Same system, better materials

"Ambition ... The glorious fault of angels and of gods." - Alexander Pope

This must be the first time in Philippine politics in recent times where it is taking so long to look for a spare tire to occupy the essentially sinecure post of vice president.

Brightening up the political horizon is the increased number of ambitious, relatively young, qualified, and non-showbiz personalities wanting to become senators, and, hopefully, refurbish the tattered and disreputable image of the Philippine Senate.

Although the Senate race is tight, as it were, owing to the number of re-electionist senators armed with pork barrel funds and name recall, Filipino voters and new registrants wanting their voices to be heard through the ballot are hoping that there will be dramatic upsets, and a better-quality Senate emerging as it used to be.

Meanwhile, back on the vice presidential search, only former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada had the supreme confidence of choosing early and without hesitation the capable and unbeatable icon of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay as his team mate.

Only Sen. Mar Roxas had the prescient sense to play second fiddle to Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, with nothing to lose while conserving his Cubao inheritance.

In the meantime, Lakas-Kampi standard bearer, Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro is being helplessly and reluctantly packaged by old Palace political operators who may be suffering from hors de combat, and laboring under the public notion that anyone running with the administration will suffer from a "kiss of death," which grossly underestimates the political dexterity and the "combat" experience of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In the Senate race, the nation would like to see the Senate rejuvenated and steered with the likes of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Franklin Drilon, Secretary Gary Teves, Abel Tamano, incumbents Sen. Loren Legarda, Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Richard Gordon, as well as Serge Osmena, Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Sonny Osmena, and from the Arroyo Cabinet, such men as Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, and men of established integrity - even if there are disagreements on their motivations - such as Sen. Gregorio Honasan, Danilo Lim, Ariel Querubin, and others who will bring welcome changes to both chambers.

The 2010 election will be a money-gushing spectacle in the midst of taipan donor fatigue, global recession, price inflation, budget deficit, and scarcity of funds. It is the same political system where money politics dictates the rules of the game and its outcome.

For these reasons, many aspiring candidates have decided that prudence was the better part of valor by opting for lower positions and less cost.

Owing to the lack of material time to perfect the election automation, the 2010 election is fraught with peril that, unless managed successfully, could lead to civil chaos and extra-constitutional mischief.

Nonetheless, while the system remains corruptive, dynastic, fraudulence-prone, and inefficient, the election of 2010 will usher in a better breed of politicians and dedicated leaders not only in the House of Representatives and the Senate but also down to the LGUs, which will be the saving grace and salvation of Philippine democracy.

At the very least, the vice president, as in the United States, should not only be the chairman of the Senate but should also belong to the same party as the president-elect to avoid partisan conflicts.

You be the judge. (For comments and views, please e-mail: chaff_fromthegrain@yahoo.com.ph)