MEDIUM RARE
On the same day that the alliance of PBBM’s 12 senatorial candidates was announced, this newspaper featured an article headlined on its opinion page: “Accompanying Him were the Twelve and some women” – the 12 meaning the first disciples of Jesus.
Among the senatorial bets were “some women,” too: the mayor of Makati, two incumbent senators, and a new face, who happens to be the daughter of a sitting senator and a former Senate president.
Twelve seems like a sound number, not as “rounded” as 10 but carrying enough weight to seem important, substantial. Twelve disciples. Twelve months in a year. Twelve hours day, 12 hours night. In a basketball team, five players, five benchwarmers, a coach and an assistant coach making a total of 12.
Sorry to say it, but this early it looks as if the opposition will have a difficult time toning down the decibels this group – under a campaign manager like the one they have, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco – is sure to make in the days to come. And yet, for that very reason, the electorate who wish for a fair fight to make things more interesting await with bated breath: When will the opposition reveal their lineup? And will their star power match the candidates on Rep. Tiangco’s list?
The women in his list are a formidable force. Abby Binay, mayor of Makati; Pia Cayetano, senator; Imee Marcos, senator, sister of the President, former governor and congressperson; Camille Villar, a fresh face with a familiar family name.
The men, on the other hand, include a world boxing champion; a former police chief who decimated criminal gangs at the height of their notoriety; a former movie star (his movies may be old, but if they’re being screened on TV any day of the week, who cares?); a former Senate president who continues to appear regularly on noontime shows on TV; a TV host with a public service slant; a former head of MMDA and ex-mayor of Tagaytay City. In short, they’re media-savvy.
Can the other side, headed by the mild-mannered, soft-spoken Chel Diokno, find the opposition candidates who will breathe fire or, better yet, slay the alliance’s dragon? Not to confuse the electorate, but to give them a good show!