I should be excited, really, being given the chance to write for a publication such as FHM. Sure, it was for the website, but hey, my name's there, and it's a known title. (Check out Election Cheat Sheet article at www.fhm.com.ph)
But no, I'm not proud. I honsetly am not. I thank Mikey for giving me the chance to show my stuff, but I don't want to claim those words as mine. I, as a reader, wouldn't read that article as it seems like a personal blog by someone who doesn't have the credentials or credibility to write the stuff he wrote. Yes, I'm talking about me. That's why I originally cited the sources from which I gathered the information from, because I didn't just write what I think about those candidates; I read through fanpages, official websites, and discussion forums to be able to present a profile of the candidates as objectively as I possibly can.
I'll post what I wrote, so that if time comes that I get burned for having written what I wrote (as my name is there), I can direct them to these pages to show them I actually credited them (for webmasters of the sites), and I have basis on claiming what I claim to be their flaws (for supporters).
*UPDATE* Alright, so I guess having posted my unedited 2-part work helped out my being a whiny bitch writer. I got a hit back from Mikey, and frankly, I do feel proud that my name's up there in their website.
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(This first part in italic, I sent in late, after the article was already put up. Sa nakalimutan ko eh.=P)
After almost a decade of being under the same regime, the upcoming May 10 national election is creating a buzz among Filipinos owing to the fact that this is the first time after a long while that they will be given the chance to appoint a leader. 10 hopefuls have qualifed to be considered to hold the top national position of the country.
This article seeks to provide you some information about the candidates, so that you may be able to choose ably and wisely. We show you the ills and benefits of each candidate for your discretion, and as no one is perfect, they each do have flaws. But at the end of the day, we must choose, and make our vote count. Remember that win or lose, your vote matters, and choosing no one does not excuse you from the downfall of whoever wins. We must choose a candidate we believe that will help our country move forward. His/her loss, though, would not mean your vote was wasted, nor would it mean that the country wouldn't move forward as you envisioned it. Rather, it means that you made your voice heard, that you believe that this great country has a chance to move forward, and the next step would be to do what you can as a citizen to help our leaders realize their visions. No man or woman in the current pool of candidates will be able to effect change alone.
Don't be selfish. Choose, and be counted.
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Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III
Who is he: Third child and only son of two prominent political figures; Sen. Benigno “Ninoy”Aquino Jr. and former president Corazon Aquino. Essentially began his political career when he joined the Liberal Party and was elected as the representative of the second district of Tarlac in 1998. In 2007, after his third and last allowable term as representative, he ran for senate under the Genuine Opposition and placed 6th among the top vote-getters, where the top 12 would have a seat in the senate. After his mother died in 2009, a clamor from the people rose for him to run in the upcoming 2010 elections. One of the contributing tipping points was when Sen. Mar Roxas, who was perceived to be the Liberal Party’s presidential candidate, declared his intention to slide down to vice president in favor of Noynoy’s presidential bid. After 40 days from the passing of his mother and taking a retreat, Noynoy declared his intention to run for president.
Notable credentials: Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, and held several positions in private companies prior to entering politics. Currently the Vice Chairman of the Liberal Party, and also served in other capacities for the party. In three terms as a member of congress, Aquino served in numerous committees. During this time, he focused on the fiscalizing role of a legislator, as he felt that there were already too many good laws but lacked proper implementation. In his first term as senator, he has authored a number of bills and senate resolutions. You can find more information on these bills and resolutions here.
Presidential Platform: Aquino’s official website shows his platforms here and his action plans here. His platforms are mainly centered on what he calls “transformational leadership”, where he proposes to exercise his executive powers in a manner that is opposite of what he perceives to be how the current president exercises hers. His main points are on economy, government service, gender equality, peace and order, and environment.
Campaign Thrust: Transformational leadership: a commitment to good governance and fighting corruption.
Why you should vote for him: Given his personal heritage, he carries a name that people respect, and to taint this good name that two icons have built up is simply inconceivable. An apple doesn’t fall off too far from its’ tree, so it is logical to conclude that “leadership by example” is going to happen if he happens to win. In a country ranked among the top 10 globally in terms of corruption, having a leader of his moral character could be a start of turning our country’s reputation and manner of governance around.
Why you shouldn’t vote for him: Having competitors with impressive track records, they look to point out Aquino’s lack of laws passed in his 3 terms as a congressman, and 3 years of serving as a senator. Additionally, his parents’ legacy to him is not only their good name, but also the criticisms and problems they have to deal with concerning their family property, Hacienda Luisita, and its farmers.
Sources:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Short-Biography-Noynoy-Aquino
http://www.mahalo.com/noynoy-aquino
http://www.noynoy.ph/v3/index.php
http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/aquino_noynoy_bio.asp
http://vimeo.com/10915516
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Juan Carlos “JC” de los Reyes
Who is he: Son of the late Sonny de los Reyes, who served as President of the Council of the Laity of the Philippines for 9 years, and Barbara Gordon, elder sister of Sen. Richard Gordon, JC hails from a political dynasty of the Gordons of Olongapo. He was educated in the Ateneo de Manila University for his primary education, De La Salle Zobel in high school, the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, U.S.A. for his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, the University of the Philippines for his degree in Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Law in Saint Louis University in Baguio City. He is a two-term councilor, with his terms of office 10 years apart from each other, as he decided to take a hiatus from local politics after his first term to pursue further studies in the US. He returned in 2007 to emerge as the lone winner for the Ang Kapatiran party, winning his bid as City Councilor. He also taught Philosophy in the University of Asia and the Pacific, a proprietor Legobrick Systems and Designs, and Executive Director of Breaking the Yoke of Poverty Foundation. He was nominated as the Ang Kaparitan Party’s presidential candidate.
Notable Credentials: At 40, de los Reyes is the youngest presidential aspirant in the pool. He is the lone winner of Ang Kapatiran party’s 27 local and national nominees during the 2007 elections, winning with the second highest number of votes despite being absent from the local political scene for 9 years. He also has an informal project named Justice Crusade which is a free legal assistance program. As a councilor, he spoke out and campaigned against illegal drugs, rampant violations of human rights and welfare. He also led protests against the proposed coal power plant and was at the forefront of criticizing the government for its proposed construction of casinos in Subic.
Presidential Platform: De los Reyes’ presents a platform anchored on a moral government and upholding his party’s vision of a new kind of politics in the country, breaking away from traditional politics. He proposes a Spiritual dimension to ground his government according to God’s righteousness, a Moral dimension which seeks to build a nation of characterthrough values formation, a Social dimension promoting the culture of life, peace and active non-violence, and a Multidimensional approach to peace and order. He also presents his plans of action regarding good governance, economic development, the political culture, and foreign policy. For a more detailed discussion of his platforms, click here.
Campaign Thrust: Advancing “principled politics” and radical change in the government.
Why you should vote for him: His solid Roman Catholic and Christian background puts his good moral character beyond doubt. Together with his party, they are united and dedicated to presenting a break from traditional politics, and offer one that with a moral, God-fearing foundation.
Why you shouldn’t vote for him: If only through the saying “with age comes wisdom”, we may say that de los Reyes is the least qualified in terms of this. Despite being a two-term councilor in Olongapo, he faces criticism regarding his actual support, with some family members claiming that he won his second term as councilor because he was a Gordon. Additionally, this jump from being a councilor to being a president may seem like an ambitious move by a relative unknown, considering he doesn’t have much to say about his experience in public service.
Sources:
http://www.angkapatiranparty.com/Candidates%20Profiles/jc.html
http://ph.politicalarena.com/john-carlos-de-los-reyes/news/kapatiran-s-jc-de-los-reyes-files-coc-for-presidency-2
http://www.eleksyon.co.cc/jc-de-los-reyes-profile/
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philippineselections.com%2Fpresidentiables-2010%2Fwill-you-vote-for-john-carlos-jc-de-los-reyes-for-president.php&h=d6eb2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carlos_de_los_Reyes
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/24/09/gordon-president-its-not-dick
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Joseph Marcelo “Erap” Ejercito-Estrada
Who is he: Born Joseph Marcelo Ejercito, this man popularly known as “Erap” entered public consciousness as an actor, taking on the screen name Erap Estrada. He starred in more than a hundred movies portraying a champion of the poor. In 1967, he tried but failed in his bid for mayor in the
Notable credentials: As
Presidential Platform: Estrada’s platform is essentially grounded on pro-poor programs, as well as peace and order, two main thrusts that he has been known to do well, and now, he also stresses the need for transparency and accountability. For a more detailed view of his platforms, click here. He addresses the economy’s revival, eliminating insurgent movements, alleviating hunger and poverty through budget prioritization and strengthening the agricultural industry, ending graft and corruption through transparency and accountability, balancing the budget and gaining investor confidence through peace and order and good governance, education, generation of jobs and prevention of workers‘ exodus, infrastructure, the power crisis, and strengthening foreign relations.
Campaign Thrust: A truly pro-poor government.
Why you should vote for him: He has a proven track record in governance, and his programs directed at the poor continue to appeal to the masses. This appeal is not simply blind admiration for the former actor, but rather an appeal brought about by actual benefits they reap from the programs by Erap. His determination that he has learned his lesson could also be a plus factor for him, considering he had a relatively good performance as president, save for controversies regarding friends, gambling, and drinking, among other things.
Why you shouldn’t vote for him: In his inaugural speech as president, he said “walang kai-kaibigan, walang kama-kamag-anak” (“no friends, no family”) in terms of giving favors. That was quickly busted, as he gave friends favors upon assuming presidency, which also eventually contributed to his downfall. He carries that burden of being the first president to be ousted from power. He doesn’t hold exceptional educational degrees, as he chose to drop out of school in his early days to pursue his acting career.
Sources:
http://www.eleksyon.co.cc/joseph-estrada/
http://www.biography.com/articles/Joseph-Estrada-39942
http://erap.ph/409/about-erap/
http://erap.ph/409/organizations/erap-para-sa-mahirap/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEQkxXTVsrw&feature=youtube_gdata
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Richard “Dick” Gordon
Who is he: Fondly known as “Dick”, Gordon comes from a well known political family in Olongapo. He earned his Bechelor of Arts, Major in History and Government in Ateneo de Manila University, and completed his studies for Barchelor of Laws in the University of the
Notable Credentials: Youngest member of the 1971 Constitutional Assembly. Instrumental in developing
Presidential Platform: Gordon’s platform revolves around his vision of a “new”
Campaign Thrust: To “transform the minds and hearts of Filipinos to build character and community for a better
Why you should vote for him: His experience in the local government speaks for itself. What Gordon started with the Subic Bay Freeport continues to be a model for peace and order, while his Wow!
Why you shouldn’t vote for him: Despite a proven track record on action, Gordon faces tough criticism as an “all-talk” guy, most notably as head of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, as the controversies that allegedly involved the president did not seem to gain closure. The Gordons are also a known political dynasty in the City of
Sources:
http://www.dickgordon2010.com/about.php
http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/gordon_bio.asp
http://www.eleksyon.co.cc/richard-dick-gordons-platform/
http://www.iamburaot.com/2010/03/non-conforming-with-dick-gordon/
http://www.juancountry.com/senator-dick-gordon-under-fire-on-facebook/
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