My list

Sobrang excited na ako magvote. Gusto ko na. hahaha. Kaya I made my own list (which my mom says she will consider using hehehe).

SENATORS
1. Escudero - I'm hoping he runs for president in 2010 because I will really be voting for him. Despite being a product of a political dynasty (His father was I think a senator too), he's certainly got the dynamism to get pass the shadow of his father. He represents the much needed infusion of fresh and young blood into the Senate that does not engage in excessive political bickering and mudslinging. He stands firm on issues and has the charisma to get his point across.
// sa kanya lang ako mageexplain, siya lang talaga ang super gusto ko. haha.
2. Aquino
3. Pangilinan
4. Alan Cayetano
5. Arroyo - could have been number 2 kaso he went to TU.
6. Roco
7. Legarda
8. Lacson
9. Villar

//beyond this line ay yung mga candidates na I don't really like that much pero I'd vote for them to complete my list.
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10. Pimentel - nakakaasar ang ad niya, hayagang political dynasty
11. Angara - Sci & tech daw ang isa sa mga platforms niya
12. Zubiri - can write laws better than the rest of the remaining candidates
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So what are my criteria?
1. Well being in the opposition or generally non-administration is a factor. Even if the administration machinery does not work for the senatorial race, it's almost a given that it would take the house and the local elections. Making sure the opposition has a healthy margin (kahit magkapalitan ng sides) to keep set one more check and balance to total administration control of the entire government.
2. They have to show integrity on being firm on the issues. Walang problema magpalit ng sides basta issue-driven. I think the 9 candidates have that integrity.
3. They must be able to show the qualities of a true legislator - someone who looks at the issues and can give new and efficient solutions to them and most importantly, can translate them in actual law. Parang programming yan (di ba Clar?), madaling magsabi ng solution, pero mahirap itransform into a working code given all the constraints and complexities. I wouldn't expect that kind of ability from someone who started with being a doctor, a member of the executive branch or an actor - especially kung ang credentials na pinapakita nila ay somewhat unrelated sa quality na toh.
4. They must at least seem to not be interested in corrupt practices. You can never really know pero may ibang candidates talaga na mas may propensity than most. One indicator na ginagamit ng tatay ko is their wealth. If they're rich, they'll less likely steal from government. I'm not really sure kung accurate toh. I guess ang only way is really looking into issues past and future. Mahirap eto talaga idetermine.

Basically, that's it. haha.

Sobra pala ang trust na binibigay sa voters. Ang tanging qualifications lang ng isang senator ay:
1. natural born citizen
2. at least 35 years of age
3. literate
4. registered voter
5. resident of the Philippines for not less than two years

Yun lang o. The rest is up to the conscience of the voter to choose what is for the best of the nation. I hope there will come a time when that trust will no longer be misplaced.

May command votes kaya silang makukuha sa pagendorse ko sa kanila? bwahahaha.
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EXTRA:
Kakakausap lang sa akin ni Cecile. Sabi raw ng ninang niya, wala raw nagawa si Chiz para sa constituents niya. Di ko alam pero ang usual translation kasi ng nagawa ay mga daang natapos o schools na nabuo (yun ang credentials na pinapakita ng congressman running for mayor dito sa amin).

Here's my opinion on this: Ang isang congressman ay representative ng isang district sa isang national assembly. So ang trabaho niya, magrepresent sa district na yun sa pagbuo ng mga batas for the nation. By definition, ang legislator ay gumagawa lang ng batas at ang representative ay nagmamake sure lang na ang mga batas na yun ay makakatulong din para sa constituents niya.

So kung sa legislative record na lang din, 9 years na siyang congressman at andami niya nang naipropose na national bills. I know senators na ang mga bills lang na naiffile ay pagbabago ng pangalan ng mga streets. Check out his site: www.chizescudero.com.

Dun siguro sa pagpapagawa ng mga roads at schools, dun pumapasok ang pork barrel. I don't really know, di naman ako taga sorsogon pero baka kasi dahil hindi siya administration, hindi nairerelease sa kanya ang pork barrel funds niya. Di ko alam ah. It happens pero speculation lang toh.

Tapos why do I like Chiz so much? Because he has so much potential. Technically bata pa siya sa politics pero kakikitaan mo na ng leadership qualities. The opposition is composed of true opposition by issue, mga dismayadong dating administration, mga maiingay at grand-standing na congressman at mga leftists. His minority leadership showed his leadership potential. Isipin mo, he was able to unite all these different opposition groups into one solid bloc capable of making the administration tremble in fear of an impending impeachment. If one can unite these totally different people, he has the potential of uniting the Filipino people! hahaha.

Tapos may integrity, credibility, charisma and ability pa to match. Sana talaga magpresidente na siya. hahaha.