Dark clouds in the horizon

President Estrada and his handlers should not just brush aside, just like that, the latest findings of Pulse Asia on the President's popularity ratings. There are items that are disturbing, and unless acted on quickly and expeditiously, can prolong the mental and mental torture of those in the corridors of power.

One finding is that President Estrada's popularity rating continues to go down. According to pollster Felipe Miranda, if the downward skid continues in Pulse Asia's March 2000 survey, then a record shall have been established. It will mark the first time in Philippine political history that a President's popularity rating has not changed gear for such a long period of time.

The month of March will be the turning point, said Dr. Miranda. His statement conveys dark forebodings. Which means that the handlers of President Estrada must work double-time, spend sleepless nights, analyzing what to do in the face of the sagging popularity of the President.

Another noteworthy item about Pulse Asia's latest survey is its finding that no longer is the Charter change initiative the main culprit behind the drop in President Estrada's rating. Looming as a major issue, which is even more compelling than the Concord, is the problem of the stomach. The growing army of the jobless and the hungry is going to be a big threat to the stability of the Estrada government.

It is easy for President Estrada to scrap Concord and regain his popularity. But it will not be easy for him to solve, within a reasonable time, the raging economic problems that are adding fuel to the disenchantment, perhaps even anger, of the poor. Many concerned citizens hope that President Estrada will find a way to tackle the gnawing problems of the masa.

In a country where politics is a way of life, if not life itself, there is no thing that the masa has not gotten tired, of something considered as a constant in their lives. This is mainstream politics, with all its good and bad sides, with all its high moments and lows, with all its great and hollow dimensions. Yes, one thing good about Philippine politics is that it does not discriminate against anything and against anybody, which is the true essence of democracy and competition. There is always room for every competitor -- from paupers to the presidential next-of-kin.

It is this context that the opposition of some priests and bishops to the possible entry into the political fray of presidential son Joseph Victor Ejercito has a disturbing ring, an undemocratic component even. The general feeling is: "Let him be!" or "Let him run." The opposition to J.V. Ejercito's political dreams smacks of bigotry and discrimination, a mindset that is an antithesis of Christian values.

Whether one loves the Estrada administration or not, the fact is that J.V. Ejercito has genuine credentials, the bona fides of leadership. He is a businessman and a civic leader, the one who took care of the support groups from the youth sector. He trained at a prestigious university and has managed companies and civic and political organizations. In his father's crucial moments, J.V. stood by his side. Lesser men have aspired for public office, and this is the greater reason why J.V. has to be encouraged to go into politics.

Recently, there was a beautiful Time essay on political dynasties. The writer explained that nations, whether totalitarian or the most sophisticated of democracies, have "dynastic impulses" that push their people to look up to their leaders with a certain amount of awe. Or reverence.

The saga of the Kennedys remains the longest-running drama in the United States, a virtual soap opera. The last Stalinist state in the world, North Korea, had transferred absolute power from father to son. If J.V. Ejercito has this advantage through the accident of birth, what can the young man do? Keeping him out of politics would be, in a sense, a disservice to the nation.

The generation of the baby boomers is about to come to a close. Baby Boomer Bill Clinton will soon end his second term as US president. The global and the national stage belongs to the young men and women of J.V. Ejercito's age. This generation is ready to take over, and winnowing process should start now. Let real competition begin.

Let J.V. run. Bishops and laymen should welcome his entry into the world of politics. And J.V. should be given the opportunity to test his mettle in the arena that really matters.

Our effort to help save the life of 12-year-old Aprilyn Tabino of Candelaria, Zambales, the girl sick with cryptococcal meningitis, is gaining ground. Latest laboratory tests conducted at three hospitals -- Philippine Children's Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and UERM Memorial Medical Center -- show that her vital organs are functioning at near-normalcy. In fact, the PCMC doctors are saying that she could return home soon to Zambales, and her treatment could continue through oral medicines.

During the past two weeks, the Good Samaritan Foundation gave P6,000 to Aprilyn, for her medicines and payment of the laboratory tests. I am also seeing to it that Jethred, Aprilyn's brother who is overseeing her medical care in the Big City, will have standby money to pay for tests and other medical protocols ordered by the young girl's doctors.

In the meantime, the Good Samaritan Foundation appropriated certain amounts to the following indigent beneficiaries during the past several days:

* Rowell Noronia, who lost both legs in a train accident, P1,500 for his transportation allowance in going to AMA Computer College.

* Teodoro Recio, who used to work as a scriptwriter, P1,000 for medicines for his lung problem.

* Belen Untal, a wheelchair-bound student at Trinity College, Quezon City, P1,500.00 for her school expenses.

* Eric Nicolas, who lost the mobility of his feet when his spiral column was damaged by a knife wound inflicted by an assailant at Divisoria, Manila, and is now using a wheelchair, P3,500 for his medicines and his tuition fee at Systems Plus Computer Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

Yesterday, a landmark agreement was signed in Malacañang between De La Salle University Health Sciences Campus and MDVista, making the Philippines the first country in Asia to launch distance learning in the field of medicine. MDVista is an Internet company based in Fremont, California. The project is a brainchild of Dr. Antonio Q. Chan, an internationally renowned cardiologist at Standford University.

Art Borjal's e-mail address: [email protected]