At the moment, I am disgusted with the news I read about some of those in power. The staggering leap of Mrs Arroyo’s assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) based on the latest PCIJ Report posted today, 17 August 2009 on the Phil Daily Inquirer pA16 showing a 114% growth from P66.8 million in 2001 to P143.54 million in 2008 is one. The P1 million dinner in New York is another and the suite costing $3,500.00/night in a New York hotel plus many, many more.

Our dear Tita Cory Aquino has died and the Filipino nation wept. The King of Pop, Michael Jackson has died and we who loved him cried for days. Many more influential people who have inspired the youth have died. I pray and hope for our dreams and ideals for our beloved country don’t die.

One week has passed and none has replied. They have two weeks to send me their answers. If none of them send back their answers by Feb 16, then I will think of another way to reach them. Like snail mail or special delivery. Hmmmm.

I know the presidential aspirants are very busy with work and with their pre-campaign programmes. I admire what Senator Mar Roxas is doing to protect the rights of the insurance policy holders from bankrupt insurance companies. It shows how the senator values the poor Filipino’s hard earned money, dreams and aspirations. Keep it up, Senator Mar Roxas. Let them give back the money we paid for our pre-need insurance policies.

I also like what Senator Panfilo Lacson is doing: exposing the corruption in the government and the involvement of the First Gentleman in big government projects. I sincerely appreciate the Senator’s courage. He also has good leadership qualities.

Senator Chiz Escudero is another brave man. Very intelligent and telegenic, he is able to communicate well with the ordinary Filipino. He chooses simple words and explain situations clear enough for the man on the street to understand. He has also shown the virtue of loyalty. And, he looks like the rock star, Bamboo. The Filipino needs someone to explain to him his rights… his basic rights. Someone who can help give pride and human dignity to the poor Filipino. In the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from Oct 14 – 27, 2008, Senator Chiz scored Number 1 in the“BIG TRUST” rating survey and “PERFORMANCE” ratings among the possible presidential candidates. That is good to know. That is a plus point for Chiz.

On the other hand, Senator Loren is very beautiful. She always wear make-up on television and on print. She has a long list of accomplishment and is well-loved and respected by Christians and Muslims alike. She might know how to bring peace and unity in Mindanao. My question, though, is if she becomes President, who will be her First Gentleman?

In the past few years, I have attended some free seminars like “How to Make Paper Bags”, “How to Make Candles” and other skills for the poor sponsored by Sen Manny Villar. I do appreciate this program of the good senator. And he also helps Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in trouble. But I wonder why he has enemies at the Senate.

Vice President Noli de Castro is very popular. The people know his voice from listening to his radio program in the morning and watching the latest news and current affairs programs on tv. The voting public is still very familiar with him like he’s a member of the household. The poor Filipino people could make him win. But what are his social, political, economic and development programs and plan of action for the Philippines should he be elected President? Who will he fight for? Will he sincerely fight for the rights of the poor Filipinos? Or will he protect the interest of his backers?

Lastly, I sent the questions to MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando. I am scared to vote for this man. Why? He thinks the U-turns have solved the traffic problem in Metro Manila. The answer is NO! NO! NO! How many lanes does a bus need to make a u-turn? 4 lanes when in EDSA! (EDSA has 6 lanes). Also, Mr Fernando’s polices on the roads are not friendly and safe for the disabled, the senior citizens, the children, the blind, the weak, those with asthma and those in wheelchairs. His policies also make it lawful to swerve to the right, swerve to the left and do another swerve to the right. Terrible. And even with the thousands of sweepers on the streets, the garbage problem in Metro Manila has not been solved! No, please, I will not vote for him.

Well, then. One more week of waiting. Will update you again.

Citizen Bing

Who will be President of the Philippines in 2010? Will it be Gloria Macapagal Arroyo again? Heavens, I hope not! Her administration has been perceived to be corrupt as shown on the list of the 40 most corrupt countries in the world, ranking in between Iran and Yemen on Transparency International latest report on Worldwide Corruption Perception ranking of countries. In fact, from 2002 to 2008, the Philippines showed little improvement on people’s perception corruption of her government.

Question is, who is the best person to lead the Philippines in 2010? Is there anyone capable?

I am not a political analyst. I am merely a concerned citizen. Oops. That didn’t sound very confident, did it? I should be proud to be a private citizen, concerned about what is happening in the country, exercising my right to free speech. And I shall exercise my right to know so that I may vote wisely. I have prepared some questions which will help me determine whom to vote in next year’s election. But will they entertain my questions? Or will they shove me out of their offices? Well, how they are going to react to my questions will reflect on the kind of person they are. If they are public servants, they should be approachable enough, right? I will not vote for an arrogant person. 

So here are the questions I have prepared to ask all of them presidential wannabees, including senators, the MMDA Chairman, the Mayor of Makati… uh… who else?… and will promptly post their answers as soon as I receive their answers.

Questions:

1. What is your reaction to politicians resorting to vote buying?
2. If elected president, how will ordinary citizens like me reach you? How will you be able to communicate to the common, ordinary Filipino citizen?
3. How will you raise the consciousness of the Filipino citizen and educate him of his rights to good governance and human dignity?
4. Millions and millions of Filipinos are very, very poor. If elected president, how will you protect the rights of the urban and rural poor?
5. Do you agree to the statement: “Corruption is ingrained in the Filipino culture.” If not, how will you change this perception?
6. Do you agree to the statement: “In the Philippines, there is anarchy.” If you agree, please explain. If you don’t agree, please explain.
7.  How will you reduce economic inequality in the Philippines?
8. Do you think there is a garbage problem in the Philippines? If you agree, how do you plan to solve it?
9. If elected President of the Philippines, how will you solve the environmental issues concerning garbage, air and water pollution?

There we have it. The next thing to do now is to know how to reach these presidential wannabees. Wish me luck!