Pricing in

We’re on the razor-edge period of the campaign. A little over two weeks to go, and the candidates from the tiniest local position up to the Malacanang post can sigh with relief and rest their weary bodies tattered by the grueling campaign.

Some are already pricing-in a Junior presidency, taking into account that the son of the deposed dictator remains on the top of the surveys.

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But, all is not lost for the Pink camp. Based on the latest Pulse Asia Survey, the lone lady presidential bet has significantly improved her standing, now “statistically tied” in balance of Luzon. Junior support slid by 14 percent, while the Pink Lady improved 28 percent.

Economic observers have reportedly “priced in” this political development to track the direction of the market and the economy, post the Duterte administration. The question now is: is a Junior presidency fully valued? As in stocks, does it reflect its full and fair value?

Simply put, Junior’s presidency has a profound effect on the country's future. The possibility of another Marcos steering the country for the second time at that, with all things considered, is a bit of unsettling, having experienced during my formative years and fortified by the historical details of his father’s ironclad leadership, the decadence, and his mother’s so-called capricious, pompous way of life.

If he prevails on May 9, it is believed that his effective stewardship of the country strongly lies on his chosen economic team, including his relationship with the legislative branch as there are still many pending measures needed to buoy up the economy.

While the composition of the House of Representatives, taking in the party lists, is a bit dodgy at this point, the market is also pricing in that a good number of blood-related personalities will be seated in at the Senate.

There’ll be four pairs of blood related senators: the mother-son tandem of Mark and Cynthia Villar; Jojo and Nancy Binay father-daughter duo; brothers JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada; and sister-and-brother team of Pia and Allan Peter Cayetano. 

Junior’s sister, Imee Marcos as well as Gen. Bato de la Rosa, Grace Poe, Sonny Angara, Bong Revilla, Koko Pimentel, Lito Lapid, Francis Tolentino, and Bong Go are incumbents.

Jailed senator Lilia de Lima, Joel Villanueva, Miguel Zubiri, Win Gatchalian, Rochard Gordon and Risa Hontiveros are aiming for a comeback, fervently hoping to regain their seats. Broadcast journalist Raffy Tulfo, and movie personality Robin Padilla, and Chiz Escudero may highly-likely join the line up.

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While the other 12 are retiring by force of circumstance and/or seeking reelection or seeking other elected position such as in the case of Ralph Recto, who is opting for a seat in the House of Representative, a post held by his wife, actress Vilma Santos while Senator Franklin Drilon is retiring because of term limitation.

Senators Tito Sotto, Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao and Francis Pangilinan are bowing out of the August Chamber as they opted to run for the higher electoral posts of president and vice president.

Like the candidates, I’m on the edge of my seat, praying that the current pricing in may not come to light.