[Newsstand] High-risk and make-or-break: Marcos Jr.’s debate strategy
John Nery is stating the obvious and what most Filipinos were treated to the other day on the DZRH Bakit Ikaw? Presidential interview series. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. having a bad interview day.
But as his past two interview appearances have shown, Bongbong Marcos is nowhere near as brilliant as Ferdinand Marcos Sr. It’s no wonder then that Apo Lakay was concerned over this character flaw of his only son and namesake. Let’s face it, BBM is not his father nor does he comes close to Serge Osmena, the only other politico who is without a college degree but is as sharp as they come as evidenced by his showing as a Senator.
What BBM has is the Marcos charisma and his voice, which is eerily similar to that of his father. This is what makes him appealing to voters. Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before his weaknesses come to haunt him and it has begun from all indications.
He does have an advantage over Leni Robredo that’s for sure but there is the question of how he would do against a veteran like Sen. Ping Lacson, who has spent more time in the Senate than he has. Lacson is more diligent when it comes to his education as he has a Bachelor of Science from the Philippine Military Academy and a Master’s degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Not exclusive and elite educational institutions, but whatever that connotes, Lacson makes up for in the effort he puts in to become the best he can be at the different stages of his half-century stint in government both as a career, apppointive and elected offiicial.
The quality of candidates for the top post of the country leaves much tobe desired in this election cycle. 2016 was better because there was Roxas, Binay, Duterte and Santiago. Poe was the weakest candidate in terms of track record and experience. She inherited her political capital from FPJ. Other than that, nothing else was in her favor. Santiago was ill but she still provided insight and color. Duterte stood out because of his prowess in connecting with voters and his strict adherence to messaging discipline. He also didn’t turn down any invitation to appear in any forum, TV or radio show if it would give him media mileage. He also hit the campaign trail hard going around the country from north to south.
The candidates for 2022 have not demonstrated any particular focus on what direction they intend to take for the country and the Filipino which is why a larger percentage of voters have not finalized their choices. Marcos is the sentimental favorite. Lacson is the most qualified and competent in terms of qualifications and experience. The other three are like flies in the proverbial ointment. If only Isko would get his act straight also he may be able to make up what he lost due to the his failures and that of Lito Banayo. Strangely enough, Isko’s campaign is beginning to resemble that of Lacson in 2004 which was also under Banayo’s stewardship. It isn’t going anywhere. All Isko has to offer is what he has accomplished in Manila and packaging himself as Duterte 2.0. The problem is he doesn’t even come close to The Digong.
To use a basketball analogy, Marcos can’t afford to play to protect his lead and win it all come election day. He should play to win by putting in more effort to make up his deficiencies as he can’t afford to put up the same performance in the Comelec debates where he will face-off with the other candidates. This is the advantage Lacson has over Marcos and the other candidates as he has demonstrated skillfully in all of the interviews and fora he has participated in.
Lacson could have had an easier path to the Presidency if only he didn’t make it a point to be critical of the Duterte administration. To begin with, what’s done is done. Duterte is stepping down. He could have simply said that any differences of opinion between him and the President was a matter of principle. He gives credit to the President for his achievements and will continue with the programs he has started which benefit the Filipino as a whole.
For whatever reason, Lacson continues to strike out at not only the administration, but also the President himself. In the Jessica Soho interview his one word reaction to the portrait of Duterte was sayang. When asked whom he thought to be one of the best President’s the country ever had, his answer was PNoy. He should stop and read the political tea leaves. The fact that Mar Roxas lost in 2016 and the opposition was shutout in the 2019 midterm election should tell him that the Yellows are out. Other than their diehards, it does not pay to be associated with or associate with them. What voters are looking for in a candidate is one who will continue with what the President has started. Like it or not, Duterte has set a new leadership standard for the Presidency.
The next round of surveys will prove to be interesting as any change in the public temperament with the candidates will be reflected there. There is already some movement among the ABC. The D and E remains to be seen. The candidates are hampered by the pandemic in the campaign. From the looks of it, the Comelec debate series will be the basis of the voters in making their final choices.
POSTSCRIPT
Marcos still has to get past the disqualification petitions filed against him at the Comelec. From the looks of it, the last standing Yellow appointee, Rowena Guanzon, will stop at nothing to give voters the impression that Marcos should be disqualified, even if she is the lone dissenting opinion in her division. Guanzon broke protocol yesterday by making public her dissenting opinion.
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