SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Thursday, November 21, 2002
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Lacson declares presidential candidacy with a pro-choice platform
He will certainly not seek Cardinal Sin's blessings.
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday became the first politician to declare his candidacy for president in 2004. Expectedly, he accused the incumbent, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, of being obsessed with her own candidacy and thus bringing the country to ruin. Quite unexpectedly, he is also the first major politician to challenge the highly influential Catholic Church when he vowed to promote wider use of contraceptives to address the country's population growth.
Mr. Lacson knew that he may never have the backing of the highly influential Catholic Church. Sensing that, his adopts a strategy to categorically support pro-choice groups on the family planning issue. Unfortunately, because of his role during the corrupt Estrada regime, his alleged participation in the Kuratong Baleleng rubout, his alleged human rights violations during the Marcos dictatorship, and unexplained US bank account, he may have a tough time convincing the pro-choice groups to support him. And even if Mr. Lacson miraculously get the support of pro-choice groups, it is till unwise for any presidential candidate to go against the Church. Almost 85 percent of the population of the Philippines are Catholics. Bishop Teodoro Bacani said that the loyalty of the Catholics is so strong that most of the people follow the Church. If Mr. Lacson does not change his platform, he will never win even if he runs for Vice President.
In chess and in politics, playing the center is always a wise strategy. Learn from the country's recent political history. The ousted president, Mr. Joseph Estrada, did not go against the Catholic Church even he already had the backing of the majority of the low-middle income classes. Mr. Fidel Ramos (Protestant) also sought the support of the Catholic Church. However, Mr. Lacson's problem is more immediate: getting the support of pro-life groups. First, he may not even get it. Second, the minds of the sleeping majority need to be opened up a little bit more. Blind faith in religion still extends to political choices. One word. Gullible. Unless we see progress in this area, a pro-choice platform will never work, ever.
posted by Allan at 12:59 AM (GMT+8)
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