The Philippine Online Chronicles

Tea and biscuits. Beer and pulutan. Dick Gordon and Bayani Fernando? A great tandem, many would agree—or perhaps a convenient one? Recall that years back, Fernando had vocalized his intentions of running as President. After being “snubbed” by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyyo (PGMA), he lowered aim to the vice presidency and instead chose to partner up with Gordon as President. I think I would agree with Fernando when he said that he found in Gordon a like-minded soul, if their respective track records are any indication. To my mind, at least this tandem is easier to swallow than say, Loren Legarda and Manny Villar, or the late (and great) former President Cory Aquino and (not so great) former President Erap Estrada in the same rally. Undaunted by their relatively low Social Weather Station (SWS) ratings, the duo of Gordon and Fernando who call themselves “The Transformers” capitalize on their tough image and governance style in their quest to conquer the top two positions in the land, and introduce transformational politics to the country.

The 'Hard' Dick

Even if you haven’t read my previous blogpost on Gordon, you probably already know that Gordon on the other hand has also made a name for himself by transforming the City of Olongapo, Subic, and the face of Philippine Tourism before becoming a Senator and the Head of the Philippine Red Cross. During his stints as Mayor of Olongapo and chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Olongapo and Subic became the models for development, peace and order, and economic growth after the Pinatubo explosion, with billions of pesos worth of foreign investments.  As a Senator, he has for the most part, sided more with the opposition and has openly opposed the Arroyo administration. He was a visible figure in the aftermath of Ondoy as head of the Red Cross.

Gordon’s governance style, firm and straightforward, is similar to Fernando’s, and for this he was called a “dick-tator.” Quick to defend himself, however, he said he is a “good Dick”—he has not killed anyone. He has been implementing change, rules and policies—unpopular ones--drastically, brutally frank, and in a demanding way. This is why he is perceived as a dictator, and this is why he has a lot of “enemies.” But a true leader, he said, must be feared and not a captive of his constituents. It is a psywar where there is need for the skill to rule the land without going through violent means. We have been through a dictator once and it would be such a pity if the Filipinos go through another dictatorship.

For the OFWs who form at least 10% of the country’s 90 million people, Gordon envisions a Provident Fund (a combination of funds from SSS, GSIS and OWWA) to be spent for the welfare of OFWs—when they come home, they will have some savings with which they can start their own small business. There will be money to be spent when one is sick. There will be money for legal services when one is in trouble with the law—it will be the norm that there will be money for legal services rather than that each OFW would beg for help each time he/she has a brush with the law. He will require a minimum salary of $400 for an OFW. And he will uplift the image of the Filipino abroad—to be respected as a nation. With a strong economy, the Filipino will go abroad only as an option, “para hanapin ang kinabukasan, hindi ang kapalaran” (to look for the future not fate).

For teachers—P40,000 minimum salary, nothing less. Education is Gordon’s No. 1 priority.

For the youth—to be more productive, to LEARN, EARN and YEARN.

For the Filipino people—a better Philippines. AIM HIGH, “Bawal ang tamad, bawal ang tanga.” (Laziness and ignorance are not allowed.)

'Mr. Political Will'

Bayani Fernando made headlines as the former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman and former Mayor of Marikina—and for making it in Celebrity Duets (yes, Bayani can sing! I watched him sing at the Petula Concert in the Manila Hotel). A mechanical engineer by profession, his engineering skills no doubt contributed much to his achievements in Marikina.  Under his administration, the former fourth class municipality of Marikina is presently regarded as one of the model cities in the Philippines, well-managed and a paragon of effective and responsive governance. Before the devastation wrought by Ondoy, Marikina was in the pink (literally, as Marikina denizens and Manila pedestrians and travellers well know) of health,  a picture of cleanliness (Marikina was named one of the cleanest cities in the country with Fernando taking credit for resuscitating the janitor fish-infested Marikina River) and order, with infrastructure development and a growing business center.

The key to Fernando's success in Marikina was sheer political will, strict and systematic implementation of laws, and focus on infrastructural development—hence the moniker “Mr. Political Will.” Because of his success in Marikina, Bayani was made the MMDA Chief.  Following the same governance style, however, has proven to be both boon and bane for Fernando—boon because to an extent, he has indeed cleared up a lot of major roads and eased traffic in the Metro; bane because he has made enemies out of urban settlers and vendors who refused to relocate, local politicians who felt he was stepping on their turf, and aggrieved artists whose film entries to the MMFF did not win, to mention but some.

Aside from political will—of leadership (the duty to enforce laws regardless of what is politically expedient and without fear of losing votes) and of the people (who in turn should recognize such commitment and courage by trusting and voting for said leaders), Bayani envisions discipline—for order, and productivity—for prosperity, and for people to finally understand that laws are solutions (and not the problem). As it is, people are not cognizant that laws are solutions; as such, people do not follow them and leaders are not able to enforce them, bringing about the country’s disorder and poverty. There is no need for the creation of more and more laws, as the laws have always been there, the foundation for new solutions for the country to prosper—waiting to be implemented but effectively.

A Tandem for Transforming the Philippines

If you were to take a hard look at these two’s platform of governance, you will see a coherent and thought-out vision for the country. In fact, if you read or watch the interviews of Gordon, you will probably find him clearly articulating his policy positions on a number of burning issues. A review of Bayani and Gordon’s public office performance would show that they are individually known for pushing and strictly enforcing difficult and unpopular policies, both to their advantage and disadvantage.

Will the public heed these candidates’ call to look at their respective performances, gloss over the issues and accusations hurled at them, and give their tandem a shot—for transforming the hearts and minds of people and building character and communities for a new Philippines? Only after May will we know for certain.

Photo by author and Noemi Lardizabal-Dado. Some Rights Reserved

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