EDITORIAL - Reverse psychology

Presidential hopefuls in the Senate (you know them) have all agreed, in separate interviews (they could not be together), to focus firm on economic initiatives before taking care of their ambitions for 2010.

Now, those statements sure sound like taking care of their ambitions for 2010, as they have been all this time. Ever since their eyes grew moist thinking of Malacañang, no effort has been spared to promote precisely those ambitions for 2010.

If somebody wants to take care of the economy first, he buries his head trying to do just that. He does not call for a press conference and make an announcement. When he does that, you know he is not burying his head. He is sticking it out for all to see.

So better be careful that you do not swallow hook line and sinker all the glowing promises made at this time by any of those who have presidential hopes for 2010. Do not be a sucker for patronizing statements.

We do not need to be told by anyone that the economy is bad. We know it deep in our pockets. But we know also that, for certain types, the economy can go to hell. The opportunity to make a run for the presidency does not present itself to anyone all the time.

With the run for the presidency open to a good number of wannabes, expect the fight to be a no-quartered one. In a scenario like that, do not ever believe anyone will give an inch to care about the economy. On the contrary, it is every man for himself.

Oh sure, the wannabes may take up the economy every now and then, but not for the reasons we would have wanted them to be. They will be taking up the economy either to promote their own selves, or use it to criticize the others. Wanna bet?

So, now that the announcements have been made, about how the economy takes precedence first over politics, better start expecting politics to take precedence first over the economy. But then, as if you did not know that already.