Sample Ballot 2013

This coming May 13, we are about to again exercise our right to vote and select new members of the upper house of the Congress. Keep in mind, give to Ceasar’s what is Ceasar’s and to God what is God’s.

And just like what I did last 2010 Presidential elections, I will yet again make a “sample ballot.”

Below is the list of my senatorial bets. Twelve senators are needed but out of the thirty-three official candidates, I only chose seven. The pool is not that deep to begin with. Just like the first time, I will state here the magnificent, wonderful, meaningful and evocative reasons why I select these politicians.

Don’t you worry cool adolescents of the Philippines; I did not include Nancy Binay.

Here’s my list:

Samson Alcantara of the Social Justice Society

This senatorial candidate will not win. I am 99% sure about that but this candidate is definitely better than some of the other candidates; definitely way ahead of Binay or Bam Aquino. He placed third in the 1957 Philippine Bar Examination. What we need in the senate is someone who knows the law, someone who has brains. In addition, he serves as a law professor at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila; that’s my school, hehe. He is my “Alex Tinsay” pick of the year.

Francis Escudero, Independent

As I have said, and what should really be, we have to select someone with brains but also, someone with heart. That’s Chiz Escudero. I think he is one of the no brainer choices of this year’s election. A recent issue between him and the parents of his girlfriend might have tarnished a bit of his reputation but I think he’s already a shoo-in for a seat in the Congress. He might even be the next President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Richard Gordon of the United Nationalist Alliance

Ask every idealist hipster about their own senatorial list and definitely, Gordon is part of it. Not that I am an idealist hipster but because he already had a successful stint in the Senate, I think he deserves another. One more reason why I am going to vote for him is because he was the former owner of the Olongapo Volunteers of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association. Only a brilliant person can think of a basketball team name such as that.

Edward Hagedorn, Independent

Probably, out of all the contenders, Hagedorn is the only one whose life has already been a subject of a biopic movie. He was portrayed by the late Fernando Poe, Jr. no less with Sharmaine Arnaiz. Hopefully, he can pen laws that will transform the whole Philippines the way he transformed Puerto Princesa. Walang kuskos-balungos so I will vote for him.

Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. of the Liberal Party

Magsaysay is “The Father of Cable Television” in the Philippines. How could you not vote for someone who changed the landscape of television viewing in our country? I think that’s cool. Also, he has that mass appeal something that he inherited from his late daddy.

Aquilino Pimentel III of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan

Koko deserves another term. That’s the fair thing to do as he was apparently cheated before by Vina Morales’ ex in the 2007 elections. Also, if Samson Alcantara placed third in the Bar Exam, Pimentel was the 1990 topnotcher. So again, we need brains in the Congress so we voters should also use our brains when it comes to choosing the right candidate or as what his campaign slogan says, our KOKOte.

Antonio Trillanes IV of the Nacionalista Party

The only reason why I am voting Trillanes is because I find it cool. It is the same reason why kids will not vote for Nancy Binay; it is cool. But really, we need someone with courage and somehow a rebellious mind but for the right. A lot of people that I have talked to said that they will not vote for him again but I will. Come on, BF Homes Caloocan represent! Basketball Association of the Philippines represent!

For Vice Senator, meanwhile, you know who I am choosing; none other than myself because “kaunlaran ang aking favorite!”

And there you go, that is my list. You can have your own too. Vote wisely as what they say, I really don’t know if that is the case with me but these are my choices who I believe should take the vacant seats of the upper house.

Just remember, go for someone with good educational background and more importantly, don’t vote for leftists. You know, those who are linked to groups that always rally and always contradict whoever leads the country, ditch them.

Mabuhay ang bansang Pilipinas!