“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” — Martin Luther King

This early, the initial elimination rounds have already claimed their victims and have sidelined more than half of the known presidential aspirants.

The dying embers of ambition of men of sincere intentions are gradually
being superseded by the candidacies of those who are more compatible with the existing discredited political system.

Since there is only room for one at the top, it will be destiny albeit aided by financial muscle, efficient organization, and determination.

First, looking down the road to the November filing of candidacies, whose permutations and alliances can change along the way, the Filipino people are tasked to vote for the remaining candidates who cannot be expected to make any difference since upon assumption of office they will be weighed down by their respective business interests, opportunists, relatives, and political operators.

Be that as it may, Sen. Manny Villar, Nacionalista Party, who is reputed to have already disbursed in excess of R1 billion in miscellaneous expenses, continues to break away from the pack, and has maintained his lead per popular survey polls.

Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, who is his own man, remains ever so popular with the “masa.”

That is, former President Estrada is a serious threat whether as a candidate himself, if legally and constitutionally allowed, or as an endorser, or campaigner, or on a coalition with a candidate of his choice.

Liberal Party president Sen. Mar Roxas has been a big letdown to his forebears, fans, admirers, loyal supporters, and colleagues by stepping down to being a spare tire to Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III whose tenure in the Philippine Senate has been lackluster and forgettable.

His candidacy will be a litmus test whether his illustrious name and heroic parentage will be sufficient to propel him to the presidency, and then what?

In the meantime, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, whose nickname is cute albeit unpresidential, and Sen. Loren Legarda of the Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC) anxiously await the decision and anointment of the patriarch, NPC founder, and San Miguel mogul, Amb. Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco to come down from Mount Olympus to announce his anointed one.

Last but not least, the Lakas-Kampi merger is about to disengage with the secession of the original Lakas-CMD while Kampi has been experiencing steady desertion in their ranks.

With the agonizing indecision of invited “guest” Vice President Noli de Castro and the inability of MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando to make his presence felt, the lack of forceful and purposeful leadership of the Lakas-Kampi Party is beginning to show wear and tear that may soon undermine its strength and cohesiveness especially in the countryside.

At least, Defense Sen. Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro’s ambition has been kept alive with the tentative endorsement of the League of Provinces.

Sec. Teodoro remains the most rounded and qualified of all the candidates.

When all is said and done, under the same political system the frontrunners will bring with them their respective excess baggage whether it be Sen. Villar’s real estate empire, or NPC’s San Miguel conglomerate, or Sen. Noynoy’s Hacienda Luisita, or President Estrada’s colorful past, or Lakas-Kampi’s Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

That is, the next president, under the prevailing political structure, will be hard put to make any difference, or undertake bold and brave decisions.

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