Uncorrupted presidentiables, uncorrupted voters

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

A Pulse Asia survey tells accomplishments (25%) as the reason why one among four voters chose presidential candidate Sen. Manny Villar, former president Joseph Erap Estrada and Vice President Noli de Castro as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively; and Sen. Mar Roxas and the younger Francis Chiz Escudero trailing behind. As the younger bets get a share of the limelight, the older ones surely gained the upper hand over the younger ones who still have to catch up and do more work.

Having a pro poor orientation (20%) also topped the reason for favoring a candidate.
Villar who comes from humble beginnings having been raised in the slum area of Tondo, Manila naturally attracted more voters. The psychological attachment of the electorate to relate to a candidate who is one among them surely makes a poorer guy as a presidential bet. But of course, this rating goes along with accomplishments. Villar’s support for overseas contract workers in ‘Puhunan Sa Tiyaga’ in helping returning OFWs start their own business adds more to Villar’s appeal as a presidential favorite.

Former San Juan mayor, senator and president Erap Estrada while he grew up more or less in better economic conditions than Villar, portrayed heroic and pro-poor acting roles in his movies. He also had pro- poor programs as “Erap para Sa Mahirap” which gained him popularity and “Angat Pinoy 2004”.

Current Vice President Noli de Castro is known as Kabayan Noli in ABS-CBN, a popular News-TV Channel. He associates himself close to migrant workers, being the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers. The magic of former newscaster Noli de Castro is still working despite not being so popular on his work accomplishments as compared to the other presidentiables.

Roxas is a busy body seen in markets and getting acquainted with the conditions of consumers. His cause for consumer rights led him to author related bills. He also served as former Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. Roxas has already given his support for presidential bet Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino 111, thus getting him (Roxas) out from the presidential race. Of course, Escudero appeals to the youth and students especially among the intellectuals.

By gauging presidentiables according to mass appeal and accomplishments, it would be a fight between Villar and Estrada. Which also means a fight in making one's self more appealing to the masses. This means exhausting one's resources for political campaigns from Bataan to Jolo. Who has more money between Estrada and Villar? With Aquino coming in the picture, we expect the oppositions' resources to support Aquino. Their support could translate to a lot of money.

Anyway, other reasons cited in supporting a candidate's bid is the candidate not being corrupt (6%), proven capability in governance (4%), goodness (4%), being principled (3% ), and intelligence (3%).

Attitude towards non-corruption comes with a 6% rating which means it may not be
much of a consideration when a corrupt presidential bet shows a pro-poor image (20%) and good accomplishments to boot with. It’s a long way to go before corruption could be stopped in the bureaucracy.

People should vote for a good and honest presidentiable despite the gold being offered by the undesirables. When the value of non-corruption is added though to goodness (4%) and being principled (3%), the added rate gets higher at 13%, yet no good man with an uncorrupted background may be able to make it to the presidency with this alone.

Of course, it has to be coupled with accomplishments and pro- poor appeal. And what better chances has one in winning the presidential seat when he is principled, uncorrupted, has good and relevant accomplishments, and has masa appeal? Of course chances are strong.

Not unless, the three notorious and evil means of guns, goons and especially gold will win over the better one and swing the principled voter anytime during the day before the election. Meantime, campaigns for honest and clean elections has remained just that, and the lures of the devil is more enticing.