Irish May L. Jocotmaya
ABIDS-LL
January 29, 2019
The Philippine presidential and
vice-presidential elections of
2016 was held on Monday, May
9, 2016, as part of the 2016
general election. This was the
16th presidential election in the
Philippines since 1935 and the
sixth sexennial presidential
election since 1986. Incumbent
president Benigno Aquino III
was ineligible for re-election,
pursuant to the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Therefore, this election determined the
16th President. The position of president and vice president are elected separately, thus
the two winning candidates could come from different political parties. Rodrigo Duterte
led the preliminary count with 38.5% of the vote.The Congress met in late May to
canvass the results and issued an official result with Rodrigo Duterte and Leni Robredo
emerging as the winners of the presidential and vice presidential races, respectively.
They were proclaimed on May 30, in the House of Representatives.
Exit polls show that Rodrigo Dutetre, Davao City’s tough-talking mayor who has been
likened to Donald Trump, edged out his closest rival, the seasoned technocrat Manuel
“Mar” Roxas, by a whopping five million votes to become the 16th president of the
Republic of the Philippines. Duterte, the first Mindanaoan president-elect in history and
a self-described “socialist”, garnered a large plurality (38.5%) of votes. Meanwhile, the
vice-presidential race, which is contested separately, was a nail-biting contest between
Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr., the sole son of the former dictator, and Leni
Robredo, a social-democratic legislator who ran on the ticket of the ruling Liberal Party
(LP). Experts project Robredo to emerge as winner, although Marcos has raised the
possibility of lodging election complaint.
By and large, however, all major candidates have accepted the results with grace and
sportsmanship. No less than Mar Roxas, who just days earlier warned about impending
dictatorship under Duterte, amiably wished his fiercest rival success. Duterte’s staunch
critics such as Senator Antonio Trillanes, who accused the mayor of concealing his true
wealth, also extended an olive branch. Encouraged by the smooth conduct and
unequivocal outcome of the elections, the Philippine stocks hit a nine-month-high, with
investors and businesses heaving a sigh of relief, at least for now. To maintain domestic
and international confidence in the Philippines, which has emerged as one of the fastest
growing economies in the world, Duterte will have to make a decisive transition from a
“loose cannon” and highly polarizing candidate into a more predictable and pragmatic
leader. The fate of hundred million souls hangs in the balance.
The current president, Rodrigo Duterte, carries the banner of Partido Demokratiko
Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) so many want to be in this party. In the early
years, there were two main political parties: Nacionalista Party and Liberal Party (LP).
Now with the multiparty system, many of them go to where the side of the bread is
buttered. During the many years under Ferdinand Marcos as president, the majority
were in the powerful Kilusang Bagong Lipunan. When Marcos went into exile in Hawaii
and Corazon Aquino came to power, many became chameleons.
Fidel Ramos was partyless but wanted to run for president against Ramon Mitra, a
close associate of Cory’s husband, former senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Ramos got the
support of Cory; of course, PDP-Laban members were furious. Many thought Cory
should have supported Mitra instead. But just like in any drama, there was a twist.
Ramos was in need of a party so supporters founded one for him: Lakas-NUCD
(National Union of Christian Democrats), a brainchild of his cabalen, Speaker Jose de
Venecia. Those “furious” PDP members switched their loyalty to Ramos. Then came
Joseph “Erap” Estrada. From the vice presidency, he was catapulted to the presidency
under the Partido ng Masang Pilipino. Many jumped ship and wanted to be identified
with Erap. Erap was ousted by Edsa II and was succeeded by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,
who stayed in Malacañang until 2010. Arroyo’s party was the Lakas Kampi (Kabalikat
ng Malayang Pilipino). More than two-thirds of those in Congress sided with Arroyo.
When Arroyo’s administration ended, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III became president.
The outpouring of sympathy of the people was translated into votes for Cory’s son
despite LP being a small party then. It only grew when Noynoy won the presidency.
Meanwhile, PDP-Laban has recently served notice that it will impose a cut-off in
accepting members after many politicians—big and small—wanted to join. The reason
is obvious.
If our politics is a garden, you would see butterflies changing their colors depending on
the season. In this country, politicians seem immune to embarrassment when they
change political parties. It is baloney to hear them say they entered politics because
they wanted to serve the public. The truth is, they are there for the money and influence.
At least, for many of them. They think they can take everybody for fools.
References:
-
2016 Philippine elections “political butterflies” (intraparty switching)
https://opinion.inquirer.net/108183/political-butterflies-2
http://www.atimes.com/article/philippines-post-election-analysis-how-duterteshot-to-the-top//
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36253612