GO, GO TEAM UNITY?
‘Team Unity’ by On-The-Edge
Faith, Hope & Playing Politics
The Outsiders are playing politics. Like when you listen to the Genuine Opposition (GO) senatorial candidates and their advocates, they describe President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the worse leader we have ever had. Like the Outsiders are sick with the virus of Messianism – they claim to be the Saviors of the Philippines. In the 1960s, the Outsiders were sick with the virus of Militantism – mostly student activism. In the 1970s, the Outsiders were down with the virus of Martialism. From the 1980s to lately, the Outsiders had been sick with the virus of Militarism – just remember the many attempts at a coup, whoever was President. I wrote about this one year ago in the American Chronicle (03 March 2006, ‘The Asian Flu, The Virus Of Militarism And The Filipinos, A Separate Peace’). I don’t see a prophet with honor among the Outsiders.
The Outsiders, they never know when to stop. For the last 4 years or so the opposition, genuine or not, including the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, they accused and pointed fingers and railed and protested and preached, but they could convince only a handful of Filipinos to join another People Power Revolution to oust another Philippine President at Edsa. They tried again and again; they failed again and again. People Power ousted President Ferdinand E Marcos in 1986 (I supported the Edsa Revolution with my body), and People Power ousted President Joseph Estrada in 2001 (I supported the Erap Revolution in spirit). All they had were repeated failures at People Power against GMA (who cares to count?). The Outsiders failed to convince the silent majority to stand up against this much-maligned leader of her country. I say the silent voice of the people is a silent vote of confidence. The silent voice speaks louder to me.
I have faith in GMA, and I have hopes for this country. Despite everything.
And now GMA herself is playing politics by fielding and supporting to the hilt a complete lineup of candidates for Senator in the May 2007 elections. She needs allies in the House and Senate.
I like the images presented by On-The-Edge of the 12 candidates of Team Unity. Seeing the window panes of candidates, my wife Amparo remarks that this election is the first in the country where they are fielding teams, where before they presented merely lineups. Teamwork is the call of the millennium, and Team Unity has the right perspective. If you are not with me, you are against me.
I presented you the Genuine Opposition in the first blog (below). This time, let’s look at how I look at the administration lineup:
TEAM UNITY Senatorial Candidates
Edgardo Angara – politics of living
Joker Arroyo – politics of independent-mindedness & fair play
Mike Defensor – politics of the youth
Jamalul Kiram – politics of the Muslims
Vic Magsaysay – politics of the poor
Cesar Montano – politics of the movies
Tessie Aquino Oreta – politics of pre-school
Prospero Pichay – politics of prosperity
Ralph Recto – politics of empowerment
Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson – politics of the countryside
Vicente Sotto – politics of accessibility
Juan Miguel Zubiri – politics of biofuels & conservation.
I note that they are all playing politics.
Mostly, I like such politics. f@h
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