HOTSPOT

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes is correct. The public deserves a leader of the opposition at the forefront.

Such a leader would provide not only the important thought-leadership on whether to oppose, to fiscalize, or to cooperate critically with the administration on the many issues. Such a leader would lead in charting a way forward in preparation for the next elections, and find out what steps to take to thwart another loss and to achieve victory.

Right now, the public sees stars of opposition who individually and collectively carry an immense burden as they navigate a situation controlled by a pro-administration juggernaut on one hand, and the restorationist forces of the previous administration.

In words and actions, Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Rep. France Castro lead the charge in the two houses of Congress. Both are deputy minority leaders in their respective houses, and have as a potent background and backstop mass movements that they continue to be part of.

I am pretty sure that the more traditional political scientists and pundits were able to predict that in 2024 offspring of activism such as the Makabayan triumvirate of Castro, Arlene Brosas and Raoul Manuel, and Akbayan’s Hontiveros would be the actual leaders of the political opposition in Congress. They are so effective that the entire machinery of government moves when they demand action, and get the ire of the most powerful. We are a fortunate nation to have activists in Congress.

The Liberal Party’s highest-ranking official in government is the venerable Edcel Lagman. He should have been the minority leader, if we follow the established parliamentary rules. But the House has for years now have has a weird way of determining the minority leadership, and which could be a rightful subject in a separate column.

Huge defeats in the past two elections and the departure of term-ending senators have meant that there’s no longer a Liberal senator since 2022.

Former Sen. Bam Aquino has recently left the Liberal fold and switched a new party. He has since been seen and heard on a radio program with former partymate Francis Pangilinan and two-time senatorial contender Chel Diokno.

At the local government level, there are leaders noted for being independent-minded mavericks who transcend national political divisions to deliver services to the public: Quezon City’s Joy Belmonte, Pasig’s Vico Sotto, Baguio’s Benjie Magalong.

A lot of opposition is aired in public outside of the halls of government. Defying red-tagging, the Parliament of the Streets did not adjourn or fold up. People’s organizations and mass movements have tangled with the administration on many economic, human rights, and sovereignty issues. They have mobilized public opinion to protect jeepney drivers and to promote public transport development. They have assailed foreign intervention and incursions into our territory and exclusive economic zone. They have kept the pressure on the president to hold the former president accountable for the drug war killings for which he faces possible arrest by the International Criminal Court.

The lack of an undisputed opposition leader is a void that must be filled soon. It is at once a problem and also an opportunity for a new way of leading. Perhaps the many voices and forces of opposition could come together in a broad coalition that is bigger, better and more potent than before. They could turn to foreign parties for inspiration and perhaps elect co-leaders, as in the case of several of them, or even a council of leaders.

The president’s administration coalition of course is ready to win. They are formalizing alliance agreements among pro-Marcos parties ahead of the 2025 elections. The powers of administration and incumbency would be behind their candidates, and even the Liberals know how potent that is.

Time is not the only thing going against the opposition forces. If the opposition does not take steps, the leadership void could be filled by forces led by the former president, his family members and former administration officials. They have been highly-critical of the administration, and have gone holding press conferences and so-called prayer rallies where they lambast the 
President. They are trying to outdo the opposition. Given what they have lost and the dire prospects if their 2022 political alliance completely disintegrates ahead of the ICC actions, we cannot discount the lengths they would do to achieve their own political restoration.

Hopefully, Trillanes’ call is heard. All things considered, the nation deserves to have an opposition, and we deserve nothing less.