Santiago tops SLU poll by
infographic by
Lhexter Mhervin Co
Renante Andres Jr. & Lyca Orfiano
With the upcoming 2016 national elections, Saint Louis University’s Kataas-taasang Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral/Supreme Student Council (KASAMA/SSC) conducted a mock election on April 29-30 to take the pulse of SLU students on their presidential, vice presidential, and senatorial bets. The poll concluded that Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (PRP) and Senator Bongbong Marcos (Ind) topped the presidential and vice presidential posts with 67.97% and 65.68% of the total votes, respectively. Trailing behind Defensor-Santiago for the presidential race was Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (PDP-Laban) with 25.07%, followed by Senator Grace Poe (Ind) with 2.82%. Former Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas (LP) ranked fourth with 2.58%, while Vice President Jejomar Binay (UNA) got 1.26%. Respondents who were undecided account for 0.29% For the vice presidential race, Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo (LP) emerged second with 19.33%. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (Ind) came in third with 6.78%, succeeded by Senator Chiz Escudero (Ind) with 4.08%. Senator Antonio Trillanes (Ind) placed fifth with 2.97%, while Senator Gringo Honasan (UNA) had 0.41%. A total of 0.75% of the respondents opted to abstain. Meanwhile in the senatorial race, Dick Gordon (Ind) garnered the most votes followed by Risa Hontiveros (AKBYAN), Leila de Lima (LP), Migz Zubiri (Ind), Frank Drilon (LP), Ralph Recto (LP), Ping Lacson (Ind), Kiko Pangilinan (LP), Win Gatchalian (NPC), Sergio Osmeña III (Ind), Joel Villanueva (LP), and Vicente Sotto (NPC). A total of 3,406 SLU students who are at least 18 years old and enrolled during the second semester participated in the mock elections. All systems go Similar to the upcoming national elections, the simulated poll was automated. School of Computing and Information Sciences Governor Katrina Tauli and senior students Ariadne Joyce Lacorte and Clark Louie del Rosario created and designed the electronic program used in casting and tallying votes. Students were able to access the program either through laptop computers at respective school precincts or by logging on the official SLU mock elections website. The program also included a feature in determining whether the voting SLU student is currently enrolled and of legal age. KASAMA/SSC electronic elections eyed Jeremy Rimando, the Secretary for Business Affairs of KASAMA/SSC Executive Committee and the spearhead of the activity, mentioned that aside from taking the pulse of the Louisian community, the mock elections seek to test if an automated election is possible for the upcoming SSC elections. During the event, voters also answered a plebiscite on whether or not they want to apply the electronic program in voting for the next KASAMA/ SSC officers. Ninety-six percent of the respondents approved that the electronic system be used. “It [the program] is not yet complete if it will be used for the KASAMA/SSC Elections, but can already be implemented. Further modifications can be [incorporated] to develop the program,” Del Rosario said when asked on the integrity of the program they created. Rimando noted that by having the manual SSC/KASAMA elections automated, the University could cut cost on expenses such as rent of the venue, printing of ballots, and food. He emphasized that they merely showed that the electronic election is possible, and the decision of using it is up to the next COMELEC Commissioner.
W&B
DIVERSIONS by
Angela Caryl Manangan
Another tenure for the Yellows, under the leadership of Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, is about to reach its end. Consequently, another set of challenges, with distinct complications but familiar cries from oppressed sectors, await the next set of the country's leaders. We have experienced a controversial term under the Aquino administration. We may have been impressed by the notable success in exterminating some corrupt officials, but all the more irked by the inaction and the unending blames that the administration kept putting on its predecessor. The next leaders will have to be able to bear the burdens that persist and evolve to this day. Democracy has bestowed upon us a serious responsibility: the right to suffrage. As the building blocks of society, we must vote according to our principles. To vest the highest power over the land in one person is a matter that should concern us all and be undertaken only after we have done a meticulous assessment of each candidate. To aid you in casting your ballot in May 2016, here are the profiles of the principal candidates running for the highest office in the Philippines:
Full Name: MANUEL ARANETA ROXAS II Also known as: MAR ROXAS or MR. PALENGKE Birthplace: Quezon City, Philippines Birthdate: May 13, 1957 Age: 58 years old Political Party: Liberal Party Advocacy: “Ituloy ang daang matuwid.”
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas decided to run for president in the upcoming 2016 elections with the same advocacy as incumbent President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III, “Tuwid na daan”, which aims to eliminate poverty by clearing the government of corruption. Before entering public service, Mar Roxas was an investment banker furnishing capitals for small and medium enterprises. He entered the House of Representatives as congressman of the 1st District of Capiz in 1993 and became the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives. In the year 2000, he was appointed as the Secretary of Trade and Industry; he was elected as a Senator in 2004. From 2011-12, he worked as the Secretary of Transportation and Communication. Mar is the currently appointed Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.
WHY HE CAN WIN
As congressman of the 1st District of Capiz, he advocated consumer protection emphasizing the right of every Filipino to affordable medicines and established RA 7880, or the Roxas Law, which ensured fair distribution of the education capital budget among all the provinces. When Mar Roxas was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry in 2004, he advocated the philosophy of “Palengkenomics”, which defines the “palengke” as the economy's mirror wherein he promoted the Tamang Timbang, Tamang Presyo Program for consumers to get the "full and best value for their money". Also, he is known as the “Father of Call Center and Business Outsourcing Industries” after launching the ‘Make IT Philippines’. President Aquino III recently declared his blessing for the presidential candidacy of Mar Roxas. Mar is known as the grandson of the late President Manuel Roxas and the son of the former senator Gerardo Roxas; thus believed to be able to lead the Filipinos to a better future, just as his politician relatives purportedly achieved.
WHAT HE NEEDS TO PROVE
Full name: JEJOMAR CABAUATAN BINAY Also known as JOJO BINAY Birthplace: Paco, Manila Birthdate: November 11, 1942 Age: 73 Political Party: Partidong Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) Advocacy: POOR and PRO-POOR
Using a tried and tested formula to appeal to the masang Pilipino who comprise the largest fraction of voters in the country, Binay proudly brandishes his rags-to-riches story. This experience, according to him, is the inspiration behind the educational, medical and other public service reforms he made for Makati. Binay was one of the lawyers under the group MABINI (Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism) who actively opposed the Martial Law regime. President Corazon Aquino acknowledged this by appointing Binay as officer-in-charge of Makati, a municipality back in 1986. He then ran for the position in 1987 and won consecutively for three terms. Due to a constitutional ban on a fourth consecutive term, his wife, Dr. Elenita Binay took the reins of Makati from 1998 to 2001. Binay resumed the position from 2001 to 2007. For 20 years, Binay has also been the national president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. Binay is also the national president of the United Opposition and the PDP-Laban party.
After the death of President Cory Aquino, the members of Mar’s party list decided that it would be wise for Aquino to run for president and Mar for vice-president instead. Meanwhile, just before P-Noy declared his support for him, Mar Roxas defended himself in his speech clearing the issue about stepping down for Aquino in the 2010 Presidential Elections. He said that he stepped down not for fear of losing but because he believed that P-Noy would do a better job than he and the Philippines deserved a leader like P-Noy. Is he taking chances at the presidential seat now because there is no candidate running for the same position who hails from a famous family eliciting the masses’ sympathy and support? Will he step down again once he realizes that the Philippines might be “better off” under the leadership of another candidate? “I had to do justice to what I had been taught, and to what I knew in my heart was right. I accepted the responsibility,” Roxas stated. Truly, Filipinos need someone who knows justice by heart and is brave and mature enough to accept the responsibility. Yet accepting the responsibility is different from doing it. On November 2013, during the typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) along with the DILG Secretary Mar Roxas distributed relief goods to the people of Tacloban who were told to evacuate because of the storm surge. However, the people claimed that corpses strewn along the streets and floating in rivers were removed after a few days of delay in the storm-ravaged areas-- so much for responsibility and justice. “Hindi mo pwedeng talikuran ang panawagang ipagpatuloy and laban ng iyong mga magulang,” Roxas stated. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean Mar is as good as him. Yes, they share the same surname, but that’s it. As they say, no two persons are alike. No son is his father, much less his grandfather. Should the Filipino voters buy that I-am-related-to-the-ex-president campaign again? Mar Roxas enjoys many good titles because of his accomplishments, is favored because of the president’s support, and trusted because of his bloodline but being the leader, the father, and the servant of the Filipino people, is a different matter.
WHY HE CAN WIN
In 2006, Binay ranked fourth in the World Mayor award. The World Mayor project was launched by London-based research institute City Mayors Foundation. The winning mayors are determined by the quantity of online votes they receive and the justifications accompanying them. That Binay made it to the list of top ten mayors in the world proves the solid trust and support of his constituents. Comments hailed him for providing benefits to senior citizens, free uniforms and school supplies to students, and improving the health care system and infrastructure of Makati. At the height of corruption allegations in November, Binay was 15 points behind Poe in a presidential poll. However, the most recent survey, released by the Social Weather Stations on January 15, was topped by Binay (31%), and followed by Grace Poe (24%).Clearly, the presidency belongs to the one who spends time with the people and makes them believe that he will save them from poverty. Binay has a strong local base and has been traveling around the country since 2011. Harvey Keh, in an article for gmanetwork.com, noted that Binay’s silence on highly divisive issues as well as his lack of action and responsibility during critical events will help him retain the electorate’s favor. After all, not saying or doing anything during crucial moments has earned him less criticism and fewer enemies. Additionally, more than half of Filipinos identify themselves as poor and do not have access to the internet. This can send Binay to Malacañang considering that 1) it is the vote of the lower classes that will eventually hold sway in the national elections and 2) they are more likely to access (and believe) Binay’s pro-poor campaign material on TV than the online articles detailing the corruption complaints against him. Binay, who spent nearly 600 million pesos from November 30, 2015 to January 1, 2016, was the biggest spender for television ads according to Nielsen Philippines.
WHAT HE NEEDS TO PROVE
Currently, there are three Binays in the government: the Vice President, Senator Nancy Binay, and Makati’s 2nd district Representative Abigail Binay. Makati Mayor Junjun Binay was dismissed in October for his involvement in the alleged overpriced construction of the Makati City Science High School building. When asked in a UP Los Baños forum about his opinion on dynasties, Binay retorted that it was the quality of service from the family that mattered. Here is a graduate of Law from the University of the Philippines challenging, through word and deed, the law's prescription against political dynasties. The Binays have lorded over Makati for three decades. VP Binay claims that he led Makati’s transition from a municipality into a city that is a center for commerce. Then again, the master plan and initial sign-up for investors for Makati as a commercial area began as early as the 1950s. In effect, Binay only took over the city already groomed as the Philippines’s main financial district. When Binay was mayor, at least five graft cases were flung towards him since the first one was filed by his former allies in 1988. This lawsuit, together with the other four, was dismissed. Reasons for dismissal ranged from alleged payoffs to lack of prosecutorial zeal and weak evidence. A string of plunder complaints against him peaked in 2014-2015. Despite the length of his stay in politics, Binay has yet to prove that the allegations of graft and corruption that have hounded his and his family’s dynastic rule are untrue. Claiming that the parade of criticisms from his early years in office are all “politically motivated” and fabricated to tarnish his name is an insufficient response. Finally, a sob story and a promise of removing the masses from the hellhole of poverty are not enough to expect from a candidate; he must detail his plans for all sectors of the community and affirm that he still deserves the voters’ confidence. The Filipinos are forgiving people, but not everyone is worthy of absolution. The line between forgiveness and forgetfulness (often, the induced kind) blurs when the same person commits blunders and is pardoned cyclically.
Miriam Defensor-Santiago is running under the People’s Reform Party (Partidong Repormang Pantao) banner with Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. as her vice president. This is her third time to contend for the presidential seat after losing in the 1992 and 1998 elections to Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada respectively.
WHY SHE CAN WIN
Santiago has had considerable experience in the three branches of the government. In the judicial branch, she served as the presiding judge at Quezon City’s Regional Trial Court. In the executive branch, she was appointed Commissioner of Immigration and Deportation and later as Secretary of Agrarian Reform. During her time as immigration commissioner, she cleansed the CID of corrupt officials. She also ordered raids against criminal syndicates and pedophile communities ran by aliens. In legislation, she is on her third term as senator and has the most bills and resolutions filed despite being on medical leave. She has filed more than one thousand bills and resolutions. Among the most important bills she had sponsored and authored were: The Reproductive Health Act (Republic Act 10354), Sin Tax Law (Republic Act 10351), Cybercrime Law (Republic Act 10175), Anti-Bullying Law (Republic Act 10627). She was the first Filipino and first Asian from a developing country to be elected judge in the International Criminal Court in 2011 by garnering more than two-thirds of the 120 states parties’ votes. Miriam received numerous awards during her career in government. She received the Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 1988 (the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize). The Philippine Jaycees and Philippine Lions awarded her the TOYM (The Outstanding Young Men) and TOWNS (The Outstanding Women in our Nation’s Service), respectively. The mass is drawn to her legal brilliance, intellectual prowess, blunt and harsh honesty, and dedication to ridding the Philippine scene of corrupt personalities.
WHAT SHE NEEDS TO PROVE
Defensor-Santiago suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome in 2012 which effected her resignation as ICC judge after only serving three of her nine years. In July 2014, she announced that she had stage 4 lung cancer. Three months after that, she declared to the public that most of the cancer cells have regressed and that she has “beaten cancer.” This turn of events has led many people to question Santiago’s medical condition. Weeks after her filing of candidacy, she is hounded by critics to reveal her medical records which she in turn shot down by stating she has right to privacy and that these individuals are “only out to smear her campaign”. There are several questions that arise regarding the future of the presidency: If the president is ill, can they carry out the duties of the highest office in the state? Will they be able to finish their term as president? If they don’t, they will be replaced by the vice-president. What if the second-incommand doesn’t share the same principles and platforms the president did? There are great stakes riding on electing the highest official in the land and it is important that we choose someone with the mind, heart and body for it. Miriam is undoubtedly brilliant in her field. She has the heart and sufficient aggressiveness for a campaign against corruption. What is left then but to prove that if we do choose her, we are electing a president, not a temporary seat-warmer for a vice-president in the waiting list for replacement.
Renowned for his ironclad leadership and a rough-andtough policy against outlaws, Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte is the last to join the fray of presidential bets. Far from being a fledgling in the political landscape, Duterte owes his traction to his stalwart service for the city government of Davao.
Full Name: RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE Also known as: The Punisher, Davao’s Dirty Harry Birthplace: Maasin, Southern Leyte Birthdate: March 28, 1945 Age: 71 Political Party: Philippine Democratic Party-People’s Power (PDP-Laban) Advocacy: Anti-drugs, Federalism, hard line action against criminals
WHY HE CAN WIN
Among his convictions are an embrace for diversity, the push for order and stability, a discernment for leftist ideologies, and the quintessential platforms of environmentalism and mobilizing the impoverished. The ideals are anchored in his milestones. As a response to a very diverse mix of local constituents in the city, one of his first actions was to appoint deputy mayors for 11 tribes spread across 182 barangays for efficient local government administration. This inclusive leadership was further cemented in his second term (1992-1995), where the City Development Council, an assembly that institutionalized people’s participation, was organized. Under his seventh unprecedented term as the city’s mayor, Davao has seen a growth in urbanization along with an expansion of economic hubs, and a notable decrease of crimes so stark that it ranked fifth among the world’s safest cities in 2015. One of his landmark legislations, the Local Investment Incentive Code of 1994, paved way for the city to hit the 1-billion-peso mark in terms of revenue. In implementing order, Davao City employs state-of-the-art facilities and takes pride in having a centralized emergency hotline, the first emergency response system of its kind in the Philippines and in Asia. His appeal goes beyond the borders of Davao. He embodies the dream of a leadership that is as at once decisive and compassionate—a dream made resoundingly sought for as seen in his avid supporters, and a dream realized for his spoiled constituents. Politics aside, he may cuss profusely and raise his middle finger on occasion, but these are taken endearingly as gestures of his humanity.
WHAT HE NEEDS TO PROVE
Against the backdrop of his political agenda is a question of character. There is the support and empowerment for the embattled minorities of the gender spectrum, but so is there a blatant display of machismo that borders on sexism. A self-proclaimed womanizer, Duterte’s recent interview in Taguig was met with internet flak and comments about “objectifying women” on social media. For a person whose claim to presidency is vested in an iron fist, Duterte’s political will also seems to remain clouded in haze. This ambiguity was seen in his initial reluctance in joining the electoral race, waltzing in and out of candidacy. He has toyed with the idea of seriously running for presidency around May last year reportedly because of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s criticisms against him among many others. Press dispelled the murmurs of Duterte filing for presidency on October, only to have COMELEC’s doors reopen for him upon being nominated as a substitute for Martin Dino, PDP-Laban’s supposed candidate. No sooner did he capitalize his run over leading candidate, Grace Poe, who he believes to be inadequate because of her citizenship. To brand Poe’s candidacy as a disrespect against the Philippine Constitution pales in contrast with his policy that is glaringly steeped in impunity: that human rights are not afforded by criminals, and that those who break the law shall not deserve lawful proceedings. In an interview with Rappler’s Maria Ressa, he acknowledges the cases that have been filed against him concerning the extrajudicial killings attributed to the Davao Death Squad, a group presumed to be responsible for the death of over a thousand criminal suspects. A man of bold convictions and at the same time contradictions, Duterte has yet to pronounce a stirring statement for public service. Until then, we can only hold on to a promise he so passionately says: “I will not sit there as President and just like any other regime. […] ’Pag nilagay ninyo ako, do not ***k with me.”
Full name: MIRIAM DEFENSORSANTIAGO Also known as: Iron Lady of Asia Birthplace: Iloilo City Birthdate: June 15, 1945 Age: 70 Political Party: People’s Reform Party (PRP, also Partidong Repormang Pantao) Advocacy: Ridding the government of corruption, multi-sectoral empowerment
Full name: MARY GRACE SONORA POE/MARY GRACE POELLAMANZARES Also known as: GRACE POE Birthplace: Iloilo City Birthdate: September 3, 1968 Age: 47 Political Party: Partido Pilipinas Advocacy: FOR THE OPRESSED. “Walang maiiwan sa bagong umaga.”
On September 16, 2015, Grace Poe officially declared her bid for presidency at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Her platforms focused on policies promoting the welfare of the poor. Poe, believing in her father’s principle of helping out the vulnerable, emphasized greatly on the significance of policies that would protect and promote the rights of the disabled, indigenous, women, youth, the LGBT sector, and citizens who have reached the age of retirement. “We can achieve whatever we want if we work hard. Be vigilant, and make sure we have an honest person to guide us through our journey,” Poe said in her speech. However, in the race for the presidential seat, how can a person lacking in political experience, bring about change in a country faced with so much crisis? After her father's loss in the 2004 Presidential Elections and subsequent death later that year, Poe and her family decided to permanently move back to the Philippines. Poe was then made Vice President and Treasurer of the FPJ Productions, taking charge of the maintenance of over 200 film archives. In 2010, Poe became part of the Kontra Daya, organized to prevent further electoral fraud, which she believed took place during her father's bid for presidency. On October 10 of 2010, Poe was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III as Chairwoman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). She was sworn into office on October 21 of the same year. She was again appointed by the President on October 23, 2011, staying in office until she filed for senatorial candidacy on October 2 of the succeeding year. Though faring low at the 28th spot in the SWS survey conducted right before the official filing date, Poe saw a rapid boost of ratings in national election surveys. In a survey made by Pulse Asia in April 2013, she moved up from 2012's 28th to the 3rd spot. In May 2013, Poe was officially declared as senator by the COMELEC, together with co-candidates of the Team PNoy alliance, namely—Chiz Escudero, Sonny Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Loren Legarda, and Nancy Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance.
WHY SHE CAN WIN
Although appointed on short notice as MTRCB chairman, Poe attracted much public interest as soon as she entered the political scene. Poe lead the promulgation of implementing rules and regulations for the Children’s Television Act of 1997, and subsequently administered restrictions on movies and programs shown on public utility vehicles. While promoting strict guidance and intelligent viewership, she openly spoke against restrictions being made on freedom of expression, stating the relevance of speaking out without being restrained, however partial. In her tenure as senator, she endorsed programs for poverty mitigation, such as insurance for farmers and support for small businesses by making permits more accessible. She also led programs promoting the welfare of women and children. For children, she instigated an Elementary School Lunch Program supporting proper nutrition and campaigned against child pornography. She also encouraged female contribution in the government sector and highlighted the value of their participation. “Effective leadership can be gleaned not just from the progress of a few but the advancement of the majority, especially of those who find themselves in the fringes,” said Poe in a May 2015 speech delivered at the Philippine International Convention Center.
WHAT SHE NEEDS TO PROVE
The path to presidency had not exactly been easy for Grace Poe—certainly not with her identity, being adopted, and dual allegiance being questioned. Said to have been left outside a local church in Iloilo City, many stories around the identity of her biological parents continue to circulate. Popular legend says that she was the product of an affair between Susan Roces’ sister, Rosemarie Sonora, and former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Even with such rumors, Poe managed to joke about the possibility that Bong Bong Marcos could be her half-brother. The question of her biological origin aside, Poe is yet to prove one significant point in becoming president: her allegiance. While true that she was not at fault with what could have been the identity of her birth parents, the choice of citizenship is one that certainly takes responsibility. The renouncement of her Filipino citizenship, several years ago, to settle with her family in the comfort of American service, could not have been a decision made overnight. Poe chose to be American for her love of family, what does this say about her viewpoint with living in the Philippines? The death of her father right after his loss in the 2004 election, opened doors of opportunity for Poe. Despite of having no experience in politics, Poe, almost immediately, gained support from her late father's followers. While Poe herself acknowledges the advantage that her surname serves her in the race, she admits that she could not win on that alone and instead emphasizes the significance of her platform. Part of her platform is increasing the budget for infrastructural projects for up to 7% of the GDP, wanting to improve the state of national roads and ports. It is also remarkable how she mentions the increase of wages and benefits for government as part of her agenda, especially now that performance of government workers has gained mostly negative feedback from the public right after anomalies were reported in the Bureau of Customs (BoC). This also relates to what she says for the OFWs, the disclosed victims of the BoC scandal, that red tapes shall be reduced and proper legal support shall be given to these Filipinos overseas. Will Poe be able to induce such changes that would eventually expel these old, foul habits from within government sectors? In the race for the presidential seat, Poe had inevitably attracted a large following merely for carrying the legacy of her father. Her seemingly untarnished profile in this dirt-filled politics all the more boosts her standing among the masses. But with similarly powerful antics being used to try and disqualify her, will Poe, the leading candidate in presidential polls, ultimately rise up to the challenge?
HALF THE JOB Now that we got to know more about the top five candidates vying for presidency, may "voting wisely" cross the line from adage to practice. There are those who may be pure with their intentions but are not given the privilege to express their will to represent the people or able to win their trust. In honor of them, our heritage, and our future, let us not vote for some just because they are popular or they come from the same town as us. Let us not vote out of pity, or worse, out of bribery. Let us deliver judgement upon all candidates objectively and holistically. Let us put to good use the sources available to us, the local media or social networking sites, with thorough assessment of the veracity of each statement and article. We possess this overwhelming power to reshape the nation's leadership—but voting is only half the job. In exercising this power, we must be vigilant.