Irresponsible leaders.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Isagani A. Cruz

IT'S alarming. It's preposterous. It's unbelievable even given the ridiculous state of our politics at present. But, Heaven help us, it's true.

The incredible report is that some of our supposedly responsible leaders are maneuvering to foist upon the Filipino people their respective choices of obviously incompetent persons as the next president of the Philippines.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, head of the opposition LDP and Estrada's failed running mate in 1998, is wooing as its standard bearer in the presidential election next year Erap's soul-mate and possible replica in Malacanang. He is the popular Fernando Poe Jr., the uncrowned King of Philippine Movies and another idol of the bakya crowd.

Poe is well-known as a hard-hitting tinsel hero with his fast fists and his faster guns that are guaranteed to foil all his screen enemies. Angara probably thinks that Poe can knock out all his rivals in the political ring, where he is a complete amateur. Poe should know that there are more dirty tricks in this arena than in the movies where the bad guys fall flat on the director's cue. Sen. Vicente Sotto, who is probably eyeing appointive office when his present term expires, will try to persuade his fellow actor to follow in his shallow footsteps.

The problem is that Poe has neither the experience nor the qualifications to perform well as president of the Philippines. Erap was at least a college drop-out while Poe has not even finished high school and cannot spout the many "Eraptions" that many found cute. He may appoint bright advisers, it is said, but the danger is that the poor fellow might be naively "captive" to their own schemes. Then there is Poe's advancing age, which may have loosened his hold on movie fans from a younger and less impressionable generation who regard him as their "Lolo." On top of all this is the issue of his citizenship, which many are seriously questioning.