Twenty-three years ago, the nation ousted a dictator and through the worldwide phenomenon called Edsa People Power Revolution that restored democracy here.

Sadly, instead of imperative change and reforms the people sought thru the ?People Power Revolution? when men of ideals risked their lives, political opportunism and corruption came. The aftermath of the 1986 Edsa revolution was truly tragic.

But the greatest tragedy of all, to my mind, is that the beneficiaries of Edsa, in all their self-righteousness, have tried (or are trying) to rewrite history, claiming this or that participation in making history. Unfortunately for them, there are still authentic heroes of Edsa?Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senator Greg Honasan and former President Ramos. They know the truth.

There were actually two sets of people of Edsa One-the victims and the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries came to power after the event, while the heroes were ignored and pushed aside. They became the victims.

Thus, in my own mind, the real and true tragedy of Edsa One is an attempt of the beneficiaries to grab credit for an event which the Philippines will long be remembered in history.

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There are so many so-called presidential and senatorial hopefuls coming out of the woodwork. One would think that running for national office is just like that. Or, even worse, that the people are so dumb and immature that they will be elected.

For the presidency, we are already counting at least nine?former Senate President Manny Villar, Liberal Party head Senator Mar Roxas, Senator Ping Lacson (who thinks people will elect him after his defeat in 2004), Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Chiz Escudero (who is capitalizing on youth votes), and of course, former President Erap Estrada, who people close to him say is dead serious in going back to Malaca?ang.

That?s already six names. Santa Banana, add to the six Senator Bong Revilla, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando (who wants to color the country pink), and lately, Pagcor chairman/chief executive Efraim Genuino, and rumored Lakas-Kampi presidential pick DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno. Now we have 10 aspiring for Malaca?ang.

And what?s this I hear in coffee shops and board rooms that Chief Justice Reynato Puno also has a moist eye on the presidency? Is his so-called ?Moral Force? his launching pad. That?s the reason why I suspect people launching their so-called ?Moral Force? movements.

In so far as law is concerned, I have high respects for Puno. But, how can he fare in peace and order, local governments, environment and natural resources issues, finance which at this time is an imperative, and foreign affairs?

People aspiring for the presidency should get lessons from those who have been there and done that. It takes more than popularity, noble and good intentions, and least of all, wish to become President.

Those who have been there and done that will tell you that foremost of all, it?s the ?Golden Rule? that matters in running for the presidency. Translated: He who has the gold rules.

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Those with the Senate in their minds, must also consider that there are re-electionists like Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Dick Gordon, Jamby Madrigal, Pia Cayetano, Bong Revilla, Miriam Defensor Santiago and Lito Lapid. That?s already eight in a field of 12 senators.

Even granting that Pia Cayetano will opt to run for mayor in Taguig City against the Tingas,and Lito Lapid seeking another term as Pampanga mayor to help his fellow Kapampangans against the misrule of priest-turned-politician Gov. Ed Panlilio, there will only be six slots remaining for outsiders for the Senate.

Now, with balikbayans like former Senate President Frank Drilon, former Senators Serge Osme?a, Tito Sotto and perhaps Tessie Aquino-Oreta also aspiring, the slots left for newcomers will truly be very tight.

Santa Banana, even Willie ?Wowowee? Revillame, who thinks he can be senator, may end up in the kangkungan. What more with those in their own minds think they are senator material, like whistle-blower Joey de Venecia, the late movie icon FPJ?s adopted daughter, Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares, who has been doggedly following Erap in sorties hoping to be included in Erap?s Senate list? And detained Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, who wants to be another Senator Antonio Trillanes?

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Santa Banana, this is the first time I?ve heard or read about anybody found guilty of an act of omission when the Senate Blue Ribbon committee ?inferred? that the President has ?acquiesced? to the acts of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn ?Joc-Joc? Bolante and other government officials implicated in the P728-million fertilizer fund scandal.

Senator Dick Gordon stretched a bit too far the presidential powers of governance he called ?doctrine of qualified political agency? by blaming the President of an act of omission by not acting on the fertilizer fund scam.

For one thing, a Senate inquiry in the exercise of its oversight function ?in aid of legislation? is supposed to be fact-finding, and as such, the rules on evidence apply. Gordon, being a lawyer, should know it.

But, more importantly, any findings by Congress on investigations should be based on evidence, not inference. That?s a cardinal rule on Senate inquiries, and by finding the President guilty by ?inference? would make all government officials equally guilty as their subordinates without knowing what?s happening. Dick, that?s stretching the so-called ?doctrine of qualified political agency? a bit too far, don?t you think?

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My wife and I, together with my daughter Nina and her husband, watched the Mandarin show of Carmen Soriano and Jun Polistico last week. We were all enthralled by Carmen, now in her 70s, still ravishing and gorgeous, especially when she sways, and likewise with Jun Polistico, a Filipino balladeer, who made a name for himself in Las Vegas.

For an evening of memories with love songs by Carmen and Jun, I wish to thank Charisse Chuidian, Mandarin?s PR, for it. My congratulations also to the producers for bringing to our generation the likes of Pilita Corrales, Carmen Soriano, Jun Polistico and Anthony Castelo.

They are irreplaceable!