The Lesser Evil

Vote wisely. We deserve the kind of leader we elect. This saying is true regardless of how that person won. The masses control our fates. Please don't let the mindless sheep and the hungry wolves dictate you future. Take control and vote!

Noynoy Aquino. The favorite. When people look at this guy, they seem to think Ninoy and Cory. Really, what has he done so far? When I look at him, all I see is Kris. Popularity can only get you so far. I can trust what Noynoy stand for. I can trust that his goals are for the country's interest. I do not trust the people around him. He's a newbie and he will definitely seek guidance from someone. Someone I don't trust. Even an intelligent man can be conned by a simple taxi driver if he doesn't know the roads to his destination.

JC Delos Reyes. The boy. When I look at him, all I see is a jumpy freshman about to present his thesis in front of the Dean with nothing more than theories. Too many ambitions and not enough on the job experience to really know anything. It's as if asking a virgin to describe sex. Totally useless. He knows he's NOT going to win this election and yet he signed up for it. Maybe he's not so smart after all. Maybe he's just there to split the votes. Maybe it's all for show.

Joseph Estrada. The Charismatic Cheater. I must admit that he possesses a certain amount of swagger and charm in everything he does. I'm comfortable in the fact that he really can't do anything illegal that wouldn't look too obvious. His campaign to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf was nearly perfect. He's a womanizer and there's a touch of comedy in his answers that show his lack of verbal acuity. In short, he's the man's man. A president? I have no idea.

Richard Gordon. Firm Hands. When you listen to Gordon, you can't help but be impressed by how well he answers and make his opponents look bad at the same time. You can tell by his voice that he is a no nonsense kind of guy. A tough love kind of leader. When you look at Subic, you can't help but imagine if he could do the same for the entire nation (this I could say the same for Binay). Do I dare give him the chance to make it a reality? When given the choice to remain as a public servant or a business man, he chose the latter. I will forever question his motives.

Jamby Madrigal. The Showy One. I can't count how many times she has advertised her good work when the opportunity presents itself. For some reason, I feel like she's playing a role in a really bad episode of the West Wing. Her tactic revolves around the "I think I've proven myself" by doing this and that. Her verbal battles in the senate are not forgotten as well. Intellectually, she makes sound (but mostly self serving) arguments. I have my doubts on her. Maybe we should hit her with the water cannon one more time. I did enjoy seeing that.

Nicanor Perlas. The Socially active. If you look at Nicanor's track record, he has made notable contributions in social development and business related management with a twist of spiritual and moral flavors to it. He's kind of like the jock-geek-rebel zen master. Mostly, I remember his name for the Bataan Nuclear power plant thing. He preaches globalization but stopped nuclear power. I must admit that it brought us good in the long run. Still, I ask myself why he's running in the first place. He knows he's never going to win. That makes me suspicious.

Gilbert Teodoro. The Palace Dog. Beneath the calm and collected facade lies a heavy burden. I believe that the palace has positioned him very well to be one of the favorites despite his allegiances. If he and GMA wins, I have strong feeling that amending the constitution and electing a prime minister (guess who) is not far behind. It's too convenient that he appeared as the government's white knight during the Ondoy tragedy. I do NOT like him.

Eddie Villanueva. The Preacher. He preaches to the wrong crowd. The voice of the people is the voice of God. You didn't win the last elections. God didn't vote for you. Get a clue.

Manny Villar. The Rags to Riches guy. Poverty molds a person very differently from any other human condition. It drives you to a corner and makes you the most vicious animal who's bent on self preservation. It is a cut throat world out there and even more so in politics. If I try to imagine how he got to the top, I shiver with fear. When I look at the housing project he owns, I doubt his capability to run things smoothly. When I see the investment he puts in on those prime time TV commercials, I have reservations on his intentions. I keep asking myself, "why would I invest millions for a job that pay only in thousands?" The answers I keep coming up with makes a whole lot more sense than "public service".

And so we'll have our fill of promises and our ears will be serenaded by sweet possibilites. Once again, my fears turn to the uneducated masses. Every candidate will surely exploit their desperation. Reminds me of Esau. Trade my inheritance for a bowl of stew. God, help us.