The presidential forum

Watching the first part of the GMA 7 “Isang Tanong” presidential forum gave me the chills.

On that studio were eight people, one of who will be the next president of the Philippines.

Featured on that show were Noynoy Aquino, Gilbert Teodoro, Manny Villar, former president Joseph Estrada, Bayani Fernando, Brother Eddie Villanueva, Councilor JC delos Reyes, and Nikki Perlas, all of who took turns answering four questions – one from a member of the GMA News and Public Affairs group, one from a representative of the studentry, one from the man on the street, and another, from CNN Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida, who by the way was featured in the Ako Mismo TV campaign of the Ako Mismo Movement and DDB even before his name became a household word.

Given the short amount of time given the presidential hopefuls to answer each question, the forum became a test more of how quick they can come up with intelligent answers and how fast they can talk. But being president is more about how good a talker one is. Unfortunately, perception is everything so those who have difficulty expressing their thoughts, like Nikki Perlas for instance, is perceived as not being up to the task.

Except probably for Perlas whose answers were not really that responsive to the questions, all of them responded pretty well, including, surprise of all surprises, former President Estrada. And because the questions were being asked in Filipino, Estrada wasn’t placed at a disadvantage. Perlas obviously was.

The forum gave us a glimpse of each hopeful’s views on a number of issues. Gibo Teodoro was asked if would agree to have a president and his relatives’ assets frozen during his term. He did not give a popular answer. But his answer was honest and correct. Whoever thought of the question wasn’t in touch with reality. Or course it would be unfair to freeze someone’s assets. As Gibo said, what is important is that the extent of one’s assets are disclosed, as mandated by law.

MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando was asked to respond to people calling him names, like dictator, Hitler, etc. and his answer was a good one. He said that a dictator is one who makes the laws and implements them at the same time. He did not make the laws, he merely implements them. And in the process, not once did he kill or imprison someone.

Noynoy Aquino meanwhile emphasized that since he and his family never enriched themselves when their mother, the late former President Cory Aquino, was in power, there was no reason to change that if he becomes president. Noynoy was oozing with sincerity, and I think the forum made his followers love him more.

Councilor JC delos Reyes was a breath of fresh air. While he has absolutely no chance of winning the elections given the reality of politics (he has no money and no national political machinery), his idealism, youth, love of God, love of family, and sincerity made many wish that other candidates shares his qualities and his naivete. He knows he has no chance, but had to try, if only to plant the seeds of change. As he said, had US President Barack Obama given up, knowing that no black American has ever won the presidency, then he wouldn’t be where he is right now. We could only wish JC good luck in his future endeavors and hope that the right seeds have been planted.

As for Manny Villar, he has a lot of work to do when it comes to improving his credibility. Everytime he talks, people look for some hidden agenda. When he was asked as to the difference between the impeachment charges against former President Estrada which Villar vigorously pursued, and the charges of enriching himself while in office now being thrown against Villar by his political opponents, all he had to say was that impeachment against Estrada does not equal conviction and that all the witnesses had cleared Villar’s name. I heard one viewer say the words “pera lang ang katapat” which I believe is unfair but that’s how the public perceives him, unfortunately.

Everybody is looking forward to the second part of the forum where each presidential hopeful will be asked questions by another hopeful. That will be very interesting, and entertaining, to say the least.

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