A PREPOSTEROUS ALLEGATION
It is nearly 2016 and in spite of the popularity of movements like One More Term for PNOY, the rule of the second Aquino Presidency will inevitably end. Because of this, many frustrated PNoy supporters are just calling for an end to the criticisms and calls for resignation and to just “wait” for the President’s term to come to an end.
This President is not known for savviness and indeed he may be considered Genre Blind the way he behaves so predictably - refusing to take responsibility for anything and continually blaming past administrations for his shortcomings, at the same time invoking the saintliness of his past and his cause.
According to a March 24, report of the Philippine Star, the President claims that the reason why he is still being criticized is because his enemies want to diminish his endorsement capability. (Read the full report: Noy: Critics out to erode my endorsement power)
“Aquino said a lot has changed since he took over, and he could not help but ask why he remains a target of criticisms when he is not a candidate in 2016”
According to the President:
“The answer to that is simple: If I am able to do good and maybe our critics acknowledge this, naturally, if we endorse (a candidate), it will have importance”
Well thanks for the lesson Capt. Obvious. I’d say that PNoy is only trying to distract us from the real issue of his performance.
Why the President’s Endorsement is Irrelevant
The big problem is that candidates shouldn't be about one person's “brand” - that he shouldn’t be voted for simply on the recommendation of a celebrity or a public figure - they aren’t a product that someone has tried and will recommend.
We must not forget that a prospective candidate has their own brains, their own mouths. A person should be elected on his own merits, rather than because he/she was endorsed or by what the party he's running under stands for. This fact seems to have escaped our President and the entire electorate for that matter.
This is an obsession stemming from the fact that we are such a star-struck and ignorant people. We are too obsessed with celebrity endorsements that we fail to see how irrelevant this is to the actual issue of a sitting President’s performane.
Kuya Noynoy
To think that criticisms levelled against one is intended to prevent deserving people from getting elected is simply preposterous. It shows the mental state of the person elevated to the highest position in the land.
Rather than be concerned about his “endorsement ability”, the President should be concerned with his own credibility and leadership ability. Will the President continue on with his “lame duck” track or will he try to maximize his last year in office?
Endorsements are Important in a Party System Stupid!
Let me point out that the President was referring to a personal endorsement of a candidate. He is worried about tainting the next Liberal Party candidate and ruining his chances to win the 2016 elections. This was pretty much what happened to Gilbert Teodoro, whose endorsement by the reviled outgoing President Arroyo was widely regarded as the “kiss of death” for an otherwise qualified candidate.
Gilbert Teodoro: regarded as qualified, yet tainted
(source: www.wn.com)
Nevertheless, this should serve as a warning that endorsements should not matter at all. In a progressive society, we should look at the candidate’s (or his party’s) platform and track record. Endorsements should merely be regarded as a side-show.
Clearly, the President seems to be clutching at straws with this one.
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