8. Gilberto Teodoro.

"Galing at Talino."


It is sad that everyone bases everything on surveys and popularity and power and parents' influence and fame. But here is someone who is both serious and credible, a good leader who does not sling mud into his opponents' faces.


What can I say? So far, I will admit that if I can vote, I will vote for Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro. He is intelligent, he has had experience as Secretary of Defense, he is a sincere person, and he is attuned to the pulse of the nation and what they really need. 


I will say that Gibo is definitely the best choice for Presidency. Also, he has many silent supporters that are increasing in number and are, one by one, professing their support for him. One of these supporters would be Pastor Quiboloy, head of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ group. This is quite an endorsement, especially considering the fact that this group has 6 million members, all of which are backing Gibo. As political analysts say, it is not yet too late for him, and despite his initial lack of exposure as well as no visible means of support from the Lakas-Kampi CMD Party, Gibo is a candidate for Presidency that I actually look forward to seeing as the winner of the elections. I understand the masses' concern regarding the fact that his intelligence might not bring them anything, but I feel only the truth radiating from this man. He is diplomatic and efficient, and I'm sure that he is the one who'll end this cycle of corruption.


Of course, things can still change. But for the moment, my support lies with Gibo.


His Vice-President is Edu Manzano. The senators under him are Lito Lapid, Silvestre Bello III, Ramon Guico, Rey Langit, Raul Lambino and Bong Revilla( What? I thought this one was part of Erap's party! Check on this later.). 


He currently ranks third in surveys.

7. Nicanor "Nicky" Perlas

This one is running for President.

Really? I didn't know.


Because, like Jamby Madrigal, I really don't understand what he's doing here. I really don't.


He's an Independent and is currently in the bottom five.

6. Jamby Madrigal

I'm just dropping a quick line on this one.


I don't understand why the heck she's running for President. She's not campaigning. She's an Independent. Really, I mean, what the heck???

5. Richard "Dick" Gordon

Now this is a President I wouldn't mind having.


True, he may not have that much exposure compared to the other candidates. But nonetheless, he is one of the few who seems to have good intentions when it concerns the Philippine nation, he has done a good job so far, serving as the Secretary of Tourism in 2004, and has done wonders in Subic, as well as serving as Mayor of Olongapo City in the years before that.


So far, I have no qualms about him. He just has to make his presence known.


His Vice President is Bayani Fernando. They both hail from the Bagumbayan Party, and their senators are...none.


As to his rankings, he is in the bottom five, presumably a little behind Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

4. Joseph "Erap" Estrada

Oh, hey, I thought you said you wouldn't run for office anymore.


But then again, you probably couldn't resist, could you? Is it because you're lusting for power? Is it because you want to show the world how corrupt you can be? Is it because you want to be impeached again? Or is it because you genuinely want to help the Filipino people and lead them?


Somehow, I find the last question as the least believable motive.


Although, to be fair, it wasn't your fault you were considered for candidacy. That decision was given to the Comelec and Supreme Court. Of course, as everyone knows, they said, "Tao dapat ang humusga."


And tao chose to return you. They overlooked the fact that your crimes were proven years ago. They forgot that they once flooded the streets, calling for justice, for you to be impeached, for you to step down. Or don't you remember People Power II?


On Erap's case, I don't think that he is a wise choice. He shouldn't even be running for President. But no, we have to be blinded by his action star-ness, by his promises, by that smarmy smile of his that actually makes him look like a demon, forgive me if I'm being rude.


They say "Respect should be gained, not earned." As of the moment, Erap has yet to earn even a sixteenth of my respect.


Suffice it to say that we don't need another to-do because of him. No, I will not be very happy with my fellow men if they choose Erap because then they will prove how easily influenced they are.


Erap's Vice President is Jejomar Binay who seems to be all right compared to his higher-up. They are from PMP part, and their senators are Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Rodolfo Plaza, Jose de Venecia III, Apolinario Lozada, JV Bautista, Bong Revilla, Miriam Defensor-Santiago.


He currently ties with Manny Villar in second place in survey rankings.

3. John Carlos "JC" De Los Reyes.

Here comes another that I know nothing about. Well, he still seems to be in the running, unlike Vetellano Acosta, and he hails from Ang Kapatiran. I have never once felt his presence or seen him campaign. However, since he has so far not offended anyone, I will view him as a considerable choice for President.

JC De Los Reyes' Vice President is Dominador Chipeco. His senators are Rizalito David, Jo Aurea Imbong, Ma. Gracia Rinoza-Plazo, Adrian Sison, Reginald Tamayo, Hector Tarrazona, Manuel Valdehuesa Jr.

So far, he is both invisible and taint-free. I'll edit when I learn more about him.

2. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III

I will come right out and admit that this guy is, in my opinion, not fit to be President. What do I have against him? In the beginning, he seemed like such a harmless threat. But now...he is showing signs of being mentally unstable, and rest assured that if I could vote, I would not choose him.

Noynoy purely relies on the fact that his parents are Cory Aquino, first woman President who was ushered in during People Power Revolution, and Ninoy Aquino, activist and anti-Marcos who, before he was assassinated, was considered for the replacement of Marcos as President. Noynoy is basically the gross example of one who has not, in all actuality, made a name for himself. Rather, he depends on his deceased parents' influence, and leaves it to his sister, Kris Aquino, to do the defending for him. If he were a good Presidential candidate, he shouldn't be leaning so heavily on his relatives. How many times have I heard them all say that he was a maprinsipyong tao at hindi magnanakaw? They lose flavor easily, it seems they're building his platform on those two concepts. Not that I ever found them with flavor; I found their approach tasteless and tactless.

Added to this is the fact that he turned down a psychological test. Of course, as a person, he has the right to do so. However, it has raised the vital question of whether or not he is hiding something. 

He has also released a statement saying, "If I do not win in the elections, I will storm Malacanang with People Power III." I'm paraphrasing, but that is essentially what was the idea of his statement.

Now, who in his right mind would say such a thing?

I find it hard to believe that his intentions are as honorable as he says. I have no problem with his parents, I respect them very much. I respect Noynoy too. But as of the moment, I am skeptical as to whether or not he is capable of fulfilling his responsibilities as a President.

Why do I find fault in such a statement? Because it is simply not what a Presidential candidate should do/say. If he were callous enough to say that, how much more callous would he be when it comes to making decisions that could impact Philippine society on a nationwide scale?

I have doubts as to Noynoy's mental stability. Of course, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt, but saying that he will storm Malacanang should he lose is a statement that implies the following:

One, he lusts for power. He is making it clear that only he should win.

Two, he is callous and immature. If he were my President, I dread the outcome of when he deals with foreign leaders. He is most certainly not diplomatic when it comes to this kind of thing. And diplomacy is always essential. Always.

Three, it is both presumptuous and conceited of him to think that everyone would choose him as their leader. Not everyone will. And it is not a given that just because he tops nationwide surveys, he will win. I find it extremely irritating and extremely disturbing. He should accept the nation's decision. I get that he is thinking that there will be manipulation of votes, but that doesn't mean there will be a manipulation of votes if he loses. 


So what are you saying, Noynoy? That if your ratings drop, the survey is unreliable? That if you were leading, the ratings are reliable? People, let's not forget that the 2,000 people surveyed do not equal the 50 million voters. His arrogance and lack of thinking skills are getting to me. When have we ever seen him without his thick folder of notes? When has he ever given off-the-cuff answers? He can't even provide a clear-cut platform. He can't even think for himself.


I admire your advisers, Noynoy, because they managed to make you think that you have what it takes to lead a third-world nation and bring it to an age of development. I admire them because they were all linked to Gloria one time or another and defected from Lakas-Kampi CMD because their Presidential bid would not serve their interests. I admire them because they made you believe that you had experience when, in all your years of service, you have not managed to pass even just one law. Senator Lito Lapid, who is supposedly stupid and cannot speak English, passed one law. Trillanes, who was in prison, passed two laws. Where were you and your so-called "service"?


One question that even your staunchest supporter cannot answer, not even Guingona in the Harapan debate, What are Noynoy's achievements that make him worthy of Presidency?


You have resorted to black propaganda and mudslinging. Your sister said that she would stab those who were against you. You said you'll effect change but you're surrounded by TraPos. Your mother is worthy of note for standing up to those she disliked and eyed the Nobel Peace prize, but Nobel saw through her. You use your parents' names ain your campaign. Noy, please, huwag niyo na po gamitin si Ninoy at si Cory, dahil nagsisilabasan ang mga issues tungkol sa iyong mga magulang na dapat hindi nangyari kung hindi mo lang sana sila ginamit. There is also an issue concerning your mental health. And last but not the least, the Hacienda Luisita massacre. 


The cardinal has said that your idea of People Power III was just "crazy, crazy, crazy." They will not stand with you in your insanity. 


I'm sorry, Noy, but I find it hard to not look past your facade. Everything is showing through. You are showing through. I cannot find a single reason to support you. Not even one.

As of the moment, I find Noynoy a questionable choice when it comes to the Presidential position. i would much prefer it if his Vice-President Mar Roxas (Edit: Mar is just as bad, if not worse, than Noynoy. I take back what I said earlier. Mar is a bad influence to the masses, he is as arrogant as his partner, and he has even gone so far as to ask Pastor Quiboloy to reconsider his endorsement of Gibo and choose Noynoy. Why can they not respect the Pastor's opinion? He thinks Gibo is the worthy one, so be it. Mar should be thankful that he was endorsed. Besides, I thought Noynoy said that the endorsement doesn't matter, they'll still win. Threatened much?)  had not stepped down from his earlier Presidential bid. But we can't change things, although I do hope that the Filipinos will reconsider. Like I said earlier, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt, but my quota of patience is being used up by this guy. If you choose him, so be it. However, I would still ask you to stop and think about this a little bit more before shading your ballots.

Noynoy's Vice-President is Mar Roxas. He is currently endorsing these Senators: Nereus Acosta, Martin Bautista, Ruffy Biazon, Franklin Drilon, Teofista Guingona III, Risa Hontiveros, Ralph Recto, Sonia Roco, Alexander Lacson, Yasmin Busran-Lao and Danilo Lim. They are from the Liberal party.

Currently, Noynoy is leading the surveys with quite a huge chunk of voters turning over to him. Only time will tell if they will remain faithful or if they will change their minds.


He has said that he will lead us to a new path. He just has to prove it.