"It is but proper and fitting that this Court commend the unfaltering and very able assistance rendered to the accused, seen from the excellent presentation made of his case, particularly by his defense counsel, Atty. Abelardo L. Aportadera, Jr., of Davao City, who unstintedly and magnanimously contributed his legal talents and efforts in the hope that justice may ultimately prevail." X X X
Supreme Court Decision in 'People of the Philippines - versus- Lucio Lumayok' G.R. No. L-54016
As we start the mid year of 2008, the presidential election in America heats up. Primaries are over and we witnessed the first stage of the nominating process for president in the United States. While different rules on delegate selections were applied by the Republican Party and by the Democratic Party, both political parties have direct voting and town hall causes to select their respective presidential candidates. The United States has a two-party system and their presidential candidates are nominated by primary delegates during a political convention.
During the primaries, those seeking the presidential nomination of their respective political parties brought out their party positions and views to their party members. After the grueling primaries, the American public had a good glimpse of the presidential candidates of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.
On the Philippine side, there used to be a nominating process for presidential candidates for the major political parties. But the adoption of the multi-party system has created a confusing process for nomination. In fact, there is no credible nominating process at all. Presidential candidates come forward and declare themselves as such and party members become rubber stamps for the personal aspiration and ambition of wannabe presidentiables.
As the 2010 presidential elections in the Philippines approaches, because of the lack of a genuine party nomination process, political personalities with presidential dreams device ways and means to project themselves to the public through media ads. Images and not issues are projected to build up one’s popularity and not one’s character and values.
Lost also in the present situation is the role of political parties as representing delineated political views, ideology and programs vis a vis each other. They have become mere vehicles for persons to be elected president and not vehicles for the advancement of a political ideology represented by their presidential candidates.
At present, there is no genuine political party that represents genuine ideology and that commits to it in the political arena. What we have are political parties that exist merely to advance interest groups and personal ambitions, and not the interest of the Filipino people.
The Liberal Party is one political party that is attempting to forge a political ideology but so far has failed to follow through during elections. The Nacionalista Party has not defined itself and only Senate President Manuel Villar sticks out as the party. What is the political ideology of the NP? This goes true with the Lakas, the Kampi, the KBP, the LDP, the PDP, the NPC, the PMP and the UNO. Unless our national leaders composing these political groups reflect and rethink their political philosophy, the presidential elections of 2010 would not result in anything positive for our country but would merely perpetuate the cycle of political stagnation and bankruptcy.