Pinoy elections’ musical chairs

What do you think of the inclusion of Teresita “Tessie” Aquino-Oreta and Vicente “Tito” Sotto in the administration’s senatorial ticket?Oreta and Sotto were among the infamous group of 11 senators who, during the impeachment trial of former Philippine President Joseph Estrada, voted to keep sealed the envelope that would have proven whether Estrada was in fact Jose Velarde (together with fellow ‘No’ voters senators Miriam Santiago and Johnny Enrile, and former senators Robert Jaworski, Kit Tatad, Blas Ople (+), Nikki Coseteng, Gringo Honasan, John Osmeña, and Ramon Revilla Sr).

Philippine politics being as it is, politicians almost always swing from party to party, so the situation we’re in now is interesting: a Pinoy voter now may actually vote based on a candidate’s qualifications and past history, given that the ‘party’ system is obviously useless, other than to decide who gets to spend taxpayers’ money in getting themselves elected.

What options are offered us? The administration ticket, titled ‘Team Unity’ is fielding candidates from all major political parties, including two former senators who voted to keep Jose Velarde a secret (Oreta & Sotto, from the Nationalist People’s Coalition) alongside Joker Arroyo (Kampi), Ralph Recto (Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats), Ed Angara (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino), Michael Defensor (Liberal Party), and Bukidnon Rep. Miguel Zubiri, Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Zambales Gov. Vic Magsaysay (Lakas).

On the other hand, the fragmented opposition. ‘Yes’ voter Loren Legarda (GMA’s former running-mate) the widow of one of the ‘Yes’ voters (Sonia Roco, Raul’s wife), and the son of one of the ‘Yes’ voters (Alan Peter, son of Rene), running alongside ‘No’ voters Nikki Coseteng and John Osmeña, managed by a ‘Yes’ voter (Serge Osmeña), who, last I heard, was estranged from John. Who would’ve guessed an opposition ticket would see Senator Ping Lacson alongside Aquino scion Noynoy Aquino III, and rebellion leader Antonio Trillanes IV!

Then there are the independents, including Kiko Pangilinan, Richard Gomez and Kapatiran.

What do you think about the swapping-partner mentality of this political circus? I reserve the right to delete comments that may be, in my opinion, flammatory and/or libelous.