Remember a few months ago, I blogged about who I'm voting for? Well, there were some of them whom I thought I was sure of -- particularly Liza Maza and Satur Ocampo. However, after they've finally decided to be guest candidates under Money Manny Villarroyo's party, I've decided to drop them. Also, I couldn't believe that someone who used to hate Marcos with a passion would run under the same banner as his son. Oh well. That's politics for you.
The good thing about my posting that blog, however, was that some candidates actually made an effort to approach me so that I could get to know them better. Alex Lacson (whom I am most sure of voting!), Ruffy Biazon, and to some extent, TG Guingona, made their plans known to me. I felt that my own vote counts and considering that they couldn't really reach every single Filipino, I was siquite fortunate to have had that opportunity to ask them personally about certain aspects of their programs current engagements. I've also done my research on Sonia Roco, Martin Bautista and Yasmin Busran-Lao. I'm voting for them :) Sonia Roco on the grounds of women empowerment, Martin Bautista because he has the best program for health (considering, of course that he's a doctor), and Yasmin Busran-Lao because I believe that in order to achieve true peace in Mindanao, they need a representative in the legislative process. :)
I'm not voting for Danny Lim, though. So it's not exactly SLAMAT LORRRD. And yes, I'm under voting for senate and councilors.
So here's my almost final list.
President: Noynoy Aquino
Vice President: Mar Roxas
Senators
Sonia Roco
Neric Acosta
Martin Bautista
Alex Lacson
TG Guingona
Yasmin Busran-Lao
Serge Osmena (guest candidate)
Ruffy Biazon
Ralph Recto
Risa Hontiveros
Frank Drilon
Mayor: Herbert Bautista
Vice Mayor: Joy Belmonte
Congresswoman: Vivienne Tan
Councilor
Sep Juico
Party list: None!
And yes, Sep is the only candidate I'm considering so far. The others seem a little too trapo for me. At least I'm confident in these choices.
This is the last time I'll explain my vote. I may not argue up front, but here are my arguments on why I've decided.
I've always thought that my chosen candidate, Noynoy Aquino, could run a campaign like Obama's. Obama had comparatively less experience than John McCain, yet the Americans have decided not to be subjected under a less than competent government. I thought that Noy could run a campaign built on hope that the country will rise after a 12-year spell under a government that has lost all sense of integrity. One that people can put their full trust on.
However, with the current political landscape, trapo politics still reigns. Instead of having just a few gunning for the presidency, everyone who thinks that they can could run -- even if they had been corrupt (or been loyal to someone who has been proven to be corrupt), ousted from the presidency, or just merely wanted to do so (even if they barely had a chance on winning the elections). Good governance has been ill-defined in the sense that it is considered to be "good" if the people could reap some benefits from it.
But the truth is, it's not just about the benefits.
Good governance means doing what has been entrusted to you by the populace while retaining your integrity despite the temptations being presented to you. It means delivering the services that is due the people without compromising the quality. It is about inspiring others to do good because you believe that goodness is innate. It's about using the power bestowed upon you to affect change.
I believe that my president has that ability to run the government with integrity. I believe that he can deliver. I believe that he can inspire because he's a good man. But there are just people who wouldn't give him a chance simply because he hasn't much credentials to show.
Fine, he may not have as much money to spend on advertisements, he may not have gone to Harvard for Law, he may not be a crowd-pleaser: but he's a good man with pure intentions. And if you're a good man, people can see that you only want what's best for your country even if you have just enough to get by. He ran because people wanted him to do so. I simply wanted him to run because I knew that he would put governing with integrity and principles, improving education, eradicating hunger and poverty at the core of his campaign. I know his record, and believe me, I like what I've seen. Above all, I support him because I know that he will anchor his poverty alleviation plan on Gawad Kalinga. One that has proven to be the most effective way of eradicating poverty in the country by EMPOWERING PEOPLE by showing love and care to the least of the poor. It is faith in action.
What good is being a topnotcher in the bar or being a successful businessman if you tolerate corruption in governance? What good is having a platform with too much statistics and flowery words if at the end of the day, you're the reason why our country is still in a rot? What good is having too much ads being aired on television if you have tainted your name so much by stealing what is due to the people? Silang tunay na mahirap, silang mga may galing at talino, silang may disiplina, silang babalik na, silang mga relihiyoso, silang magaling magsalita , SILA NA ANG LAHAT. PERO HINDI SILA ANG SOLUSYON. Maaaring alam kuno nila ang pagiging tunay na mahirap pero sila rin naman ang dahilan kung bakit may mahirap. Maaaring sila ang may galing at talino, pero kung "trickle down effect" sa ekonomiya ang aasahan natin para umunlad ang bayan, hindi mo ineempower yung mahirap na ibangon ang sarili nila sa kahirapan, walang kwenta rin ang paghihirap at resources na ginamit mo. Maaaring babalik na sila, pero kung babalik lang sila at babalik lang tayo sa dating gawi at ipagpapatuloy lang natin ang naudlot, THANK YOU BUT WE DON'T NEED YOU. Silang relihiyoso, may pananampalataya sila, oo. Pero kung wala naman ang katawan na kumukumpleto sa espiritu, kung wala ang kilos at puro pananampalataya, wala ring mangyayari. Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa. Silang lahat magaling magsalita. Aba, kaya nga nila iemphasize yung mga magagandang words (yung iba pa nga di nila yata alam ang ibig sabihin), pero hindi ba yung mga taong magagaling na magsalita, sila din yung naging sanhi ng mga pangyayari tulad ng Martial Law at World War 2? We can be very intellectual about our votes. For me, it's not just about being smart. It's also about being good. Pagiging MABUTI. Pagiging TAPAT. Pagiging tunay na Pilipino. Pagkilala sa biyaya ng pagiging Pilipino at pag-alaga sa biyayang ito.
You may always argue with me with my choice. I'd respect that; but this is my choice and I will see to it that I will be accountable for this choice. If you'd vote for the others, I wouldn't have anything against you. What matters is that after the elections, we reunite and rebuild a better country.
Oh well. I may have not been blogging here, but I've been blogging elsewhere.
Anyway, my computer is busted so I do not know how regularly I can maintain this. In the few times that I could surf the net, I found a list of the candidates I will support/vote for in 2010. I am basing it on my own principles, party affiliation, priority issue, character, integrity, track record, platform and all other qualifications that I deem worthy of the position. Those with asterisk may still be changed, otherwise, I am almost 100% sure of everyone else :)
Btw, if you know where I could get the list of councilors running in the 1st district of Quezon City, please let me know. Thanks :D
President: Noynoy Aquino
Vice President: Mar Roxas
Senators:
Neric Acosta
Serge Osmena III
Alex Lacson
Risa Hontiveros
Ralph Recto
TG Guingona *
Sonia Roco *
Ruffy Biazon *
Satur Ocampo
Franklin Drilon
Liza Maza
(none yet, although I wish Jessie Robredo had vied for a position. Oh well.)
When I was a bit younger, I took pride in being a third-generation Chinese immigrant by virtue of my mother. I also loved the idea that my father is of mixed descent. Somehow, I did not pay attention to the fact that I was born and raised as a Filipino. I could not care less about the things going on. I did not realize that somehow, I owe my sense of being to this hallowed land in which God has chosen to place me. I did not think that being a Filipino was a blessing and that no matter what I do, my birth certificate will always say that I am a Filipino.
It was later on in life that I wondered whatever possessed me to think that having a mixed background would be an advantage. It's not as if I'm gonna be able to go to China for free or have unlimited plates of Tapas in Spain. Being a Filipino is an imprint that we could never remove without a scar like a tattoo or draining all your blood and finding someone of the same blood type who is French or Spanish. No matter how much we rely on cosmetic surgery, we could never deny that we were born Filipino.
Much of my pride in being a Filipino lies in the fact that I know my history (maybe not as well as before) and that there are a lot of things that I could be truly proud of. My favorite moment in Philippine history would be the People Power Revolution. I love the fact that it was such a peaceful, bloodless revolution. I love the fact that it has inspired several movements around the world. I love the fact that the Philippines will never be the same since that momentous event in history. I love the fact that whatever the legacy of Edsa was is still engraved in the hearts of every Filipino. But at a certain point, I started doubting the importance of such an event.
Before Cory Aquino died in August, Edsa seemed like a thing of the past -- that people have spat on the sacrifices made by those who lined up. Or maybe those who lined up along Edsa grew tired of the same old politics which caused the revolution in the first place. I am no political expert and I will never claim to be one despite taking my masters in a program of the political science department, but I found that somehow the popularity of Edsa waned maybe because people thought that no matter how many times they rallied against the forces of evil in the government, it doesn't change the fact that corruption exists in the system. They are tired of waiting for the messianic figure who makes promises and breaks them eventually. But just as we thought that hoping for the reversal of our fate started to dwindle, the loss of the symbol of democracy has reawaken the dormant spirit of Edsa in our hearts. We started to believe again. Now that our 'people power saint' has gone to meet her creator, we knew that we could only affect change if we worked together.
As a result, scripts made by playwrights have been torn and history books are being rewritten. We have summoned the scion of the heroes of our democracy to lead us, and in what seems to be an unprecedented feat in the recent history of Philippine politics, a long-time presidentiable gave up his chances at the presidency (or at least delayed it for another six years). I thought, maybe for the first time since 1986, we will have a president by the people, and not just anyone who had his or her eyes on the position for a very long time only to advance his or her own political agenda. Noynoy Aquino may have never thought that after his mother's death, he would be called upon to lead our land. As I see it, the country needs an inspirational leader over an experienced one. Why?
Let me paint you a picture.
Estrada and Arroyo have dashed the hopes of so many people. In my perspective, it caused a weak sense of national identity. We do not want to be identified as Filipinos simply because those who are in Malacanang broker only their personal interests. Policies are being pushed not only because they're needed but also because it will make them more potent, and in effect, will have positive reviews. They are not selfless at all. Just look at how Malacanang intervenes or reacts to any election-related news. For me, they should not even reserve the right to 1) challenge the opposition because they are not in the running for the presidency anymore and 2) bash the competition because they themselves only have a few (if there are still any) good points left. And besides, with all the wealth they've gathered for themselves vis-a-vis the growing incidence of poverty hounding the country, who wouldn't have such low morale?
That's why my vote is for Noynoy (as president) and Mar (as vice). I do not believe that we need leaders who have such a long list of credentials. I do not want to elect leaders who are only going to steal from the people. Our country needs a morale booster -- an honest leader who can push for policies without having to be recognized too much. We need a humble leader who could reach out to the masses and be the broker of their interest. We need a selfless leader who could fight for our democracy and will not change a constitution that is actually working. Above all, we need a leader who believes in God and will apply his faith in all the things that he will do for this country, just as the La Sallian prayer goes, "I will continue, o my God, to do all my actions for the love of You."
I wouldn't even care about volunteering. I've already started. And yeah, it was fun. Here are the pics from the etonAPOtalaga PiNoy Power concert last Monday, September 21, 2009. :)
yellow ribbons :D
Gomez sisters Kat and Clar. :)
Jenn Lazo was present too. (she's Noynoy's political communications assistant)
Met Bam Aquino too. Starstruck moment, believe me. :)
Aquino grandchildren, Jonty and Jiggy :)
New found friends: Liya, Margaux, Georg and Aaron :)
and to wrap up the night of celebrating freedom and love for the country:
and yes, the song's still stuck on my head up to this day, but in a good way. It's a simple reminder that we should not let anyone seize the freedom that we have achieved and are continuing to achieve as a nation and also to love our country because it is a blessing in itself from God that we could proudly call ourselves Filipinos. Let us dream for our country. Let us dream for a brighter future and put a stake on it. :)
21. Female. Politically inclined. Progressive. Catholic. YFC Central C. SFC West B-1 Fire. Gawad Kalinga. Theresian. La Sallian. Pink. Hello Kitty. Winnie the Pooh. Spice Girls. Jonas Brothers. Friends. The Nanny. Bedtime: 1AM. Tweep. Facebooker. Plurker. Chocolates. Tiger Biscuits. Pepsi Max. Real Leaf Lychee. 3rd generation Chinese. Laptop: Ryne Philippe. Undergrad - International Studies. Grad School - Development Policy. Bored. Blogger. Pokemon. Hmmm. Hahaha. Social Studies, I love. Bakit = fave shirt. Chick Flicks. Late nights. Zero Alcohol. Sober. No smoke. Hehe. :)
An Important Note.
Our salvation is secure because God's wordis sure. :)
Why oh why?
I really do not know why I had to create another blog. I guess I'm just bored. Anyway, feel free to comment but please be polite. :)
Disclaimer
Everything written on this blog is my own take on things that are happening and do not reflect the ideas or opinions of the organizations/institutions I represent. Should you have any concerns, questions, and comments regarding my blog, feel free to comment but please be nice and polite. Thank you and God bless :)
