Should You Fill Up Your Ballot with 12 Names?

In the coming May 2007 Philippine elections, voters will need to choose 12 senatorial bets. I read a news item some days back that Mr. Bill Luz (of the Makati Business Club and NAMFREL) was urging voters to fill up all 12 spaces on their ballots. His statement, if he was quoted correctly was that "By abstaining, you're making it easier for other people to enter the Magic 12."

Why do people (like me) leave some spaces in their ballot blank or why do they just put a line across the blank spaces so that no one can write another name on it? There are not enough quality candidates, that's why. My vote is important and so I will not give it to someone just because I fear that a "lousy bet" will make it. It's not my fault that they won. It's the fault of the people who voted for them. That's why I don't think I will be forcing myself to fill up all the 12 spaces with the names of people I don't actually like. Why compromise?

So in the coming elections, vote for whom you like. I hope you like Dr. Martin Bautista, Sonia Roco, and Adrian Sison as I will be voting for them. Am still thinking if I will vote for Zosimo Paredes. If I do decide to vote for him, then I'll have four names on my ballot. As for the rest, am not particularly fond of politicians who have been around for so long and have shifted allegiances from here to there; who just seem to oppose anything and everything; who rely on "name recall;" and who have "super popular wives" to boost their political standing.

I am for people who are not typical politicians. For those who have not yet held any elective post but are not actors or actresses or sportspeople. I am for Kapatiran because they say they will work for the abolition of the pork barrel! Imagine that?

You still have more than a month to make up your mind. Please vote but please vote wisely.

Dr. Martin D. Bautista for Senator

So, have you decided on who will be in your list of 12 senators? I think I now have a list of 3 names.

I caught a show on ANC last night on Alternative Candidates. It featured Danton Remoto (didn't know he was running for Senator), Dr. Martin D. Bautista, and Zosimo Paredes. Dr. Bautista and Mr. Paredes are both with Kapatiran, a group committed to "put God in politics" by focusing on virtue, duty, transparency, public accountability, and good citizenship.

My favorite writer, Conrado de Quiros, has already come out strongly with two columns endorsing Dr. Martin D. Bautista. I am inclined to vote for him -- not because he is a Bautista (we are not related) and not because he is a U.P. graduate (well, that helps) but because he is a new name, a new face, with a good story.

Dr. Martin D. Bautista is a UP College of Medicine 1989 graduate and is a US-trained gastroenterologist. After years of living and working in the US, he came back to the Philippines with his wife, a US trained pulmonologist, and their four daughters.

At a time when most Filipinos would give anything to get out of the country, it is refreshing to see a doctor coming back and even trying to run for the Senate. Sure, you say, he's had his chance and is probably so comfortable financially that he can now afford to come back and live here in the Philippines again -- that is beside the point. I have had it with old names and the usual faces. It is time for non-politicians (and non showbiz and sports people too) to have a say in how this country is run.

Who are my candidates as of now? Dr. Martin Bautista, Danton Remoto (well his thrust is public education and his presence should make the Senate more interesting), and of course, Sonia Roco. Her thrust is also education and it is no secret that I voted for Raul Roco in the last election. She hasn't held any public position in the past and so that makes her a new face too.

So, will you let me know the candidates that you will be voting or not be voting for?

Same Old, Same Old

Plastered all over the newspapers today are the names and faces of candidates who intend to run for the Senate in the coming May 2007 elections. Why do I get the feeling that I am voting in an election that has already been concluded? That's probably the case since save for one or two new faces, these are the same old people who have been around and who have led us to today's political scene in the Philippines. Not very encouraging I tell you.

Why am I also not surprised that Francis Pangilinan has decided to run as an independent candidate? Well, with Sharon Cuneta for a wife and with kids Frankie and Miel all over our television sets, who needs the backing of a party? Such is the way of Philippine politics.

There's really not much to look forward to with the coming elections. When will we get to see new names? Names that will inspire and re-kindle hope? I guess those new names are busy doing their own bit of good in their respective fields and are probably allergic to the world of Philippine politics.

The Carnival is Here (Eto Na Ang Perya ng Bayan)

It is only January 2007 but already, as is our country's habit, when you read the newspapers; when you listen to AM radio; when you watch television -- you will be bombarded daily by talk about the May 2007 national and local elections here in the Philippines. Groan.

Politicians are now in "election mode." That means either nothing will move (because everyone is busy thinking of the campaign) or everything will move quicker and faster (as they woo voters) but only until May 2007. Money will flow left and right so people are generally happy.

Will anything change with the coming elections? I've voted in too many elections to know that things will probably not change. Already, am hearing the same old names and seeing the same old faces. Sa iyo ang San Juan, Akin ang San Juan (San Juan is yours and it is mine too.) If news reports are to be believed, the mother of JV Ejercito will slug it out with the wife of Jinggoy Estrada in the mayoralty race in San Juan. Does an Ejercito or an Estrada always have to be at the helm of San Juan?

There are talks nowadays of Erap being freed from his Tanay resthouse. Why now, all of a sudden? If we release Erap now, let's return him to Malacanang. =) He was elected president anyway.

I don't know about you but this election thing is getting more tiring as the years go by. I've always voted in every election in the past and I'm still not getting the government that I think I deserve. Maybe it's time to do something different and skip the elections altogether? I wonder, shall I get better results?