Ten Things To Remember on Election Day

Sanitized version of the article is published at rappler.com

TEN: Keep in mind that voting is not tantamount to playing a freakin’ BINGO game! You don’t need a blackout card. Doesn’t mean that you have 12 slots for senators you’d fill it up for the sake of filling it up! If there are only 6 qualified candidates in your opinion, so be it!

NINE: Beware of surnames and pedigrees. Leadership is not a genetic trait but corruption is highly likely to run in the blood, so is stupidity.

EIGHT: Beware of candidates whose only platform is to remove political dynasty. They are not genuine alternatives and chances are they are just bitter.

SEVEN: Beware of candidates who promise to eradicate poverty. Chances are they don’t know what they are talking about. Everyone can shout ‘world peace!’

SIX: Senate is a legislating body. A substantial debate is necessary to craft policies. If your candidate doesn’t want to engage into debates, chances are she’s best left of as his dad’s shadow (no pun intended).

FIVE: If you are left with a choice between a convicted plunderer and an incumbent who did nothing but left the city to rot as mayoralty candidates, you better switch address at least for the next three years.

FOUR: Keep in mind that elections are not horse races. You don’t need to place your bet on the front-runner. You gain nothing by voting the most likely to win.

THREE: Before you cast your vote take out the last twelve months of your payslip and look at the section where it says tax. Add it all up and multiply it to three. Look at the name in the ballot and decide if the person is worth trusting every cent of your earnings.

TWO: Gone are the days when our only obligation is to vote using our conscience and  best judgment. With majority of the population today remaining to be extremely gullible, it also rests upon us to educate and persuade.

ONE: The election day is the only day where everyone is truly equal. One vote per person, regardless of social status or intellectual capacity. Don’t let religion or campaign jingle or misleading political ad fool you.

Top 5 Most Irritating Political Ads on TV

It is impossible to tune in to the TV nowadays and not catch a single political ad. Here are the standouts:

TOP 5: Koko Pimentel still shouting fraud versus Migs Zubiri. Someone please tell the Senator there is such a thing as moving on.

TOP 4: Mrs. Villar’s irritating ad repeating the words ‘hanep na ang buhay basta’t may hanapbuhay!’. Mas hanep yata ang buhay pag walang epal?

TOP 3: Bam Aquino recounting how he is affiliated with Ninoy and Cory and NoyNoy. Did he purposely miss out Kris?

TOP 2: Jack Enrile’s ad with the tag line ‘Gusto Ko May Pagkain Ka!’  Yung totoo? Is this Jack Enrile running for Senator or a contestant in Master Chef? The next time you don’t have lunch or dinner you know who to bother!

TOP 1: If Grace Poe really wants to continue her father’s legacy why didn’t she start exploring a career as an action star first?

Elsewhere

ERAP as Mayor of Manila, convicted plunderer, Jalosjos convited rapist. Filipinos have a knack for electing criminals.

Surveys indicating that Jack Enrile, Nancy Binay and JV Ejercito within the Magic 12 of the senatoriables. Filipinos really love family reunions, don’t you think?

Recent survey showing the massive decline in the attendance of Catholic churchgoers and I was like, ‘Really? We need a survey to realize that long standing fact?’

The Catholic Church came up with Team Buhay and Team Patay to let people know about who voted for and against the RH Bill.

I wonder if we, the citizens of this country, can also come up with Team Halay to list down priests who are guilty of sexual abuse?