Destiny

There has to be such a thing as destiny. How else would you explain the rise to power of a housewife who did not want to be president? Or a black man becoming the occupant of the White House?

Whether one’s destiny is divine is something else altogether. A fervent believer in divine destiny is Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This is how she perceives the way power landed in her lap in 2001, without her having to spend P500 million for infomercials and at least another P1.5 billion more for an actual campaign. Even Corazon Aquino had to spend for her campaign in the 1986 snap election.

God may help those who help themselves, but GMA didn’t have to do much heavy lifting to bag the presidency in 2001. It just plopped into her lap. Is a nine-year marriage to the mob the nation’s divine destiny?

You can understand why President Arroyo would be a firm believer in destiny. How else would you explain the death of her closest rival in 2004, action king Fernando Poe Jr.?

With FPJ no longer around, and with Vice President Noli de Castro as the constitutional successor, it was not surprising that the President survived “Hello, Garci” and a call for her resignation by no less than Corazon Aquino, now elevated to sainthood, if not by the Vatican, then by a mournful nation.

Surviving “Garci,” a traumatic episode for President Arroyo, also reinforced her belief in her divine birthright. The child of EDSA II has said she derives her mandate not just from people power but directly from God.

One prominent individual who had to sit through the President’s discourse on her divine destiny was so spooked, telling me later, “That woman is evil.”

That was long before Romulo Neri used the same word to describe his boss the President during his economic briefings for opposition senators.

When she was vice president and she would be teased about one day becoming the nation’s highest official, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would give an enigmatic smile and say that the presidency is a matter of fate.

She also liked to mouth her motto, borrowed from her late father, former President Diosdado Macapagal: “Do right, do your best; God will take care of the rest.”

It’s good to remember how religious beliefs play a role in the life of this President when we consider the desire of several religious leaders to succeed her in 2010.

As in the penitents who proliferate in this country during Holy Week, religious devotion does not necessarily translate into integrity and good governance. It has little to do with competence in running a country. It could even mean a lifelong cycle of sinning and then penance and trying to atone for those sins.

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So far there are already three religious leaders who have expressed their intention to run for president in 2010.

Since he has done it before under the banner of the Bangon Pilipinas Movement, we can assume that Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord (JIL) movement is serious in his plan to join the race.

In 2004, he was the tail-ender in a five-cornered fight, garnering 1.98 million – the JIL vote – out of 32.26 million votes, behind President Arroyo, FPJ, Panfilo Lacson and Raul Roco.

Villanueva’s platform is moral recovery for good governance.

His problem is that there are other candidates laying claim to the same platform.

One of them is Mike Velarde of Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai. Velarde’s moral recovery credentials are weakened by his avowed continued support for the President, but at least he does not bite the hand that feeds him. That property where his spanking new church now stands was made possible with the help of a reported behest loan of nearly P150 million from the Arroyo government. Velarde is also hounded by accusations of swindling in his younger years. He is also said to have benefited from the controversial road project of Sen. Manuel Villar.

A Catholic bishop said Velarde is losing interest in seeking the presidency, but just in case, “Brother Mike” has “anointed” his son as his successor if he relinquishes leadership of El Shaddai.

Priest-on-leave Ed Panlilio has stronger credentials for moral recovery, although it’s unclear if he has any blueprint for spreading this nationwide if he becomes president. He seems clueless even about running a province.

If Panlilio is serious in his quest for the presidency, he should leave the priesthood and stop violating the constitutional provision on the separation of church and state.

It would also help his credentials if he returns the wad of cash he received from Malacañang many moons ago, and stops saying that God is telling him to run for president.

I’m still waiting for the escapees from New York’s Bellevue Hospital, Sen. Jamby Madrigal and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, to also begin claiming that they are receiving instructions directly from the Creator.

You have to envy all the individuals who enjoy a direct line to God. How can you fight someone claiming a divine right to public office?

The realization of their dream is in the hands of lesser mortals like you and me. In this aspect at least, we the voters are not children of a lesser god.