Noli de Castro to form new political party?

In the field of presidential candidates for the 2010 General Elections, I almost forgot Vice President Noli de Castro until I saw the PDInquirer news today. It says that he will be soon forming his own political party.

I think this is going to be very interesting since the ruling Lakas-Kampi parties are banking on him, Defense Sec. Teodoro, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, and Interior and Local Government Sec. Puno to be the administration's standard bearer. What will happen to the ruling Lakas-Kampi coalition? It is said that some members of the party are contemplating in joining the vice president's party. Why? I think the're seeing cracks within that coaltion party and they're looking for their political survival. If that happens then we'll see the biggest political machinery in the last decade crumble and perhaps disappear.

Analyzing the birth of this newest political party brings me back to the time when Marcos and his political party KBL (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan). This party got replaced by the following other parties: Cory Aquino's Laban (1986-1992), Fidel Ramos' Lakas-CMD (1992-1998), Joseph Estrada's PMP (1998-2001), and President Gloria Arroyo's Kampi-Lakas (2001-current).

The entry of the newest political party will perhaps change the political landscape. Here's my fearless forecast, with the current 'shape' the ruling Lakas-Kampi coalition is in, I think a lot of the neophyte politicians are re-considering their options and are planning to jump ship. The popularity of President Arroyo is in the lowest point right now and it never recovered even though her programs are working for the people. Allegations of corruption (either directly or indirectly linking her), her snobby-looking photos, her 'Cruela Deville-esque' leadership style that most people spite, and others are not boding well for her and her political party's image. I think the senatorial election of 2007 is already an indication that she will not succeed this time around.

Old Daddies of Politics
So what about the old dogs of politics like the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Liberal Party (LP)? These parties can still be relied upon. The two parties were the ruling parties of Marcos and Ninoy Aquino's time. However they have not weilded enough convincing power for people to vote them on. So they're now relying on pre-campaign gimmicks like Sen. Mar Roxas' (LP) wedding announcement to TV giant ABS-CBN's senior newscaster, Korina Sanchez and Sen. Manuel Villar's (NP) ads that show him consistently helping the Overseas Contract Workers (OFWs). None of this is causing enough dent to the minds of those thinking about who should lead the country.

Vice President Noli de Castro's announcement of a new political party is dousing any fire from rumors that the ruling coalition has one of the aces to win the elections and keep on ruling the country. With this announcement, expect more people looking into the programs of the Vice President who have made a lot of gains by cleaning up the PAG-IBIG Housing Loans Agency and making it work for the people - especially the growing middle class.

The field of candidates just got more interesting for the May 2010 elections.

Thank you Footnotes:
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