Manila Boy

IT is said that politics is all about timing. Then, there is destiny. Two factors that some believe to be the drivers for a run for the presidency. And yet, the presidency is all about preparations and not bloodline; all about service and not earnings, all about sacrifice and not a free ride. In this pandemic, a candidate will have to confront from day one, issues on health and the economy. And because of the pandemic, a leader needs a clear plan on safety, security and growth. Of course, there are other issues on national security and diplomacy and the pathway to building infrastructure for education and governance in order that we can truly embrace technology as an enabling value to building the nation on the crest of Industry 4.0.

Actually, it is not timing alone, but if one is popular, others would say that it’s the only factor to reckon with to jump into national politics. I do not share such a proposition; for popularity is not the sum total of the institution. Better to embrace “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” than sheer popularity, which does not tell voters anything about risk management, anticipatory planning, data and informed choice, and faith.