Philippine News: Is The Philippines Ready For Noynoy Aquino?

Noynoy For President = Goodbye Kris Aquino

Noynoy Aquino is the 15th President of the Philippines. Well, depends from which point of history you start counting.

Lots of color in the recent May 2010 national elections, and as much as there was a lot of juicy tidbits to blog about, I sorta decided to keep the Philippines Funwall free from the mudslinging. Besides, I think I wouldn’t have many nice things to say. And if you can’t say anything nice, then better not say anything at all.

So Noynoy Aquino won by a pretty huge margin, and I guess everyone including me was surprised to even find former President Joseph Erap Estrada make it to second in the list, considering he wasn’t as noisy during the campaign period as other hopefuls like Manny Villar or Gilbert Teodoro.

If I had the chance to vote, I would’ve cast my vote for Dick Gordon, who I believe has a very respectful and dignified political record, and has the brins and political will to create positive change for the country as seen in how he brought Olongapo up from the ground after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. However, my name was missing in my precinct since I failed to re-register with the COMELEC. I didn’t even know I had to, considering my name wasn’t on the online list. Oh well – too late to complain, and too bad. Pretty surprising though that Eddie Villanueva actually led over Dick Gordon in the race, where he placed 6th. Sad. And I thought a tried and tested politician would’ve had a better placing than someone like Eddie Villanueva, who hasn’t ever held a political office. But what do we know about voters minds.  After all, Erap came out in second even after every survey showed him not even a consideration for the running.

Well, so Noynoy Aquino is there. His mother President Corazon Aquino was a former President, and certainly if his father Ninoy Aquino wasn’t assassinated, then he would’ve probably made a valiant run for the top post in the executive branch. Some say Noynoy doesn’t have the same political savvy as his father, or maybe even the big heart of his mother, and many say he isn’t even a great leader, except maybe his claim-to-fame of having such popular parents. But, that’s what everyone says when its not their candidate that wins.

In the meantime, two Aquino presidents says something about the makings of a political dynasty, or if you didn’t think they had one, well now you know they have one. There is indeed much to look forward to, and there are a lot of critics waiting to pounce on Noynoy when he falters.

Me – I’m more excited on the prospect that Kris Aquino has promised to leave the country lest she be a distraction and thorn on her brother’s reign as President due to her controversial and much celebrated personal life flaunted in showbiz. Do we really have to hear about every time Kris cries, or her husband James Yap has an alleged third party affair? And for sure, as the sister to the President, she’s just sure to get more media coverage, and well – let’s just hope she holds her end of her promise. If there’s anything certainly good about the Noynoy Aquino presidency – the exit of Kris Aquino is a good start.

The 2010 Presidential Election Circus: The True Practice of Democracy

I love the Philippines. I love the fact that there are several well-meaning people who are motivated to serve the nation. Just take a look at all those who want to become President and lead the Filipino people. Wow, there are so many of them. Really – it’s so touching that so many of them are willing to dedicate so much time, effort and money to become President of the Philippines. Anyway, without further adieu – here is the official list of those who filed for their candidacy for the position of Philippine President, and their respective Vice Presidential partners and senatorial candidates (as applicable).

Potential President of the Philippines and Emperor of the World

Noynoy Aquino (President) and Mar Roxas (Vice President) are the candidates of the Liberal Party. Their slate for the 12 senators include Ralph Recto, Sonia Roco, Teofisto Guingona III, Ruffy Biazon, Ana Theresa Baraquel, Alexander Lacson, Nereus Acosta, Danilo Lim, Dr. Martin Bautista, Yasmin Busran-Lao, Franklin Drilon and Serge Osmena.

Joseph “Erap” Estrada (President) and Jejomar Binay (Vice President) for the Partido ng Masang Pilipino – UNO. Their senatorial bets include Jinggoy Estrada, Jun Lozada Jr., JV Bautista, Rodolfo Plaza, Jose de Venecia III, and Juan Ponce Enrile.

Gilbert Teodoro (President) and Edu Manzano (Vice President) for the Lakas-Kampi CMD. Their candidates for the senate include Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid, Rey Langit, Ramon Juico, Silvestre Bello III, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Raul Lambino.

Manny Villar (President) and Loren Legarda (Vice President) of the Nacionalista Party. Their official candidates for the senate include Adel Tamano, Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana, Susan Ople, Ramon Mitra III, Pia Cayetano, Ariel Querubin, Bongbong Marcos Jr., Lisa Maza, Satur Ocampo and Gilbert Remulla.

Dick Gordon (President) and Bayani Fernando (Vice President) of the Bagumbayan Party. They have no senatorial bets because they believe they can work with anybody and everybody.

Jamby Madrigal (President) will run as an independent without a running mate, and also without a senatorial slate.

Brother Eddie Villanueva (President) and Perfecto Yasay (Vice President) of Bangon Pilipinas. Their senatorial bets include Ramoncito Ocampo, Kata Inocencio, Zafrullah Alonto, Israel Virgines and Alex Tinsay.

Manny Lopez (President) will run as an independent, and claims he is better than US President Barack Obama.

Rigoberto Madera Jr. (President) will run as an independent and if elected will move on to become the next US President, the next UN Secretary General and Emperor of the World.

Only in the Philippines do we see such awesome democracy practiced, and where everyone can qualify to become President of the Philippines as long as they fulfill the requirements for their Certificate of Candidacy (COC).

This is the circus, and this is  democrazy!