The latest SWS and Pulse Asia surveys show Vice President Binay leading the pack of presidential wannabes. This has led to many doubting the credibility of such surveys as the vice president is embroiled in controversies and has been accused of graft and corruption.
One probable reason Binay is topping the survey could be the way he is conducting his campaign—apparently, it is all done under the radar. He touches base with the electorate especially the masses, which if courted successfully, could send him up Pasig river.
But what about Mar Roxas’ campaign? Well, Roxas is also a hard worker; earnest enough and clean as clean can be.
Still, Mar Roxas does not seem to have found the formula to capture the ordinary Filipino’s fancy. He just can’t seem to connect with the people.
A political adviser told Mar to be realistic and portray himself as himself, a scion of a landed and wealthy clan. Project the image of a beneficent gentleman who can help the less fortunate because there is not going to be any graft and corruption in his administration.
Then we have Grace Poe who is involved in a citizenship imbroglio. If she wishes to show her sincerity, she should explain to the Filipino people why she abandoned her Filipino citizenship and swore allegiance to America. If she could let go of her Filipino citizenship so easily, is it unreasonable to question her re-acquiring the same just because she has a shot at the highest seat in the land?
Duterte appeals to some people because in his platform of federalism they see their hopes of equitable sharing of the country’s resources. But let us look into who Digong Duterte really is. Is it true Davao City is crime and drug-free?
What is the relationship of Duterte to the communist party or its front in Davao City? What about his human rights record when he was mayor of Davao City?
Duterte’s brand of leadership and administration may appeal to a certain cross-section of society where criminals were summarily executed by his rumored death squad. But do the means really justify the end? Is this the kind of president we want who circumvents our laws?
Miriam Santiago is a good candidate but she may not have the necessary logistics to carry out a nationwide campaign.
She has not caught the imagination of the people in her candidacy.
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In the vice-presidential race, it seems that it is a close battle between Chiz Escudero and Bong Bong Marcos with Chiz Escudero enjoying a slim margin over Marcos.
But just who is Chiz Escudero and why is his candidacy clicking with the people?
Bongbong Marcos has the solid north, Leyte and Samar behind him. Though he may not be as brilliant and a visionary like his father the late Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. Bongbong Marcos is a hard worker but very quiet in his campaign and is slowly showing up in the surveys. The only challenge he has to face is when he is questioned about his father’s supposed legacy. But this issue can be overcome.
Allan Peter Cayetano is perceived to be just riding on Mayor Digong Duterte’s coattails and seems to not have his own persona and identity. He showed grit in the Senate investigation on the alleged graft and corruption cases against the vice president. Same with Senator Trillanes.
Leni Robredo is popular with the youth but her tandem with Mar Roxas is seen to bring her candidacy more harm than good. People are saying that she shows great promise in politics but she made the mistake of allowing herself to be used by the Liberal Party and Mar Roxas.
Gringo Honasan achieved some measure of fame because he led the revolution against Marcos but became unpopular because he led a coup attempt against Cory Aquino.
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We still have a few months before the election so I ask our people to study and comprehend the platforms of government of all the candidates. It is important that we choose our government officials on the basis of their track record in governance, their attitude to local governance and their fairness to all the sectors of our society. Our country needs an honest president. Above all, we need a president who is not vindictive, one who can unite our country and lead us all to prosperity and peace.
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