The real qualification

THE FUROR over the Supreme Court decision that declared Mary Grace Natividad Poe-Llamanzares eligible to run for the country’s highest post has not died down. And it may not until after the elections; and should Ms. Llamanzares win, it may live on until either her term ends or in her impeachment.

But the real question that should now be answered is whether Ms. Llamanzares is really qualified to become President. The High Tribunal simply paved the way for her to become a candidate. Whether she would win the highest post in the country would depend on the electorate.

It should be noted however, that should she win, this would be the first time a former American citizen will become the President of the country. Though she may not really have any allegiance to the United States of America, this fact would still leave a bad taste in the mouth.

Her claim that she is running as an independent has also become very questionable. Several big business people are backing her candidacy, including the Nationalist Peoples Coalition chairperson Eduardo C. Cojuangco. This fact alone belies her claim of running as an independent. As such, her other claim of not being beholden to anyone should she win is either an outright lie or simple naiveté.

Ms. Llamanzares’ often states that she will continue what her father started. Her adoptive father, Fernando Poe Jr., however had not held any public office much less elected into any office, save for his failed bid for the presidency in 2004. FPJ had helped a lot of people; but he did in his private capacity. And his 2004 presidential bid was seen by most as an attempt to help his incarcerated best friend then, former President Joseph E. Estrada.

For all it’s worth, Ms. Llamanzares may prove to be better than what she had already shown when she becomes President. She may end up proving her doubters wrong. And she may even continue the progress made by the current dispensation.

Or she may end up like Corazon C. Aquino—grossly unprepared and woefully inexperienced. Though Ms. Llamanzares will never have the same sincerity Ms. Aquino had exuded and practiced, she may end up just like her, leaning mostly on advisers, friends, political supporters and hangers-on to decide what is best for the Philippines.

And should that happen, it would become the longest six years since 1986.

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