Discerning our Presidentiables: ERAP

Last year in July, I wrote here about the possibility of an Erap 2. At that time, Erap seemed to still enjoy more popular support than the presidentiables then and he was the only one who appeared clear on what he wanted to do for the country like securing peace and order in Mindanao. But that was before Cory died on August 1, and Noynoy had not yet joined the race for president.

As a consequence also, there was the debate on whether he could still run for president under the Constitution. But the Comelec has decided that Erap can, and so, he has remained a candidate. On this note, this issue has practically died since Erap after all is running third to Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar in almost all the surveys. Nevertheless, surveys never take the place of the actual elections.

Erap's campaign this time around is this: "PAG MAY ERAP, MAY GINHAWA."

This program is also anchored on fighting lawlessness and violence, particularly in Mindanao. Indeed, his campaign camp claims that if Erap were president, the horrors of the Maguindanao massacre would not have happened. Indeed, nothing drives away business-and jobs for the people-more than instability and lack of peace and order.

Erap had been president for 2-1/2 years from June 30, 1998 to January 20, 2001. To his credit, he was successful in his "all out war" against the MILF. Government troops were able to overrun the MILF's headquarters, Camp Abubakar, and 13 other major camps and 43 minor camps. This resulted in relative stability in Mindanao.

While being a good Commander-in-Chief is only one part of being a good president, it can also be a president's defining quality that could ensure delivery of results in other areas of governance.    On this note, we gather from the HALALAN 2010 website (www.eleksyon.co.cc) a summary of Erap's platform thus: VISION: A democracy that is truly pro-poor. A country with peace and order. A government of transparency and accountability.

Economic Agenda: REVIVING THE ECONOMY - Steady economic growth that is felt by the masses.

National Security Agenda: PEACE AND ORDER - Ending criminal, insurgent and secessionist movements

Social Agenda: FOOD SECURITY AND A TRULY PRO-POOR GOVERNMENT - Alleviating poverty and hunger by achieving food security and ensuring that government's economicgains are directed to truly benefit the poor

Governance Policy: ENDING GRAFT AND CORRUPTION - Achieving transparency and accountability in government

Fiscal Policy: BALANCING THE BUDGET - Gaining investor confidence through peace and order and good governance