UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Dr. Raymund W. Lo
Now that the election campaign is in its homestretch, we have seen the clearly defined and stark differences between the two leading candidates. One is running on the basis of his father’s supposed achievements while just sitting back and not enunciating his platform of government, not that he has any from what we can gather. The other is an accomplished and well-educated leader both in and out of government, who espouses an all-encompassing platform of radical love, for the “laylayan” of our society and with concrete plans for all the major problems besetting our country: pandemic response, corruption, deep poverty, food self-sufficiency, climate change, and sovereignty issues. These are backed up by prior experience in agile response to major disasters, lawyering for farmers, and immersion in the furthest reaches of the archipelago.
What of the other contenders? They’re no longer in the running as far as we’ve observed. Neither surveys, Google Trends nor on-the-ground actions — rallies, sorties and social media — give them a ghost of a chance of winning. Here lies the major conundrum for their supporters. Do they persist in championing their candidates knowing the futility of it all, or do they switch to the candidate who is most allied to their philosophy? The past president of our homeowners association was one such person who is now switching to Leni, saying Marcos Jr. must not win at all costs. Thank you, dear friend!
Now, it is time to acknowledge the hard work of the many who are working hard at ensuring the victory of the most deserving candidate. Millions unfortunately will remain anonymous, but your efforts are truly appreciated. I can only count on my personal experience, which probably encapsulates that of many.
I’ve joined or formed several Viber groups: the Caring Community for Leni-Kiko, a group of doctors headed by the dynamic Gar Eufemio and the indefatigable Jo Regalado, who tirelessly work day and night, on top of their heavy patient workloads, organizing tricycle caravans and house-to-house (H2H) sorties in San Juan City and Montalban, served as medics in the Pasay rally, and now are planning for three medic tents for the Miting de Avance; the Capitol Community for Leni-Kiko, our village group who have actively engaged the informal settler community next to us, joined motorcades, organized voter discernment programs, did medical mission, and brokered the printing of over 300,000 fans worth over ₱700,000; our UP Medicine Class 1975 members who contributed to the campaign; the QC District 3 Villages for Leni-Kiko, whose members are pouring all their resources into the campaign in buying collaterals, organizing motorcades and the Katipunan street party, doing voter discernment and H2H, and lots more.
Then, there are the Pathologists for Leni-Kiko, who have bravely stood up to be counted. We have a Facebook account to disseminate true information about candidates, joined the Pasiglaban, raised over half a million pesos to fund H2H campaign groups, and ordered collaterals for various other groups around the country.
I’m sure these groups represent but just a tiny fraction of what’s happening, judging from the well-organized grand rallies and mini-rallies all over the Philippines and the massive H2H campaign now going on. We are doing the most and the best we can, and so are they.
Then there are the groups that the Pathologists for Leni-Kiko supported through generous grants: Rey Laguda’s Momshies for Leni, who are all over the country; Eva Adan of the Barangay Pinyahan volunteer group; Ralph Ubales, Sitio San Roque (Agham Road); Dr. Navs Rivas, Mandaluyong; Fhe Gabatino, Sitio Payong 4; Flora Sta. Ines, Mabalacat, Pampanga; Dr. Cris Abesamis, Daanbantayan, Cebu, and Tondo, Manila; Dr. Criston Van Manasan, Iba, Zambales; Dr. Nadine Zambrano, for the Sumilao Farmers meet and greet; Mia Magdalena Longid, One Baguio-Benguet Robredo People’s Council through Karl Crisologo, Baguio City; Patrick Lappay, La Union; Dr. Maritess Torio, Batangas City; Dr. Rouchelle dela Cruz, Quezon province; and many more that I’ve not been able to retrieve from my very busy Viber groups.
To you all and pardon to those I’ve missed, our undying gratitude for the essential on-the-ground sorties that actually convert into votes!
Many have asked me about our prospects of winning, disheartened by the survey results. My answer is: Google Trends is predicting a Robredo victory (it hasn’t been wrong ever since it was started); and the massive rallies, the likes of which have not been seen since EDSA ’86, belie the surveys. I’m confident we will win this. But we still have to work harder these last few days to ensure a landslide that will prevent any hanky-panky from subverting the will of the people. In that lies our salvation as a nation, bolstered by the massive groundswell of support by people from all walks of life, that will benefit ALL.
In our darkest moments, let us shine the light to see the path to victory. WE will WIN this!