In the coming presidential elections, do you prefer an administration or an opposition bet to win? Why?

Doesn’t matter which side he’s from

Edgar Artates, Parañaque City: I don’t have a specific preference whether he is an administration or an opposition bet. I will vote for someone who I believe is fit to be the president. I don’t care if he/she will win or not. What is important is I am going to vote for the best qualified for the position. That I feel is my responsibility for my country.  

Col Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: Administration or opposition, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is the ability of whoever wins the presidency to lead our country out of its quagmire.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I don’t care whether it is an administration or an opposition candidate that will win the coming election. I prefer a candidate who will pass my criteria: He or she must be physically healthy and will never violate human rights much more be involved in whatever illegal or immoral activity; must have the mental and emotional ability to stand tall and unfazed amidst the blizzard of malicious innuendoes and accusations grossly unrelated to the truth; and must have money to spend without selling his soul so that he will not be burdened by pressure groups demanding a return on their investment.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: For as long as the next president will be a selfless one, resolute to serve not just a chosen few but the entire citizenry, then he’s my president. Anti- or pro-administration doesn’t matter. What we want is a leader who can strengthen and regain people’s trust in a stable and strong government.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: I will vote for president the candidate who possesses moral courage, proven competence, selflessness and commitment whether he is from the administration or the opposition.  

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna: It doesn’t matter who the winner in the presidential elections will be (whether administration or opposition) as long as he or she will work hard for the good and benefit of democratic progress, prosperity and empowerment.  

Imee Aglibot, USA: It doesn’t matter which side the winner will come from. What’s important is his capacity to carry out the task. It doesn’t matter either if he’s young or old, veteran or greenhorn, as long as he has the will to make a difference. One thing is sure, though, no more lady bets for me, sorry.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: As long as I choose a candidate that I know is really capable of leading our country for the next six years, whether win or lose, it only matters that I do my duty as a citizen of the republic.  

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Whether administration or opposition, it is of no consequence to the need for clean governance for this nation has reeled under the undoing of bad politicians for so long! The situation that we will have will depend on the character, virtues and the unflinching stance of the man at the helm in ridding us of the evils that now pervade in our society.  

Armando Tavern, Las Pines City: I’d rather pick somebody who has the capability and ability to lead our country. It doesn’t matter if he is from the administration or not.  

I go for the ‘winnable’ candidate

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: I usually vote for who I think is the “winnable” candidate. That way, I will not be wasting my vote. Time will tell whom I will choose.  

I prefer an opposition candidate

Rose Leobrera, Manila: As I’ve already tasted the kind of governnance of the present administration, which I can describe as one of self-enrichment and self-benefit, I would like to try a new brand of politics. Therefore, I prefer to vote for the opposition. I would like to see if a new brand of leadership could possibly work for the best interest of our county.  

J-Dub Wenceslao, Quezon City: Personally, I prefer somebody from the opposition to win, taking into account all the disgusting anomalies being thrown at the current administration. At the end of the day, it will all come down to the basics; who is the most qualified.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I’d rather place my bet on an opposition candidate to stay away from the shadow of PGMA. She failed the expectation of the people.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: I prefer an opposition bet so that GMA her husband and all her cohorts could be haled to court.  

Geeann Rivera, San Pablo City: I prefer an opposition presidentiable to win. My choice is Mayor Binay because he has solid experience and expertise in governing Makati, the most progressive city in the country. I believe he is a good leader.  

Juliet Lampas, Metro Manila: Of course, I prefer an opposition bet to win. Let’s give way to change. Can’t we awake from our suffering today?  

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: I prefer an opposition bet to win under an idealism of “change we can” and “change we believe in” theory or principle.  

Glen Reyes, Quezon City: Opposition, because if an administration wins, PGMA, FG, relatives, friends and cronies would go scot-free from their numerous anomalies.  

Can’t pick from the present crop

Sahlee Almaden Reyes, Las Piñas City: Actually, whichever side is irrelevant. I’m still in a state of indecision because I haven’t come across a candidate with genuine sincerity in his heart. 

Mahirap mag-decide kung sino ang pwedeng iboto. Wala pa rin kasi akong makitang kandidato ng both parties na talagang dapat iboto.  Marvin Malaca, Cabanatuan City

Elsa Mendoza, Quezon City: Let’s see. There’s still a dearth of opposition presidentiables in sight. Until they all come out in November, it’s still premature today to evaluate the competence of those from the opposition. Be that as it may, if an opposition bet wins, I would believe he will “put the house back in order”, such as resuscitating the economy into purring gear and also, braving lots of thankless jobs to rectify the damage caused by the misdeeds of the previous “mismanagement”. I would hope that he would be someone I perceive to be undaunted at all times, so he can faithfully and competently exercise good governance over the country. Hopefully, we can once again be proud to be Filipino.  

Ed Gulmatico, Yemen: Honestly, wala ka naman mapagpilian (on both sides). Maliban na lang siguro kung si Noynoy Aquino ang mag-desisyon na tumakbo.  

The opposition is no good either

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Though I don’t go for this administration, I prefer an administration bet to win simply because the opposition candidates are just banking on their criticism of the Arroyo administration to win, but have not really offered an alternative platform that could sustain the country’s growth.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: An administration bet would surely continue what his predecessor has begun while an opposition bet would improve or change what’s not good.  

G.M. Baliatan, Angono, Rizal: I will go for an administration bet with the right credentials, clear vision, tested managerial skills and not so obsessed with vengeance.  

Better an administration bet

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: Because the local elections are dominated by the administration, I prefer an administration bet. Better teamwork can propel progress.  

Rod Villar, Iriga City: I prefer an administration bet to win in 2010 to ensure the continuity of priority projects on poverty alleviation, infrastructure, education, health, alternative energy, environmental protection and peace settlement of conflicts with MILF and NPA/NDF. At the rate opposition hopefuls are outsmarting each other, it is not impossible for an administration bet to win the presidency in 2010.  

June Deoferio, Cavite: I’m in favor of an administration bet winning in order to continue and finish the implementation of projects of the past administration.  

Juan Deveraturda, Zambales: I will definitely vote for an administration candidate who most likely will continue the economic and social services programs of PGMA. What the opposition candidates have offered so far, as can be observed from their press releases and from their so-called “infomercials”, are mere motherhood statements. The opposition has no viable alternative program to offer. Worse, they spend so much time and effort accusing PGMA instead of helping the government find solutions to our national problems.  

Avelino Falcon, Saudi Arabia: I prefer an administration bet to win, particularly one with the dynamism and discipline of Bayani Fernando. As he said in the ANC forum, dapat ipatupad ang batas. I can see that he can do it judging from what he has done at the MMDA.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: I’m for the administration bet ‘Gibo’ to win, to ensure the continuity of the unfinished projects of PGMA, otherwise, we’ll be back to square one.  

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: I prefer an administration bet to win in the 2010 presidential elections. It would guarantee the continuity of the economic and fiscal reform.  

The main criteria should be incorruptibility

Lynn Ayoong, Baguio City: Neither. I would vote for a qualified, honest, dedicated individual who is sincere in running the government and is willing to sacrifice.  

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: GMA’s administration is so notorious that almost everyone connected with it ends up getting tainted. I’ll go shopping for some lesser evil from the opposition. Mayroon naman kaya?  

Ed Alawi, Davao City: Doesn’t matter. Whoever wins will surely recover his or her campaign expenses and repay donors. What we pray for is an honest president.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Neither. Candidates from both ends are all seasoned traditional politicians and political butterflies. Whoever is elected leader could turn out to be just as corrupt as his predecessors. The main criteria for the 2010 election should be incorruptibility. Four Presidents after Marcos, the country has become as corrupt as before. Noynoy Aquino could be the answer to our call. The senator’s honesty is exemplary. When other solons can treat the President to a $20,000 dinner, poor Noynoy has to ask his sister to pay for the repair of their mother’s house and squat in a friend’s condo in the meantime. And being the son of two national heroes, Noynoy would be crazy to destroy the family reputation.  

I look at their qualifications

Bernard Tansiongco, Metro Manila: My choice of our country’s next leader will depend on the candidate’s qualification based on my own criteria and not which side he or she is on. Although there are many voters who still align themselves as pro-administration or opposition, I believe many of them cross the line come election day to vote for candidates who they think deserves their trust and confidence and have the ability and moral fortitude to lead.  

Caloy Alba, Metro Manila: Everytime I cast my vote, I always think of the qualities of the candidate. Popularity is not a qualification. When we vote, we should always think of what’s good for the country. Forget candidates with tarnished records. We cannot hold on to their promises.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: My vote will be based on the candidate’s qualifications, platform of government and record regardless of his or her party affiliation.  

Ruben Viray, Metro Manila: I prefer a candidate to win the presidency based on his qualifications, that is, education, integrity, track records, humility, and winability. The affiliation is not important. Never be deceived by looks and most especially by promises that are forgotten afterwards.  

Felix Ramento, Manila: I prefer Mar not because he is from the opposition but because he is the most qualified among the declared presidentiables.  

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Affiliation, like the bets’ hardly discernible true character, doesn’t matter. In our highly unprincipled politics, I’d prefer the most talented.  

I’d support a bet from the religious sector

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: Our country is sick of political disease and we are tired of the mudslinging between the administration and the opposition. To address this problem, I prefer to support a bet from the religious sector. We need a male leader who can pacify and stand between warring political parties. People are wary and tired of political disorder in this country. He might serve once just to overhaul government institutions to restore trust and confidence once and for all.

How about an independent bet?

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: If there’s a way, I prefer an independent bet to win. The president would be freed of subservience to political party demands that unnecessary.  

Ching Gaspar, Laoag City: Even an independent candidate is not excluded from winning as long as he has the qualities of a true leader that embodies the ideals of the Filipino voter.

Party affiliation is immaterial

Romeo Nabong II, Saudi Arabia: Although I brand myself as an anti-administration these days, up to now the presidential bet on my mind is from the unpopular administration side. I do not choose based on party affiliation, though. A political party in the Philippines is nothing but a name that opportunist members can easily break its principles/bylaws.  

Val Mindaro, Santiago City: Party affiliation is not important. RP politics is not platform-oriented. BF, Teodoro or Villar are good choices.  

I will vote based on the candidates’ vision

Gil Bangalan, Doha: Give me someone who has a clear and achievable vision for the country; someone who will give me at least three measurable goals, specific to the problems of the economy, security and safety of society, and the effective management of our national resources and capital (including our human resources). I don’t want to hear from the presidentiables the same promises that all politicians in the past have repeated every election time. Lastly, I look for someone who will declare in all honesty that he or she will eliminate the pork barrel of our legislators, which to me is one of the greatest sources of corruption.

Integrity, selflessness, courage

Dr. Dennis Acop, Baguio City: I would prefer a candidate who sincerely espouses the following attributes: Integrity, morality, selflessness, courage, and excellence. This candidate should mean what he says and say what he means. He should walk his talk and not engage in double standards and self-serving rhetoric. Secondly, he must be a moral person. Third, he must be selfless. Fourth, he must be courageous. Otherwise, the slightest opposition will bury him. And finally, he must lead with excellence. In a land slowly and gradually swallowed by mass mentality and mediocrity  where standards are lowered to accommodate unqualified numbers and elite interests  all the more a leader driven by excellence is sorely needed.  

I’d like to see political will

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: It doesn’t matter whether an administration or opposition bet wins. What’s vital is that he must have the political will to implement necessary reforms that would improve our lives.  

Ric Vergara, Calamba City: Except for Bayani, my bet will not come from the two major parties. Why, pare-pareho lang sila. Kahit paano, may tapang si Bayani magpatupad ng batas.  

Pare-pareho lang sila

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Neither, as they are all the same. Mga balimbing. Opposition today, administration tomorrow and vice-versa. They all agree only on power and money.  

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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