The audacity of Chiz

—AMADO F. CABAERO, amacabsenior1@yahoo.com
10 Espina Village, B. Rodriguez St., Cebu City

daring of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero to pursue his presidential ambition without the entangling support of a political party marks the first time in our political history that a young man without a political party is seeking to overthrow a corrupt government through the ballot—a task comparable in its immensity to a black man’s aspiring to be president of the United States.

It may appear quixotic but with the present public distrust of and anger at the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Chiz might just pull it off, just as Barack Obama did against the unpopular President George Bush.

And with a spectacular difference, too: Chiz, if he keeps it up, will not be bound or hamstrung by “utang na loob” [or debt of gratitude] to any political party, politician or businessman, big or small, and thus be more free than any other presidential candidate to do all that needs to be done for a better government.

Not to mention that as a person, this presidential candidate is not known to be involved in any racket or any immoral, illegal or dishonest activity; on the other hand, he is an experienced lawmaker, a lawyer, and as glib and knowledgeable as one could wish of a presidential candidate.

And best of all, he is young. Thus, he is the personification of Rizal’s dream of the youth being the “hope of the fatherland.”

Thus, the presidential election of 2010 will be remarkable in the size of the youth vote for Chiz. Feel in your veins the surge of enthusiasm among the youth, from the big number of young people lining up for hours to register to vote in 2010. Already the Commission on Elections has run out of forms and the deadline for registration has passed, but still they are there in line, clamoring for extension.

Talk of a coming storm. Talk of a coming flood. It is coming in 2010, presaged by storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.” It will be an act of God!

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer