May The Force Still Be With You, Madam

 

It is very unfortunate that this lady, whose popularity is anchored on her quite famous surname – thanks to her late husband, is no longer a force to be reckoned with. She is the face of the opposition (and puppet if I may add) since day one in office of the incumbent President. However, with the recent pronouncements made by the likes of Ping, Manny and Isko as to their ambition to occupy the highest position in the land, she is slowly being relegated to the background, most especially because she cannot put the right screws on her mind on whether she will run or not.

The lady is still adamant with her plan to unite the opposition and come up with just one candidate for the presidency. Sadly, her talks with Ping fizzled out. Next in line are Manny and Isko. Will she be successful this time? It remains to be seen. But from the looks of it, the two gentlemen are hell-bent as far as their political ambition is concerned, and no one or nobody can put barriers along their path.

For six years, this woman simply put to waste the privilege given her to serve the country. She and her camp are more preoccupied in criticizing the government - six years of pamumulitika. Her role was reduced to merely being the mouthpiece of  her party mates. Every time she opens her mouth, expect one criticism or two, as if she is an outsider or a spectator, and not part of the government.

This woman could have done more for those in the laylayan, had she aligned herself with the government and its efforts. After all, her position or office is an integral part of the government. And such alignment will not necessarily entail her to abandon her party and its beliefs. I believe that one can still work hand in hand with the administration without losing political party affiliation.

Perhaps, she has overlooked the idea that she works for the people, and not for her party mates and their collective ambitions. For six years she has distanced herself from the government, and has projected herself to be the “better one”, in the eyes at least of her spokesperson and party mates.

Being the face of the opposition gave her the burden of uniting all opposition forces. Adding to her woes is a three-letter word that is just around the corner – BBM. Many things can still happen, though, between now and the last day of filing for candidacy.

Hence, may the force still be with you, Madam.