given that Roxas gave up his dream to run for president in 2010 in favor of the now incumbent president after the death of the latter’s mother, the much admired President Corazon C. Aquino.
Unfortunately, this early is in the political race, there has yet to emerge a tsunami of grassroots support for Secretary Roxas. He has to re-define himself in the public mind as a viable, sincere and likeable candidate. Born to wealth and privilege, Roxas as President Aquino’s choice, would also have to prove himself capable of empathy with the poor and the lesser-haves including our overseas workers and their families. The plus side is that it is early enough for a re-make as long as the transformation is credible and authentic.
Who will win in 2016? A third lady president? A former vice-president? The president’s loyal party-mate and cabinet secretary? An iron-fisted mayor named Duterte? Or the only son of Ferdinand Marcos? It truly is anyone’s ballgame. For once, it is now the ordinary citizens that hold all the cards. Too bad, my favorite billionaire is not on that list.
