Political Analysts: Miriam's choice of Bongbong as VP a 'bad decision'

Metro Manila — Some political analysts believe that Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago's choice of Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as her vice presidential running mate for the 2016 elections was a bad decision.

Political analyst Ramon Casiple of the University of the Philippines (UP) said that Marcos might lessen the bulk of potential Ilonggo votes for Santiago: "Marcos will alienate the Ilonggo vote."

Santiago hails from Iloilo City, while another presidential contender, Manuel "Mar" Roxas II, traces his roots in Roxas City, Capiz. Both locales are situated in the island of Panay. The so-called Ilonggo vote forms a large part of ballots from Western Visayas.

Partial data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) show that as of 2010, the region has more than four million registered voters. The newly formed Negros Island Region consists of Negros Occidental, which used to be part of Western Visayas, and Negros Oreintal, which used to be part of Central Visayas.

Casiple added that Santiago must also prepare for criticisms coming fromthe anti-Marcos crowd, as well as the educated youth. "[Santiago] will put herself in the line of fire from anti-Marcos dictatorship movement, and gamble with the younger generations."

Moreover, he added that so-called Solid North, which has projected five million votes, might not benefit Santiago that much.

"There are more people outside Northern Luzon, and there's no Solid North anymore."

For instance, Isabela is said to be a hometown of another presidential aspirant, Vice President Jejomar Binay. His mother, Lourdes Cabauatan, was a school teacher from Cabagan town in Isabela.
"Binay, from Isabela, is leading there right now," Casiple said. "Miriam will have a hard time unseating him, even if she runs with Marcos."

For another political analyst, Roland Simbulan of also UP, Santiago's credibility as a beacon of human rights might be adversely affected. Santiago is a globally recognized legal luminary and noted for her hardline stance against corruption issues, such as the pork barrel scam.

Marcos's father Ferdinand Marcos Sr., meanwhile, was accused of perpetrating human rights violations and extrajudicial killings during the martial law era.

"Wala na bang iba? [It's] like oil and water that can't mix, shouldn't mix. The unrepentant Marcos family of plunderers and Lady Miriam are on the opposite pole. Mas bagay si Trillanes kay Miriam," Simbulan said.

He explained that Marcos would benefit more from Santiago than the other way around.
"Marcos has more to gain," he said. "Miriam will lose her credibility by her alliance with Marcos. It's even unprincipled even if she thinks it's practical."

If there's one thing where Santiago would benefit from Marcos, both Casiple and Simbulan agreed that it would be the resources for a nationwide campaign.

Despite the creation of the tandem, political analyst Dennis Coronacion is still pessimistic of Santiago's chances of winning the race due to lack of preparations.

"She has very little chance of winning. She has no preparations at all," he said.

Coronacion, who is also the chair of University of Santo Tomas Political Science Department, said that a longer time of preparation would be necessary for a presidential run.