If presidential elections were held today, who will get your vote and why?

Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: I’ll go either for Noynoy or Gibo. The cousins are young, clean and their platforms are for change.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas: Nice try. But I’m not ready to vote for President today as I’m not sure yet whether a parliamentary or presidential elections will be held in 2010.

I have to know their platform first

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: I will not vote for any of them because I wouldn’t know yet who has the best program of government. I cannot allow emotions to overwhelm me, only to make an abrupt choice because it is a matter that has an important implication to the future of our country. This question seems to be designed to test the emotional tendency and the maturity level of our electorate. Well and good. It seems, too, that it is a litmus test on how high the tandem of Noynoy-Mar has touched the Filipino people.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: None of them yet. I have to know their program of governance first.

Rod Villar, Iriga City: I can only decide whom to vote after careful discernment about the performance of the candidate in a national debate, his track record as a public official, and his personal character.

Sen. Manny Villar holds the key

Bernard Tansingco, Metro Manila: For experience and competence, I’d vote for Villar. He has proven his ability to manage both business and people as the one-time head of both Congress and Senate. Noynoy is truly honest and will not steal but how about his chosen Cabinet men and other appointees? Surely, Pres. Cory did not steal, but her close kin was somehow rumored to have been involved in some anomalous transactions then, right? 

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: If presidential elections were held today, my choice would be the most successful among the presidentiables and that’s Sen. Manny Villar.

Randolph Hallasgo, Misamis Oriental:  I would vote for Sen. Villar because he is sincere. He is the only one who declared his intent to run for president earlier, leaving no room for any doubt. He has strong determination and I do believe he has the ability to lead the country. He has been campaigning since last year. And besides, he came from a very ordinary family and is self-made. Because of his dedication to work, he has become one of the richest senators in the Philippines.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: I would settle for the one whose early life experiences I can relate to: Manny Villar.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I’d vote for Manny Villar. He has stood tall amidst the blizzard of malicious innuendoes and false accusations. His humble beginnings, working in the market as a humble man, have made him the most credible lover of the masses who could empathize and resonate with their plight as well as their aspirations. Manny’s virtues are his strongest point. He has money to spend without having to sell his soul to people who have practically cornered the basic needs, not to mention other sensitive businesses that victimize the poor. Thus, he can concentrate on his job as president without pestering groups to divert his attention.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: The planned Villar-Binay tandem would get my vote. They have reputations for achieving progress.

Chiz represents the youth

Loi Castillo, Davao City:  I will vote for Chiz Escudero if he runs. He represents the youth, who are aggressive and idealistic for new politics. He is a very straightforward person.

J-Dub Wenceslao, General Santos City: Chiz Escudero. Silent waters run deep!

BF can institute reforms

Dale Lagayada, Parañaque City: This nation badly needs Bayani Fernando to institute reforms in all areas of government. Need I say more, seeing the streets now cleared of vendors?

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: It’s Bayani Fernando who has the political will to put the country in order. He will have the balls to minimize, if not eliminate, corruption.

Manny Fernandez, Cainta, Rizal: I would go for BF. A vote for BF is a vote for change. Gibo will just be a repeat of the hellish nine years of GMA.

Ric Vergara, Calamba City: Records show that BF would be a good leader, thus my vote goes to him. My second choice is Noynoy, because of Ninoy and Cory.

Romeo Nabong II, Saudi Arabia: It will be BF for me. I choose him because of my firm belief that he is the answer to the problems that my country has been suffering. He may not be a good lawmaker but he has the guts to implement and apply fully the law equally to all the Filipinos.

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: I’ve always believed that our country needs a leader who has the political will to enforce and implement laws. In my heart it’s BF.

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: BF is it for me. But I’m not sure if he’s really running.

I am for Bro. Eddie

Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: I’m for Bro. Eddie Villanueva. Like him, I am a strong advocate of good and conscientious governance. I want to try a godly person running this doomed country and put my bets on him to turn our corrupt country from a cursed to a blessed one. Let’s all be done with the same old politicos who promise heaven and yet, in the end, line their pockets full of loot as they leave Malacañang and leave us utterly in poverty.

We need to get our acts together

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: In my view, we need a leader who can cool down the boiling climate in politics. The present situation has just about reached the tipping point of total disunity. There are such political mercenaries who work only for themselves, like what is happening in the Senate, for example. I wish our country would become the “miracle capital of the world” where looters repent and would turn themselves to God. Amen.

Noynoy is a symbol of hope

Ed Gulmatico, Yemen: Noynoy Aquino will get my vote. Along with the majority of my co-OFWs in construction projects where I was routinely assigned in Yemen, Kuwait, Nigeria and Abu Dhabi, I hope that our preference will be carried over to our families. Other presidentiables will only maintain the status quo.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: As of today, I would vote for Noynoy, simply because I believe in his sincerity to serve. Although at first he was a reluctant candidate, his turning to God for guidance is a quality that is most admirable. I also have high hopes that he will not steal and that he will stay an honest man.

Noel Banias, Makati City: It will surely find me voting for Noynoy Aquino for president. Voting for him seems like the dawn of a new hope. He is like a fresh breath of morning air in a field still wet with the past night’s dew.

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: I would vote for Noynoy, because my heart says so and I always follow my heart.

Ariel de Vela, Camarines Norte: Noynoy Aquino will get my vote because I believe in him. I know that he has the ability to manage and take charge of our country.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: From this day until election day, Noynoy Aquino is my choice. The only son of Ninoy and Cory won’t tarnish the name of his parents. He’s a symbol of hope.

Marl Ramirez, Metro Manila: Noynoy will get my vote for a new form of politics in the Philippines. Trapos and administration candidates are completely eradicated from my list.

Elsa Mendoza, Quezon City: Noynoy Aquino. I perceive him to be upright. More so, he has, among others, the best advisers-cum-critics in his sisters who themselves are as upright, and who do not have personal selfish motives but total pure and unsullied support to enable him to function as an effective and trustworthy statesman.

Marilou Sy, Metro Manila: Noynoy Aquino, no less. The battle once again is between good and evil. The other presidential wannabes do not qualify to represent the good. They all have some similarities with the incumbent. BF and Gibo will just continue what GMA has started. They also are too beholden to her to prosecute her for her sins later. Villar has the C-5 controversy and has spent too much. I wonder how he will recover his expenses later. Erap should retire. Bro. Eddie should just help as a political analyst and an activist-preacher. I am reserving Chiz for future elections.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: If presidential elections were held today, Noynoy would get my vote because I believe that he is honest and sincere in serving the Filipino nation.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Sen. Noynoy Aquino. I believe he is the most honest. Chiz and Gibo are Amboys, Villar is a big-time developer, and Erap is an ex-con.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Noynoy Aquino, of course, for clean governance. I believe in what he has promised.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: I have no other choice but Noynoy Aquino. Though slow to decide and simple, Noynoy wants to be sure he is taking the right step. Those are the traits of a leader who can bring sanity to our maddening society. Gibo Teodoro is bright, with ready pragmatic solutions to any problem, but his loyalty to PGMA may forego the prosecution on many anomalies she and her family are into.

Buenvenido Arban, Laguna: I’d choose Sen. Noynoy because his programs are favorable to all of our indigent people.

Rey Joaquin, Las Piñas City: Filipinos are generally very sentimental. This very same trait will bring the presidential seat to Noynoy.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: I’ll vote for a man of level-headed confidence and devoid of delusional arrogance; one who can relieve me from the gloom of my dark hours. Noynoy is my man.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Definitely, Noynoy Aquino is my ultimate choice for President for the 2010 polls as he is the only one to carry out the legacy of Ninoy and Cory.  I consider the other presidentiables as lesser evils who may become another PGMA once elected.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: I would vote for Noynoy. Among the surfacing candidates, only Noynoy has the capacity to unite our divided country. What the country needs now is not an economist, certainly not an actor, and most certainly not a dictator, but a president who can effortlessly rally Filipinos towards a united goal.

My vote goes to Gibo

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: I’ll go for Teodoro. He has all the desired qualifications of a good leader, including personal gait and demeanor. Wala ka nang hahanapin pa.

Dhenver Solis, Makati City: Sec. Teodoro for president! Wala nang ibang may potential na mamuno sa bansa.

Carlito Pajaro, Pasig City: Sec. Teodoro is intelligent, has a strong personality, is capable of firm decisions, is incorruptible, and doesn’t hide behind his parents’ names.

Vic Nario, Dagupan City: I would vote for Gibo, because he is frank and consistent in his advocacies. He is also very upright with his platform and is honest.

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: I would vote for Gibo Teodoro. I find him firm in his convictions, very knowledgeable and, above all, sincere. I believe what our country needs is a young blood like Teodoro who can strongly lead and infuse bright hope to our floundering country.

Ellaine Academia, Dubai: For me, Gibo is the best among the presidentiables. I’ll vote for him.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: I’ll pick Sec. Gibo Teodoro. Aside from his educational qualifications, untainted record as Congressman and DND secretary, he impresses me.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Gilbert Teodoro. I believe in his firm stand concerning national security and other issues.

David Lazo Velasco, Marinduque: I’ll go for Sec. Gilbert Teodoro for he has all the attributes of a firm president, having higher education, experience,and skills.

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Teodoro may not yet be popular this early but I’ll vote for him as the most qualified candidate with the best track record and a laudable platform of change.

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: I prefer Gibo Teodoro. He’s young, well-educated, and articulate. He has his own conviction and dedication to tasks given him in government service.

Jarel Aubrey Apelin, Vigan City: Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro will get my vote because he is sincere, spontaneous and a lot more superior to Aquino, Villar, or any presidentiable in terms of intellect and capability. If I were to evaluate all the candidates based on track record and experience, Gibo is the sure winner.

Mark Capistrano, Parañaque City: Gibo has solid credentials. He is humble, honest, intelligent, and articulate.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Notwithstanding the fact that I don’t know his platform of government completely yet, Gibo seems to be ready and fit to tackle the role of president.

Dianne Aquino, Caloocan City: I would definitely vote for Teodoro because his track record speaks better than the other presidentiables. Aside from that, I value his being from the administration.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Gibo, because he has intelligence, wide experience in the political arena, and personality. Besides, he is already financially secure so he will probably no longer commit graft and corruption.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: The platform of government of the candidate is my guide in choosing whom to vote in this presidential election. In the absence of this information, I only have raw data on which to base my choice, and my precious vote will go to Gilbert Teodoro. My findings show that he has good credentials and he is a promising young man and also an articulate speaker. As a lawyer and head of our National Defense, he is knowledgeable on the defense problems besetting the country and handles the same in a diplomatic manner. His family background seems to be commendable and is probably a man with good moral principles.

I would vote for Noli

Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City: I would vote for Kabayan. I personally experienced how he helped the poor without media coverage. His Pag-ibig program has helped people a lot, especially the middle-class citizens. He is not a trapo; he is straightforward in answering all issues and questions asked of him. Walang ligoy at hindi nagyayabang lang.

Kiko would make a good president

Kim Tagorda, Vigan City:  If I could be given a chance to exercise my right of suffrage, I would personally opt to support Kiko Pangilinan, simply because he is a man of principle and of strong character. Furthermore, he has a good political background without traces of graft and corruption and he knows the aches of the simple Filipino.

It might be Erap again

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: This question presupposes that Filipinos are emotional and have short memories. Come 2010, when all the euphoria caused by today’s events will have cooled off and not even remembered, who knows? It might be Erap again.

It’s a tossup between Noynoy, Gibo

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Noynoy captured my imagination earlier, but I shifted to Gibo due to the self-righteous arrogance of people around the former that turned me off.

Noynoy-Mar made it easier to choose

Mayee Vicuña, Muntinlupa City: Noynoy and Mar. They may be from old political and influential families, but their families are among the good ones. They would definitely not steal. They are in touch with the masses’ needs and sufferings, thus, they know just exactly what to do to help our country rise above the crises that we face. They both have solid experience, having been elected as legislators for the last 10 years. They are both well-educated and well-bred, but are not intimidating. Most of all, they are a fresh and most welcome change after 11 years of being disillusioned by two successive presidential failures.

Felix Ramento, Manila: Where Mar goes, I go. The Noynoy-Mar team has definitely made the selection of a replacement for PGMA narrower and easier. Tumaas ang antas ng pagpipilian ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: My vote is solid for Noynoy-Mar. I believe in their intellectual capacity, integrity, and intense desire to lead this nation towards peace and prosperity and eradicate corruption totally.

Dennis Acop, Baguio City:  Noynoy-Mar, of course. First, moral ascendancy is primordial, especially after nine years of immoral rule under GMA. It is supposed to be fundamental before any effective governance can occur. Leaders must be moral since we entrust them with so much power that lesser mortals can easily abuse for personal gain. Only the Noynoy-Mar tandem has the credible moral capital among the various line-ups. Just looking at the other presidentiables, we cannot even hope for change we can believe in. 

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: I’d vote for Noynoy due to the persuasive opinions of Alex Magno and Billy Esposo. More so, that Noynoy has an unquestioned integrity.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Noynoy-Mar. They don’t have the C-5 insertion problem of Villar; Teodoro’s disadvantage as administration bet; alleged murder cases of Estrada; or Bayani’s problem of running independently. Besides, the Noynoy-Mar tandem has the support of the masses, civil society, the Church and the silent majority.

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: We’d vote for the Noynoy-Mar tandem because of their honest program of government.

Not ready to vote

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: If elections were held today, no one would get my vote because I have yet to make that decision na di ko pagsisisihan.

Kaeneille Antonette Rabena, Ilocos Sur: I would abstain. Sorry but I think I am not yet convinced about their performances. Most of them are just good in words, not in action.

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.

NEXT INBOX QUESTION: How do you gauge whether or not a leader has political will?

You may also email your views to: [email protected].

(Editor’s Note: We have just added another channel to reach Inbox World via the growing Facebook community. If you have a Facebook account, add up PhilStar Inbox and give us a glimpse of your views on raging issues of the day. Selected comments will be published in The Philippine STAR Inbox World. Readers may also post intriguing questions for other Inbox friends to comment on. See you there.)