In a neck-and-neck race between Villar and Noynoy, who do you think has the upper hand?

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: I think Noynoy Aquino has the upper hand as the younger voters will empathize with his desire for change, his single-blessedness, and the legacy entrusted to him by Cory and Ninoy.  

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: Now that they are wrecking each other, both of them might end up losers. With the controversies surrounding them, Gibo just might end up with the presidency.  

A dark horse may emerge

!  Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: I have not yet made a firm choice. The election is still far away. But, if Noynoy and Manny were the only candidates for president, it would be more apparent that the latter is gaining ground, and, therefore, would appear to have the upper hand. Some friends say it’s popularity versus political and business acumen; others say it is a legacy versus recorded performance, which people are now beginning to see. If elections were held today, the former might win the race but this may change. It seems that this is the reason why the camp of the former is frantic about what to do; now coming out with some absurd slogans and statements based on mere suspicion. Well, these two are going neck-to-neck in the race, but another dark horse might emerge strongly at the finish line

Rico Fabello Parañaque City: These two will never get a vote from me no matter what the survey says. In short, I’m out watching another race.  

Jae Delos Santos, Muntinlupa City: None, a dark horse will win.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Since Noynoy and the rest of the presidentiables have not been too visible on TV, Villar has the advantage. With all his infomercials that penetrate the mind, Villar could win. Money really talks. Just imagine how he buys popular personalities to endorse him. On second thought, this is just based on surveys. When it comes to the actual voting, there might be someone else who will emerge as winner. Who knows?  

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: If GMA has a 35-per cent approval rating in surveys, a close race between Villar and Noynoy will statistically make Gibo a winner, with 35 per cent of probable pro-administration votes.  

Villar is the top dog

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Though I will not vote for either of them, the top dog here is Manny Villar. If surveys are to be believed, Villar’s ratings are going up, while that of Aquino is going down. That’s the reason why the media lapdogs of Aquino are upping their ante against Villar to halt his steady rise.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: As in racehorses, one has to look at the stable from which the horse came. From the looks of it, Villar has the upper hand.  

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: With his recent guest appearances in two leading noontime TV stations, my guess is that it’s Sen. Manny Villar. He is now the frontrunner of the game, in my opinion, but only slightly ahead over his rival Noynoy Aquino. As the actual election day nears, I believe many things could still happen. No one can predict who will be victorious. Meanwhile, let’s enjoy the various election gimmicks of all the aspirants.  

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: Definitely, Manny Villar has the upper hand. He has the resources, and the support of both NP and NPC. And, if the Aquino camp’s suspicion is true, then, even the administration is secretly supporting his candidacy. On the other hand, Noynoy’s resources are limited and has only his LP to support him.  

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Certainly, Manny Villar has the upper hand in a neck-to-neck race between him and Noynoy Aquino as he has billions of pesos to burn in the presidential campaign. Furthermore, prior to the C-5 controversy involving Villar, his political operators (muckrakers) had already started to dreg out the SCTEX case blacking Noynoy’s name as well as the iconic Cory. With the reported unholy alliance between Villar and PGMA, the more the odds will be tilted in favor of Villar.

Editha Monreal, Antipolo City: I’m not for either, but Villar’s jingle keeps playing on my mind.  

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: I believe that Noynoy’s popularity is no match to Manny’s sipag at tiyaga. Villar will surely beat Aquino.  

Herculano Babatido, Misamis Oriental: I think Villar has the upper hand, with a machinery next only to Gibo. Nationwide, it’s the precinct leaders who will deliver the votes.  

Digoy Coro, Batangas: If it’s true that Manny Villar is an ally of GMA and FG, then he has the upper hand. But may the majority vote wisely and according to their heart and mind.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: In a neck-and-neck race between Villar and Noynoy, Villar will have the upper hand by about 10 per cent. But with the LP’s current showing of a disorganized party, Villar’s lead will dramatically increase.  

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: Technically speaking, it’s Villar. Based on surveys, Villar is running fast, like a passenger bus on Edsa, recklessly overtaking all other motorists. We don’t know how and when we could stop him. He has the upper hand. Only the people can apprehend him along the way to the presidency. Noynoy should change his route or vehicle or even change his pilots to boost his campaign. His slogan, ‘Hindi ako magnanakaw’, is funny and cheap. I remain with Bro. Eddie, for I believe he is not so tainted with deception.  

Norberto Robles, Taguig: Villar should overtake Noynoy if the LP’s C-5 broadside doesn’t make a dent in the surveys and when Villar’s camp fires back, it will be Noynoy’s time to run for cover.  

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: In a neck-and-neck race between Aquino and Villar, the latter has the upper hand because momentum is on his side, but in the final analysis, more than the number of local officials aligned with him, more than the ads, it’s a deep war chest that will oil his machinery on the ground that will see him through the end.  

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: Manny Villar, because of his vast experience as a legislator and entrepreneur. Being a former House Speaker and Senate President, he has acquired the wisdom that fits him for the presidency. Sen. Villar also hails from a poor family and became a billionaire through the virtues he developed with hard work and prudence, both in politics and in business. He knows the plight and needs of the poor.  

Noynoy has the edge

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: If it’s done with full media coverage, Noynoy will win hands down. ABS-CBN, DZMM, Kris, Sharon, PBB, Rated K and Failon Ngayon will be backing up Noynoy, giving him an unfair advantage over his rivals. Villar, with his resources, will buy his own media coverage, actors and actresses to draw crowds, but the bottom line is, when it’s time to cast our votes, intelligent voters will choose the one with the best qualifications.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: All other things being equal, Noynoy has the upper hand. Being an heir to a heroic legacy, he has an untainted record, while Villar has the C-5 controversy to contend with.  

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: It’s Noynoy all the way. I can’t imagine myself choosing Villar over Noynoy.  

Ric Vergara, Calamba City: I think Noynoy has the upper hand mainly because of the “parent factor.” Manny’s alleged tie up with PGMA is hurting him.  

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Noynoy has the edge because he’s not involved in any shenanigans or wrongdoings and because of his unquestioned integrity.  

Leonard Villa, Batac City: It will be Noynoy, for sure. He has a captive group of supporters in all economic classes and is bannered by civil society and people who want genuine change.  

Louella Brown, Baguio City: In a neck-and-neck race between Villar and Noynoy, the latter has the upper hand because he is sincere and credible.  

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: I was a believer in the sipag at tiyaga slogan of Senator Villar; however, recent developments of politicking within his campaign staff made me decide to shift allegiance to Sen/ Aquino as a true symbol of good governance and effective leadership. You do not need to be one of the poorest Pinoys to say you love them and provide them with better social services, because if you do not strive hard and work for the best out of yourself, poverty is your goal. We need hardworking and responsible Filipinos to achieve corruption-free Philippine governance.  

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: Noynoy Aquino has the upper hand because he embodies the true spirit of honesty, integrity, good governance and outstanding leadership. What matters in Philippine democracy is the fact that a president can potentially lift the country from the dark corners of economic depression, poverty and corruption and lead it to progress, development, empowerment and prosperity.   

Villar has credibility issues

Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City: Si Villar ang tunay na mahirap, but his SALN says otherwise. He is a billionaire. Si Villar ang may kakayahan. But Las Piñas is just a small city that has never improved after Villar, his wife, and his in-laws, managed this city for the last decade. How can he manage the entire Philippines if he wins?  

Vic Sanchez, Pasig City: I believe that Noynoy has the upper hand. Politics is the most profitable industry in the Philippines because the ROI is very high. You can recoup all your investments in less than a year and the rest is profit. Villar, as a shrewd businessman, is fully aware of that. That’s why he is pouring billions of pesos into his campaign sorties. However, our present voters are already enlightened and they can already see that once Villar wins, he would like a fair return on his investments; hence, they would reject him at the polls.  

Jeff Quezada, Pasig City: I go for Noynoy. Villar’s spending on ads has been quite alarming.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Noynoy, because he has better integrity than Villar. Villar is not yet the president, but he is already involved in several issues. What more if he becomes president?  

Roland Begonia, Puerto Princesa City: I’m afraid it’s Villar; he’s a great pretender.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: It’s true that money is power and Manny has heaps of it to pummel Noynoy on radio and TV. But his claim to have bathed in garbage would backfire if Noynoy’s camp would expose this as a great falsity to the masa and exploit the suspicion that he is GMA’s closet candidate. Villar has said nothing about running after tax evaders and smugglers, unlike Noynoy in the recent presidential debate in UP. If Noynoy would highlight his promise to run after these economic pirates and emphasize the billions to be recovered and collected from them that can fund basic services for the people to progress  to the point of scrapping Recto’s e-VAT, instead of adding to the national debt of P4.4 trillion, which more than doubled since GMA took over  Manny’s money would be a great waste.  

Noynoy is making costly mistakes

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Though I am not for Manny Villar, I think he has the upper hand over Noynoy Aquino at this point because of the many mistakes Noynoy Aquino has committed and is still committing. He keeps mentioning his deceased parents, who will not take the reins of government should he win. He has a campaign manager and spokesman who has no charisma. His banner of not imposing new taxes is laudable, but many doubt if it would be feasible. His ‘Hindi ako magnanakaw’ pronouncement is unnecessary and cheap. Citing the name of God in a political campaign is against the Third Commandment. Finding and exposing faults of his opponents is ungentlemanly; the honorable way of promoting his candidacy is to offer noble, effective and doable solutions to the country’s problems. On the other hand, Manny Villar has many expensive advertisements that are sellable to gullible voters. I fervently wish, however, that Manny Villar would not become our president due to corruption.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: It’s a see-saw battle, but Villar will eventually have the upper hand as Noynoy will just self-destruct. Let’s not underestimate others. Gibo might yet catch up.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: The tremendous popularity of Noynoy Aquino in the early going is now waning due to his own doing. The first fallout of his popularity was his first infomercial. Then he committed mistake after mistake, exposing his immaturity. He could have said he would run after tax evaders and smugglers, improve revenue collection, and eliminate graft and corruption to salvage our sinking economy. But he promised not to impose new taxes, which will make it difficult for the government to carry out many public projects and social services. His attacking the government for its poor performance and citing the mistakes of his rivals are turning off voters. His swearing in the name of his parents and of God that he will not steal is a senseless statement for who will swear to steal if elected? Noynoy Aquino and the LP have wasted so many advantages in the last stretches. If they don’t make up for them right now, I doubt if Noynoy can even be in the running come election day.  

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: If Noynoy fails to arouse the imagination of the voters on his platform against corruption and the urgency to eliminate it, he will lose to Villar.  

Let’s wait and see in the May elections

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: We can’t count the chicks until they are hatched. Election day is still too far. If surveys results are to be considered, Aquino and Villar are the leading candidates. But the electorate, not the surveys, will decide the outcome.  

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: In horse racing, there’s the quarter bend, the far turn and the mad rush and scramble to the finish line. The bettors, or the electorate, sense that they’re up to an exciting photo-finish. It’s anybody’s ballgame. I wouldn’t handpick a winner  no hay llamado o dehado. Therefore, the May elections should be the final day of reckoning.  

It’s still anybody’s ballgame

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Manny Villar has the upper hand over Noynoy and the eight other presidential candidates. Villar has been preparing for this election for many years. He has had the support of most mayors, governors and other officials long before Aquino decided to run. Furthermore, Villar has the money to spend; he is the richest official and is among Forbes Magazine’s top richest men. His senatorial lineup is well-planned, from the right to the leftist. Villar was willing to swallow his pride and get Loren, who was responsible for his ouster as Senate President. Gen. Querubin is a rightist, but Satur and Maza are extreme leftists. Bongbong, the son of the dictator Marcos, is also part of his team. Villar has the best electoral machinery, but I am reminded of a Chinese saying. “No matter how you plan, they are no better than a brush stroke from heaven.” It’s still anybody’s ballgame.  

It depends on their platform

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: The one who is more believable in terms of his “to-do list” and is more down-to-earth will have the upper hand.  

It’s popularity vs. money

Mark Kevin Santos, Nueva Ecija: Noynoy has Kris while Villar has money. Both are competent. These two also lead in nationwide surveys. I think Villar has the upper hand, though. With the money he has, he can do anything to win in the 2010 elections. But at the end of the day, it will still be a battle of popularity against money.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: In between Noynoy banking on the waning Cory magic and Villar with his awesome resources and logistics, the latter has the upper hand.  

Tough call

Abelardo Abilay, Laguna: A president with money can surely help the country’s financial needs, while a president with an untainted family name can eradicate corruption. I must admit that it will be a very difficult decision for our fellow countrymen, but one way to make it easy is to choose the one who has God!  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: I wouldn’t speculate and I don’t expect that situation come election time, unless, of course, in a tight battle for second place.  

Voters should consider other candidates

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Noynoy Aquino’s plan to run this government without new revenues and Manny Villar spending billions without expecting anything make me sick. They are incredible.  

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: I don’t want to comment on such a scenario, but I hope and wish that the voting populace would realize that the two best candidates are Gibo and Gordon and also soon realize that competence, leadership and intelligence, not popularity, are the qualities the president should possess to effectively run the affairs of our country.  

Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: They are both dreamers and possible corrupt leaders. They are the favorites of newspapers whose passion is sensationalism, forgetting that we need a righteous and godly leader for our corrupt country.  

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: Between Noynoy and Villar, the former has the edge in surveys, but it will be Villar in the actual voting. But among all the presidentiables, Gibo Teodoro will win.  

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