Last night, I was able to watch HARAPAN: THE PRESIDENTIAL FORUM. The guests were the top Presidentiables for the upcoming elections namely: Gibo Teodoro, Erap Estrada, Nicanor Perlas, Bro. Ed Villanueva, Dick Gordon, Noynoy Aquino, and JC Delos Reyes. Manny Villar was also expected in the program, however he wasn’t around due to an “important business meeting”. Each of them were asked the following questions:

If Mrs. Arroyo would win as a congresswoman and become the Speaker of the House, how would it affect your administration?

Most of them answered they would not allow constitutional change under GMA as speaker of the house.

However, Erap strongly disagree to GMA’s candidacy as congresswoman because according to him this act is “VERY DEMEANING to the Office of the President”.

Kung kayo ang Pangulo, ano ang Unang tatlong utos matapos mapagbigay alam ang Massacre sa Maguindanao?

Most of them answered they would Destroy and Dismantle the Private Armies.

Erap said: “Kung ano ang ginawa nila doon, dapat yun din ang gawin sa kanila” (PERFECT! I strongly agree)

Gibo Teodoro said: Increase authority visibility.

Question to Noynoy Aquino: Can you give us one instance when you cheated or lied since you became a Public Figure.
Answer: I have never cheated.

Question to Nicanor Perlas: Ano ang dapat maging papel ang unang ginang at pamilya sa pamamahala ng Pangulo?
Answer: Demonstrate integrity and competence of the candidate.

Question to Erap: What vice/luxury can you not live without?
Answer: Di ko maiwanan ang luho ng paglingkod sa mahirap. Wala na akong nalalamang ibang luho. (hihi! Nice one)

Question to Gibo: What/Who are the two biggest contributors for your plan to run for President? How do you repay? Where do you get the passion?
Answer: Donor: The Party.
Repay: by giving a better life for everyone.
Passion from: Loyalty to the Party, The President and The Filipino People.

Question to Dick Gordon: What one act in your past are you most ashamed and proud of?
Answer: Ashamed of Letting my parents down. Proud of raising the values of the people.

Question to Bro. Ed: 2 conditions that would make you step down from presidency?
Answer: If one of my family members committed a crime/abused the influence or power we have.

Question to JC Delos Reyes: How many houses do you own and how much money do you have in the bank?
Answer: Houses: One in baguio and one in subic bay. Money: (-)5Million

Other questions asked:
What would you do in your first 100 days in office?
Sa tingin ninyo, paano matatapos ang Political Dynasty sa Pilipinas?
One thing you want the people to remember about you?

It may be a cliché to say that WE MUST VOTE WISELY. However, the present situation of the Philippines speak for itself: calling for change and transformation. Let us not waste the right of suffrage that we have and choose a leader who is credible and sincere in serving the people. (although this really sounds impossible and odd) May we not be deceived with the flowering words they impart to us, rather, let us focus on the achievements they had made which could contribute for a better performance and governance they would be having in the future.

Besides, we don’t have the right to complain against the government and it’s officials if we ourselves cannot perform our own responsibilities as citizens.