Pondering on Who I Should Vote For

The May polls are just around the corner and it's about high time for me to put some serious thought on who to vote for. I have by now more or less an idea of who might get my vote as well those whom I definitely wouldn't waste my pen's ink on. My criteria are actually pretty simple and I'm listing them down here so as to make the decision process smoother. It would at least make it easier for me to spot things or ideas that are quite easy to miss during my abnormally long mental debates.

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The Criteria

1. Is his platform viable enough?
Idealism can only get us so far. And while it is nice to see that some of the candidates do possess a good enough, if not admirable, idealism, the solutions to a lot of this country's problems does not rest on idealism alone but also on being pragmatic and practical. Are we really going to struggle through another six years of broken promises and being hungry?

2. Does he stand a chance of winning?
Mobilizing a nationwide campaign takes a lot of effort and uses a lot of money. Voting for someone whom people in the far-flung areas might not even have heard of seems like a waste. I may like the candidate, I may like his platform; but if he doesn't stand the chance of winning, wouldn't my vote just be wasted when someone else who doesn't deserve to be in office (in my mind at least) gets elected? Would a better candidate have won the elections if I cast my vote in his name instead?

3. Is his political will greater than his political ambition?
Someone who reeks too much of ambition does not deserve to be in power. We've seen what Marcos did to this country; why would we choose to go through a similar scenario again?

4. Is he capable of bridging the political divide?
If there is one thing that needs to be immediately addressed and given a quick resolution, it has to be the political divide that has polarized this country for far too long. If we intend to move forward in other more important areas like education and the economy, then we need to get over this roadblock right away. It is simply unnecessary, pointless, and causes so much delays.

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With those being said, it's time now to take a look on the candidates. (Based on the COMELEC's official list dated December 21, 2009).

John Carlos Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran)
Who? That was the question that came to mind when I read the name. So that's number two of my criteria down. But then again, I was able to watch his interview by Cheche Lazaro and I must say that the man does have a lot of nice things in his mind. But as this country cannot be run through sheer idealism alone, then there's no reason for me to vote for him. He does admit though that he has no chance of winning the election. But it's still quite refreshing to see someone who is sincerely running for his convictions (which by the way do not sound delusional) and not his ambitions. I'm wondering though why he just didn't go and join his uncle Richard Gordon instead. Differences in ideology perhaps?

Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal (Independent)
I don't know if Jamby is delusional or what but I really don't get the point of her running. None of her bills seem noteworthy. And she involves herself in too much drama. She has a lot of money though and I don't see how she wouldn't be able to launch a nationwide campaign if she wants to. But meh...

Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas)
Mr. Villanueva may have a lot of good things to say but I really don't like voting for someone who also represents any denomination or faith. Keeping my faith separate from my politics is very important to me. And also, given his performance in the last poll, I don't think he would do any better this time.

Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan)
This guy has a lot of potential. He's eloquent. Knows what he intends to do. And seems to be a hard worker, based on his work in the Senate and with the Red Cross. Is his platform viable? Probably, especially since as a senator, he has already made his presence known within the national level of politics and thus would be capable of exerting influence. What is really disappointing though is the lack of support from the bigger political parties. If only they listened to what he has to say and supported him, then I would probably have wanted to vote for him.

Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
This guy also possesses a lot of potential. He's smart. Eloquent. Is a known hardworker. Seems to be sincere. And seems capable of enough of reaching out to the various strata of Philippine society. The one disappointment, however, is his being in the administration party. Ideally, of course, a president should be able to exercise his will so long as it stays within the margins of the law; but how are we sure Gloria Arroyo and her ilk will not try to exert their influence on him? If he wins the presidency and Arroyo wins her congressional seat, will he lobby for her as the new Speaker of the House? Are we actually willing to put Arroyo in the line of succession for the presidency AGAIN?

Joseph Ejercito Estrada (PMP-UNO)
I'm sure that Erap is only running for the presidency just to get a sense of vindication. Why the COMELEC even allowed him to run again, I wouldn't know. The way I understood the Constitution, a person should only get one chance of becoming president. But then again, you've got to admire how lawyers are able to twist legalese for their shameless purposes. My thoughts on Erap? If he loses, it'll be alright; he would still feel good knowing that many people still support him. If he wins, then it's back to the midnight parties in Malacanang. But seriously, he has already been the headache of this nation ONCE. Does he really have to be a headache TWICE?

Manuel Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party)
I will not vote for him, that's final. If someone stinks of ambition, he does - and gloriously for that matter. I've lost tab of how many times he switched sides just to be able to keep climbing the political ladder. Talk about lack of conviction; or if there were any, they are driven only by his ambition for more power. And for the love of God are those TV ads annoying as hell!

Benigno Simeon Aquino III (Liberal Party)
He seems the most likely candidate I would vote for. When it comes to having a good moral background, you can't lose with the parents he had. But I must admit that there are several things that bother me about him. First, he lacks eloquence. I sometimes have to struggle just to make heads and tails of what he's trying to say. If not for his feisty sister, I probably wouldn't even have any idea still of his platform. Second, he lacks the strength of persona that mommy and daddy had. I may like his parents, but he's his own person, he's not them. Third, he came from a political dynasty, and political dynasties are something, I believe, this country should do away with. Nevertheless, he seems to exude the air of being a compromiser and having someone who is willing to bridge political gaps would make for a refreshing change.

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These are my thoughts so far and I'm sure they are still incomplete. I am hoping in the coming months to get further enlightenment that will help me in finalizing my decision. Our country needs a change for the better. And if I have to take this decision way too seriously, then I will.

Oh and just so that we're clear. I am not campaigning for anyone nor am I trying to give anyone a bad name here. Just pure thoughts on a personal webspace, nothing more. Please don't let me influence you. Just wanted to clear my head of these thoughts.

Choose as your conviction dictates. Freedom and democracy FTW!



Photo from lakbaypilipinas.com