My friends'' Friends

Lawyer Frank Malilong, a good friend of mine and ninong at my kasal and whose column in SunStar is probably the best in Cebu ( on days when I do not write mine, ha ha ), recently asked me for a little help regarding the reelection bid of his good friend, Senator Edgardo Angara.

Ex-future lawyer Jesse Bacon, another good friend whom I did not invite to my kasal and whose column in the Daily Tribune is subject to friendly but disparaging innuendoes by Eddie Barrita of Cabadiangan, Liloan, also pitched in for his good friend, Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Before Attorney Frank and Jesse pleaded for my help, I did not realize I was that influential regarding the political fortunes of two able gentlemen who have long walked the corridors of power.

Angara and Lacson, however, do not need much help, especially from poor insignificant me from Cabadiangan, Compostela ( as opposed to Eddie''s side of the Cotcot River ). They already appear to be sure winners, the question being only where to place them in the standings.

However they place in the standings, though, Angara and Lacson are welcome returnees to the Senate. Their continued presence there allows it to keep what remains of its dignity from entirely slipping away.

They also need to return to the Senate for another reason. Both are potential contenders for the presidency in 2010. And while they can still make that run from outside the Senate, the effort will be more difficult to launch away from the centers of power.

This country cannot afford a repeat of 2004 when we moved dangerously to the brink of electing a grossly unqualified but hugely popular candidate. Thank God the intelligent voters of Cebu stepped up to the challenge by electing the obvious choice under the circumstances.

And yet, instead of being thanked for providing the winning margin that arrested what would have been a sure fall of the nation into oblivion, the Cebuanos ended up being accused as cheats.

No cheating occurred in Cebu despite what others are saying. What happened was that even before the election, the opposition already conceded for lack of money and machinery. All local officials were with the administration. There was no need to cheat even if some people wanted to.

My hunch is that Cebu will again play a vital role in determining the political destiny of this country. I believe the intelligent voters of Cebu will again choose for the nation the lineup from which may spring the next president.

Some say this election is a referendum on President Arroyo. That is not so. No referendum can be inferred unless the voting for the Senate proceeds exactly along party lines and a 12-0 configuration emerges either way.

In all likelihood, the election for the Senate will be a test run for 2010. And that is why it is very crucial that we choose the right people from which we can select the leader who can take us hopefully in the right direction this time.

The choices we are presented are quite confusing. There may not even be best choices to complete a 12-man slate regardless of party lines. But upon us is reposed the difficult task of making the choice anyway.

If it is any consolation, at least Attorney Frank and Jesse have made it two less names to agonize over. Their endorsees are not difficult choices to make, plus give or take two or three more. Beyond five easy choices, the going gets really tough.