As the national elections draw ever nearer, it's time for millions of voters to reflect on who they want as public officers.
Although I am not a registered voter (which I think is distinctly unfair, as I turn eighteen on August—only three months from the election—yet I have to endure the next president for six years), I do have lots to say about the presidentiables.
I'll start with Gilbert Teodoro. If only I were registered, he'd be the one I'd vote for. Gibo gives intelligent answers in forums and debates, even when under fire for certain controversial issues such as his affiliation with GMA. He earned his law degree in Harvard, practiced law in some of the most prestigious law firms in the country, and held a national post as the Defense Secretary in his early forties. No one can deny his capabilities.
The only thing holding him back is his association with the administration.
Manny Villar was my choice before Gibo announced his bid for president. I know what most people say: Villar exploits the poor in his campaigns. Villar is a crook. Villar is a corrupt official. Public officers should be clean.
Let's not pretend here: there are no clean officials, especially in that high a position. Every president has been corrupt. If Villar wins as president, sure, he'll steal the taxpayers' money. But at the very least, he'll be able to accomplish something, for he's intelligent and hardworking.
About his campaign ads, every advertisement manipulates people to buy the product. Villar is simply advertising himself, selling himself, to the masses. And to great effect, might I add. His campaign jingles are catchy as hell, and surveys have shown a marked increase in votes for him.
Now, for Noynoy Aquino. I dislike him. Very much so that I might not be able to write this without bias, but hey, it's my opinion on my blog, so suck up your violent reactions.
Noynoy... is not capable of running our country. Seriously. His academic performance is lackluster, same as his political performance. He served several years both as a Senator and a Congressman. Please note that of the very few (emphasis: VERY FEW) bills/laws that Noynoy filed (filed, not authored), none were passed into law. NONE. What does that say about his capabilities as a leader?
If you're gonna protest and say that Noynoy is a clean politician, and that he's a God-fearing citizen, well, so what? My grandmother is a God-fearing citizen. Does that mean she's fit to run for public office? Geez.
Besides, anyone can be religious in a Catholic country such as the Philippines. It takes brains—not religiosity, not popularity, not famous parents—to be an efficient president.
Speaking of famous parents, does anybody else notice that Ninoy and Cory manage to appear in every one of Noynoy's commercials? Think of that every time you bitch about a Villar commercial.
Noynoy Aquino know he has to ride on his parents' coattails or else he'd never win.
Erap Estrada. Huh. Talk about nerve.
It's a shame, though, to know that there are still Filipinos out there who choose to vote for a convict. If ever he wins, I bet there will be yet another People Power. We never learn, do we?
Jamby Madrigal... How do I even begin to describe Jamby Madrigal? :))
She's a nuisance candidate if I ever saw one. With no political party and an inherent ability to appear everyplace that Villar goes, Jamby is clearly just out to sabotage him.
She discredits everything the other presidentiables do, brings up every possible controversy against her competition, and attempts character assassination at every turn. She's throwing mud in the voters' eyes, averting their attention from the big issues.
Her criticisms on Villar using showbiz artists in his campaigns was not well-received by many, thank god. Her opponents rightfully pointed out that in her Senatorial bid, she herself was endorsed by Judy Ann Santos. Talk about hypocrisy!
Whew! I'm running out of steam here, so I'll save the other presidentiables for another blog.
