Elections are a good deal like marriages, there’s no accounting for anyone’s taste. Every time we see a bridegroom we wonder why she ever picked him, and it’s the same with Public Officials. Will Rogers
Politics again! I know, I know…I veered way too much from my usual programming mode in this blog. It’s just that the current political situation in our country merits my attention. Don’t you think that the future of our children lies in the politicians that rule our country? I am not much of an opinion maker when it comes to politics and the only way to be informed is to actually be there and feel the pulse of these politicians. I missed the ANC Forum held last May 11 at the Ateneo de Manila Campus and I made sure I didn’t miss the second leg today held at the UP School of Economics. Sen. Francis Escudero, Sen. Richard Gordon, Sen Manuel Roxas II, Gov. Ed Panlilio and Sec. Gilberto Teodoro each took the hot seat in the first forum where they responded to a barrage of questions on their stands, issues and competence as public servants.
I felt like I was in the hot seat myself as the auditorium’s airconditioning system malfunctioned and broke me to sweat as I covered this event. Half of the audience were UP students which should be the case because the youth are the biggest voting populace. Through these forums, they get to see these potential candidates and what they stand for. I expected Senator Panfilo Lacson to be in this event’s high-profile lineup but just two hours before the show, he declined to appear since he had no presidential ambitions. Instead, the lineup included Senator Loren Legarda, Mayor Jejomar Binay, MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando and Former President Joseph Estrada.
I won’t discuss the details of the forum as there are a lot of replays lined up. Replay will be on Saturday at Studio 23 at 6PM then on Sunday (June 7) at 10:15 PM on ABS-CBN Sunday’s Best.. Instead, I will rate them based on their confidence, relevance and ability to answer the Q & A portion. (Take note that I am not rating them as the best presidentiable or not.) Of course, the lead for pure entertainment value belongs to Superstar Erap and the most dismal performance goes to Bayani Fernando but that is going ahead of my ratings.
Senator Loren Legarda wins in tonight’s forum followed by Mayor Binay, Former President Erap then finally MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando.
Senator Legarda spoke eloquently without beating around the bush, gave clear programs on sustainable economic development, protection of the environment and cultural pride. She laid down her ideas on Agriculture, Education, Health services.
Her motto “Tao muna bago Tayo” speaks of unrelenting passion that she wants to promote in a leader. I am with her when she says that we shouldn’t just settle with “pwede na”. I am just so sick of mediocrity. On Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) which is close to my heart, I am glad she is for informed choices. “We must also do everything we can to bring down maternal mortality”. Supporting the RH Bill is a big plus factor for me.
What struck me with Mayor Binay is his constant repetition or bragging of “sa amin sa makati” which became annoying towards the end. I lived in Makati from 1998 till 2007 and witnessed the progress of the city. Of course, it helps that we get taxed heavily in our real estate properties. But Makati’s success is Mayor Binay’s pride. What he can do to Makati, he can do for the country.
Can he actually get that done on a national level?
His vision remains to be seen when the bigger problems of the country needs to be solved and financial challenges are met.
Erap and Bayani failed miserably to persuade me. Erap parries difficult questions by using “kidding aside”.
I like his forgiving nature though. (Have we forgiven him too? Not me until he returns the illegal wealth.). He adds that ” I have forgiven the Arroyo family. “The weak cannot forgive, but forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” And he yells to the audience “okay ba?”. I found him funny most of the time and for that, he is first in my books for entertainment value. Erap’s laid-back approach kept everyone entertained in an otherwise boring leadership forum tainted of cliches. Now, I wonder if Erap is even qualified to run as Presidential candidate.
Bayani was all over the place. Can’t he differentiate between “I am above the law” and “I abide by the law”? I feel sad for him because he did a lot of Marikina during his term which is now carried over by his wife. I live in the boundaries of Pasig City and Marikina City and I just love how clean and organized the city is. He is just like Binay in many ways. He proudly says that what he can do to Marikina, he can do to the rest of the country.
He was a disappointment when he expressed his stand on the Reproductive Health Bill. While the rest agreed on informed or freedom of choice, Bayani Fernando implied that he does not support the RH Bill as he states “I follow the precepts of my church and I am not for modern contraception. I’m for natural ways” This brought slight jeers from the audience. His stand on the RH Bill made me rate him the lowest. His skill matching, ‘make local, buy local’ and export gave him plus points and advised that we “use the money for business not for consumption”.
After hearing tonight’s forum, I feel that Bayani Fernando and Erap just do not cut it out to be in the top 4 Presidentiables. Maybe as Vice-Presidentiables… until they can come up with a clear-cut program. Though I find Senator Legarda the most eloquent of the lot, her actions need to be shown that she is the more capable leader among the Presidentiables. Walk the talk, as they say.
If you haven’t watched the show, catch the replay on Studio 23 on June 6 at 6 p.m. and on ABS-CBN’s ““Sunday Best” on June 7 at 10:15 p.m. Let me know what you think.
Related Blogs
Bayani Fernando: ““I obey my Church’s teachings.” by Dean Jorge Bocobo
Erap, Loren, Jojo, And BF Minus Ping At ANC Leadership Forum by Ding Gagelonia
The second ANC Leadership Forum is a partnership between ANC and the UPSE and part of ABS-CBN’s ““Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula” campaign, which aims to empower Filipinos, particularly the youth, to make a difference in the national elections next year.
This was aired live on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel (SkyCable Channel 27) and will air again on Studio 23 on June 6 at 6 p.m. and on ABS-CBN’s ““Sunday Best” on June 7 at 10:15 p.m.
Disclosure on Political Affiliations:
I was invited by Kane Errol Choa, Corporate Communications of ABS CBN to attend the second leg of the “Countdown to 2010: An ANC Leadership Forum”. I am not affiliated with Senator Loren Legarda, Former President Joseph Estrada, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando. I used to be a student activist in my UP Diliman days. My political views range from conservative to liberal. I don’t have plans to run for public office. Meeting with politicians and writing about their programs is part of my current plans for this blog till 2010. If I choose to reveal my personal choices, I will write about it just a few weeks before Elections 2010.
Mayor Binay was great in that forum. Mahusay talaga sumagot ng mga tanong. Batay sa karanasan bilang leader. he can translate local governance into national scope. He got great reception from the audience. Palakpakan lagi nang malakas.
well he performed better for me next to Loren.
Bayani Fernando has never been known to be a smooth talker like any regular politician. He’s probably one of the few who has gained respect from the people not for grand promises and flowery words of hope but for the actions that lead to the betterment of community (Marikina), a problematic situation (traffic) and ultimately the lives of the people (squatters and vendors).
Indeed Fernando has a lot in common with Mayor Binay. What scares me thought about Mayor Binay is his way with words. He’s far too much a politcian to be given complete trust by public especially when he is known to be corrupt (exemplified when asked about properties he owns).
It’s sad that not a lot of people could see this. Most are still taken by speeches, advertisements and promises that has already been promised and was never delivered by the very people running for presidency. I can only hope and pray that people will yearn to be more informed and decide based on track record, competence and political will.
Loren being a communications graduate has the advantage of being eloquent compared to the others.
Like you, I pray that our people become more discerning and arm themselves with information.
I truly believe that out of the 4 guests, only Binay and Fernando have the credibility to become presidents of the country.
Let’s take out Estrada. No matter how much we hate GMA, Estrada should not be allowed to return to office. As evident last night, he can still go back to so show business.
Loren is just like Chiz Escudero— very articulate politicians. I will not vote for a candidate because he/she is a good speaker.
Binay has his own track record to back up his claims. Agree that his “sa Makati” antics became annoying in the end. Brushing this aside however we can see that he is a man of action as well just like Fernando.
Finally, Bayani Fernando was obviously the least smooth talker of them all. He answered questions straight to the point. He is an engineer not an actor (ERAP), broadcaster (LOREN), lawyer (BINAY). The others are good at flower-powered public speaking because of the careers they had in the past. BF answers questions as short as possible— boring, but yes, straight & clear. However, this might not do good for voters who want to be inspired — a sad reality in Philippine politics.
In the end I believe the next president should come from the executive branch of the government. We need men of action. Binay and Fernando fit my requirement. They may not be the best of friends but together they will do good for the country.
Bayani needs to brush his communications skill. Mixing up two opposite sentences? Most importantly, I won’t vote for anyone who does not support the Reproduction Health Bill , hence Bayani got the lowest rating for in that forum.
If I were to base on who is the most likely presidentiable last night based on track record, then that goes to Binay. I am just not too comfortable with his corruption image.
The corruption case of Binay is just a full blown attempt of his rivals in makati like former vice-mayor brilliantes. The case had already gone to Court of Appeals and Sandiganbayn. But both bodies found Binay innocent. Binay has gone through due process to clear his name amidst corruption cases filed against him. Still, i like the idea of bringing development closer to the people. Empowering the local governments so that the country would attain real sustainable development. With this development framework, we need a president that has experience in local government as chief executive officer. Nasa LGUs ang pag-asa ng bansa.
It is a pity that Filipinos, even educated one, based their presidential preference on the way the presidentiable talks and not on what they have done.
If you read the Inquirer article of Winnie Monsod, she said exactly that. We deserve the government that we got because of this tendecy: to be mesmerized by glib talkers.
Let me share you a comment which was banned in Philstsra as being impolite, but i know that this will shock readers:
“Bayani is the “champion of public good”. Binigyan nya ng tubig ang mga residente ng Vitas Tondo. Pinausog nya ang mga vendors sa pink line para may madaanan ang mga bata at masa at thesame time para pwede pa ring magtinda sila. Binigyan nya ng murang lodging houses ang mga promdi sa may port area. inayos nya amg mga squatters sa Recto.Binigyan nya ng ihian ang mga jeepney drivers.Inayos nya daloy ng traffic sa katipunan. at marami pang iba.
Si chiz..salita lang ng salita.
Result: mas mataas sa survey si Chiz.
This country is dominated by the talkers…puro drawing..walang gawa.
Kasali ka ba dun? “
It’s a pity you didn’t read my whole entry that I based my rating on their performance in the forum and not who is the best presidentiable.
Also, I rated Bayani the lowest because he seemed not to support the RH Bill.
Even those who were not glib talkers like Bayani or Erap are riddled with corruption.
So what do you suggest?
Hi I watched the show last night, Yes Loren was the best speaker, but I am hesitant to comment because leadership, though a person is well educated or not will depend if they are already in that position and influences. He or she maybe good before the election, pero pag nanalo na iba na, like Pres. Gloria Arroyo. I know she was a good leader in DWSD and as Vice-President, we invite her sa mga Rotary meetings kay she was a good leader to watch, pero when she become President, nadismaya na kami! so mahirap talaga pumili ng Presidente. My choice if ever Chiz Escudero give a chance sa pinakabata na may prinsipyo daw, Mar Roxas naman parang over acting mala show-biz ang ginawa and many here in Cebu don’t like Korina Sanches! Even if we say kailangan God fearing ang isang tao, pag kaharap na ang millions, nagiging corrupt na? Well marami pa naman siguro ang mangyayari till next year, so please keep in touch thank you!
It is a daunting task but in the end, we just need to choose the best among those presented or else, the least likable gets to win
More power to the people, in case whoever wins.
I think a good portion of Pres. Arroyo’s corruption issues is brought about by his husband. I guess it would be wise for the people to also consider “would be” first lady / gentleman and family background when choosing who to vote. Korina Sanchez is certainly not someone I would want to be first lady… same goes for Noli’s wife who I heard is also inclined to being corrupt. Im not so sure about Chiz’ wife though. Indeed, there’s still a lot of research to be done to get to know the other personalities involved.
I guess the bottom line is, we must get to know the candidates really well and help other people make informed decisions. Going beyond the tri-media is vital as we already know that there are those who are gifted with the ability to communicate well (sadly it ends just there) and there are those have the gift to lead.
We owe this to the younger generation… to provide them a better country to live in.
the same thing also happened to Marcos But we never know . Maybe they didn’t want to get involved with corruption but it was okay for these presdents if their spouse did it.
You are right we need to gather more information on the first partner of these presidentiables. We owe it to our country.
BINAY is the most qualified from among the presidentiables during the last night’s ANC Leadership Forum. I was there also at the UP School of Economics. I like the way he presented himself. Sinabi pa niya ang sitwasyong isang bayan sa Lanao at Cagayan. Concrete examples in answering questions made BINAY almost the winner, if that would have been a debate.
like I said based on track record, Binay seems more qualified. I will just need to know more of his programs for the country. He also needs to be more charismatic, and improve his speaking skills.
i heard that he charged pencils for schools in makati around P200 each when the real cost is only P5. I hope this isn’t true if a lot are thinking of voting for him.
I’d still go for Binay or Fernando. Fernando also has been cleared of any wrong doing in MMDA/Marikina. No corruption case has been filed against him. All are pure hearsay, smear campaign.
Case in point— the alleged mismanagement of MMFF funds that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada accused him of doing. The MMFF executives themselves cleared Fernando of the issue during the Senate hearing. Even Boots Anson Roa of the Mowelfund praised him for his performance and denied any funds mismanagement by Fernando.
i’d choose BInay over Fernando between the two
Slim pickings next year, really slim. Maybe I’ll run for Congress.
why not Brian? In fact, we should have a blogger delegate. (someone from mainstream blogging)
Good seeing you at the event, Noemi! I agree with Weno above. Jojo Binay was running on his record, which he expressed well and used as a concrete example of personal accomplishment, at least in Makati, of how it might be done nationally.
djbs last blog post..Bayani Fernando: “I obey my Church’s teachings.â€Â
If I would base my judgment on presidentiables on that forum, You may be right about Binay. He can be a presidentiable.
Erap should not run in the next election. If he win, then he could easily be removed from post by GMA’s men by using various legal acrobatics. What he should do is to work in unifying the splintered opposition.
Ishmaels last blog post..A Piece of Quezon (Part II)
I’ll definitely go for Fernando. He’s what this country needs. We really need someone with strong political will.
I fully agree with insights shared by Mrs. Monsod in her Inquirer article. Please check the link below:
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090606-209068/Fernandos-out-of-sight-aces
Only those with gifted with true wisdom and not just glib can choose the right candidate I think.
I’ll still go for BF. He’s the silent majority and thinking man’s real choice. I believe he has answered most of the tough questions fairly and wisely.
To be honest, I am already cynical when it comes to issues/affairs like this. Talk is so cheap – what Juan de la Cruz needs is genuine action and not a slew of empty promises and motherhood statements.
Pingback: Old and New Media will Join Hands in Covering the Elections in 2010 | A Filipina Mom Blogger
More work, less talk is better. Bayani has that quality.