I write to you today because I’m sick of people claiming to love this country, but choose to be neutral. We’ve fought tooth and nail since 2004 for this moment in our nation’s history. We choose to have an election instead of another EDSA, so we can advance our nation’s agenda the right way. We need to bind our nation’s wounds and rebuild our fallen institutions.
Yes, there is a War going on in Cyberspace.
Blogs are platforms of information.
Blogs are platforms of misinformation.
Social Media is our gospel’s vehicle.
Our keyboard and bandwidth are our swords and shields.
Lines are drawn. We can not choose to be neutral. We can not choose to be indifferent.
My disappointment has always been that whenever you blog about facts, the other side always counters with personal attacks. Don’t fear what others might think of you or your entry. Blog as honestly as you can. Blog as passionately as you can.
The obvious truth is that the next President of the Philippines must be who Gloria is not. He must bring a sense of propriety back into our nation. He must bring civility and rule of law back that real justice can be enjoyed. There must be real change and we must participate in that change.
In 2010 there should be no gray. It is on or off. It is either zero or one. It is either you validate the past nine years, or you choose to take a different path, to take a different road.
More than a month ago, I wrote Plans Within Plans on the Road to 2010 and I had this to say:
“The zeitgeist is that this is a society where good is bad, and bad is good. It is a time when most of our people are conditioned with coping mechanisms. It is a time where they believe that Elections is the only moment that they should participate in democracy.
May 2010 is shaping to be an epic battle of titans. Arroyo has plans within plans to guarantee she will fight until her day of reckoning.
This is War.
This is a War of Assassins and to the victor of the fight is he who fights the most for it. The truth is, on Election Day is not the last day of War. It is the first day of a greater conflict because that’s when the true work begins. What we will find is the typhoon struggle. What we will discover on Election Day is the beginning of Kralizec, and when that happens, will we default to our coping mechanisms or break the status quo and build our nation together?”
We must each choose how we participate in the coming election. If you’ve chosen a candidate, help his campaign. Be part of it. Make your voice heard in that campaign as much as you can.
If you’ve not chosen, choose quickly.
This is the certainty that I know of. Remember this. Forget who candidates are. 2010 is about validating nine years of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo or to choose to right that wrong. Make no mistake. There is no other choice. That is the only barometer that you need to know. Fail to understand it is to plunge this nation into another six years or more of darkness and the cynics win. I don’t think it can stand that. I don’t think decent Filipinos will want to live in a country like that.
The test of 2010 isn’t actually who we support, who our candidate is. No. The real test is what happens post election. Most apt are the words spoken by John F. Kennedy, which we need to remember: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
Ask not what your candidate can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.
Our nation stands at a crossroads. We are at a precipice. Your commitment to democracy does not exist only on election day. Your commitment to the winner of 2010 does not end when the last ballot has been counted. It exist from here on, and we renew that vow, six years from now. To be neutral is to be indifferent.
Popularity: 1% [?]
I find it hard to choose quickly, cocoy.
Perhaps the cynic in me already has won.
I think a lot will make up their minds in the last two weeks.
I am among the unsure. Too many other things to do, I will decide April or May. I don’t think I’ll choose Noynoy — kapos sa accomplishments.
Your passion is wonderful. Yes, we MUST choose. Not to choose is cowardly and cynical.
To not to choose is to accept the status quo.
If you accept the status quo, you should not be allowed to complain.
Not allowed to complain? That’s tyrannical, so pinoy, and might be a good idea. Edsa 2 people shouldn’t be allowed to complain.
Jim:
I have definitelyCHOSEN WHO NOT TO VOTE FOR based on my criteria of performance, platform, integrity, and ability.
The next choice I have to make is not that painful – whether it is Gordon or Perlas.
Now, if I am voting for a state prosecutor – i’ll go and quantitiatively verify the claims of a “fiscalizer” – how much money did he actually save by “fiscalizing” – how many cases per year? cite and list all the instances and results of such “fiscalizing”.
However, since I am voting for President, an executive position – logic dictates that my bias is towards someone with real (as in … not imagined.. not fantasy.. not dreaming) executive experience AND has actually ACHIEVED transformation – with minimum collateral damage.
Perlas would be the two birds on the bush, and Dick will be the bird (pun intended) in your
hands.
I have chosen Gordon, but confess it is partly to see if I can fairly defend my choice, and confess it is not cemented in. But having made the choice, it is amazing how carefully I read his comments, and the comments of others in the context of what he says.
It is a step in courage, for sure, for as soon as you make a choice, those with brickbats take aim.
Joe
Joe, Gordon’s not a bad guy but I am still looking for an actual platform from him. Have u managed to find something substantive on his future plans? I wasn’t crazy about his closeness to GMA but that in itself doesn’t constitute a crime, as Miriam avers in relation to Gibo — that’s open to debate, of course. But how do u feel about Bayani and the Ondoy flooding in Manila?
No attacks coming from me, ok? I applaud the courage of conviction in anyone. I’m just curious and would be most interested in your thoughts.
Lila,
No, I don’t have his platform. I am going mainly by character and accomplishments, as Subic, as head of Red Cross, and, frankly, elimination of the rest as deeply flawed and substandard. Also, I think the presidency would cause some people to go corrupt, and build others. I think Mr. Gordon would be empowered, positively.
Joe
Ok, that’s fair, Joe. I can appreciate that. But what do u think of Bayani?
Lila,
I’ve never really looked into Bayani, figuring he was not a first-tier candidate. Someone would have to sell him to me to wake me up, and so far, no one has.
Joe
Lila and Joe,
Gordon was recently interviewed. you can find the interview: http: // www [dot] ustream [dot] tv / recorded / 4123902
Cocoy, the link doesn’t work…
Lila and Joe, i will send you the link privately.
Jusr remember, whoever youre choosing, youre choosing a president, not a Savior. The only ones who can save this country are its people. That’s us.
Unless people are buying into somebody’s conspiracy theory (wink, wink) that Villar, Gordon, et. al. are also GMA’s candidates, a seven-man election field cannot be purely Black and White.
To frame the question properly to the voters: Who do you want to lead according to your aspirations for this country?
The ‘least evil’ value proposition is not only weak, it’s cheap.
Actually, even if you don’t buy into that theory… look at Villar and Gibo. how they act, what they say, what they’ve done is indicative of being gloria-like.
The C5 issue for example, Mr. Villar has to solve that. We can not have a president who is already tainted by allegations of corruption before he becomes president.
as for gibo’s wishy-washy stance on RH is also the same he gave durning ondoy.
the question therefore: is your candidate gloria-like and if so, are you validating 9 years of failed leadership by giving it another six years of life?
that’s why i am inclined to go with gordon – proven leaderhship without the baggage of hacienderos and magnates.
Noynoy provides his dreams of transformation – nothing wrong with that.
just that – i can’t argue with real success of Subic’s transformation – it’s more than a dream, it actually happened , and i happen to know the man who made it happen – not aquino, not villar, not perlas.. but.. Gordon.
sure, there’s more to be done in subic – but he has moved Subic’s quality of life way past the baseline
Phil, many here are overcome by the fear of Gloria. That’s all that’s driving them. It’s hard getting them out of it. We know where that will lead. Well, let ‘em go with it. We know where we stand.
There are two choices: 1. Fear of Gloria. 2. Love of Gloria.
Take your pick.
You’ll know what to choose. Unless you believe that no. 2 is equal to love of country.
Bert, there is a third choice. It’s to choose someone else who’s better. That’s love of country.
Agree, ChinoF. Let’s see.
Villar: Better at making himself rich.
Erap: A better actor than the rest of the candidates
Noynoy: Well, he has better credibility
The rest: Oh, forget the rest, they don’t register.
Bert:
You vote for winnability.
Other vote for ability.
’nuff said.
I choose the NO EVIL. So I choose Aquino. I don’t buy the Luisita and SCTEx attacks, they’re all desperate and not backed by facts.
I choose Aquino because this country does not only have corrupt leaders that have corrupted the system, its leaders have allowed themselves to be corrupted by the system. The system I speak of is democracy.
I find that Aquino is the only one with a clear conviction that this MUST change. He is the only one with a clear platform of HOW this must change, while still being open to ideas from the experts and from those who are experiencing the worst effects of the decay of democracy.
He is the only one who espouses TRUE CHANGE, of shaking things up from the root cause of the problem, not spraying perfume on the rotting corpse of democracy.
Most importantly, I find, he is the only one who acknowledges that if change will happen, it will not take one man but a nation. Democracy fails to work in this country because the beneficiaries of democracy, regular Juans and Juanas like you and me, are not engaged in it. We are kept out of the democracy we are supposed to enjoy.
He is the only one who knows and is fighting for a return to real democracy, where the citizenry is engaged. Because what the leader decides affects every one to the very edges of this archipelago, and their families abroad.
I am tired of living in a pseudo-democracy. I want a VOICE in my own country. I believe Aquino and Roxas are the only ones who will bow down to listen to it and act according to what is good for the collective voice of the many, and not for the few. And that is the biggest change that we need to see in this government if we are to see this country succeed.
THIS COUNTRY BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE. We must have it back. We have fought for it, many have died for it, but a selfish few deny what we deserve.
To sacrifice hope for cynicism is cowardly. To say that idealism is equivalent to impossibility is naive and weak.
I vote AQUINO ROXAS because I believe this country can be great.
To echo Jeg’s comment above: where voting for President, not a Savior.
weak retort, but in response: maybe we do need a savior. look around you.
anyway, when i vote for noynoy i’m voting for a president.
We’re not voting for a savior. anybody who believes noynoy aquino winning the presidency and suddenly the philippines becomes paradise is deluding themselves. Like i mentioned in the post above, Election Day is NOT the end of our commitment. If Mr. Aquino wins, we have to help him in anyway we can.
If it is Mr. Villar, or Mr. Teodoro, I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
We have to bind our nation’s wounds. To simply distill Mr. Aquino as “savior” is missing the point. He cant do it alone. Neither can Villar or Teodoro if they win. We must be part of the processes of nation building post Election day.
Democracy needs its people to function. We are a pseudo-democracy because our leaders do not engage us in politics. We are suffering because we are a pseudo-democracy. But we fought for it, so we deserve it. But we have to change OURSELVES. We have to learn how to demand accountability, to demand to be heard. We need a leader who will support us in this endeavour.
What’s wrong with voting for a ‘saviour’? Don’t we want our country and people saved from this corrupt system that Maid Mirriam was talking about? Who knows, one of them might do just that? Let me count the ways:
1. Villar? Well, he might, but might save himself first.
2. Erap? He was there, saved himself, Supreme Court might not save him.
3. Noynoy? Who knows.
4. The Others? They can’t save themselves.
What’s wrong with voting for a ’saviour’?
They dont exist. Not if we want to keep our rights and freedoms. We can of course choose to abdicate our rights and freedoms and hand them over to some charismatic leader to do with as he or she pleases. There have been several ‘saviors’ like that in history: Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Fidel Castro, Marcos… A leader like that appeals to more Filipinos than we might like to think.
You are losing hope too soon, Jeg. A little improvement from this rut we are in right now is a ‘penny’ saved already. But that’s just me.
well if you want to equate saviors to mao and lenin and whatever, these people were promising “economic” salvation — pro-poor tirades. i won’t say what shade of orange that reminds me of… but i highly doubt Aquino would be like Lenin, Mao, Stalin, Castro and least of all Marcos.
There’s nothing wrong with saviors. There’s something wrong with people positioning them as saviors.
Aquino is not. See my comment above. He will lead, but all of us must work together.
THAT, my friends, is true democracy.
The others: they have no chance when “the one” vote for winnability instead of ability.
Thus, “the one” gets the government he deserves – he gets his candidate to win, when his winnable candidate gets in – he’ll have much to talk about – gauging by 9 laws in 3 years – sure is a good portent of how fast things will move. :D
Phil, could u kindly share Gordon’s platform with us? So far I have not found a substantive statement. Perhaps u could write a piece?
Hi Lila!
Let me just say that platforms like surveys, quoting from your candidate, “could be bought in Quiapo.”
And as I commented earlier: the socio-political environment (including the fact that there is no re-election possibility for the incumbent) will fail to make the eventual presidential winner deliver on, account for, ‘platformed’ promises. Then we’re stuck with an incompetent, at best, or incompetent and corrupt president, at worse.
As I keep saying in this site, let’s go back to the resume of accomplishments, as best indicator.
Phil, did u see this?
http://www.juancountry.com/senator-dick-gordon-under-fire-on-facebook/
The Fil-Ams worked really hard to send relief goods after Ondoy/Pepeng to Pinas. The NGOs that went through the Red Cross reported that there were problems at the other end in terms of the reception of the goods. That was one of the reasons why a lot of Fil-Ams decided not to go through DSWD or the Red Cross in the end. We were told that goods could not be distributed unless Dick himself was present. I’m not making accusations here and am just sharing with u what I was repeatedly told.
Also, as I said to Joe, I’m not crazy about Bayani’s record in terms of flood prevention in his area. Any thoughts?
If you truly want the least evil – go Gordon
- not an oligarch like an Aquino/Cojuangco/Roxas – less beholden to oligarchs than an actual oligarch
- has actually transformed a locality (not just talk, hope, or dream…. as in… . ACTUALLY DID IT)
- No Hacienda Luisita, No C5, and has track record of transformation – he is not even the least evil – he is actually “THE BEST”…
Would it be possible for one of u to share a Gordon platform with the rest of us at some point? I would hate to think that all these pistols were loaded with blanks. So far Phil and Joe have not been in the mood, but perhaps u might be different?
Incidentally, an interesting definition of good and evil:
“Joe:
“All is fair in love and war.
“If the Aquinos are aware of any plan then they can be proactive, society can be proactive.
“There is always a price to not being proactive – the cost of not doing anything.
“trapo politics as it is – villar’s has to resort to purchased votes because the oligarchs have vote farms standing by at noynoy’s disposal. while Villar has yet to purchase the vote, noynoy already has the oligarch vote – that means all the squatters and employees of oligarchs.
“it will not be obvious in makati but quite pronounced in the provinces. for example, noynoy’s oligarch backers in davao will tell squatters on their property “no vote, ibut” – which means – if you don’t vote for who i tell you, get the f*ck out of my property/company”.
“i take it a grain of salt when oligarch candidates talk about purchased votes, they are simply out to protect the lead courtesy of their vote farms. magnanakaw galit sa kapwa magnanakaw.”
Sound familiar? Makes one wonder just what u might mean when u say “least evil.” This sounds almost like a defense of Villar, don’t u think?
A definition of good that ignores definitions of what might be considered to be legal and illegal…
That would be Villar’s defens.
As the saying goes – choose your own poison – oligarch vote farms or buying votes.
As I said elsewhere, so u r essentially saying that all members of the oligarch class r guilty until proven innocent, even those who have themselves committed no crimes (like Noynoy). Blaming Noynoy for what happened in his mother’s term (when he has had no time to address these issues as the campaign ban has yet to be lifted) would be like us blaming u for everything your father did before u were even born.
And if u have the kinds of misgivings that u do about the “oligarch class” (a messy conflation since there r distinctions between political and economic power-brokers, surely, as well as the landowning classes, as any scholar will tell u; it’s not just one homogenous, indeterminate mass), then why r u yourself not a Marxist who espouses revolution in one country or world revolution? Why blame one guy for a system of inequity that is ultimately HISTORICAL in nature?
I hate to tell u this, but Gordon hob-nobs with the oligarch class all the time (trust me). From what I can see, he has no problems with them and perhaps even hopes to emulate them. So i doubt if even HE would buy would buy your argument about Noynoy’s historical culpability. He’s a lawyer, right (“Gordon may have an inkling of what’s going on – but as a lawyer, his training demands he sticks to the evidence of what is acceptable under a court of law”)? So he would argue that blaming Noynoy for the simple fact of being an “oligarch” (when he himself has no money, as we all know) is hardly a legal argument.
On that matter I would like to refer you to Alfred McCoy’s Book entitled – “An Anarchy of Families: State and Family in the Philippines. Read and come to your own conclusions. Quite specific to the “Philippine Oligarchs” and not just oligarchs.
Politicans hobnob with everyone – including oligarchs. The line is drawn when after the hobnobbing – he decides to water down legislation.
Depends on the specifics of the case. What are the specific facts of the case you are referring to? If you are referring to Haceienda Luisita – the facts are there – PCIJ, Bulatlat, the Senate transcripts. Are we saying Noynoy is the gunman? I don’t think so.
To say he is the son of oligarchs – is a statement of fact. Yes? No?
Could he have done better I say yes. If the answer is No, because he owns only 1% of HLI. The follow up is – he can’t even exert leadership to clean up his backyard, why should he be trusted to clean up the bigger backyard?
Lila,
I made the same point as you about not pinning one’s ancestor’s deeds on the present candidate, and it was rightfully brought to my attention that the candidate should then refrain from leveraging the ancestor’s halo for gain. It can’t cut two ways, use the positive for gain and censor opponents for raising the negative.
Indeed, the way around it is to focus on the issues. As long as Mr. Aquino runs those incessant yellow commercials with candles and glory-be-to-mama warmth, he should be criticized for his mama’s failings.
Like, cut to the issues, man . . .
Joe
Mac, I get the sense that a lot of folks r royally turned off by the ads. Not having seen them, it’s hard for me to comment. In general, I tend to be allergic to all things saccharine, so I have a feeling most of them would turn me off anyway.
As I’ve said elsewhere, I don’t agree with riding on anyone’s parents or on GMA’s low ratings. The people r after all looking for a proactive sense of identity. But then Noynoy is not his media handlers. And he isn’t Kris and her gang. Again, I suggest we wait until the campaign has actually started. The we’ll all be in a better position to judge.
BongV, PCIJ, Bulatlat, etc, would never be enough in a court of law. It’s like me saying that Villar is guilty. To me, and to many who love the country, his guilt is obvious. But, technically, he’s still innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The same applies to Noynoy or anyone else.
Again, gentlemen, I await a platform. Perhaps one of you would like to make an effort.
Lila,
This is evidently Gordon’s approach; not a platform really, as it lacks sufficient detail; but it gives an idea of direction. It is a partial excerpt of his “manifesto for Change”.
Joe
______
Thus, in an act of union and cooperation, we declare:
First, that we must be RESPONSIBLE for ourselves, for our fellow Filipinos, and for our country. We must change our attitudes, and transform ourselves to become horizon-chasers with duty, dignity, and determination;
Second, that we can REINVENT GOVERNMENT to faithfully perform its prime duty to serve and protect the people;
Third, that we can fortify LAW AND ORDER through self-discipline, vigilance, and respect for the rule of law;
Fourth, that we can build a STRONG AND GROWING ECONOMY if we all work, save, and invest in order to prosper;
Fifth, that we must prioritize EDUCATION as the key to national development to compete and lead in the new global economy;
Sixth, that we must provide adequate access to HEALTH CARE for all our people, especially the needy;
Seventh, that we must create JOBS for our people, so that they will not need to seek their fortunes abroad, but rather devote their talents directly to their country and their families;
Eighth, that we must assist our people in securing decent HOMES to live in and LAND to work and build on, so they can be dignified and productive citizens;
Ninth, that we must strengthen and reinforce the FAMILY as the foundation of our nation to develop proper values and virtues in individuals and build solid character; and
Tenth, that we must protect and preserve the ENVIRONMENT for our posterity. We must have the Vision grounded on Values and empowered by Volunteerism to achieve Victory. These are the ideals upon which we lay the foundation of our movement for change. We are the instruments of a movement dedicated to transform the Philippines into aBagumbayan, a new Philippines.
Gosh, Mac, that sounds even more vague than i had thought it would! Strengthen the family, preserve the environment, secure decent homes — how?? I’m not being facetious here: I’m genuinely interested. For now, I must say it’s still pretty skeletal, I’m afraid…
The electorate is in the process of selecting their candidate. I find the statement of Jim Paredes “Not to choose is cowardly and cynical” to be unfair. Good for both of you to have chosen a candidate but that’s your choice. I had a candidate at first but my conscience prevailed upon me to give each of the 10 candidates some thought just so I can affirm or totally disregard my choice. There are 10 candidates, each with their core competence and weakness. These need to be validated with more information from media.
I know the evaluation process is in progress because I see the search queries on my own personal blog. I have a voter’s education page in my blog even before Blogwatch.ph was organized. I also see the hits in blogwatch.ph on choosing a president. The Movement of Good Governance is launching their Selection Criteria Score card on February 9. Many Civil Society Groups are creating awareness on evaluating candidates so give it a few more weeks for choices to be made. In the beginning there will be a short list, then a choice. It is also subject to change as election nears.
That’s why I’m still single. I’m a coward.
BrianB,
I don’t blame you. Woman are tough, also expensive…!
I agree, there’s no need to hurry. It’s still 4 months to May. Lots of time to make up your mind. Same with marital status, though it’s not necessarily in May, lol.
PRESIDENTIABLES:
Anyone with some form of affiliation with GMA cannot win, will not win, unless nationwide cheating is employed. GIBO and GORDON is out.
Villar (and his poster boys) is basically going down because of C5 and their actions- No balls!
Estrada?…are you stupid enough to vote for him again?
Noynoy…no issue at all except for Hacienda Luisita and the SCTex. But these issues don’t stick. Why? He was not directly involve. Cojuangco’s affairs is not his…
The rest of the presidentiables…they should quit, they are wasting their time and resources.
Noong Disyembre sabi ng barbero ko, “Madali lang naman pumili ng presidente…”
“Eh, sino ba ang Anti-GMA na kayang manalo?”
“Si Noynoy lang naman at si Manny ang kayang manalo, ‘di ba?! Si Erap? Mukhang ‘di na ‘yan panalo. Binoto ko dati pero laos na siya, eh!”
“Siyempre, pag Anti-GMA naman ang pag-usapan…kay Noynoy na ko!”
I wonder what he is really saying. I’m trying to look behind the masa-jargon.
I believe my barber’s just taking his side on who he wants elected and NOT being neutral…and thus, NOT indifferent!
To him, Anti-GMA qualification is first in the order of business then candidate’s winnability. A candidate even if perceived as anti-GMA will only be inutile if he/she can’t deliver the votes.
I’m pretty sure he has weighed in the pros and cons of a Noynoy victory already before the year ended last year considering the many insights he got from his clients (that’s aside from listening to AM Radio from 6:00am to 5:00pm everyday).
I’ll get back to what he told me in the coming weeks when I schedule my haircut. A lot of things happened this January…especially Erap’s go-signal to run. One’s mind may not really be made up yet until the last minute.
Hear hear to Mang Barbero!
“Our nation stands at a crossroads. We are at a precipice.”
Honestly, sometimes I feel that I’m standing on a crossroads and on a precipice at the same time. I’m not worried. I know a solution. What I do is drink a can of beer and close my eyes.
I envy you BrianB.
Some of us for health reasons can’t drink.
Well our country can’t run away. We have to face up to the challenges that are coming.
Me, nobody can rightly say I am neutral in this. I have my choice, and my choice is the least evil. I know exactly in my mind who is the least evil, the more evil, the most evil, and who the devil is himself/herself. You know them too. I’ve been hammering away and arguing consistently with and against those who are supporting those who I think are the evil candidates and so therefore I cannot be accused of being a neutral here. The reason for my choosing the least evil, however my friend Phil mistook it to be cheap and weak, is because there is no other choice for us but to choose the least evil, as I said already, outside of wasting our precious votes on obscure candidates who don’t stand a chance of winning.
Again, I will repeat–if you are not sure of your present choice, shift and choose the least evil. And please, let’s give that person the widest winning margin, that those who will attempt to cheat us of the popular will won’t succeed.
Scatter our votes, the devil himself/herself wins!
My apologies, Bert, if you felt singled out. Let me explain:
The least evil proposition is weak because, you know as well as I do, that a good man can turn bad.
Its cheap because it discounts accomplishment and therefore potential, the real currency needed by a leader to effectively govern in this president-centric but politically schizophrenic country of ours.
No need for the apology, Phil, what are friends for? As long as you don’t waste your vote. :-)
The least evil proposition is weak because, you know as well as I do, that a good man can turn bad.
Does this apply to Gordon as well? You do consider him good now,don’t you?
I am far from neutral as far as issues and causes go, but since the campaign period is only soon about to start, my choice of candidate is still open. Each day brings new information on one or more of them and I still want to hear more.
Blogging is fine, but I don’t read too much substance into how it’s only been personalities talking about how they like the one they like so far. I want to hear more from the ones who are running.
attend miting de avance.
I’ll put this way – I have narrowed down WHO I am not voting for – the winnability dues are out in my book – that’s a no-brainer.
Now as to who has the best ability – Nick Perlas is brilliant, is back in the game, and loaded with credentials. BUT – he does not have the executive experience – or if he has it – it’s within the domain of his non-profit. W/c of course is still better than nothing.
Gordon’s drawback is his pig-headedness not to come up with a platform. Other than that, you can’t argue with the successof Subic’s turnaround. Consider this – Gordon gets the flak for proposing a DUI law.
He’s not going to endear himself if he introduces change that matters. Not with this electorate that’s so drunk in winnability. Not now.
Gordon is also associated with GMA. While some may be prejudiced against all members of the “oligarch class,” whether or not they have themselves committed any crimes (unlike, say, someone like Villar, who apparently has), others have misgivings about candidates — like Gibo and Gordon — who quietly worked under GMA without publicly questioning her even once.
So what if he associated with GMA? Is there an iota of proof that he dipped his hands into GMA’s pot of gold? Or was there even a pot of gold in the first place?
Everyone’s talking there’s so much mullah – either GMA is supersmart to hide it – or we are the opposite of smart that we can’t find enough – or maybe, deluded? beats me – for all the talk – where’s the smoking gun?
One can go with the mass hysteria of anti-incumbentism or finding better ways of serving people – passing laws that empower people, level the playing field which is skewed in favor of domestic oligarchs, regulations that streamline procedures – certainly is a lot better than “asking questions” and not having any law to show for it.
If the argument that Noynoy is not corrupt because there’s no complaint – the same argument holds for Gordon – good for goose, good for gander, yes? no?
So have the Hyatt 10, associated with GMA one way or another.
Is association with GMA a criminal act now? Then they should include the Hyatt 10 with Gordon.
Did Gordon commit any violations of the Corrupt Practices Act?
Did he order someone murdered?
For Heaven’s sake… is everyone who is not on the “popular” candidate’s side associated with GMA?
BongV, I’ll get back you later as I am rushing now.
Just wanna say quickly: Chino, Noynoy is not that popular anymore, if SWS and Pulse r to be believed. Any thoughts on the other major contender? Just curious.
the bottom line is: whoever gets elected, respect the term of office.
the operative term is: elected. not cheated.
so if erap gets re-elected, respect the masa’s choice. whoever instigated and/or supported edsa2 should look back at the monster they placed in his lieu.
ka simpol.
People who remain neutral in this current situation of the country dont have the right to complain…
I choose Gordon and Bayani because they are leaders.
Theres a line separating a talker to a doer, a construction planner to construction superintendent….
Leadership is a skill, leadership is leading people to achieve a common goal and at the end to acomplish something.
Leaders have proven result on what they did….
Para sakin hindi sapat ang hindi mangungurakot, hindi sapat ang magaling magsalita, hindi sapat ang style makamasa….
For me, dapat He is a proven leader…may pinatunayan na…hindi mangungurakot at lalabanan ang kurakot… needs to have big balls to fight corruption… hindi lang magaling magsalita but have proof ng mga nagawa na….at hindi binobola ang masa….dapat sinasabi ang totoo… and encourage change in men….
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task..effective leadership is the ability to successfully integrate and maximize available resources within the internal and external environment for the attainment of organizational or societal goals.”
Just a small comment on that old cliche ‘dont have a right to complain’. You might be conflating apathy with an active refusal to participate in a process that one might think is futile, wasteful, and useless. That is a legitimate position to take based on history and observable evidence. That’s usually derogatorily called cynicism (and even cowardice by Mr. Paredes above). Every citizen has a right to complain. It’s called freedom of speech. Maybe the ‘neutrals’ should make a deal: Govt doesnt collect taxes from them and the ‘neutrals’ stop complaining.
Haha everyone should vote because you’re gonna get taxed regardless lol.
Pardon my heresy but I find it hard to believe that electing a national president could be that elementally crucial to life, or no, maybe just so life- or game-changing (?) for an entire country of people. Isn’t it that after all we go through this process every several years? For the last 60 some years (excuse or strike out the Marcos interregnum)? A few times for the better and at other times for the worse?
In the last US presidential elections, a good number of people did harbor such a game-changing possibility with the historic election of Obama. Though I admit I did not get caught up by that euphoric tide. As a matter of fact I mailed my absentee ballot early and promptly headed for the old homeland.
But one year later of hard reality and if you scan through the US political firmament, things have not really changed that much. Some partisan and not so partisan sectors would say there is a decided turn for the worse, but the President’s remaining loyal constituencies think otherwise and declare the US is on the right track to a renewed revival of greatness and amity with the rest of the world.
And life goes on as usual.
Are we there yet, meaning the end of global recession?
But please do not get me wrong, electing a president is serious business. But here’s hoping we do not get into a frenzied tizzy trying to find out if one of the many self-anointed is indeed The One or the savior even with a small “s”.
Unless the expanded field of candidates is fraught with scheming wolves in sheep’s clothing? Then please proselytize me.
I think we have the same point of view. You can refuse to vote. If I had to choose among 3 bad candidates and 2 evil candidates I would refuse. It also depends on one standards of character and morality. If you are willing to lower your standards just for the sake of voting, then you are a fool.
the right to vote carries with it the right not to vote. it is a political right an invidivual may choose. to premise the debate that voting is to hope and not voting is cynicism is wrong. sometimes silence is the better part of prudence.
i will vote for noynoy and that is given but i will not call those who would not by not going to the polls hopeless cynical.
jcc,
Bear with me, and let me kindly fill in the blanks.
For the ordinary Filipino’s who lack of knowledge and lack of judgment in matters of domestic affairs and to realize beforehand the rational ignorance concept of “Public Choice Theory,” that without initiating action that comes from immediate plan, or responsibility, being ignorant will continue in the face of masses, despite how the information is communicated, however complete or accurate.
So, in this manner, it’s not “WHO” they decide to choose. But it’s how, can we educate the less fortunate. For others, it’s not being a “hopeless cynical.” They just lack the proper education and the knowledge to cast their ballot. So sad…!
I am indifferent in a way that I am allergic to yellow. I have no confidence in his ability to lead, skills, and his experience. I sense him as an emotional choice to many people. He is nice though but that’s not what it takes.
kalbo kasi.
Bert,
What’s so significant about that. Nonoy, is able to channel all of his thoughts openly, in other words. True transparency.
mario, it’s not the hair (or none of it), silly. :-D. leytegirl, mahilig sa pogi.
But didn’t u say in Ding’s Gibo piece that you’re for the latter (“GIBO makes a lot of sense. My view connects to his.”), leytenian? So why not just say that and focus on the positive agenda?
Lila, because i’m indifferent. anyway, glad to see you here.
“
”
I think gloria seemingly glorifies the thought that the Greater Good for Filipinos is rendered by her self-perpetuation or by perpetuation of her noble cause through her loyal underlings (cabinet members and the like vying for Congress seats) or proxies (some presidential candidates).
Isn’t this the reason for her trying-very-hard-to-hide aim to become Speaker of the House and eventually Prime Minister?
This “gloriafication” exudes a very positive meaning to the term “service.” It therefore gives an optimistic outlook for the electorate to easily choose her side or choose whoever is in consonance with her ideals and goals.
However, I believe this is an illusion. It is an illusion to make all aspiring successors be evil ones (as compared to Good gloria!). It is an illusion to force the electorate (as they are wont to act) to choose the lesser evil or, aptly, the least evil among the contenders.
Might not be the proper course to take is to choose the greatest good to erase this illusion, to pick the greatest good among the lot, to single out the greatest good to replace gloria and revolutionize the salvage of our maligned institutions?
One must choose side…the side opposite gloria’s, the side that would not let gloria’s reign to continue, and definitely, the side against those who mimic gloria’s character and deeds!
One thing I’m waiting to hear though is that if there are candidates who have done or been accussed of serious wrongs in office like stolen money or cheated elections, then those who are suspected of that should publically clear themselves. Otherwise, to me, I don’t ever want to elect a crook—so if any suspect candidate is not able to clear himself, I will not consider him for a vote.
I also don’t want to elect a slacker.
Three years from 2007-2009 and only 9 bills. – check out – http: / /202 [dot] 57 [dot] 33 [dot] 10 /plis/ Public/ bill [dot] main [dot] asp?
If he wants to be a “fiscalizer” resign from being a congressman and become a true “fiscalizer” (it’s not even a real word) – apply for the job of Fiscal or State Prosecutor.
and have the integrity to admit not doing the job, and yet collecting salary paid for by taxpayers – that’s an “Honorable” 15/30, ghost employee even. And you believe he is the lesser evil that will deliver you from corruption.
Susmaryosep.
[Edit by Cocoy - This Comment's link was edited as per Comment Policy and its appearance here should no way be construed as endorsement of the link.]
To be neutral means you dont favor or promote anybody’s candidacy.
We dont want the political fray. We just want to give informations. So that voters can have their good choice. We have our choice also. But, voting is in secret. We do choose in secret. We dont want to influence anybody who to vote for…
We are not indiferent. We vote also and participate in the election.
We are indifferent to the useless gimmicks, jingles, deodorized films
to promote someones candidacy, false hopes and promises, do gooders just
to get votes, etc…
depends really on how you choose.
if you choose immediately based on emotional angst when you should be using your brain – guess what?
anyone watch “the survivor”?
EQ AND IQ. Not EITHER/OR – It is an AND proposition.
Noynoy have my vote. I just feel the sincerity in his message. Mar Roxas is a plus for his intelligence business skills. Noynoy can hire and install all the brains that we need to run the country but first we should have a leader whose heart is for the Filipino who will not tolerate corruption. The rest will follow. I find Aquino’s RH bill very timely and relevant to our society. I am sick and tired too of seeing Filipinos with degrees working in menial jobs and being left behind by all our Asian neighbours. We should all do our part by being involved and saying no to corruption which is the heart of all the miseries which is the lot of our countrymen.
What did Noynoy Aquino do during his term as Senator to improve
the situation of the country? Using other people’s brain to run the
country is not a good way to lead the country. The President (or
the General, in case of war). Use his leadership, intellectual
ability, good decisions to lead his people or his troops for a victory.
“Kung umasa siya sa ibang tao. Wala siyang kwentang lider.”
What did Gibo and Gordon do when Gloria was calling Garci asking that she lead FPJ by a million votes?
On the contrary it is a sign of a good leader to surround himself with capable and intelligent advisors since he will be facing myriad of issues and challenges that he will need all the best minds that he can gather so that he can arrive at the best decisions. As for what he has attained, see Abe Margallo’s blog on Noynoy. I do like Aquino’s platform which he has just announced recently and as I said earlier, his RH bill is sorely needed by our country. To see severely malnourished kids who do not have a chance of being educated or are forced to work at an early age is heartbreaking.
indeed, rosa, indeed. it’s called team effort sa pag-iisip. enough of intellectual dictatorship. nobody has a monopoly to it, not even a phd degree holder in economics who cannot even get us out of the rut.
I will vote for Noynoy.
To read counter opinions and offer opinions that may some times jive with theirs is not being neutral and being indifferent.I made the mistake of being neutral the last elections.Since ,I said it is a mistake; that means I have no plans on repeating it.
I respect the opinion coming from my cousin,Jim Paredes, about cowardice. That is what he thinks,then that is his opinion, but I don’t have to agree with it. Some people who are undecided decide based on what they hear at campaigns,if they are not allowed to do that then what’s the use of campaigning?
On a lighter note, I should start using notepad before commenting. New year’s resolution ko yun, di ko pa rin ginagawa.
Im sure Mr. Paredes means well and his heart is in the right place, but it’s perilously close to name-calling I think. I prefer however to chalk it up to an artist’s passion and ease with rhetoric.
Jeg,
It’s been a long time.
Going for Gordon.
Doer, track record of accomplishments, inspiring, motivator, passion…
“Walang tamad, walang tanga” is enough for me.
I’m going for Gordon. Strong political will and a Proven Achiever.
I’m NOT voting for someone who can be easily dictated upon and leaves most decision making on “advisers”. That’s just too yellow.
And i am not voting for someone who toots his own horn any chance he gets. Not voting for someone who conveniently allied himself with GMA when her administration was being rocked by scandal after scandal and then releases a half-baked senate report on the fertilizer fund scam,saying GMA had knowledge of the anomalous transaction but not enough evidence to directly link her to it. Certainly not voting for someone who once upon a time challenged a colleague in the senate to a fist fight. Trapo to the max!!!!
Well-said, gian!
gordon may have an inkling of what;s going on – but as a lawyer, his training demands he sticks to the evidence what is acceptable under a court of law.
unless, we are operating a kangaroo court – the prosecutors need to build a stronger tighter case instead of acting like crybabies.
LOL. Treating campaign as a war will just harbor hatred and bitterness. it would also promote enemies, such as I’ve been hearing with Noynoy and Villar fanatics on Facebook and all over the web. I would rather treat online campaigning is as a chance to know more about candidates as a means to arriving to a decision in voting.
Time for New Politics.
As long as you don’t choose the Sira-ulo JC de los Reyes, we will be fine.
Incidentally, Vetellano Acosta is polling higher than him in the latest survey.
Kapag may binsita si Cory at nagpahiwanig na si JC ang kailngan ng Piilipins, tingnan mo na lang. Kool-aid country!
Dick because of BF is where I can come from.
Simply put, had it not been BF as team mate, Dick would go rough sailing.
In fact, the equation if reversed holds greater promise: BF-Dick.
But since it is already a given, let it be so. The tandem does not cease to be a formidable duo.
I know they will win come 2010. They don’t have to cancel each other as they come from the same “city building” enterprise.
BongV, you want to cast your vote to Gordon? Ok, go ahead you have the right to go with a sure loser, your vote casts to the wind, your vote wasted, bye, bye your vote.
At least with Villar or Noynoy, if Noynoy don’t change his mind and attitude, or Villar do, after sitting on the throne in the palace by the Pasig River, at least your vote has a chance of having some value for the Pinoy and Pinas. But, you’re anti-pinoy, right? So go ahead, vote Gordon.
To all anti-pinoys,
It’s alright for you to vote Gordon or Perlas, that’s expected.
But to all those who are not anti-pinoy, please, PLEASE, I’m begging you on bended knees. PLEASE DON’T WASTE YOUR VOTES. For the sake of your people and your dear Republic.
Well-said, Bert!
My definition of ‘wasted votes’ would be
Wasted Votes
n. 1. Votes made which are heavily influenced by the sway of passion (love, fear, hate, greed) and enthusiasm rather than by objective, analytical means.
2. Votes casted out of vote buying.
3. Votes based on winnability.
Example
I don’t care who will win as long as the people don’t waste their votes.
If you vote for either of the top two, it’s still gonna be a WASTED VOTE anyway. One who’s got terrible positions on issues (pro-population explosion and anti-charter change) and one who doesn’t even have any stand on issues underneath his i-hate-gloria campaign & has wasted my parents’, your, taxes sitting in his comfy leather gooseneck chair for 9 years without getting a bill passed into law–his JOB. Not to mention the baggage of controversies they can’t deal with head on.
At saka teka nga muna…
How come you thought leaders in this country, who are supposed to guide the masa in picking the BEST candidate get carried away into jumping on ignoramus bandwagons(never mind they’re heading for disaster)huh?
Way to set an example…
There is a clear distinction between voting and betting.
Depending on what we want to do with our lives, I don’t think that voting must be conditioned by deceiving “winnability”.
The right is simply that anyone’s vote is his voice.
As a foreigner having lived within Subic Bay for over 5years, I can say that don’t believe the propaganda and hype. we face the same problems and daily struggles as most other authorities.
Sure, the Americans introduced some order, discipline, revenue, business etc.. with them, but since they’ve left, Subic has really deteriorated.
Now we face:
1. Continuous polluting of the bay
2. numerous failed construction projects due to graft
3. a virtually abandoned ariport
4. flagant abuse of the law by the people meant to uphold it
5. over-pricing of simple commodities
6. violations in owners rights with new policies meant to either shorten terms or introduce another tax
7. Tax free? maybe, but as everything is already over-priced what difference does it make?
etc…
http://thesubicbulletin.blogspot.com/2009/12/dicks-insatiable-quest.html
Plus the complications and self-promoting ways of gordon suring the ondoy-redcross debacle.
http://thesubicbulletin.blogspot.com/2009/11/dicks-political-stunt.html
As for Bayani, just look at his quick thinking response to ondoy. If he was doing his job, the roadways would have been cleared of trash, clean-up would have been faster and lives would have been spared. My only fond memories of the mmda is them blocking roads with their unroadworthy vehicles blocking Edsa, MMDA Labs you motifs, posters of Bayani plastered everywhere and getting a ticket for something trivial.
Btw has anyone every spotted the garbage collection trucks and the well dressed men that operate it as seen in almost every movie theater?
Don’t get me wrong, I love the philippines and its people, but sayang the system and politics over here. The people and the country deserve to be treated better and the land that we all love, stop being raped and abused by greedy officials.
phew!
Good luck to all and I hope for everyone that a just and righteous person is elected to lead this country.
Interesting points, sam M! Thanks for sharing.