Yet another soliloquy: Who Should I Vote For?

For some reason, it really irks me the way most people choose their presidents nowadays. I don’t blame them though. It’s not really that easy to choose when there are more than ten of them! It amazes me how such a number of people want to bear the burden of running our debt-ridden, third-world country. All of them seem confident that they can change the way how things work in our society, improve our economic standing and make the Philippines “the way it was before Marcos’ time”. They all reminisce and talk about how rich the Philippines was in the past, and they all make wonderful speeches on their vision of making it happen again for all those who choose to vote for them.

I am honestly impressed by how a handful of the presidential candidates deliver their speeches. They make mention so many proposals, promises and projects. However, I have also noticed the fact that the speeches often emphasize on their yet to be fulfilled vision, and not so much on why they think they are qualified to run this seemingly hopeless country. As a student, I don’t find it very easy to choose for the right candidate either. All we see are infomercials, posters, merchandise and campaign materials that are laden with colorful illustrations, photos and sugarcoated words of promises and hopes. But what I long and most probably need to know are their qualifications. A track record of accomplishments and done deeds that will answer my question: “Why should I vote for him?” We all know it is so easy to promise everything in the world but it is not as easy to give even half of it. Why am I stressing this?

It is because I see the lack of real information that the voting community really needs in order to be able to vote wisely and confidently. I may sound very frustrated over this matter but I am not afraid to admit that I have been indecisive of my choice over the past months. Mainly because I always felt that I didn’t have enough information and concrete basis on who to vote for. I admit that I have been swayed by Manny Villar’s well-made infomercials for a time. I admit that Gilbert Teodoro’s intellectual accomplishments have impressed me greatly. I admit that Noynoy Aquino’s sincere intention of ending corruption grabbed my heart and what was left of the hope I had for my country. I admit that I want a spiritual and Christian leader like Eddie Villanueva to heal and make right our plight. But most of all, I admit that I am firmly casting my vote on Richard Gordon because he has proven himself more than any of the other presidential candidates. Don’t believe me? Research for yourself! If one would take out the faces and names of all the candidates and just base his decision on what each of the candidates have done for the country, I’m sure he’d make the right choice as well.

I refuse to vote for the one who has the best infomercial or theme song. It’s just not my style.