Anything Under The Sun

The Philippines is renowned for the multitude of presidential aspirants and political parties that emerge whenever a national election approaches. Without a stringent nomination or candidate filtering process, Filipinos are faced with an overwhelming array of choices. How can voters discern the competence of each presidential candidate? Relying solely on surveys, some of which may lack reliability, seems precarious. Should Filipinos hinge their decisions on popularity alone? Fortunately, there are individuals, hopefully a majority, who diligently examine the platforms and programs of candidates, delving into their backgrounds through extensive research. Many presidential hopefuls hail from well-known families: Gibo Teodoro, Noynoy Aquino, and Jamby Madrigal, to name a few. Some are related, such as Dick Gordon and JC delos Santos, as well as Noynoy and Gibo. The roster also includes religious leader Eddie Villanueva and lesser-known candidates like Nick Perlas and JC de los Reyes. Not to be overlooked are businessman and politician Manny Villar and the popular Erap Estrada. Each candidate possesses admirable qualities and flaws, along with varying degrees of influence, contingent upon the diverse groups and individuals supporting them. Undeniably, the plethora of choices for the presidency in the Philippines offers both benefits and challenges. While the abundance of options allows for diversity, it also risks creating chaos. The call to Filipino voters is clear: be wise in your decision-making process. Evaluate candidates judiciously and choose with discernment.