irst, it was
United Opposition president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay who declared for the
2010 presidential derby. Not a surprise since Binay does have the credentials
for being a worthy president. Binay’s detractors coming from the Lakas-Christian
Muslim Democrats (CMD), however, are saying he is just hitchhiking on Barack
Obama’s successful bid for the US presidency.
Binay will probably relish the links to Obama and may even
claim to be his "cousin," on the grounds na "mag-‘cousin’ itim silang dalawa."
Binay is not considered a "dark horse" in the 2010 presidential derby for
nothing.
But for all the criticisms being heaped by the Lakas-CMD on
Binay, even they are considering local chief executives as their presidential
contenders. One of them is Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., whose main
claim to fame has been the continuous posting of budget surpluses making it the
premier city in terms of current assets that stood at more than P8-billion in
2007. It is no ordinary accomplishment.
These are signs that the traditional paradigms of getting to
the country’s top post may be changing. Not by being skilled legislators with
proven national constituencies or high profile presidential alter egos
portraying themselves as "men of action." Indeed, the trend may be in favor of
seasoned local government executives with plenty of hands-on experience in
delivering basic social services to those who need them most.
With our much-touted economic growth set to crash in the next
few months, keeping the poor not just happy but also competitive will be crucial
and could very well muster the needed votes to secure a national election
victory.
According to the November 2008 Quarterly Update of the World
Bank on the Philippines, the growth in our gross domestic product is projected
to shrink to just 4.6 percent compared to last year’s 7.2 percent. Inflation, on
the other hand, will hover at 9.2 percent as opposed to last year’s 2.8 percent.
Rising food prices and fuel costs are giving the economy a beating and it is the
poor who are reeling the most.
More and more, our citizenry will be looking not to the
national government but to their local government executives for more subsidies
as times grow harder. And for this reason, the door will open up more to stellar
local executives aspiring for key national positions.
Local governance is a concept whose time is long overdue as
an agent of change and development in the Philippines. The passage of the Local
Government Code of 1991 paved the way for local government units (LGUs) to
assume a greater role in answering the needs of their respective constituencies.
As we have said time and again, LGUs are in a better position
to determine how best to deliver basic social services. And during this period
of serious economic uncertainty, local government executives are in the best
position to provide subsidies and safety nets to thwart the long-term impacts of
the crisis on the poor. They can do it better than any national government
agency as long as they do not let petty politics get in the way.
Sadly, however, there are still many areas for improving and local executives
must still deal with the stifling influences of "imperial Metro Manila."
Aspirants for national elective positions from local executives may just choose
to support someone from their ranks to get the job of governing this country
done right.
