Gordon's complaint

During the week, I went to the Light and Sound Museum in Intramuros for the nth time. It has been there for over two years now but it has not been given the attention it deserves. The last time I went there I was with my three grandchildren, Rafael, Daniela and Alexi. They may be too young to understand all that was being said about Philippine history through the prism of Jose Rizal’s life and execution, but they were mesmerized by the drama created by light and sound and brilliant stage props. It can move even a first time visitor. They were thrilled and soon began to ask questions.

It should be seen by all Filipinos, young and old, and an information campaign should be launched for the purpose. The first step I think is that entrance should be free or at least lower priced tickets. But it is all worth it to revive Filipinos’ patriotic spirit.

On our latest visit, Senator Richard Gordon came to escort us to what he considers one of his most important achievements. I agree. Even if he did not win in 2010, he already has the legacy of the Light and Sound. With us was Carlos A. Arnaldo, former head of the UNESCO Communications Division in Paris. He has now become an avid Rizalista and was surprised to know there was such a Light and Sound Museum.

What should have been just another visit to the museum for me turned out to be an interview with one of the leading candidates for the 2010 presidential elections. Like the story of a spurned lover made famous by Philip Roth’s Portnoy’s Complaint, Gordon told me he could not understand why those who seek reforms in this country admit his accomplishments and mettle to be President and at the same time think he cannot win. If they do not want a contest of money or popularity then they should not make these things matter. (I had written it in one column repeated by others that we think Gordon accomplished many things but will he win?)

“I do not need to spend a lot of money to win,” he said “and that is how I am campaigning.” He will go around the country and talk to all and sundry and remind them of what he has done.

*      *      *

Gordon who has never lost an election may have many blocks to hurdle in the 2010 elections, but he and his partner Bayani Fernando are not fazed. He believes both of them combine qualities of good public servants. They have done things and these should speak for themselves.

You have to look at what he has done for clues of the leader he will be if he wins in 2010.

As mayor of Olongapo City his own constituents were happy that he made changes that were visible and touched their every day lives like a color coded transport system, bigger markets, and an efficient solid waste management program. He also organized vendors’ cooperatives, community groups and many other public and community development programs.

It is also well known that it was Gordon who oversaw the transformation of the US Naval Base in Subic Bay into a prosperous industrial and residential zone that it is today. It did not come easy. He was able to muster support from the citizens of Olongapo to join him in protests to “include the free port concept into the Bases Conversion Act which hitherto had been hastily cobbled together without consulting the people directly affected.”

After the US Navy completed its withdrawal in late 1992 he led its conversion for civilian and commercial use. He might have been among those who campaigned to keep the bases going at least for a while but when Mt. Pinatubo erupted he worked quickly on how to turn around the disaster. He relied on volunteerism and the civic spirit of community during those days when it would have seemed impossible to make the transformation. I remember the signs “Bawal sa Olongapo ang tamad” plastered all over the city.

By the time of the 1996 APEC Summit it was ready. Subic was a showcase of the country for some 18 world leaders. They were impressed and saw the possibilities for a new investment hub in Southeast Asia. Among the first entries were FedEx Express, Enron, Coastal Petroleum now El Paso Corporation, Taiwan computer giant Acer and France telecoms company. The investors brought new jobs for those displaced when the US gave up the base.

He continues to serve as chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross and has an intimate working knowledge in rescue, relief and rehabilitation in various disasters.

His Wow Philippines caught on when he was appointed by President GMA as secretary of tourism.

But to go back to Gordon’s complaint he reminded me that in the 2004 national elections, when he ran for senator nobody believed he would win since he was tailing in the surveys. But he persisted and advertised his achievements on TV and radio. He won that election and received the fifth highest number of votes from the electorate.

*      *      *

So he is not worried if he tails in the 2010 surveys. He is going by 2004 and is confident that when the May elections come, he will do the same thing and upset most predictions. As he has said, the only real survey is the one that happens during the election. If we rely on surveys why should we still have elections? Let us just have surveys and have it all done with.

For 2010 Gordon has organized a new political coalition from among the parties that have emerged over the past decade, and called it “Bagumbayan” which is the former name of Rizal Park. I did tell him that my candidate is Charter change and that the election is being used to derail an advocacy that has been fought for by Filipino patriots since we became independent. It is my view that we should not have had these elections before we had restructured the body politic through Charter change.

That does not stop me from giving him his due: I will not ever say again that “he is good and has done a lot but will he win?” “I will win” he said. The man has chutzpah — a Jewish word for a quality of audacity.