Making a choice: Your presidential candidate (Part 1)

(Undecided? Here is a guide to presidential candidates. It also includes the platform matrix.)

A poll of 2,068 voters at Yahoo! Purple Thumb, (as of April 1, 2010) shows there are 31 percent who have not chosen a presidential candidate. Out of the 31 percent undecided voters, 12 percent don’t have enough information to decide, 14 percent are just plain undecided, and five percent are apathetic. Probably one of the reasons for a high undecided percentage is that there are too many choices, and as one community member points out:

A typical Filipino voter would most likely be undecided due to the following reasons:

(1) He is unaware of the list of candidates for each national and local post.
(2) He is yet to be convinced of each candidate's platform.
(3) He is torn over choosing between two or more candidates.
(4) He is simply apathetic about the electoral process.

Elections are not just about our candidates. It is about us, the electorate, as well. Responsible voters don't just vote right. They vote responsibly and respond to the challenges that lie beyond their commitment to push for their causes.

First things first. Get to know the presidential candidates and be informed on the process of selection.

What should be the first step in selecting a candidate?

As a voter, I wrote about the decision-making process in selecting a candidate to vote for as president, which involved knowing what I looked for in a president and the criteria of coherent platform, clear vision, character and competency. The present times call for a tough administrator, statesman, and economic leader. That was the critical factor for me. I narrowed down the nine candidates to just three. Like I said, my initial short list was based on my selection criteria on character, competence, coherent platform, and clear vision. I decided to make my short list a bit more quantifiable by using this voting matrix.

Finally, I chose my presidential candidate, on subjective factors such as the candidate’s sincerity (my perception based on interviews) to serve our country and the ability to communicate with the candidate in case of questions on their governance. A vigilant citizenry is crucial to monitor the powers of the presidency.

It does not matter who my candidate is. As project editor of Blogwatch.ph, it is prudent that I keep that choice only to myself and my close friends, the people I trust. Certain quarters cannot distinguish me as a voter and me as an editor. Blog Watch remains non-partisan.

Undecided voters, be informed of the presidential candidates

In the immediate interest of informed voting and the higher and loftier interest of installing the best leader among the current line-up of presidential aspirants, I’d like to share Blog Watch articles on the presidential candidates. Some of us chose to write favorable articles while others chose to be critical, which I have chosen to segregate as “favorable” and “critical.” Being critical does not mean the article is geared as “anti-presidential candidate.”

Take time to get informed. Click each link below to our articles.

Noynoy Aquino

Favorable

Critical

JC de los Reyes

Erap Estrada

Dick Gordon

Jamby Madrigal

Jamby for president?

Nick Perlas

Favorable

Critical

Nick Perlas and the missing manual of Maria Clara

Gibo Teodoro

Favorable

Critical

Ed Villanueva

Manny Villar

Favorable

Critical

Nasty accusations on presidential candidates will continue to fly as the May 10 election nears but does it have to be that way? From now till election day, let’s listen to our candidates tell us how to get out of the mess, We need real leadership and a candidate that's out there listening to the voters, not spewing overtly negative attacks. Every other candidate needs to make a case for why they are the best person for the job.

Part Two of "Making a choice: your presidential candidate" lists down the pros and cons of the candidates and significant highlights of their platforms in a platform matrix.

(Undecided? Here is a guide to presidential candidates. It also includes the platform matrix.)

Photo by Brian Ong. Some Rights Reserved

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Disclaimer: Comments posted here reflect our readers’ views and not the opinion of The Philippine Online Chronicles.

grushenka 02 April 10, 04:58 PM

Regarding the following articles, kindly supply relevant updates - especially with respect to their stands on issues, if there are changes.

In terms of numbers, it seems that the articles are not evenly balanced. Just to show you:

Noynoy - 7 (favorable) + 4 (critical)
Villar - 5 (favorable) + 5 (critical)
Gibo - 6 (favorable) + 3 (critical)
Perlas - 5 (favorable) + 1 (critical)

The rest have very few articles (1-2).

It seems even this site sadly reflects how the media is treating its candidates, especially the so-called "bottomdwellers".

The voting matrix is nicely done and very quantifiable although simply claiming that as editor, you are not biased might not be sufficient to overcome the inherently favorable results given to your preferred candidates - even if you say you will not disclose your candidate come election time. You won't need to. People will read what you wrote and how you scored each of the candidates - with little or no explanation as to why. I think it's better if you offer a blank matrix instead of filling in your choices.

Have a great Holy Week!

n_dado 02 April 10, 06:23 PM

we hope to write more articles as days come. We have not interviewed Erap and Jamby,.

As to the matrix, that is just an example and I leave it to the voter to decide on their criteria and even refute mine,