What if your candidate lost the elections?

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Well, what can I do? I’ll just hope and pray that the winner really deserves to win at mas mahusay talaga siya sa kandidato ko.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: I can accept that, so long as the results are fair and square. It’s not like the end of the world. I’d still be cheering that democracy won.

It’s ok so long as the polls are credible

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: I would accept it if the election is clean but if they were cheated, surely, I will join people power.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: If the election was done fair and square, I will accept whoever wins in the election. But if there was massive cheating, that’s another story.

Laverne Tarubal, Cagayan North: As long as the May 2010 elections is fair, then to accept that my candidate lost is very easy. There’s no need to file for a recount, or to file any kind of protest. We just need to show and make our elections credible, truthful and honest.

Tino Abella, Masbate: The agony of defeat is very painful but if he was clearly cheated, I will support his legal battle. Cheaters can’t claim the thrill of victory.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: As long as my candidate loses in an honest, fair, clean and credible elections, I’ll be willing to accept it. An election failure is unthinkable.

Bai Maleiha Bajunaid, Candao, Cotabato City: I would like to think positive. What if he wins? I can’t entertain anything negative for now when it comes to my candidates as my faith in their victory possesses my mind now. There has to be a powerful energy to push them to their deserving place in Philippine history. However, I would like to answer your question on this twist: What if my candidate is cheated? This is one of the possibilities that can happen knowing that those who are in position now want to sustain their stay by ensuring their continuity of leadership with their puppets surrounding them.

Majority wins in a democracy

Rey Onate, Palayan City: If my candidate loses, I will consider it as the rule of the majority. I will help in reminding the winner of fulfilling his program of government.

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: In clean and honest elections, the defeat of my candidate really hurts at first instance, however, the majority will should prevail and that’s the essence of democracy.

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: I will feel bad but I will respect the decision of the electorate. That’s life. You win some, you lose some.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: I will vote for my candidate because I believe in him. If he should lose, I’ll support whoever has the mandate of the people.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: I’ll just accept my candidate’s fate and never regret in any way. That’s the essence of freedom of choice - no regrets.

Anthony Solidum, Ibajay, Aklan: I may be disappointed because I believe that I have made the best choice for my country but I have to accept the choice of the majority in an honest election.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: I always treat it as part of a vibrant democracy where majority rules. Life must go on and I pray that the winning president will be blessed to make this nation unite for lasting peace and development.

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: Even if my candidate lost the elections, I will still respect the voice of the voters so long as the election results are transparent. I will support the winners in the transformation of our society.

At least I voted with my conscience

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: So be it. There’s nothing I can do but accept the results of the election. I only pray and wish that whoever wins must be good enough to lead us to progress and make our life a little better. What is important to me is that I have cast my vote for the candidate I feel is qualified and has the courage to make our country progressive against all odds. There’s always a next time.

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: If my candidate loses, so be it. I voted the candidate whom I believe in.

Loi Castillo, Davao City: No big deal if my candidate loses the elections. I always vote according to my conscience and not by popularity or by media’s dictates. Actually, those I voted for did not win the past presidential elections.

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City:  What can I do if my candidate loses?! We are in a democracy. I would, however, feel sad if the one who wins is someone I know to be inferior to the one I chose. But then, I shall be satisfied with myself for using my right of suffrage and that I shall have used my precious one vote in casting it for the candidate for whom my conscience dictated me to choose.

Ric Vergara, Laguna: No problem as I am used to such because I always vote for qualified candidates. Masaya ako kahit talo dahil sinunod ko konsensya ko.

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: It will hurt. It will even make me cry. But I can have a good sleep in the next six years, knowing that I voted honestly and with conviction.

Pinky Amador Bartolome, Vancouver, BC: If my candidate loses, so be it. My life will not cease to spin. I will still be doing what I am doing. We can all be proud that we took part in a political exercise, where there will always be a winner and losers.

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: It’s no big deal for me as I’ve prepared myself for any eventuality. Through the years, I’ve advocated the famous line, “You can’t win ‘em all”. This could even be a friendly reminder to all aspirants and their herd of rooters in our first ever-automated counting electoral exercise. Though it’s my desire that my bet wins, it would be an honorable thing to concede should the outcome run counter to my expectations. Never would I entertain the thought of being a party to anarchic movements. Matter of fact, I’ve been a winner outright, having been able to freely assert and enjoy the Constitutionally-mandated right of suffrage and be part in charting the nation’s destiny. No matter what, it’s not the end of the world.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: No regrets. I voted for the man who I believe would make a difference. My conscience won’t haunt me.

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: I wouldn’t feel downhearted because I chose my candidate based on my conscience neither influenced by any personal affiliation or anything given to bribe me like money, position, gift, etc. I will not regret it at all. We need moral change.

I’ll just grin and bear it

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Just grin and bear it! Then wait for the next polls! But, definitely, I may send to Inbox my disappointment and frustrations to lessen the pain and lost expectations.

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: I will just accept it and move on with my life. Life must go on and we must all try to do the best we can especially in our relationship with God. Maybe it was not meant for him and God has better plans for him as well as for all of us if in life we don’t get what we are aiming for or want in life.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Normal people are ready to accept failure without fabricated excuses or alibis and immediately congratulate and cooperate with the winner.

Felix Ramento, USA: If my candidate loses and the winner makes good, then it must be a blessing in disguise.

My bet’s a sure winner

Elpidio Que, Vigan: How can our presidential candidate Noynoy lose when he has at least a 19 percentage-point advantage, as surveyed, over his closest opponent? If he loses, and it would be logiccal that he was merely cheated, we would join howls of protest in high decibels. We would be Pied Pipers!

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: That my candidate will lose is for me unthinkable. No comment.

Ernesto F. Oliquiano, Las Pinas City: As of the moment, I’m almost 85 per cent sure that my candidate will win in the May 2010 elections. But in a very remote possibility that he loses in a clean and credible election, then I will accept it without any remorse. At least, I can face the mirror and tell myself that I did the best I can to pick the right candidate but unfortunately, others think otherwise. In elections, just like in sports and other undertakings, somebody has to win and the others have to lose.

Marlene Howe, Tacoma, WA: It is likely that my candidate, Noynoy will win based on the surveys. But then again, if another Garci incident happens, then the cheaters better be ready for the consequences of their actions. I personally don’t want another people power but I cannot speak for the many people whose lives are very much affected by the corrupt administration and their allies. I am hoping and praying for peaceful and honest elections.

My bet needs a miracle to win

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: My first choice for president, Richard Gordon, needs a miracle to win the election. Right now, I am sorry for him and for us because despite his talent and skill in public governance, all indications show he will never be our president, just like Claro M. Recto, Raul Manglapus and Jovito Salonga. But since he’s still young and energetic, I foresee him remaining visible in serving our country like my other losing presidential candidates.

I can only hope that the winner is deserving

Noel Banias, Makati City: In every election, there are winners and there are losers. If my candidate loses the elections, I will abide by the results. It is the only way to show the world that we Filipinos are also gracious losers. It will be a bitter pill to swallow at first but eventually, life has to go on. Let’s just hope that the winning candidate will turn out a lot better than our own candidate. That way, the country will be the true winner.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: We have to accept it and hope that the winner will execute his responsibilities for the good of our nation and the majority of our people, most especially our children and grandchildren. If we can only unite, with our resources, bright minds, strong and literate population, we can be a great nation.

Ogie de Guzman, Laguna: If Gibo loses it will not be for lack of effort. He has exhibited maturity and class worthy of emulation. Please carry on and show our people that politics is not a dirty game. I just hope whomever wins shows the same class.

Better luck next time

Arlene Go, Manila: If my candidate loses, it’s okay. Anyway, my vote is already paid he he he. They lost, I won. Besides, they only have to wait for another six years to run again.

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Wala lang. Better luck next time.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: So be it. We can try again next time. It’s consolation enough to be part of a democratic process, where our hope for change springs.

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: My candidate, Gilbert Teodoro, is much younger and has excellent quality as president but he has to hurdle past Estrada and Villar to topple Noynoy. Should he lose now, I foresee that he will make good in the future. Whatever it will be, I will keep praying to God to guide whoever will be our next president in leading our country.

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: There’s nothing I can do if my candidate loses. It only goes to show that it’s not yet his time. As Erap says, weder-weder lang iyan.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: If my candidate loses the elections, better luck next time.

I’d be disappointed, but life goes on

Francis Joseph Tria, Metro Manila: Another six years will be wasted. It will be same old story. The masa, with its very little contribution to the country’s economy, will again prevail with their choice. I have nothing against anyone but election time is our only means of making the best choice of people who will work for the common good.

Elmo Cruz, Manila: My candidate for president, Gilbert Teodoro, does not know me from Adam yet I will be hurt if loses because it will be our country who will lose his skill in alleviating our sufferings and bringing sanity to our corrupted mentality. Should he finally lose, I have no other recourse but to accept whatever will be our fate in the next six years.

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: If my presidential candidate loses the elections, I shall have also lost my wish for him to clean this government.

Nony de Leon, Malolos City: If my candidates do not win, I will spend a few days decrying the low quality of the electorate. Then I will go on with my life.

I’ll feel sorry for my country

Eric Gopilan, Quezon City: If my candidate loses in the elections, he will lose some fortune and a chance to serve truly. But the voters will lose a better leader.

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: Not all is lost (no bets in cash anyway) but my dreams for the country. The most media-exposed is believed qualified and able.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Can I do something about it? Wala naman, di ba, except to accept my fate. Now I ask, with all the expenditures that these candidates incurred, do you believe aasenso pa ang Pinas? Of course, once in office, that will be the time for them to recoup their investment. Poor Juan, his hard-earned money is again going nowhere.

Marian Gucaban, Metro Manila: I read that “complications are misarrangements of simplifications” and that “ every good thing we know, we learned from kindergarten.” The point I am trying to drive at is that when we were young, we voted for the best, the brightest as our class presidents and officers. As we grow old, life and politics become complicated but if we will go back to basics, I can only imagine Gibo as the leader of our country. If he loses the elections, maybe we deserve whoever wins because we have forgotten our lessons in kindergarden. People close to Gibo are lucky to have him in their circle because what he wants is to apply the greatest commandment of God being good to others. 

Grace Patricia Yap, Makati City: If my candidate loses, that will affirm my theory that the Philippines is a failed state. I have been doing my number crunching for a long time and while this country may have my undying sympathies, there is nothing left to do but write-off what is clearly a lost cause. I will have to numb myself onto the plight of my country. We clearly deserve what we will get, and as the world becomes an increasingly smaller place to live, a change of agenda will be called for. Cynical statements, true, but contrary to popular sentiment, this country isn’t worth a death pact.

A good loser is a great follower

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Such defeat must be accepted with grace. Anyone who threathens of disorderly actions if defeated is mentally unfit and dangerous to our democracy.

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: It’s alright to lose an election. We should not buy the threat and arrogance of the Liberal Party that they will revolt once they lose the election.

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: A good loser is a great follower. He/She must accept the decision of the majority, now that the election is automated.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: I will accept it. My candidate is only as important as the winner. There could be no winners without losers. My wish is that we rally behind the new President and let’s do our share in making this country better.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Based on my candidate’s personality, campaign style and attitude, they are not the sour losers type but ready to accept their fate. Unlike a psychopath and vengeful-minded candidate who threatened to call a people’s power if he loses, I bet my candidates are true gentlemen.

My love for this country will not cease

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: So be it. I will still be doing my share for love of country.

We have to accept God’s will

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It may be God’s will. Kahit sino na lang basta huwag lang si Erap, mas lalong pupulutin ang bayang kong mahal sa kangkungan.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: In my heart, the candidate that I will vote for will always be my president, win or lose. I ’ll look forward to the new president doing well for the country.

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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