‘Di puede ang probinsyano?’ 12 OUT OF 15 PRESIDENTS CAME FROM THE PROVINCES

By Manny Pinol

As the advocacy to push Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte for the Presidency is gaining ground, there are efforts by political groups to dampen the effort saying that it would be difficult for a provincial politician to win in Metro Manila which traditionally decides who becomes President.

“Paano kayo manalo sa Metro Manila?,” is a question posted in this page from time to time, obviously coming from supporters of other candidates who would like to discourage Duterte’s tens of millions of supporters.

This is a subtle strategy at mind conditioning. This is similar to the pronouncements of the erstwhile frontrunner for the Presidency who, in spite of the corruption issues against him and the drastic fall in his popularity keeps on telling his supporters “See you in Malacanang.”

This is no different from the strategy of a moneyed politician I know who vied for a top position in my province in 2007 who declared “Whether you like it or not, I will be your next Governor.”

Well, he found out later that the answer was “Not” as he lost to an underdog who I supported in the last manual election in the country.

Today, a similar strategy is being used to douse water on the burning flame which is the Duterte Presidency pushed by Filipinos who are tired of corruption in government and the unabated criminality.

“Mahirap manalo ang taga probinsya sa Metro Manila,” is the line oft-repeated by people who are ignorant of the country’s political history.

Had they researched, they would have found out that 12 of the 15 Presidents of the country were probinsyanos.

The first President, Emilio Aguinaldo, was from Kawit, Cavite; Manuel L. Quezon came from Baler, Quezon; Jose P. Laurel was from Tanauan, Batangas; Sergio Osmena Sr. was born in Dao, Batangas but grew up in his mother’s home province Cebu; Manuel Roxas was from Capiz; Elpidio Quirino was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Ramon Magsaysay was from Iba, Zambales; Carlos P. Garcia was born in Talibon, Bohol; Diosdado Macapagal was from Lubao, Pampanga; Ferdinand Marcos was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte; Corazon Aquino was born in Paniqui, Tarlac; and Fidel V. Ramos came from Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Only the last three Presidents, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno S. Aquino were born and raised in Metro Manila.

What is also obviously missed by those who believe that “probinsyanos” could not win in Metro Manila is the fact that a great part of the metropolitan population comes from the provinces.

If there is anything which would set Duterte apart from the others should he decide to run and win, it is the fact that he will be the first Mayor of a city outside of Metro Manila to become President of the Philippines.

Another factor which is conveniently ignored by those pushing for the Presidency of Vice President Jejomar Binay and the others is the fact that people now are concerned with two very important issues: Corruption in government and the worsening criminality and drugs problems in the country.

So, you think that a provincial politician like Duterte could not win in Metro Manila?

That remains to be seen.

You will never know if the grass is green unless you walk out into the lawn and you will never realize how blue the sky is unless you fly high.