Against the Noynoy euphoria - Part 1

I have been losing "friends" in my Facebook network and all because of my stand on Noynoy. Perhaps, I could have resorted to a more sober sarcasm, but then, how do you fight off a very popular "non-figure"?

Perhaps,again, in my impulsive tirade of him, I have been annoying a lot of "friends". But that is beside the point. I have never taken such stance as compared when Erap won the Presidency. It is the feeling of reverse emotional paranoia that is unsettling me. Why NoyNoy in the first place?

I place value unwittingly. Unconditional. And no pretense. I have yet to see someone who possess such a virtue of detached cynicism. Noynoy does not carry with him these elements. In fact, he is someone who cannot command a majority and will be swallowed in the gumption of crocodiles disguising themselves as patriots, when in fact, they have their own interests to protect.

The cynic in me tells me that no matter how much integrity one has, unless a "doer" persona is evident, then all of this euphoria for the resurgence of an Aquino legacy will go for naught. Cory had her days when she became President. She could have made a difference. But she did not. She succumbed to the demands of her class and she did not heed the greater interest, but who can go against her then? Except a few perhaps for she was the darling that time. I am seeing a repeat in a Noynoy presidency.

I am deeply scared of such. The absence of a substantial element in Noynoy's persona and background is simply unnerving. I can simply believe and be bought because for the reason that he is an Aquino. He must be his own man. And I cannot see the Ninoy in him. The protestations that he is a simpleton in the political arena because he keeps a safe distance from the laborious undertakings of legislative life is just astounding and it is perhaps arrogant for him to delve into a more complex tasks of being a President! I cannot reconcile how I can vote for somebody who I see as lameduck, with only the Aquino name backing him up, and nothing more, to run this country with the promise of change. I do not even see the charisma, unless I am blinded by the belief that he is an ineffectual leader?

The Philippines is a complex nation. We are the surprise of this planet. We are so malleable that many are in awe because we have survived. The irony of it all, is that we have survived because of an unpopular President! Am I to use this analogy for me to even consider giving Noynoy that chance? The answer is NO.

At this juncture in our political life, we are beset and must make an objective assessment of the future, of things we wanted to be in the future. We have done far more experimentation with our choice of leaders. And each time, we are not satisfied. Can Noynoy unite us? I doubt. He may win the plurality votes, but how is that different from the Presidents that preceded him? NONE. I would only believe if he wins the MAJORITY votes for the Presidency and I will concede.

Come to think of it. It is us that enables the Presidency. It is us that will define the future of this country. And we do not take action for it. The supporters of Noynoy is parroting the oft familiar line.. kung hindi ngayon, kailan? And that precisely is my question. But why him? When Mar Roxas agreed to slide down to the Vice-Presidency, I was aghast! I would have voted for him. I see in him a change, a persona that can drive this nation further into greater glory. But the political reality is that Noynoy is the more winnable candidate. And that is where I entirely digressed. If Cory did not die, would Noynoy be catapulted into the position he is apparently now? I doubt again. He will continue to remain the simple Noynoy. Nothing more. He could have more time honing his skills as a Senator and hope in time for the elections, he will be noticed to become a viable successor. But NO. Cory did die and the rest is history. Noynoy is the presidential candidate of the Liberal Party, whose mongering is based on hate politics.

I will stand as an apologist for GMA. Despite her unpopularity, GMA stood her ground. The little lady has more balls than her detractors. And that to me is leadership. Corruption? Yes, I admit that I was shocked with the Hello Garci scandal, the ZTE, and the fertilizer scam scandals. But she stood her ground. Men of lesser demeanor would have fallen in the aftermath of such maelstrom. But survive she did. Indeed, she would have been laughing because she showed her precarious opponents that she has the balls ! Can Noynoy duplicate it? I doubt again.

Harboring on the legacy of his esteemed lineage, I cannot even see change at all. I cannot see how Noynoy can be the agent of change. He has vested interest. Obama is a different animal. He has no such regal parentage. And to think that they are creating in Noynoy an Obamish persona is arrogance. Then the more I will be afraid of a Noynoy presidency. Why? Because they can never go wrong ! For those who will offer a contrary view will surely be declared as a heretic!

After Erap, I never felt so adverse to a presidential candidate. And the irony of it is he is an Aquino! Many of my friends were surprised at my loathing and scathing dislike for Noynoy because they knew me as a rabid NINOY fanatic. I was a Coryista before because that was called for at that time. Marcos was the enemy. But when she finished her term, I lost the feeling of magic. She was after all, human. And this time, the son would dare step into her esteemed shoes?

No. Noynoy can never be an effective President. I do not want a repeat of 200 advisers. I do not want the Kamag-anaks telling the President to do this or that. I do not want the free-riders to revive their whispering whims. And certainly, I do not want a repeat of an Aquino presidency. Give others the chance.

Perhaps, all of these talk about morality and integrity will back-fire against him. Because there is this doubt that he will fail. And surely, that will be a tragic mistake. This time, we need an effective leader. One who is in charge. One who will dare again be unpopular because it is just right. One who will be headstrong as well and can withstand the attacks of his detractors. This cannot be Noynoy. He is just not right for it.

Think. Think hard. In 2001, we had Erap. And I hope we have learned our lesson.