A colorless Black & White Movement rant

We can only com­miserate with the political gang of former President Noynoy Aquino. It is obviously trying to reemerge in the con­sciousness of the public, only to look even more miserable, bordering on the pathetic.

A few days ago, three members of this political gang identified with the erst­while-famous Black and White Movement appeared in the media. They were former Social Welfare Secretary Din­ky “If We Hold On Together” Soliman, former Government Peace Panel member Ging Deles, and once-upon-a-time warbler Leah Navarro.

The group had reported­ly initiated a signature cam­paign of sorts. The objective: get the organizers of the Miss Universe Pageant to call off the scheduled holding of the contest in Manila in January of next year. Their excuse: Pres­ident Duterte’s ongoing war against drugs and allegations extrajudicial killings.

It appears the campaign had failed to gather momen­tum. The view of many is that the call of these three political personalities is pathetic as it is suspect. Some were quick to brand the move as anti-Filipi­no. Others had deplored the act as one that borders on the betrayal of one’s country.

Deles, Soliman and Na­varro have the odds stacked against them. Their problem is that they are known to be alter egos of the former President. Deles and Soliman are also identified with the Liberal Par­ty and are known to be close to defeated Liberal Party pres­idential bet and former Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas.

The public cannot help but think that their call to the Miss Universe Organization is politically colored. It is a polit­ically motivated move initiated by political has-beens.

The three may have over­looked two things. First, Filipi­nos do not like mixing certain activities with politics. This may have also been the reason for that failed “Black Sunday” campaign that some school of­ficials organized in connection with a much-anticipated colle­giate basketball. It is safe to pre­sume Filipinos also do not like it when political personalities mess up with their favorite beauty pageants.

Second, the three may have chosen to overlook the potential positive effects of hav­ing the Miss Universe Pageant here. It would mean hours of international television expo­sure for the country. It would mean jobs and additional busi­ness opportunities for many Filipinos. It would mean a chance for the Philippines to show off and showcase what is good and beautiful.

Only a political motive could push one to go out of her way to torpedo this oppor­tunity.

What ‘people power?’

A few days ago, a veteran col­umnist cited a United States assistant secretary of state as having warned President Duterte about a possible “peo­ple power” revolt that could oust him from office.

Either this official was ly­ing or was engaging in a base­less speculation out of sheer ignorance or stupidity.

“People power” as it was done here in the country in­volved the ouster of an un­popular President and his re­placement by a more popular alternative or by one who is at least a viable option.

Former President Ferdi­nand Marcos was ousted in the 1986 People Power revolution when there was Cory Aquino, ready and able to assume the top post. Former President Jo­seph Estrada was ousted in a similar situation when Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was also there, willing to take his place.

Both Marcos and Estrada were ousted at a time when they were least popular.

There is no viable and more popular alternative to President Duterte. He is to­day the most trusted and most popular figure in the country.

Vice President Leni Ro­bredo, with all due respect, would not be welcomed by the people to replace him in an unconstitutional ouster mode. The rest in the presidential succession line are similarly situated.

There is no popular fig­ure outside of the political arena in the country that can call for “people power” at this point. We doubt very much if officials of the Catholic Church have such charisma and clout.

We doubt if the likes of Deles, Soliman and Navarro could whip up a rebellious fervor among the public.

The only vocal political opposition figure today – be­leaguered Sen. Leila de Lima – does not have the charisma and clout, either. She is fight­ing for her own political sur­vival.

She is now on a tour of various schools in an appar­ent bid to demonize the Pres­ident before our youth. Po­litical observers say that the neophyte senator is obvious­ly fashioning herself as the successor of the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

We doubt if De Lima’s school-based campaign could get people out into the streets and oust a very popular Pres­ident.

Conclusion: the state­ment of that US official is more of wishful thinking rather than political analysis.

He should stop believing the incessant barrage of an­ti-Duterte propaganda in so­cial media done mostly by the very same campaign mouth­pieces of the also-rans in the last presidential elections.

He should listen to the man on the street, instead.