The Third Force

There is an interesting deve-lopment in the political front. With the next elections just a year and four months away, several senatorial aspirants are even now seriously planning to run under a Third Force. They think that the two major political parties carry too much dirty baggage, and that running under either LAMP or LAKAS would prove detrimental to their senatorial dreams.

As of now, the biggest plus to aligning with the ruling LAMP is the expected abundant flow of resources from vested interests. Yes, money is going to be given to the dominant party by those who have received a big bonanza from the Estrada administration and by those who are lobbying for special favors from the people in power. This means that senatorial candidates in the lineup of LAMP are not going to be hampered by the problem of campaign funds.

But then, political analysts believe that a magnetic Third Force can muster massive financial support from well-meaning business interests, and from concerned citizens themselves. And the campaign work that will be done by volunteer workers, whose only interest is to enhance the quality of public service in this country, will be worth millions, perhaps billions, of pesos. In fact, there will be no way of quantifying the services of volunteer campaigners -- but these will definitely be massive.

There are several factors, though, that have to be present if the Third Force is to be viable. The senatorial list must be impressive, composed of possible winners. And the Third Force must have the resources for organizational work in all parts of the country. With media coverage, one can just imagine what clout a magnetic Third Force will carry, especially in the vote-heavy urban areas.

Ferdie Sibal of 18 Green Leaves St., Capitol Green Village, Tandang Sora, Quezon City, is one guy who believes in the viability of a Third Force. He has, since the 1998 elections, become an avid student of Philippine politics. And his studies show that if the small political parties can band together, to form a tactical coalition, they can emerge victorious in the 2001 elections.

What the small parties should do, Sibal said, is to field a joint Senate ticket and put up common candidates in the local and congressional elections. "A Third Party effort recognizes the perception of many that Lakas is not a credible alternative to LAMP," Sibal said.

Sibal has names from the small parties that can be fielded as senatorial bets for the Third Force. Among them are Bert Romulo, Serge Osmeña, Bobby Tanada, Mar Roxas, Rene de Villa, Oca Orbos, Raffy Alunan, Haydee Yorac, Jimmy Galvez Tan, Irene Santiago, Winnie Monsod, Teddyboy Locsin, Frank Chavez and Randy David. Sibal might as well include former congressman and former Agriculture Secretary Salvador "Sonny" Escudero III, the pride of Bicol and one human dynamo in the public service, to give added luster to his list.

Sibal thinks that the key to victory is to have an "exciting and attractive" option to the electorate. People with little or no excess political baggage. Leaders with solid and credible reputations. Proven expertise in their respective fields. Impressive academic and professional qualifications. Good track record in public service and governance.

"Enough of do-nothing showbiz types. They have demeaned the reputation of the Senate. Let us bring to the Senate people who can continue the great legacy of Senate titans like Ninoy Aquino, Pepe Diokno, Gerry Roxas, Jovy Salonga, Lorenzo Tañada, Soc Rodrigo, Raul Manglapus, Ambrosio Padilla, among others," Sibal said.

Domingo "Mingoy" L. Mapa, village manager of the Dasmariñas Village Association, professor of the Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business and an envoy of the Lord, has always been a staunch supporter of the Good Samaritan Foundation. Recently, Mingoy appealed to his students of ISTRAN Class and DYPSTRAN Class to lend a helping hand to the GSF, and they responded generously. All in all, they donated P2,761 -- and the amount was turned over to me, including a bonus of P1,999.20 received by Prof. Mapa from the Ateneo.

Among the Ateneo students who generously shared some of their blessings with the less fortunate in life are Eden Morales, Francis Toledo, Noreen Datu, Corinna Mustera, Luz Urbiztondo, Laarni, Miriam Mangaban, Gladys Casinto, Josephine Ritanar, Enrico de la Torre, Ma. Rodella Mercado, AmyLou Sanez, George Velayo, Francis Gaspar, Benedicto Miranda, Maria Elena Gajisan, Chito Galievo, Rosa Diokno, Gisela Santos, Meila Valencia, Nestor Sarmiento, Raffy Aloria, Genaro Barcelona, Myrna Eustaquio, Ariel Magtoto, Luigi Fernandez, Jay Zialcita, Arnel Aragon, Heinrich Cochien, Elfin Magno, Engenio Mitan, Adolfo Rose, Alma Peralta, and C. Gomez. Thanks a million!

Mingoy Mapa's students had a handwritten note for him. It said: "Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us. You serve as an example and role model in our pursuit of excellence and service, together with Art Borjal, our shining guide in assisting us through God's Pathway to Life." And in their letter to me, the students said: "We hope we could follow in your small, slow but significant steps. We've been energized socially, motivated lovingly, and oriented habitually by our charismatic and diplomatic Prof. D.L. Mapa to walk with you in your Pathways to Life as our fellow Atenean role model."

By the way, Prof. Mapa, as village manager of Dasmariñas Village, is spearheading the homeowners' fight for privacy and security. He has sought the help of former Sen. Rene Saguisag in securing the villagers' legal rights. According to Mingoy, the Dasma villagers' thrust is to arrive at a "pro-active" solution -- a positive, synergistic and win-win approach based on the Christian principle of social justice that will be beneficial to all concerned."

PULSEBEAT: Filipino educators are highly regarded in Chile, according to former Ambassador Rodolfo A. Arizala. During cocktails at the University of Santo Tomas of Chile, Ecuadorian educator Licenciada Margarita Cedeno de Armijo paid tribute to Virginia Paraiso of the Philippines. "We have a great asset -- the hardworking Filipinos who are highly esteemed and respected abroad. We are rich in human resources," said Arizala, who is currently the director of the UST Chile Department of International Affairs for Asia and Africa... Aida Aguas of Mountain View, California, sent to me a writeup about the toxic waste in Clark. The article suggests that American toxic experts train Filipinos, especially Kapampangans, to take soil and water samples, to determine contamination.

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