How would you react in case of a no-el (no election) scenario in 2010?

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: It’s an impossible scenario. The Filipino people will choose their president, with or without an election. We’ve done that twice before.  

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Noel is an unacceptable scenario in 2010. I would definitely join street protests and other forms of activities against it!  

This scenario is farfetched

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Under what grounds would the election not push through? It’s all systems go for the elections. Only the affliction of A(H1N1) and the annihilation of all candidates who filed their COCs due to this disease could give us a noel scenario as there would be no one to elect. This is just a farfetched scary scenario.  

JDub Wenceslao, Cavite: I wouldn’t know how I would react, but I’m pretty confident that there will be elections in 2010 election. No other option seems to be viable for PGMA right now.  

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: This scenario has been overtaken by the July 4 headline news: “Poll automation on”. And with PGMA assuring the US that elections will take place in 2010, I am all the more confident that noel is passé. However, in the nowremote case of a noel scenario, I would be one of those vehemently opposed to it, and I have some possible options to take just in case.  

It depends on what caused it

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: That would depend on any of the following situations that could force a noel: Anarchy, major natural calamity, coup d’ etat, an epidemic that would wipe out all the candidates, declaration of Martial Law, or the tired, este, tried and tested people power.  

Felix Ramento, Manila: The only grounds that would justify a noel scenario in 2010, God forbid, is a force majeure, otherwise even the most passive Filipino will rise up against PGMA.  

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: There won’t be objective answers as your question doesn’t specify why there’d be noel. It’s obscurely composed and can only fan unfounded rumors.  

So what else is new?

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Noel or whatever is no longer an issue to me. Nakakasawa na ang politics sa abang bansa ko.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: I’m not a politician and I would treat a noelection scenario as an ordinary event in our disasterprone country.  

Polls will surely be held as scheduled

Luis Bardillon, Parañaque City: Even the late strongman Pres. Ferdinand Marcos was forced to call a snap election, how much more now that our democracy has been restored? Dirty politicians are making noise just to be noticed and gain free publicity. Noel is not an issue; elections will go on as scheduled.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Palagay ko di na uli mangyayari ‘yun next year. It may be true that some blind quarters feted Imelda with a lavish, insensitive, bacchanalian feast in this present global crisis, which she justified by saying, “Walang presyo ang beauty.” Where do I enlist as a Mujahideen suicide bomber to blow this scourge back to kingdom come and gain a visa to the Muslim heaven? I would gladly do it just to make sure such a curse never hits RP ever again. Tapos, noel pa?! Maawa naman sila sa atin. The 2010 elections will push through.  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: A noel scenario is only in the minds of the paranoid opposition. Elections will likely be held in 2010, be it presidential or parliamentary, or whatever!  

Carlito Pajaro, Metro Manila :No reaction, since I am sure the 2010 elections will push through.  

Rumors peddled by the opposition

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: I would be very furious, but then, that’s a farfetched scenario advanced by the opposition to sow intrigue and hatred against PGMA and her allies.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: With GMA’s assurance that an election will take place in 2010, and Comelec doing its mandated job, I don’t believe in the noel scenario being peddled by gossips.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Mad and angry. Noel is a scenario peddled by rumormongering opposition and militants. We will have elections come 20l0.  

I would join protests

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: I don’t believe that PGMA will renege on her promise not to run for presidency in the coming polls. Some sectors are just overreacting and paranoid that she might run again. But in case a noel scenario arises in 2010,I will be compelled to join groups to denounce this decision. It is the only way I can express my sentiment against this wrong decision.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: It would be too bad if our present elected officials were to remain in office. Many of them are not worthy of their position, especially in the Senate. I can only voice out my dilemma through the Internet or on any occasion I am invited to speak about it. I would join rallies or demonstration without violent or offensive words and without the involvement of political personalities and militant activists.  

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: As an ordinary citizen, perhaps I would only comment on how politicians tamper with the Constitution as they please.  

Emeldinand Motas, Baguio City: If that’s the case, as a firsttime voter, I would protest because elections should be held every six years and cannot be postponed or it would be unfair to former elected officials that honored term limits. I really don’t like this scenario. It’s time for us to find a better president who can make the economy grow.  

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: My initial reaction would probably be mumbling invectives and execrations against those who might have had something to do with it and then I would join a nationwide protest.  

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Expect a violent but silent reaction. Adhering to the democratic processes, I would join any crusade, which will ensure that such a scenario won’t happen.  

Narciso Alano, Metro Manila: I would join the millions of people who would protest in the streets and risk their lives just to topple these tyrants and traitors.  

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: A noel scenario is highly improbable especially now that TIM and Smartmatic have come to terms. But in case it happens, I would join rallies to demand a change of government.  

I’d be devastated

Bryan Carbajal, Bacolod: That would be devastating! Our country is suffering and what we really need are leaders who can fix the country’s problems and pave the way for development. If the present politicians would remain in their seats, there will no longer be a chance for the Philippines to rise.  

Ric Vergara, Calamba: I would feel so sad because of the bleak future of my country. I see no solution to this menace.  

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: If no election is conducted next year, then it will have been manipulated so that many can prolong their grip on power and riches! My personal reaction would be utter frustration, as our country will be doomed deeper!  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: If that will be the case, can we do something about it? Di ba wala naman? It’s still those who are in position who would have the say. As ordinary citizens, we have no voice, or the power to assert what we like. Ngayon nga, even if there are many of us complaining, nakakaya ba natin? I am quite sure that there are hands crawling in the wilderness to make that scenario happen. Our present leaders want to cling and hold on to their positions forever.  

I’d pack my bags and leave

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: As a democratic country, we must elect our political leaders through elections. ‘Pag noel tayo sa 2010, sa Timbuktu na lang ako.  

Xirkul Tupas, Bacolod City: It would be my first time to vote next year and I am so excited about it. But in case there would be no elections due to some stupid reasons, I would leave the Philippines.  

Recipe for disaster

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: A noel scenario would alert me that the current tenant of Malacañang, with the support of lackeys and cronies, plans to extend her term of office. A disaster!  

Jose Parco, Aklan: This scenario always comes around during the onset of an election. The holding of elections is supposed to be stipulated and therefore guaranteed in our Constitution. Anyway, if this plot succeeds, there will be wars as well as rumors of war!  

Tino Abella, Masbate: A noel scenario will trigger chaos; it will be a clear suppression. It will definitely provoke people to seek justice in the streets.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: A noel scenario will finally be the last straw that will galvanize the seething anger of Filipinos against GMA and her blighted government. Their time is up.   

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: If no election is held in 2010, we can expect political unease, uncertainty and insecurity. The economy will be in disarray and chaos will prevail. We have to choose from the following: Join street protests; leave this country; join the MILF; or go to our bedroom, to cry and question God, “Why are so many beautiful species extinct, but greedy politicians, rats, and cockroaches live forever?”  

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: There will be chaos or bedlam everywhere, anywhere, especially in metropolitan cities and highly urbanized towns.  

Leonard Villa, Batac City: That won’t happen. PGMA and her minions will be flirting with disaster if they have that in mind. Noel will instigate the eruption of the social volcano.  

Term extension may be acceptable to some

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: As someone who will definitely benefit from a noel scenario, it would be hypocritical of me to react negatively. A noelection scenario next year would surely be good news for me. My third and final term as municipal councilor of our town would end on June 30, 2010, and if there is no election in May next year, the term of office of all elective officials, from the president down to municipal councilors, would have to be extended. We would serve on a “holdover” capacity. Term extension for public officials who have served their constituents with sincerity, dedication, honesty, and hard work may be acceptable to some people.  

A direct assault to freedom and democracy

Edwin Monares, Rizal: A noelection scenario is an open invitation for the people to exercise the power reserved to them as guaranteed by the principle of republicanism grounded on the social contract theory of state: Revolt against the leadership of this government. The Constitution is explicit with regard to term limits and everyone should follow. Postponing the elections  not just the presidential, but also the barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which has become a habit of Congress through the prodding of this government  is unacceptable and a direct assault to democracy and to the freedom of the Filipinos to choose their leaders.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Such a scenario, if carried out, would spell the end of our democracy and that would be the point when I will be true to the last line of the Lupang Hinirang: ”Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo.” Masagwa ‘yung tanong. Next question, please.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: I feel bad. It would be the most insensible, damnedest thing to happen in my country, which is known as a bastion of democracy in this part of the world.  

Allen David, Batangas: No election means a kind of death for democracy.  

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: Just thinking about it is frightening. Of course, it’s downright unacceptable and definitely an assault to our democratic freedom and Constitutional right. Voting is a quintessential part of our democracy, and stripping us of our right to vote as mandated by law is virtually stripping the country of its dignity and an evisceration of democracy. In case of a noel scenario, methinks it would deeply ingrain in the psyche of our countrymen an intense hostile uproar and, consequently, massive street protests and rallies will ensue. People will be intensely brazen and bolder this time and only God knows what may happen.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: This is unacceptable to me and, I believe, to a greater number of Filipinos as well. By all means, we must have a new set of leaders, election or no election come 2010.  

That would be unconstitutional

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna: It would be a total disgrace to our country, to the people and to our Constitution if a noelection scenario were to happen in 2010. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The holding of elections in 2010 is mandatory and called for as stipulated in the Constitution. It would be unconstitutional if elections were not held.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Noel in 2010 is a violation of the Constitution and the right of the people to choose their leaders and this would trigger chaos nationwide.  

Wait and see

Edgar Artates, Parañaque: I’d wait, listen and see what is happening around me. After studying the situation, I’d take the necessary action.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: It’s all speculation and I’d be dismayed if that happens. In the meantime, I’ll just wait and see. But count me in to burn the bridges when we get there.  

We can resort to a tax revolt

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: Under our Constitution, people have the vested power to govern in suffrage. People have reached their tipping point and are tough enough to destroy political terrorists in our land. The answer to noel is the nonpayment of taxes. We the voters can be an effective therapist in politics if we all act together for the country.  

Other politicians wouldn’t allow it

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: I hope not. It would be unfair for presidentiables waiting in line for their turn. It’s no joke spending money to get a favorable outcome in the elections. Besides, we need change to move forward, to achieve the vision we lost, and to redeem our lost glory because of corruption.  

Loi Castillo, Davao City: What would then happen to politicians whose ambition is to win the elections so that they will have their own set of contractors for the government projects?  

Expect it to spark a revolution

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: I have been predicting such a scenario. Things have been pointing in this direction and should it happen, well, we could find ourselves in a fate worse than Iran. Filipinos wouldn’t take it sitting down. There could be another people power revolution or even worse. The muchpublicized and anticipated automated polls is just a ploy. Brace yourselves.  

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: As Fidel Castro says, “Revolution first, elections later.” This is what our country will transform to in 2010 when noel happens.  

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: A sea of united people may come flooding the streets with devastation and anarchy to cause the downfall of this government.  

Kevin Casamayor, Ilocos Sur: I’m sure all trapos would be glad and it will start another Edsa revolution.  

Jose Jumawan, Puerto Princesa City: Two can play the same game. Boycott the damn election. Let’s see them govern without a clear mandate from the people.  

Jae delos Santos, Muntinlupa City: It would spark another revolution.  

Let God

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: During Edsa 1, collective prayers led by nuns did what many thought was impossible. I could react the same way, hoping to infect everyone to pray. I’d love to react violently, but my age and faith won’t let me. I’ll pray for divine intervention instead. Who knows, God may have a better plan for us.  

THE WAY I SEE IT

Jerry Caritan, Parañaque City: The Press Secretary has lied to the Filipino people on national TV and with a huge smile, made unnecessary remarks about women. I think the good Press Secretary needs to take a vacation or a leave of absence to recharge. The hospital is responsible for the breach of patient confidentiality in my humble opinion. It’s unnecessary to use the people’s money.  

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: It’s one for Ripley’s that the NBI, our premier investigation unit, is tasked to ferret out who gossiped about PGMA ‘boob job’. What critical task would next be given to them?  

Ferdinand Rafer, Manila: The ingrate 10 or Hyatt 10 and other mediamen want us to believe that the recent bombings are the handiwork of the government. We are not that foolish.  

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: By sheer luck from the wheels of fortune and intelligent husbanding of the multifarious affairs and problems of state, the GMA administration has been able to weather the storms and tempests of national and global misfortunes.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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