Vision 2040: Opposition's dream scenario

Beyond the auspicious outcome of the 2025 midterm elections, the opposition is gearing itself for the next three major electoral battles, namely, the 2028, 2034, and 2040 presidential elections. Adopting a long-term perspective will enable the formulation of a wholistic plan that will span an entire generation.

- ENDEAVOR SONNY COLOMA

This was the perspective shared by Senator Risa Hontiveros in an interview last week with journalist Christian Esguerra.

"Electoral movement" was the operative phrase used by Sen. Hontiveros to denote the thrust of the opposition's efforts to build upon the gains achieved in the 2025 polls. She will be joined in the Senate by comebacking Senators-elect Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan. In the House of Representatives, their cause will be bannered by former Senator Leila de Lima and former law dean Chel Diokno who have been named, too, as members of the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte that will begin soon.

Systemic change means addressing the root causes of a problem within a system, rather than just the symptoms, by transforming the system's underlying structures, policies, and mindsets. It's about creating lasting, positive impact by changing how the whole system functions.

Indeed, this is an ambitious goal that seemed all too far-fetched - until the unexpected outcome of the midterm elections that swept aside many traditional politicians, including notable show business personalities, and brought to the fore the possibility that a different genre of leaders will step up to seek a broad-based mandate.

Previously, we ventured the hypothesis that, since the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986, we have witnessed three 12-year cycles: Cory Aquino and Fidel Ramos from 1986 to 1998; Erap Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 1998 to 2010; and Rodrigo Duterte and Bongbong Marcos, from 2016 to 2028.