ONLY IN THE PHILIPPNES

Indeed, politics Philippine-style is unique in the whole world!

First, former President Erap Estrada and VP Jejomar Binay agreed to form a coalition called UNA.  With that, most of the potential senotariables for 2013 are expected to belong.   

Then, realizing that what is left for the LP are a throng of relatively unknown characters and past losers, PNoy is planning to make his own merger of the LP, the NP and the NPC.  Never mind the NPC because it is actually headed by his own uncle, Danding Cojuangco.  But a merger of his LP with  NP, at whose helm PNoy's most bitter rival in the previous presidency poll stands, is truly unthinkable.  Alas, this may be one for the Guinness: it can happen only in the Philippines. 

At any rate, since LP Binay may not really be considered in the opposition, chances are there will practically emerge no opposition ticket for senators in 2013.  If at all, there would only be independents, very few of whom, if any, may be none, are expected to end up in the magic twelve.  I really do not know if Villar of the NP, who is now showing signs of running again for president despite his previous vow he would not, is truly in favor of this unprecedented merger of practically all the political parties in this parts.  Neither do I know why Mar Roxas, otherwise the LP's next presidential bet, should readily accede to this, and again be sidelined for president as he was in 2010.

At any rate, isn't all these political developments -- with practically only one group of candidates for senators belonging to the party in power -- a grand mockery of democracy plain and simple? 

Meanwhile, one other unique thing is in process in the Judiciary.   Imagine that with supposed-to-be Acting Chief Justice Carpio and JBC ex-officio Secretary Leila de Lima, both aspiring for the next Chief Justice, having to forfeit their positions in the JBC temporarily, what remain of the JBC are only the four regular members from the civil society, plus a representative from Congress.  With the regular members all appointed by PNoy and thus expected to be totally beholden to him, how can we expect the selection of Corona's successor to be truly fair and equitable and not biased to PNoy's choice?  Even if Tupas and Escudero, whose simultaneous belonging to the JBC is yet under question before the Supreme Court, should insist to vote for other than PNoy's protegee, would their 1/2 vote each win over the votes of four?  You bettter tell that to the marines!