Pinoy abroad's advise to kin: "Vote wisely!"

"Go Faces Logistics Problem" - Headline. But the senatorial bets are not fazed, according to an opposition leader. For them it's a matter of "GO or die."

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A friend who is with the opposition said: "Logistics problem? Bay, we're a gutsy group. We'll GO for broke."

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Manny Pacquiao is running for congressman no matter what. He's living up to what his boxing shorts say: "No fear."

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Niño Asuncion of Newark, NJ, e-mailed: "The problem of our country is not only the economy but also the rising tide of criminality. In other words, peace and order. We need a strong leader, someone who can and will cut down to size any criminal ... someone like Sen. Panfilo Lacson or Davao City Mayor Duterte."

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Well, Niño, Sen. Lacson offered himself and his services to the nation by running for President in 2004 but our people, nay, the electorate turned him down. Lacson is seeking reelection as senator. If he wins (he's running strong in the surveys) observers expect him to take another shot at the presidency in 2010. Atangi!

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It says here that more than half of the 1.3 million graduating students in public and private high schools are unfit for college. This was found out by the Department of Education after conducting the National Career Assessment Exam last Jan. 17. There are some who are fit only for vocational courses. And many want to be dancers and movie actors and actresses.

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In this connection, excellence in science and technology among students in college is being pursued by reelectionist Sen. Edgardo Angara. He believes that excellence in S and T is the crying need of the Philippines and has to be effectively answered if we want to be globally competitive. And then with that excellence achieved, we all can rightly say: "Angara ng buhay." Right?

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Virgilio Natinga of Toronto, Canada, e-mailed: "I am a Boholano and I never fail to read The Freeman online ... This coming election in our country is crucial. Let our people vote for candidates who won't put down us."

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Thanks, Virgilio. That has always been the advice of Pinoys abroad to their relatives at home. But more often than not, it seems, this advice is not given much attention. The "dollars padala" is more important.

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