The Philippine Online Chronicles

It is heartwarming to know that most of my friends and relatives are still studying candidates’ background and platforms before supporting a candidate for the 2010 elections. Annamanila, in a conversation with her sons, took a quick survey of her children's political preferences and views and  they “all agreed happily the pickings were not as slim as in previous elections. For the first time in a long time, it seems, it is no longer a question of choosing the lesser evil. There were enough good men running.”  My own children made me realize that choosing the lesser evil is not the criteria for 2010.

Just like the selection process when choosing a spouse – or for that matter, a presidential candidate, is that candidate THE ONE?

Here in Blog Watch, we invite the presidential candidates to discuss with us their vision for 2010. We want the candidates to know that “he/she is being evaluated on a whole range of issues, a process based on merit” and not just based on a emotional reaction.

There  are many ways of stating the criteria for the 2010 elections but I chose to express it in simple words- character, competence, and clear platforms.

Coherent Platform- check their platforms if it is clear enough to get us from Point A to B. It is not just motherhood statements.

Character- humility, moral clarity, integrity, decency, transparency, consistency.

Competency- intelligence, practicality, energy, decisiveness, a willingness to work hard, leadership, good ideas, track record.

Clear Vision - a clear idea of what vision and strategic agenda are needed to transform our country.

Let's take each criteria separately.

1. A coherent platform is a road map

Manolo Quezon observes that there’s “been a healthy interest in political platforms this time around, much more so than in 2004.” However, he  thinks that there is confusion on what a platform is or supposed to contain because it means putting the cart before the horse, “as a party or coalition standing for election cannot plan without knowing what its numbers—and therefore, what is realistic—will be after the elections.”

BongV begs to disagree.“It is an opportunity to weed out the undesirables. Demanding a program, a platform, a baseline – something achievable within their term on which the candidate – his party, his backers, and his bankrollers can be held accountable for.” It is not rocket science.  BenK says that “It does not even have to be a 100-page document. It just needs to have specific positions that imply achievable initiatives that potentially lead measureable results.”

A platform is defined as a statement on an issue of governance, which has three recognisable parts:  issue-position-rationale. It must be pointed out that platforms are not motherhood statements, a "feel good" platitude about a worthy concept that few of us would disagree with but without any specified plans for realization. Benigno stresses that “if here was only one thing that a politician can do to make a convincing claim that he/she means business, it should be in a demonstrated capability to articulate a coherent platform or roadmap for change for our sad nation.”

Cocoy believes we cannot solve the Philippines’ serious fiscal problems and our people’s unanswered questions of poverty and surplus without institutional reform and lists down the items to consider such as building Infrastructure, meeting New Energy challenges, engaging Healthcare, and rethinking creatively Education that becomes our nation’s Call to Arms, for tomorrow; “para sa kinabukasan.”

2. Character is crucial but is it all about integrity or honesty?

BongV asks: Is integrity the correct issue? “The issue of integrity is seen as a central issue because it is perceived to be an answer to the Aquino campaign’s central theme – corruption."  Carlo Ople brings out the issue of integrity in The Cult of Noynoy Aquino and that Noynoy needed to clarify the dispersement of the farmers in Hacienda Luisita, which eventually resulted into a bloody massacre. Carlo’s article received a wave of response from defensive Noynoy supporters. Integrity is being pitched by Noynoy supporters, which BongV clarifies with some questions:

1. Is integrity the correct issue?
2. Is integrity the only vital issue?
3. Does Noynoy have a monopoly of Integrity?
4. Does Noynoy actually have integrity? How was he proven reliable? To whom will he be more trustworthy – the oligarchs or the masses?

Nick Perlas cautions that we should not misinterpret the outpouring in Cory’s funeral.  It simply “meant the expression of longing for honesty, decency, and democracy. It does not mean that this automatically transfers to a son or a daughter by means of heredity.”

There is more to integrity in a candidate’s character. Integrity is defined as “the quality of having high moral principles, being reliable and trustworthy.” Character is associated closely with competence.

3.  Competence equated  with  good  governance  and  track record.

I was once guilty of  saying “anyone but Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA), please when  I  discussed  the  candidates with  my  daughters.

Does Noynoy Aquino  automatically stands for good governance just because he is against GMA?

Does Gibo Teodoro represent  bad governance because  he is closely associated with GMA?

Does Manny Villar,  Dick Gordon  connote good governance  as  well because  they are anti-GMA?

Manny Villar says he is the most prepared among the candidates. Bikoy believed he  is  the most prepared among the presidential contenders. He invokes his record and past actions and experiences to back his plans up, which he claims cannot be said for the other leading presidential aspirant.

Cocoy is skeptical.  “Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also knows what’s wrong with the Philippines and knows how to fix it, just as Villar does and who is just as capable as he is. The doubt in my mind is this: what makes Manny Villar different from Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?”

Fear of another Marcos, another Erap, or GMA should  not  be  the driving  force in  choosing our  candidate. A  campaign  line that uses  bad governance “as another central issue and then not to provide any concrete detail about (1) any proposed solution to it and (2) a description of proposed steps to apply said solution just highlights further the insult to the electorate.”

BongV  describes good governance based on the definition of World Bank .

1. Ensure political transparency and voice for all citizens,
2. Provide efficient and effective public services,
3. Promote the health and well-being of its citizens, and
4. Create a favorable climate for stable economic growth.

These four items are considered key drivers or components that make up good governance which is integral  in the competence of a leader. Track record and leadership abilities are all factors to consider in the competency of a presidential candidate.

4. Clear Vision is a clear idea of what vision and strategic agenda in carrying out the platforms to transform our country .

It is pretty clear that my  criteria of coherent platforms, clear vision, character, and competence in choosing the candidates for the 2010 elections are not mutually exclusive. One cannot just choose based on character alone. These criteria are not limited to presidential candidates but to all those running in the 2010 Philippine elections.

Just because a candidate is politically opposed to GMA does not mean he/she is  the better candidate who is efficient and effective and able to spur the economy.  I cannot stress it enough that one needs to scrutinize the candidates.

Niña Terol-Zialcita points out in 10 Resolutions You Can Do for the Philippines While Sitting Down:

With so much at stake for our family’s and country’s future, let’s not just rely on ads and our current perceptions in deciding on whose name to shade in our electronic-friendly ballots. Browse the candidates’ websites to get in-depth information about their profiles, use Google search to see if they’ve been involved in any scandals or corruption cases. Read blogs to see what other people think. Read online news to see where your candidates stand on certain issues. Know their platforms. Know about their history and character. Know about the people around them.

BongV emphasizes “a candidate who does not provide you with the facts which allow you to make a rational informed decision does not deserve your attention at all."

The present times call for a tough administrator, statesman and economic leader. Annmanila says “we need change -- economic , moral, social, environmental -- like a parched land needs rainfall."

The invitations from Blog Watch to Noynoy Aquino, Gibo Teodoro, JC de los Reyes and Dick Gordon have already been relayed through their staff and we are just awaiting confirmation on final schedule. We have yet to contact Erap Estrada and Jamby Madrigal while Ed Villanueva has set a date with us on January 9.

Photo by Brian Ong. Some Rights Reserved

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