In 1986, following the broadening of the two-party system to include the party-list system, was the recognition of the need to shift to more issue-oriented political platforms. One of the reasons why there were many candidates for national posts during the 1992 election was the perception that the return to democracy would bring about drastic changes in the political arena. This meant that perhaps people were ready to welcome fresh faces that did not represent traditional patronage politics. But the election proved that not much had changed. Since then, few had dared to enter the arena unless they were assured of support from well-endowed war chests.

The entry of Ang Kapatiran Party and the emergence of non-traditional politicians like Gov. Ed Panlilio, Randy David, and Nicanor Perlas who have signified that they would run unless the “right: candidate appears, is a demonstration that the people are ready to challenge the status quo. The fact that groups like “Kaya Natin,” Movement for Good Governance, and other reform-oriented organizations
are consolidating their forces and moving around the country with their call for a new kind of politics is an indicator of a clamor for change. They are appealing to young voters and members of civil society with the message of social, economic and political transformation. They are using cyberspace and social networking tools.

The message is focused on alternative politics – on a vision of leadership based on basic values such as integrity, honesty, accountability, and a government that would serve the common good. In the next few months, this message of change must however evolve beyond rhetoric and able to communicate goals that would resonate to the general public. Broad goals such as what every party and politician subscribes to - reducing poverty, providing access to basic needs – food, employment, education, health etc. must be simplified and anchored on a guiding ideology. The path in the pursuit of these objectives would differ depending on party ideology or framework. The latter would guide its decision-making on the role of government and its regulatory agencies, economic philosophy – whether free trade or fair trade; our response to globalization, perception of our cultural and national identity; sharing of power among the primary instruments within the government and with other sectors, stance on the rule of law, democratic participation, and human rights; and how we use information and the new information technology in building sustainable structures for governance.

They could serve as guidelines for criteria in selecting national and local leaders and in preparing campaign messages. A challenge this coming election is that of offering a fresh political strategy – one that inspires a critical group - the youth, and one that is likewise able to renew the idealism of the older generation. An example is that of “enhancing national capacity” – which former Sen. Wigberto Tanada describes as “unleashing people’s productive capacity through human resources development, asset reforms, widening access to opportunities and life’s choices, developing a culture of industrialism, excellence, and economic nationalism, and adopting a culture set at achieving long-term goals.” These goals are doable but would require a policy structure that is based on the best interests of the nation. My e-mail is florangel.braid@gmail.com.