The Quintessential Lacson

Lacson cites ‘strong reservations’ that Duterte ‘betrayed public trust’ in Pharmally mess, even though he signed the Senate blue ribbon report on the alleged anomalous deals with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. at the height of the pandemic.

The above headline represents the quintessential Lacson. Is he stupid that he is unable to connect the dots on the ultimate patron of the Pharmally fiasco? Or is he just acting stupid (an instinctive behavioral pattern of long-standing survivors in the mediocre Philippine government bureaucracy) to be politically safe? One way or the other does not speak well of Lacson as a presidential candidate.

One thing is for sure, Lacson is broadcasting completely opposite signals with respect to (a) Dutae betraying the public trust on the Pharmally fiasco (by signing-off on the Senate blue ribbon committee report) and (b) Dutae NOT betraying the public trust (by expressing his 'strong reservations' that Dutae betrayed the public trust). And there lies the rub. The ambiguity and ambivalence of Lacson on many important national issues throughout his political career, including the Pharmally mess, reveal a shady and compromised individual. He is wishy-washy on issues that matter and, therefore, lacking in substantive leadership required for the presidency. It is this fatal flaw (in addition to having the charisma of a cold fish) that prevents Lacson from connecting with voters, who don't know what he stands for--other than reducing the average waistline of the police force when he headed-up the Philippine National Police (which is no mean feat).

Under a strong and principled leadership with Leni as President, Lacson's strengths can still be harnessed for the good of the country. The fact that Lacson has Dr. Minguita Padilla, an exceptional high-integrity professional, running under his senatorial slate suggests that he is not entirely bereft of the right stuff.

Lacson, who has clearly raised a decent amount of campaign funds but is unlikely to clinch the presidency, should eat some humble pie and support Leni for President. If he does this before February 8, then he may even get away with a substantial retirement package (unspent campaign funds) that need not be reported to the government--and he would be doing the country a service by helping Leni defeat BBM.

Quiboloy and BBM

Anyone with an iota of discernment cannot possibly miss the opportunity to juxtapose BBM's endorsement by Quiboloy and Leni's endorsement by former AFP chiefs, retired career diplomats and former cabinet officials. These endorsements were broadcast in mainstream media at about the same time on February 1, 2022.

Leni's endorsement by former or retired senior military and public officials is both substantial and unprecedented; whereas, the Narcos-Dutae tandem endorsement by cult-leader Quiboloy is both farcical and expected--particularly in light of Quiboloy's role as the so-called "spiritual adviser" of Dutae. These endorsements can only be characterized as polar opposites where one represents good governance and the other, a criminal enterprise. Not surprisingly, a few days afterwards, the FBI released a "WANTED" poster of Quiboloy for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children. Needless to say, the Narcos-Dutae tandem endorsement by a sex trafficker of children is beyond disgusting. It speaks volumes on the depravity of this dynastic political alliance.

Today, BBM and Quiboloy have at least one thing in common. They both have arrest warrants in the United States. This means that if they set foot in the United States, they would be arrested like any common criminal. In spite of this glaring fact, the COMELEC (except Commissioner Guanzon) is still dicking around the petitions against BBM, who has neither the right nor the moral ascendancy to run for any public office.