Filipinos might think that it’s too early to start narrowing down the list of potential candidates for the presidential election next year, but on the other hand, we should start thinking about who will best lead the Philippines into true progress and development.
To date, we have about three or more politicians who have expressed their intentions of running for president. However, just last year, there were still more than 40 percent of Filipinos who continue to be undecided on whom to support for the coming elections. If the trend continues and we will have five or more candidates, this would mean that just getting a majority of the 40 percent of these undecided voters would be able to give a candidate a fighting chance to win.
The latest name to have crop up in the race is Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who was even supported by Senator Panfilo Lacson, stating that he would be willing to defer his bid for the presidency if the former decides to run.
Still, whoever among these presidentiables really push through their bid for the top post in the land, voters should always keep in mind to pick the candidate who will effectively address the main social problems of the country – food security, housing, education and health.
And in order to do this, Filipinos should also be on guard – that in order to elect the person whom the majority will choose, it is important to help ensure a clean and honest election in 2010. (AJPress)
( Published on January 17, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A12 )
