Grace Padaca & Among Ed

In the last 2004 elections, Grace Padaca, a fearless radio commentator, won the Isabela governor seat over Faustino Dy, a member of a powerful political clan, by a close margin of about 1,285 votes. Presently, based on the latest tally, she is on her way to get reelected.

In the recent 2007 elections, the nation was again astonished by the victory of Ed Panlilio, a parish priest, won the Pampanga governor seat over Mark Lapid and Lilia Pineda, members of powerful clans and close allies of Arroyo, also by a close margin of about 1,147 votes.

There are many similarities between the two victories. First, both are highly competent yet selfless leaders on a moral crusade against corruption. Second, both faced powerful political clans with firmly entrenched political machinery and unlimited resources. Third, both ran a quixotic campaign that mobilized support of the upper and middle class. Fourth, their supporters were vigilant in guarding the votes which prevented cheating from taking away their victory.

Their success should inspire other provinces to break away from patronage politics, to destroy political dynasties and to encourage more qualified individual to run for public office.

On the other hand, in the national elections, let us examine the campaign of KAPATIRAN. They also ran a platform-based campaign but lost terribly in the elections. In comparison with Padaca and Among Ed, I think they lacked the charisma to mobilize popular support from the upper and middle class. This support is critical to gain funds for running advertisements. Even Grace and Among Ed needed funds for advertisement. Those ads send a message that a candidate is a serious contender, that he has a support base and that he has winnability. Consequently, these advertisements will further increase awareness of his campaign which in turn would multiply the support they were receiving. Unlike Among Ed's campaign, they never had the spark to start a momentum which was sustained until election day.

Can this formula for success in the local elections be duplicated in the national elections?Yes, I believe it can.

At the moment, I do not see a political figure that could duplicate the success of Grace and Among Ed using the same formula at a national level. But I do hope that someone will soon standout to capture the imagination of the Filipino people and to institute genuine reforms.