a record of thoughts

The other night I was watching Nuts Entertainment on GMA PinoyTV and Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero was the guest in the Balakubak segment. One question was whether he’d consider running in the presidential election in 2010. As usual, Chiz gave an intelligent answer whereas he said that he’s only thirty-nine years old so he won’t comment on such, but he hinted that he would be forty by the election day. Unlike the United States which requires a 35-year-old limit, the Philippines requires that its President is at least forty. Escudero has been considered to be one of the candidates in 2010, and so thoughts amassed.

So far, the hopefuls that I’m aware of are Mar Roxas, Manny Villar, Noli De Castro, Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, and Bayani Fernando. To follow are my two cents:

Bayani Fernando would be insignificant in this race. Though he is famous around the National Capital Region for his MMDA, the provinces are not aware of his accomplishments. Addition to that, he has divided support within the region. I strongly believe that the progress he dreams of for the nation is purely cosmetic. I won’t be surprised if he’s in the office and make the country foolish by nominating it for the Olympics… Sorry I couldn’t resist humor.

Francis Escudero entered his first term in the executive position a year ago. Intellegent, young, ambitious and with great vision. If elected, my expectation on his policies would be too high. He’s one of the better nationalists in the country. However, I would question his experience. Are his accomplishments enough to say that he has experience in the executive level? My bet is that his greater chances is at age forty-seven. He’s one of the better politicians in the national level in the country I must say.

Loren Legarda is probably one of the most greedy politician I could think of. Should we say power monger? She failed to win as the vice president, so she’s expected to take a stab at the presidency and become the third madam president. Cory and Gloria I think are enough to screw the nation. Is that sexist to you? It’s a fact! Not only the gender that will render incapability to lead the country for Legarda, it’s also the fact that she’s a news woman. A journalist must be objective, but a journalist also knows all the tricks to hide and confide things. They can be their own PR strategist. The public could be easily blinded. She is intelligent and courageous, but those aren’t enough.

Vice President Noli De Castro could be a force to reckon with during the elections. He has a wide fanbase way back his MGB days. He’s literally done nothing (as far as I know) that can smudge his reputation, but he’s also done nothing for the country. He’s playing a neutral role now as he tries to win the public through image. I believe he will fight during the elections using righteous image and maintain his fanbase. Like I said about journalists, I hope he doesn’t rule the country.

That brings me to the two men who will probably have a showdown in 2010. Them being Ilonggos are mere coincidents. I don’t have wide knowledge of all these six politicians I’ve mentioned, my opinion is based on tidbits of knowledge about them.

Roxas is a respected Senator and is a descendant of the former President Manuel Roxas. In fact, he won more votes than the current president had, so he’s popular also. He’s rich and intelligent. He appeals to the masses and he’s media friendly. The only negative on him would probably his bachelor status. Being a family person is usually a factor in becoming the leader of a nation (it’s a big deal in the US anyway). Other than that, he may as well be the next president of the Philippines.

Roxas may have a greater chance to win the presidency, but he won’t get it so easily. Manny Villar will most likely make a stir and give Roxas a fight of his life. Villar has led the Congress and the Senate in his public service in the last decade. Though I’m not knowledgeable of him, I’ve seen him on a TV interview once. I don’t need books to tell me what this person can bring the nation. He has a clear vision of what he will give for the country, the values he set for the country to straighten. I don’t invision him to lead the country and make it prosper. I see him leading the country to a path which could eventually lead to properity. A very intelligent man who seems to have his priority set straight.

I may have misinformed you on facts, however these are thoughts without allusions. I may have just paraded my ignorance, but at least I’ve cleared my head.