“God changeth not that which is in people unless they change that which is in themselves .”  — The Koran

The political bottleneck down the road is beginning to decongest with Sen. Manny Villar forging ahead of the pack in the popularity survey polls, with former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, coming in a close second, with the rest of the more than a dozen wannabes either drawing up fallback positions, or graceful exits, or avoiding throwing good money after bad – since the 2010 election will be financially bloody – or forging alliances and coalitions, and fight another day.

In the meantime, it seems presumptuous of former President Joseph Estrada to demand that the heterogeneous opposition groups, which are solely united in their obsessive opposition to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to get their act together and present a single candidate, or else he threatens to run himself. That’s hubris.

This attitude of President Estrada is so presumptuous that it prompted Sen. Manny Villar to declare he needed no blessing or endorsement from anyone. This was obviously directed at Mr. Estrada to whom Sen. Villar had earlier been trying to obsequiously ingratiate himself to the former president.

Since then, Sen. Manny Villar has been spending wisely, traveling all over the country, diligently organizing volunteer cells, and working harmoniously with his tireless fan and wife Congres woman Cynthia Aguilar-Villar. It is apparently paying off as shown in his topping the polls, despite the demolition job by Sen. Jamby Madrigal.

In contrast, Sen. Mar Roxas appears to have stagnated in the middle, and cannot seem to get out of the rut.

The main reason presented by observers is that Sen. Mar Roxas is not focused or single-minded in purpose.

He tends to jump from one popular topic to another with that insincere toothy smile that the public is suspicious of.

By the same token, Vice President Noli de Castro has slid down from the pantheon of popularity to fourth runner-up principally due to his dilly-dallying and indecision which is costing him credibility. The nation is also watching him to found out if he can hack it.

Of course, Sen. Loren Legarda firmly believes in her competence, experience, personality, accomplishments, and determination.

Truth to tell, the voters are not quite sure they would like a third woman president so soon.

And, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has remained among the front runners with his mastery of grandstanding and hype aimed at mesmerizing the youth to his cause.

However, astute political analysts opine that Sen. Chiz Escudero is too immature, inexperienced, and too glib to be seriously considered at this time.

Last but not the least, apart from his illustrious name, Sen. Noynoy Aquino has not made a name for himself or distinguished himself in the Senate. He is anti-climactic.

When all is said and done, it is time to separate the men from the boys, and put the money where their mouths are, or accept reality that the presidency is fate and destiny made in heaven regardless of one’s good intentions and platform of government.

With the vagaries of politics and the fickleness of the voters notwithstanding, the best and the brightest as well as those with honorable intentions, and there are many, such as, Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, Sen. Dick Gordon, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Bro. Mike Velarde, MMDA Chariman Bayani Fernando and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, are all worth occupying the highest position of the land should destiny favors one of them.

Alas, without radical reforms or constitutional amendments, the next president will be hostage to the same political system which has outlived its usefulness. Change or perish.

You be the judge.