Guardians of the future THE PRESIDENCY, MY GRANDSON AND THE FILIPINOS OF TOMORROW

By Manny Pinol

Power literally surged up my head following the unexpected victory I scored over a highly favored political opponent in the gubernatorial contest of North Cotabato in 1998.

Winning with less than P1-million in campaign funds, I felt that I was on top of the world, that I was the most powerful man in the province and that the world revolved around me.

The power and ego trip, however, ended when in October of 1998, I made my first climb of Mt. Apo, the country’s highest mountain which is shared by North Cotabato, Davao City and Davao del Sur.

Standing at the highest peak of Mt. Apo, I realized how literally small and inconsequential I was compared to the vastness around me.

Seeing the beauty of nature as I walked through centuries old trees covered with moss and the endlessly flowing water from Lake Venado which drops from 10,000 feet to the creeks and rivers down below, I became aware how temporary and finite I was.

That climb and the 11 others which I made in the succeeding years drastically changed my outlook in life and my perspective of governance.

Right after my first climb, I started an advocacy to clean and protect Mt. Apo because I wanted to preserve the beautiful garden of God for the future generation.

Along with the other mountain climbers, we formed the group Guardians of Lake Venado, all committed to protect Mt. Apo and to preserve it for the Filipinos to come.

In my governance, programs and projects which I initiated were all designed to make life better for the people of my province and those who will come after them.

I am out of government service now but two days ago when I saw the beautiful photo taken by my daughter, Josa Bernadette, of my first grandchild, Duane Pinol Solis with his head rested on his mother’s shoulder as he seemed to look at me with his bright eyes, I knew I had to continue my advocacy of preparing a better future for him and other Filipinos of the future.

This brings us now to my advocacy to help my countrymen discern and appreciate who should lead the country for the next six years after the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

The country is spiraling down into a dreadful situation where people are starting to accept corruption as part of public service.

Even as proofs of corruption of those vying for the presidency are bared before the public, there are some who say: “That’s okey. They’re all thieves in government anyway.”

This attitude is becoming a dangerous social malaise because it affects the psyche of the Filipinos.

This is a social epidemic in the making which would be more debilitating than Ebola or MERS.

I am not losing hope though. I will continue with my advocacy to present to the Filipino people who I believe would be able to ensure a better future for my grandson, Duane, and the grandchildren of other Filipinos, as well.

I cannot support Jejomar Binay. In spite of his pronouncements of innocence, the proofs being presented to support the corruption charges against him are just so convincing that I believe he will not be able to come to the table with clean hands.

His pronouncement that he will not submit himself to the Senate investigation because “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines” gives me even more shivers in my spine.

If Jojo Binay could make that statement now when he is just Vice President, what would be his reaction to public scrutiny and accountability when he becomes president?

I cannot support Mar Roxas because while he is incorruptible and very intelligent, he is devoid of human touch and empathy which I believe are a must for a leader.

Having been born to a very rich family, I also do not believe that Mar Roxas knows how it is to be poor and no amount of pedaling the tri-sikad will convince me that he understands the meaning of hardship, want, need, or appreciates the desires and dreams of those who have nothing in life.

Both are my friends but my desire for a better future for Duane transcends friendship and personal relations. It goes beyond party affiliation and even fraternity brotherhood.

I would like Mayor Rody Duterte to become President of the Philippines because I believe that it is time to unite the country and to draw back the faith of people to government.

He is the only political leader being considered for the presidency who lives outside of Metro Manila and who does not belong to the traditional political colors of Yellow, Red, Green or Orange.

I see Davao City as the microcosm of my dreamed Philippines, where people follow the law, where the crime rate is very low and where the leader possesses genuine emotions for his people.

Among all the names being mentioned as possible presidential candidates for 2016, it is only Duterte who has a deeper knowledge of agriculture and that gives me hope as a farmer.

Most all, while Rody Duterte also has human frailties just like the rest of us, he is not hounded by issues of corruption and has lived a simple life all these years.

What will I do if Duterte will not listen to the cries of the people for him to be President?

I will surely be disappointed. I will certainly be frustrated.

But I will not stop searching for a better President for my country.

I am doing this for Duane and the grandchildren of other grandfathers like me.

I have appointed myself as one of the Guardians of the Future Filipinos.

(Photos of Duane Pinol-Solis, 2 months old, with his big black eyes taken by Josa Bernadette Pinol and a picture of me on top of Mt. Apo in 1999.)