The problem with Nonoy for President Movement

by Jerry Gervacio

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III never get much attention until the much mourned death of his mother, former president Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

Right after the burial of the former president, supporters of Noynoy began to surface urging him to run as president in 2010 elections. Obviously, Noynoy’s fanatics foresee his victory based on the the number of people who paid tribute to the remains of Cory and those who were in funeral procession. This is often tagged as “the Aquino magic”.

Now, even Noynoy Aquino has not officially announced that he will run as president in 2010, Sen. Mar Roxas already announced his intention not to pursue his plan to run as president to give way on the candidacy of Sen. Noynoy.

Mar’s announcement was a big political surprise. We all know how Mar position himself to get into Malacanang in 2010. Mar has spent a lot of resources already – time, money, effort. His decision should not be very easy for him. We cannot ignore the reality that Mar Roxas got qualifications than Noynoy. I should not forget to mention that Mar has proven his worth with his accomplishments as DTI Secretary and as Senator. Noynoy, since he run for Senate, continue to live on the shadow of his parents. He had not done much to hint us once he become president. But why did Mar give way to Noynoy? If we can only read his mind, we’ll get quick answer.

These recent developments boost the Noynoy for president movement. The clamor to make Noynoy as president has become a hype.

This proves that Filipinos major basis to elect leaders is popularity. Competence is least considered. Now, would you still asked why we had elected an action star? Perhaps you have now understood why some people push Manny Pacquiao to run as congressman. No wonder a presidential aspirant did his marriage proposal on a noontime show. The reason is quite obvious why noontime host Willie Revillame is rumored to run for senator.

The problem of the hype to make Noynoy as president is that it is based on sympathy rather than an intelligent decision. The assessment that Filipino voters decide based on their emotion rather than reason is being proven. This happened before when Filipinos elected an actor with faith that the action star’s movie roles would lived well in national governance.

Noynoy supporters are so overwhelmed with the legacy of the late Aquino couple. They are so grateful to the so called icon of democracy that they feel obliged to give Noynoy an equal level of endearment. The only way to do it is by making him president. Isn’t it ridiculous?

Indeed, Noynoy’s fanatic supporters are blinded with over-excitement!

As the clamor to make Noynoy as president become more intense, the discussion on what we should look for our next president has been idled.

No one among Noynoy’s supporters can attest that he has the traits we need for a president - proven the track record, credentials, competence and integrity. Noynoy might have integrity. But is integrity alone enough? Sen. Aquino’s accomplishments as congressman and senator are not good indicators that he would be effective as president. Reality check, Noynoy’s only qualifications is his being Aquino.

Being son of Ninoy and Cory is not enough reason to lead this nation nor is enough basis in choosing the next president.

But Noynoy’s supporters insist that Noynoy, being honest and having integrity, can effectively institute reports. In fact some even claim that he is the only hope of this nation. These are misleading and funny thoughts!

Many of us are still believing that that electing less qualified president can never be a problem. The president can always consult his advisers. Noynoy can use this approach. Advisers can storm Malacanang when needed.

But wait, have we not learned something from this approach in Estrada administration? The result to Estrada administration was a disaster. Even in Aquino administration, the approach had many unhappy results with many fundamental issues like agrarian reform, economic reform were inadequately addressed.

The problem of Noynoy for president movement is its very weak foundation. It is only built upon intense emotions – sympathy, gratefulness. It is a fad. Nonoy gain an instant popularity and soon lost it. This too shall pass. With Filipino’s short-lived memory, what’s next when Noynoy’s theatrical effects to people expire?

There is significant difference when a movement is built upon reasons and dictated by brains. While we can’t live by reasons alone, we can’t survive by allowing emotions to lead our way.