So far, there are 14 presidential aspirants who have made their intentions known but their final decisions have yet to be announced.

These are former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Vice-President Noli de Castro, Sen. Mar Roxas, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Manuel Villar, Defense Sec. Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, Jr., MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, El Shaddai Bro. Mike Velarde, Makati City Mayor Jojo Binay, Cagayan Gov. Grace Padaca, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon, and the perennial nuisance candidates who are likely to file their candidacies for the “fund” of it.

This is perhaps the longest lineup of presidentiables in Philippine political history from which we are expected to select from and rally behind them.

Except for the three administration officials, the rest of the so-called opposition candidates are only united in their opposition to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who has become their “whipping girl” to gain media mileage at her expense while quietly elbowing each other off the opposition platform, and buttering up to former President Joseph Estrada for his support and endorsement.

The choices are long, and the chances are slim.

First, there are legal doubts whether former President Joseph Estrada can still legally and Constitutionally run again for the presidency.

Otherwise, the former president remains popular, charismatic, and a crowd drawer with improved self-confidence in public speaking, and without having to worry about finances.

On the one hand, Sen. Manny Villar and Sen. Mar Roxas are the only two candidates who are reputed to be liquid and financially self-sufficient with Sen. Mar Roxas putting up “Cubao”, so to speak, as his initial ante, and Sen. Villar with his successful IPO dollar fundraising launch since last year.

San Miguel conglomerate Chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) has announced his preference for either Sen. Chiz Escudero or Sen. Loren Legarda to head the NPC team.

However, while the NPC is the second largest political party after the Lakas-Kampi-CMD Party, Mr. Danding Cojuangco himself is a non-candidate which means that he is unlikely to throw everything into the fray and risks his personal fortune for the sake of Loren and Chiz unless NPC coalesces with President Joseph Estrada who is very chummy with Mr. Cojuangco.

Second, on the other hand, Vice-President Noli de Castro has consistently been topping the popularity polls without having to commission self-serving surveys to project his image but he is dogged by financial worries and absence of a political party that he is comfortable with, though the Lakas-Kampi, which has an open invitation for him, is increasingly dismayed and impatient with his indecision.

The rest of the pack of ten ambitious men are plagued with the classic political disabilities that are endemic to the current political system and Aranetaelectoral requirements, such as, lack of money ranging from P2 billion and up to become president; absence of an accredited political party; weak popularity survey ratings; lack of media exposure; late entry; poor organization; being unknown to the grassroots population; non-support from the cohesive and monolithic Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) religious sect; lack of informal and discreet endorsement from the U.S. State Department; risky or profitable anointment of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; and lack of charisma, credibility, and intellect.

When all is said and done, despite the zany and premature campaigning, the 2010 general election is a crucial and critical crossroad for Philippine politics and its future. In the meantime, all eyes are riveted on President Gloria Arroyo whose political acumen, combat experience in politics, access to financial resources, ruthless determination, and perspicacity are often overlook by opposition groups which tend to underestimate her resilience and tenacity.

There is still a lot of spunk left in the lady, and it ain’t over till it’s over.

You be the judge. (For comments and views, please e-mail: chaff_fromthegrain@yahoo.com.ph)