Posters strewn about, teachers lack sleep, politicians still on edge, and supporters either nervous, defeated, or in a celebratory mood. It is the day after the Philippine’s first automated elections. Nationwide, local and national positions were at stake, and it seems more scrutiny, far more than we have had in the past, has been one of the characteristics of this 2010 elections season.
I have had the greatest pleasure of watching friends, colleagues, and family take part to a greater degree in the current election than ever before. Whether it was outright supporting their respective candidates, actively campaigning for their candidates, or even pushing for a greater degree of understanding on the issues as well as that of contributing to voters’ education.
To my mind, this election season, although not yet over, bodes well for the Philippines. A greater amount of participation especially in voter turnout is encouraging to say the least. But there is a drawback to such political participation. However encouraging it may be, however uplifting it is for many out there who have complained about the apathy that seems to pervade the nation, we have seen a glimpse of what can be, when a nation is engaged — but there is a drawback.
The drawback that I speak of, is of course, that the more one knows, the more they see the nitty gritty underbelly of the Philippine political system. For those who have not had the pleasure of covering and actively participating in past elections, it may have come as a shocker, and may have even further discouraged such participation only because the reality has set in. The Philippines is still in dire straits, and the political system still bogged down in the age old quagmire of colonial, oligarchic, and patronage politics that is the hallmark of our current system.
The more one knows, the more such issues of corruption, government misgivings, government underperformance, and departmental inefficiciencies can become magnified.
And of course another big drawback is that with political participation and engagement, the partisanship nature of election season can become as cutthroat as a barroom brawl, and indeed there will have been bridges burned, and friendships torn apart. It is the price that some have had to pay, because politics, while we want it to become just business and away from our own personal affairs — politics can become deeply personal.
It is the reality, that while political engagement is good, a person must ask, is ignorance truly bliss? What we had not known before may have contributed to our easiness and carefree look at the trajectory that our nation was in. It seemed not as bad, when we didn’t know so much. Could it be that with political engagement there should come a disclaimer of sorts: BEWARE, ENGLIGHTENMENT AHEAD.
It’s a sacrifice we take on for the responsibility of being good Filipino citizens, a burden of knowledge, that sheds light on the grave reality of where we are as a nation and a people. Whether we take up the challenge, or crumble under the weight of such realities, that is the challenge that we pose to ourselves.
There is no perfect union, only a citizenry willing to discover that it is also within their powers and even their duty to contribute to that more perfect union.
There can be no growth without struggle, and this election season, much struggle has been seen. Whether it has been a struggle that will bear fruit, that will lead to growth, that is still ours to decide. There is not a politician, no matter how qualified, deserving, or even unqualified and undeserving, that will solve the myriad of problems we have or put us deeper into despair. The issues in this election has not been highlighted, and that is a tragedy. The numbers game has by far been the media game, and no matter how much engagement we have had, there just has not been enough time to make this election season the game changer that our nation so desperately needs.
But, I have not asked for a quick turnaround, but just a mere turnaround. Continue the policies that we need, and get rid of the policies that hold us back. Inspire our nation and our people. But I still say this to all winning candidates, the work has just begun.
It is the day after, and uncertainty still looms. A week, and we may finally see clearly the new political landscape. And we must then ask ourselves, is our political participation limited to the time frame of the election season, or are we willing to sacrifice just a little bit more, to keep our eyes open, close the door to apathy, and become a citizenry where it really shouldn’t matter who the leaders are, because we have arrived at a point, where it is us as a people that will take up that cross and hold all leaders accountable.
In fact, it is the sole reason that I am a consistent moderate, especially during elections. I will not allow myself to be a cheerleader for one camp, because to be a total and complete supporter, one has the tendency to close ones eyes to the drawbacks of candidates and parties.
It is hard to challenge ones own candidate during elections, becuase it “feeds ammunition” to the other camps. But we must always remember, even during the dark and gloomy days of black propaganda and political attacks during campaigns, that we are not beholden to any candidate, only to our nation. It is hard when we become the cheerleaders of one candidate only to find ourselves having cheered the wrong side. But most importantly, even if the candidate turns out to have agreed with us on 80% or more of our stand on issues and general goals for our nation, we must never stand idly by and give him/her a free pass on the rest of that 20%. We will never hold up to our duties as citizens, if we close our eyes to that 20% simply because he/she is our candidate.
The time for political participation is even greater after the elections. It is a time to challenge our candidates, challenge those who we supported, and keep the pressure on. And even a far greater challenge to participate especially if our candidates did not pass the test of the majority of voters, no matter what kind of test was applied.
The day after elections, our participation will have just begun. The sacrifice is not to engage, but it is to engage consistently and without waver.
Popularity: 1% [?]
It’s a great feeling to finally have a legitimately elected leader once again My greatest worry has been the potential of using the automated system for wholesale cheating. As of this writing, that has not taken place . For this, credit would go to the COMELEC and SMARTMATIC-TIM for avoiding mischief.
agreed. what a relief.
Legitimately elected leader…
Yep!
…to resurrect the gloria-mired institutions, to foster trust in government, to rebuild the nation.
But as my Social Studies teacher said…our present leaders should now learn to integrate the good things that were started by their predecessors and liberate the bad things…
Integrate and Liberate.
Agreed! I hope the good things started during GMA’s time would still be continued.
cvj,
Name one.
Hacienda Luisita to farmers? except this was stymied by a
temporary-restraining order (the “temporary” now is about
4 years old). The next administration has to take the lead
on this one.
Revisiting the 1987 constitution? The initiative appears
wise; parts of the constitution need to be tweaked.
Roadblock was GMA herself given paranoia about another 6-years.
Infrastructure. C5 the additional circumference around metro-Manila makes sense, plus more airports. Roll-on/Roll-Off is sensible — adding more regulatory teeth is up to the next administration. Return to railroads — up to next administration.
Paying off chunks of the national debt. Bataan nuclear debt – repaid — is now off the table. The next admin has to have a plan to manage debt repayments.
MikeH,
Parliamentary gaga is not a Gloria original idea. It has been germinating since the time of FVR.
Ah yes, infrastructure. With its attendant commissions, under the table deals, and the picture of a smirking Gloria on every public works billboard.
Priceless.
Infrasture-idea is good, implementation in prior administrations, bad.
But Noynoy “no-more-corruption” administration will see good good — the next infrastructure project (a good idea) will get implemented with no under-the-table deals and no pictures of a smiling president.
Remember, there is more foreign money to do infrastructure projects. Pinas is one of the few countries that do not take advantage of all available foreign donations because Pilipinas (not enough tax collections) can not raise the matching money that foreign donors require.
Noynoy campaign promise to put to jail many smugglers/tax evaders will be win-win. The additional tax collections (because smuggling/tax evasion gets reduced) can be used as matching funds for foreign donations.
I comment the Liberals and the Yellow’s for a job well done. U have won the elections and I would want to extend my hand in congratulating u and 2 cooperate with our New President.
I am hoping that the gud projects of President Arroyo will be continued especially in terms of infrastructure projects and the Nautical Highway. Her fiscal management of our Economy being able to withstand the global recession.
For the New President Congratulations and GUDLUCK! To the outgoing President THANK YOU for the gud projects that u have bestowed on my Province especially the farm 2 market roads. We will never 4get it.
Obama dilly-dallied on his campaign promises and acted decisively on health care only when the numbers are plunging for the midterm polls.
Noynoy run on good vs. evil, clean vs. corrupt theme aimed at the usurper in Malacanang. He owes it to the voters who supported him on that premise to govern accordingly. He should start by prosecuting the sins of Gloria.
“broken window” philosophy will be acceptable. Noynoy living up
to his statements that he already has a list of names who they
will arrest / prosecute in the first month of his administration
will be a great sign.
And if he has what it takes to prosecute GMA or Mike Arroyo, then
then Noynoy should start the prosecution before the year ends.
The sins of Gloria is worst than the sins of Erap.
Erap got axed by the Ombudsman.
If Noynoy puts his mind to it, we could get a conviction before the year ends.
Promises by Politicians are made to be broken. You will not see even their shadows anymore, until the next election. There are a lot of work to be done.
The screechers were wrong.
No El? Martial law? Failure of elections? Coup d’etat? Oplan xyz? Rigged votes?
Wrong, wrong, wrong. Yet the damage done to the nation was real. And all for nothing…..
Congrats to Comelec and to the voters. Job well done!!!
Agree! Reality Check, do you think I am a screecher?
Glad to have been wrong. Congrats to Comelec and Smartmatic-TIM.
cvj,
I give my thumbs up, to the “GEEK SQUAD” they have pulled it off.
Hey… go check out Perlas’ comments as to why he is not conceding yet.
The things he mentionabout manual counts, source code etcetera which puts the accuracy of the COMELEC-results…. he has been reading the comments and criticism being mentioned since over a year ago about PCOS/Smartmatic!!!
——— Perlas says:
Clearly, the outcome of the election is not yet clear at this point and may not be cleared up in the future because of some failures in the automated system. And this does not yet take into account the lack of transparency in the automatic counting of votes and the inner workings of the PCOS machine system, especially its source code and flash card programming.
In addition, the random manual audit, that still has to be completed, may show further glitches in the process. And, even this part of the AES may not resolve the potential problems presented above, because the sample size is too small to be representative of the reality it is trying to measure.
The successful automation of the elections resulting to a accurate, fair, and honest vote will be a legacy of the administration of President (now Congresswoman-elect) Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
For the screechers: irony of ironies!
Happy to be wrong despite the glitches reality check.
I concede.
I am now considering myself a certified ‘balimbing’. I hope this is not too hasty a decision considering all the votes not counted yet. From being a long time proponent and part of the “Surge-the-Gates” crowd, I hereby declare myself now in the other side of the fence…the “Move On” crowd, and the “Wait-for-2016-election” crowd. Having said that, I am not relinquishing my right to flip-flop, I have always the option to switch back to my old ways…if the new administration renege on its promises of clean and effective governance that will uplift the wellbeing of my people and my country.
If Mirriam and Leytegirl and Mike H would want to take my place in the “Surge-the-Gates” crowd, they’re welcome. And good luck:).
Let it be put on record here that Bert is not and never will be a proponent of/for vindictiveness. Let’s just move on and all together we should help the new administration with all its noble aim of getting this country, our country, back to its feet, and up to its lofty ideals and aspirations that we rightly belong.
I am with u… SInce the elections is over and the people have decided who they want 2 lead I will support the new Administration.
I am hoping for him 2 succeed for it is our lives and future of our CHILDREN at stake in his administration.
MABUHAY ANG FILIPINO MABUHAY ANG BAGONG PRESIDENTE>!!!!
Whoever had won May2010 presidential, citizens and society institutions following 1987 Constitution (e.g. surging-overthrow-N0-N0, kick-out-via-Impeachment-YES-YES) is the way to go.
You really want SURGE-GATES as an option, write it into the 2012 constitution!
and remove the anti-dynasty clause because it is totally unenforceable.
The paragraphs being in the Constitution is just a waste of ink.
I belong to to the masses were the filthy wealthy people have not been before…my vote goes to Erap…idol of the poor…and I am glad that the voice of the people finally heard…congrats to Noynoy…our next President!
Actually, I expect many of the new screechers will be the same ones as before (and especially so if Roxas loses the VP slot). In other words, Liberal vs Liberal…or at least winning coalition members vs winning coalition members.
Why? Two big reasons: competition for power and conflicting ideologies.
The winning coalition is a big tent, but it can’t house all of the winners. I would also guess that internal consolidation is preferable to a circus without direction (a la 1st Aquino administration).
There is so much work to do and the next six years could be squandered with nothing to show for. I was asked today what the GDP of PI in a party. I know the person was just trying to make a point that we are a poor country and that we have very low GDP compared to other nations in Asia. We have proven through the OFW phenomenon that we can be disciplined and productive given the environment where hard work is appreciated. My hope is that Noynoy will not betray this trust that substantial number of Filipinos have put on him by eradicating corruption at every level of our public institutions so that we can regain our competitiveness as a nation. Each and everyone of us has to work with Noynoy and it starts by us not cutting corners, resorting to bribery to facilitate whatever work we need done, even paying our taxes on time, reporting cases of abuse, avoiding nepotism,or just plain obedience to the law. As a nation we have to learn discipline and show love for our country not just in words but proven by our day to day actions.
Going to sleep now, when I awake, I hope this is just but a dream.
No, just kidding. Congrat’s Philippines. Our first, to a brighter future.
Btw, where are Miriam and Leytegirl?
Binibilang nila yung milyun milyun na votes na pinaulan ni Lord through Pastor Quiboloy.
Or baka Ms. Miriam Quiamco and Aniceto Canturias of CIG are recomputing their credible survey computations.
Go Gibo! Cebu is for Gibo! Leyte is for Gibo! That is the reality on the ground!
Miriam – japan. Leytenian – Florida. Or vacationing. And maybe before the year ends, they cross paths with nash-ty (or Jamby!!) at Piccadilly Circus, Gar de l’Est or Circular Quay.
hahaha…wawa na nga eh…let’s congratulate na lang si Robin Padilla aka BI-NOY…hihihi
Dick Gordon, Jamby Madrigal, Nicky Perlas, and JC de los Reyes conceded to Vitaliano Acosta the KBL candidate.
Gibo Teodoro is still waiting for the Campaign and Issues Group votes to come in.
El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde told media why he did not endorse any candidate for president: “I was waiting for a sign from God but the check never came.”
Gloria Arroyo in a gesture of support for incoming president Noynoy Aquino cut off her forefinger and middle finger and gave it to Noynoy saying, “The forefinger is for picking the Speaker, the middle finger is for getting rid of him.”
Mar Roxas has just resurrected the term ‘bailiwick’.
Villarroyo and Gloren were heard singing, “Nakaligo ka na ba sa kangkungan…”
Sourgrape Dick Gordon filed a TRO versus the Comelec to prohibit it from announcing unofficial election returns. He said he didn’t want the Comelec to influence the next Pulse Asia and SWS surveys.
The Appointed Son of God, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ the Name above Every Name, who said God told him to declare Gibo Teodoro the next president just received a text message from God: “Sorry, joke lang. Wrong send.”
I would say it was probably the “screechers” who kept COMELEC on their toes, and, indeed, it is a civic duty to screech if one has a worry. Ostriches don’t make good participants in democracy.
That said, congratulations to the candidates and people of the Philippines for engaging in a modern, passionate, well-contested campaign, with the necessary wrinkles for drama. Congratulations as well to COMELEC and the thousands of poll workers who pulled it off.
My only comment about the article above is that seeing the underbelly of the Philippines is a good thing, not bad, as the first step to growth is self-awareness.
Onward to further constructive screeching . . . in a day or two . . .
Joe
Nice one, Joe, my friend. Screechers and ostriches? I’d rather be the former anytime. Ostrich not my type of bird. Pango ang ilong ko, I’ll suffocate very easily hiding my whole head in the sand every time comelec or Malacanang gives me the worry.
False dichotomy.
The choices aren’t between Ostrich and Screecher. You have (purposefully?) eliminated the rational, mature option — responsible, discerning, thoughtful analysis and advocacy.
Some of us are hoping for intelligent humans rather than dumb animals.
RC,
Dumb is in the mind of the beholder. Those who believe they alone have sole wisdom make believe they are little superior gods. They alone who believe they can define mature, responsible, discerning, thoughtful analysis and advocacy are generally totalitarians at the core, unwilling to bend their minds to a different view.
Screechers play an important role in democracy, and only totalitarians would say they do not.
Joe
And, to sprinkle some bit of spice, indifference can be also a favorite trait of the intelligent humans.
if you’re talking only a day or two, further screeching will probably be against parts of GMA administration. GMA, lameduck that she is, is still president.
Two months from now, the Noynoy administration — new cabinet, new economic team, new “inner circle” — will be cracking the whip about the “list of names” smugglers/tax evaders that Noynoy promised to bring to court. That, while Noynoy establishes a working relationship with the new Congress.
Fun stuff!
Many who worked with Noynoy worked with last year are returning to congress, e.g. Enrile, Villar, and “Brenda”.
joe am,
Without the constant scrutiny of the “screechers,” and those that have and arguably intellect mind. These whole scenario that was presented to us by FV’ers threader’s was quite informative, to say the least…!
Now, let us continue to inform others, and propel our Nation for a better Philippines.
Pity the Philippines if screechers start to try to tear down everything that is being built.
There is a big difference between mindless, destructive, anti-everything and a thoughtful, questioning, challenging “Loyal Opposition”.
Hopefully, the new opposition (I don’t even know who would be labeled as such) will keep the administration on their toes without having to resort to time-wasting, (national) image-destroying, pointless grandstanding with invented negatives and distorted, ruined positives.
Joe — you know the difference between crab mentality and honest differences of views, right?
And you realize that the single biggest challenge for this nation — and the single best cure — is business investment and job creation, yes?
Crazy screeching by people in responsible positions does not create the right environment for healthy national development.
A responsible rejection of one view and a wholehearted advocacy of another is always welcome. Perhaps this time around, we can find this level of discourse.
the biggest challenge of this nation is OVERPOPULATION
if your population rate is 2% and the base population is already a non-egalitarian 96M, no business investment or job creation will ever be enough.
Pilipinas population policy — A reminder of effective influence-peddling : the sentiment of hundreds of thousands of Pinoys no match for a bishop whispering whispers into presidentiables’ ears.
But the debates helped. Pinoy voters got to hear where the candidates stood on population policy. No one should be surprised how 2010-2016 malacanang prioritizes for the United Nations millenium development goals.
RC,
I know that most views are genuine and worth respecting at some level, and that a winner who sneers at a loser in sports, where competition is much more vigorous than on a blog site, is consigned a simple title: no class.
The name “screechers” reflects more on you than on the people who rankle you by attacking that which you hold personally dear.
Joe
Two points, Joe, my friend:
1. On your first paragraph, I hope you’re not referring to our friend here, thenashman, :).
2. On the 2nd paragraph…please leave it be. I’d rather “screechers” reflects more on us than on Reality Check. Remember, I don’t like to be an “ostrich”, hehehehe.
Bert,
Got it, thanks. Good advice now that I have calmed down.
Nash, by the way, is flat out blunt, occasionally over the line for my liking, but often extraordinarily wise within his pith.
There are poor winners and poor losers (Erap), and I’ve been both at one time or another, too, I suppose. Ahh, the humanity, the humanity . . .
Ok, I’m done with it now . .>
Joe
Who has more influence over a president?
The voters who elected the president into the presidency, or the dozens of individuals — family, contributors, strategists and others — who helped shape the voters’ votes to elect the president into the presidency?
—————
The voters whose candidates are surging into the winner circle will be celebratory. The voters whose candidates are not making the win — they are likely saddened — their voices have gotten muted.
But voters (whoever you voted for). Do not forget that there are layers between you and the one you elected. Layers!! Who are the ones closer to the president??? Not you (unless you belong to the Ramos-, the Roxas- or similar clans) but the movers-and-shakers who helped gather the votes to elect the president into the presidency. [And did you hear some white lies from some of them, promises they thought voters would like to hear but promises the candidate may not deliver?]
This is not a joke — just look at Nash who gnashes his teeth about Chiz, the Chiz who is not only “IN” into the Noynoy machinery but also “IN” into the Binay machinery. Think of the Lopezes; the Gokongwei’s; the Chinese family and the meztizo clan you dislike the most. The odds are that these “bad influences” on Pilipinas politics are closer to the newly-elected than you are, even when they are “enemies”. BongBong has a better chance of pushing an agenda past Malacanang and the next Congress than a Randy David or deQuiros.
Celebrate now, those whose candidates won, but my point is this. Four months from now, you have to resume the vigilance. [You may retire now, Bert, but another has to take your place.] There is kind of like an election whenever the President and Congress decide on funding of projects or on government initiatives). For these, though, the influence of the citizens who voted on May2010 pale in comparison to the influence of the movers-and-shakers and trapos you like to hate.Remember — this is how Pilipinas governance is structured. You elect representatives to look after their interests. [It is them who have to protect your interests from the trapo and influence-peddlers.]
Enjoy the next weeks. But the need for vigilancee? This has not really gone away. Hopefully the new personalities for 2010-to-2016 are better, but the trapos and movers-and-shakers are still there, and boy, not only do they think differently, they are better in the art of winning
“friends”and influencing people. Evidence? Tens of thousand citizens versus one Bishop with regards women reproductive health issues.Praying gets only so far. As Rosa says — all voters should unite as best they can. You want caffeine sparks, ligaya and ligaya’s mom on your side; you want cvj and mlq3 on your side. You share more with Primer Pagunuran, the farmers of Hacienda Luisita and the drivers of PISTON and the Carmelite nuns than you do with Noynoy or Mar, with Villar or Gibo, with Erap or Jamby.
A new persidente steps into Malacanang soon. I’m sure that several times during the campaign this persidente said that he will listen to the voice of the people.
But votes have been cast already. There is less need to pay attention to your voice, especially when there are other voices — the layers between you and the president’s ear. And remember — the candidate you voted for already had an agenda in mind (platform, please!) that he was inclined to carry thru if he were elected.
Many of the old citizen tasks regarding the GMA administration or the Erap admin before her are still here — to organize and coordinate the voices so that the folks of Congress and el presidente du malakanyang listen to vox populi. Whether you don’t trust or you trust, …. verify.
Mabuhay ang COMELEC, Smartmatic, mabuhay si Melo. Sa inyong nagawa ay biglang nabago ang pananaw ng mga Pilipinong katulad ko at nagkaroon ng bagong pagasa, dahil naipamalas ninyo na may kakayahan pala ang mga namamahala sa gobyerno na tumupad sa kanilang tungkulin sa bayan lalo na’t naging tapat at taos sa puso ang hangarin. Marami pong salamat.
OFF TOPIC BUT RELEVANT:
Congressman Pacquaio!!!
The most believable promise I’ve heard so far:
I’m running for Congress so that I would be able to help the poor and needy by doling out government funds instead of my own hard-fought money. (Or something to that effect).
Spoken like a true champion.
Remember these names come 2013 elections:
Ed Malay of The Centre
Aniceto Abbey Canturias of CIG
Ms. Miriam Quiamco
Leytenian
Pastor Quiboloy
Any surveys undertaken by them or on their behalf accurately reflect the will of the people. They have patented and copyrighted new and secret numerical methods to provide scientific and accurate opinion polling.
Congratulations to Ms. Miriam Quiamco for being the Nostradamus of Asia. She insisted it was going to be a landslide win for Gibo based on her in-depth knowledge of statistics and first hand knowledge of the reality on the ground and that is precisely what we got.
Gibo got a landslide victory of Bro. Eddie Villanueva and JC delos Loser…proving once and for all that Pastor Quiboloy’s god is better than Eddie or JC’s god! Si Quiboloy lang ang sugo ng diyos.
Congratulation to the winners. We the Filipinos have a smooth election.
Few died, some traded insults, some bloggers were paid hacks, etc…
You’re right Mario, that sounds weird.
Anyway, they have quickly exited stage left.
But if they decide to re-appear, they should have the courage to concede with the FV’ers pundits, before they’ve embark for a brighter future ahead.
For crying out loud, please concede…!
Now, let us converge and to write our newly elected Representatives,
Congress with our concerns, to better our goverment systems.
Perlas, as of this writing, has not conceded. He is waiting for votes to come in from his bailiwicks…and the 10 million disenfranchised voters (because, apparently, environmentalists do not make join pag mahaba pila…and the nutrient deficient vegans could not stand the heat)
Totoo pala ang unang hinala. May kuleleng ang mamang ito.
@nash
i do have a question about the conduct of the elections tho…
i wonder how many people had their ballots rejected by the pcos machines. no statistics on this are available. this could have been avoided by allowing them another freakin ballot.
were many disenfranchised in this way?
I file it under leakage losses.
Then I look at the total and the margin of victory.
Then I can estimate how high the leakage losses can before the overall result is altered.
With 32M votes counted, Abnoy leading Erap 7 to 4, 8M left to be counted…I can ask myself if I really care about rejected ballots.
(Disenfranchised voters are another thing)
i have little sympathy for those who went home, to be honest. the polling places were open till 7pm, and BEIs were instructed to serve those in line even after 7pm, as long as u were in line before 7pm.
from what i could tell from anecdotes, the lines werent an issue later in the afternoon anyways.
I take it the whole point of clustering is to have 1000 max voters for cluster.
So a cluster in Baguio is generally the same as a cluster in Manila. (kita naman sa comelec website, around 600 people voted per cluster)
So I too do not understand bakit magulo sa Manila samantalang sa Baguio, with the same average number of voters per cluster, ang dali daling bumoto.
It has always been the case that Manila had these long lines and confusion.
Nash,
Didn’t joe am mentioned somewhere on this FV thread, that the Comelec field workers was applying crooked lines, and caused a mass confusion, due to no end-zone marking.
Joe Am, please confirm…!
Mario,
Not me. Maybe macapili did it. heh
Joe
Joe, I make money some other way. I, too, am happy the election automation turned out very well way beyond expectation. The COMELEC, Smartmatic-TIM, the teachers, the police, the military, the NGOs and most of all, the Fiipino people, deserve praise and congratulations. My skeptical view of the project was unfounded after all.
if I agree with my candidate’s decision 80% of the time, that’s more than good enough for me. the candidate I voted for has my TRUST. he should know better. I only see the small picture. He sees everything. I will have no qualm on the 20% we differ for the simple reason that he has my TRUST and he knows better. I don’t know all the facts, He does. For as long as I am comfortable in knowing that he has our country’s interest above everything, I need not worry if we differ on certain issues.