Some days before the mid-term elections, my friend Harvey Keh wrote a personal email about the seven conditions the fulfilment of which will make him consider leaving thePhilippines. To a few, it sounded like a threat or even a boast. To most, it was a reflection of a deepening frustration over our state of affairs. For me, it was a reality we either had to face to fight or to simply run away.

1) Former COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano has already conceded in his bid to become congressman of Bukidnon. He was seeking to replace incumbent Cong. Neric Acosta. For the first time in his whole career, Garci himself was to one who had to protect his votes. But give it to the man for his early admission of defeat. So Harvey, no need to worry about “Honorable Garci” in the House. Let’s focus and work on the others.

2) You riled against Dancing Queen Tessie Aquino Oreta for her pro-Erap role during the impeachment proceedings in 2001 and now turning to the administration slate in 2007. She is not within an earshot of the magic 12. Neither is Tito Sotto who is in the same league as her. Time to pitch for winning Senator Kiko Pangilinan - the one who chose to be independent despite the odds.

3) I agree that Richard Gomez does not know anything about making laws. Heck, you and I and our readers should be senators before him. I previously wrote on several occasions about actors as pretenders and the qualifications they need to address complex national issues. Cesar Montano does not have a chance of winning either. Tabla. Goma can go back peacefully to rowing his boat and facing the cameras – two topics I don’t know anything about or care to do in the first place.

4) Lito Lapid lost to Jojo Binay predictably. Enough said about actors as politicians especially for the country’s leading business center. Can we seek an audience with Mayor Binay to tell him that with his fresh mandate, all attention be given to the pressing governance needs in his beloved city instead of playing politics with our financial health? We can volunteer as consultants for his priority programs rated among the best in Metro Manila.

5) Our ring hero Manny Pacquiao also conceded in his bid for a congressional seat. His supporters loved him too much to foist him elsewhere except the boxing arena. The Filipino is not bobo after all.

6) Chavit Singson won’t make it to the Senate. Don’t bet against it please.

7) Alas, Gringo Honasan might win again. Indeed, have we not learned our lesson from years of instability? And Trillanes two! What happens to the grave cases they are charged with? Will this not encourage the next round of putschists to take the shorter and more violent way? We Filipinos are an adventurous lot.

Most importantly, that fulfils only six of the seven conditions you laid down. You have done so much for the country and Gringo as a deal breaker is such a heart break. Please stay – the high road to reform is fraught with obstacles.

We lose some and we lose some more. And then we raise the likes of Ed Panlilio to answer the call for moral leadership. It was Grace Padaca in 2004; Father Ed in 2007. Surely there is saving grace to our life long dedication and meaning to our daily struggles.

Let us reclaim what is rightfully ours – a proud, rich heritage of heroes and martyrs and win back the hallowed ground district by district, inch by inch until our national agenda is fulfilled.

Harvey can stay. He can show us the way.