Will Bongbong run for president?

The only son and namesake of former President Ferdinand Marcos is being mentioned as a possible alternative candidate in next year’s presidential elections. He is up for reelection as senator and is perceived as a sure winner.

But is Bongbong Marcos really interested in running? And does he have any chance against known personalities who are also said to be in contention, such as Sen. Grace Poe, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay?

Surely, Bongbong’s academic background and experience can stand careful scrutiny. A graduate of Oxford University in England, he holds a Masters degree in business administration from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

He started his career in government at the age of 23, when he was elected vice governor of Ilocos Norte in 1981. He served as governor of the province from 1983 to 1986.

After his family’s return from exile in 1992, Bongbong was elected congress- man of the Second District of Ilocos Norte. He authored the law establishing the Philippine Youth Com- mission, and promoted the cause of cooperatives by organizing teachers and farmers’ cooperatives in his home province.

He once again held the position of Ilocos Norte governor, serving for three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2007, and transformed his bailiwick into a first-class province by showcasing its natural and cultural destination areas.

It was during his tenure that Ilocos Norte became a pioneer in wind power technology that, to this day, serves as an alternative source of energy not only of his province, but also of other parts of northern Luzon.

In 2007 Bongbong was back in the House of Representatives. He was appointed deputy minority leader and crafted import- ant pieces of legislation, like Republic Act 9522, or the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law.

In 2010 Bongbong won a seat in the Senate, following the illustrious career path of his father. He is current chairman of the Senate Committees on Local Government and Public Works. Whether he pursues the trail of the Apo all the way to Malacañang remains to be seen.

If ever he decides to run, he has said he would like to be a unifying force for the country. He is for a strong leadership anchored on the national interest, and not on any partisan interest.

Although not the spitting image of his father in terms of appearance, mannerisms and even in tone of voice, Bongbong Marcos is clearly his own man.

Of late, he has caught national attention with his eloquent and principled stand on the issue of the proposed Bangsamoro freedom law, firmly rejecting the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) version submitted to Congress. His fluent and articulate prose electrified the gallery.

“The BBL, in its present form and substance, will not bring us any closer to peace. Instead, it will lead us to perdition. Armed conflict will ensue. Blood will be shed. And when blood is shed, it will not distinguish between right and wrong; between young and old, neither between men and women, nor soldiers or rebels, combatants and civilians, rich, poor, Muslims, Christians. Nobody wins. Everybody loses,” Marcos said in his privilege speech last month.

Bongbong said Bangsamoro creates a “state within a state,” citing reasons for the bill’s unconstitutionality: First, it provides for a parliamentary form of government within a presidential form of government; second, it seeks to impose limitations on the power of Congress.

He promises to file a substitute bill to replace the original version submitted to Congress, echoing the position of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago that the bill is unconstitutional and would require Charter change in order for it to be passed into law.

If only for his scintillating performance in righting a wrong that is the proposed BBL, per- haps, it’s time people consider Bongbong for a higher position in government.