MANILA, Philippines -- For the Tondo shrimp vendor-turned-real estate billionaire, the 2010 presidential elections is a fight between the poor and the rich and not between good and evil as being espoused by supporters of the latest presidential wannabe, Senator Benigno ``Noynoy’’ Aquino III.
Senator Manuel Villar scoffed at what he described as ``self-righteous’’ and ``elitist’’ groups that have recently gathered around Aquino to impose anew their will on the Filipino people.
``These elitist groups think that they are the only ones who can run this country. They have had their chances to run this country, it’s about time somebody from the masses take the lead,’’ said Villar referring to the Aquino and Arroyo administrations (both were installed by People Power revolutions).
``We have never used competence as a basis for voting our president; it’s always about popularity and pedigree. Does one have to be the son of Cory or the daughter of Dadong (Macapagal) to be the president of this country? What about the son of a shrimp vendor?’’ asked Villar. ``As far as I know, we are a democracy and not a monarchy.’’
But what has further taken Villar’s goat was what he described as the arrogance of the rich to be the country’s moral guardians.
``Who are they to say who is good and who is evil? They are trying to mislead us because this has always been a fight between the poor and the rich,’’ said Villar in an interview at the Inquirer head office Saturday.
Although he recognized the surge in popularity of Aquino, Villar said it remained to be seen whether it was a fluke or not. ``How can you not climb the charts when you are the subject of news stories on television, radio and newspapers?’’ asked Villar.
Although he ranked number one in the surveys, Villar said that he was unlikely to be affected by Aquino’s climb because his popularity was largely concentrated in Metro Manila. ``Other candidates will take a bigger hit than I because their following is in Metro Manila, my strength is in the provinces,’’ said Villar.
While Villar has poured his resources in the last three years to build his popularity, he has likewise transformed the Nacionalista Party into a potent political machinery that could eclipse the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the country’s second largest party, or match the strength of the dominant Lakas-Kampi CMD.
``People are doubtful I can organize NP into the country’s biggest political party. That is in fact my selling point to the people who matter,’’ said Villar.
He claimed that he has corralled a substantial number of local government officials from governor to councilor and that he would announce in a month’s time that a big chunk of Lakas-Kampi lawmakers have flocked to his side. He said he deferred making any announcement on the real size of NP because the other parties could pressure their members to change their minds.
Villar said he did not see anything wrong in lawmakers and local government officials changing parties in each change of administration. ``That is the nature of politics in this country. Politicians care about their constituents because all politics is local,’’ said Villar.
``It was KBL (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, New Society Movement) during Marcos; PDP-Laban (Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban, Party of the Filipino Democrat-Fight) during Aquino. Lakas would have been gone after Ramos if it was merged with LAMP (Laban ng Masang Pilipino, Fight of the Filipino Masses) in Estrada presidency. Kampi (Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino, Partner of the Free Filipino) will also be gone after this administration. Whoever wins will be the administration party,’’ said Villar.
When asked who would be his running mate, Villar made this sarcastic remark:``It’s too early to say because anything can happen in two months (referring to the November 30 deadline for the filing of candidacy). Somebody might die and a kin might suddenly decide he or she was fit to run.’’
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment