It’s January, a few months before May 10, a time, which, many say, is an opportunity to change things.

As part of my responsibility as a journalist, let me recommend some names for you to consider.

The main worry of Filipinos today is the local economy. Most worry about job stability.

What best to at least enrich our government’s capabilities to address this problem by electing into the Senate, a young entrepreneur by the name of Joey de Venecia III.

Joey de Venecia III represents the young generation. He is an idealist and a no-nonsense fighter for the Truth and for good governance. He will definitely be a very good addition to the luminaries occupying the Senate.

And what more to complement him than seeing the name of Susan “Toots” Ople among the winners of this year’s Lucky Twelve.

Susan Ople has been fighting for the protection of OFW and local workers’ rights. She will definitely complement Joey there.

Of course, we need to have an expert in maintaining equilibrium in our accounts. What best than elect Teofisto Guingona III as your senator? TG, as many friends call him, is an expert in fiscal matters. His expertise would surely enrich the Senate.

Alex Lacson is a name not entirely familiar with most of us. For those who read his book, Alex Lacson is one bundle of inspiration. He is a lawyer by profession, and a political scientist. He has been giving inspiration to the Youth since 2001. His youthfulness and his ideals would surely be a fresh addition to the age-ing generation there at the Senate.

I met Ruffy Biazon once but I was impressed by his views about the economy, the security of this country and the general direction of this Nation. Ruffy deserves to replace his father, the Nationalist, Senator Pong Biazon.

And who would back Ruffy Biazon up particularly regarding the dream of professionalizing and modernizing the AFP than Col. Ariel Querubin and General Danny Lim? These fine gentlemen deserve our support because of their sacrifice to the Nation.

And I said to myself, how about electing Senators who will truly work for the protection of the rights of the common tao, those oppressed and down-trodded? Satur Ocampo, Liza Masa and Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel are some of those who will definitely enrich the halls of the Senate with their eloquent defense of the people’s rights.

Not to mention also, Atty. JV Bautista, whose knowledge about the laws would definitely help us fortify our legal systems more.

Don’t forget to vote for Yasmin Lao, a long-time advocate of Bangsamoro civil rights. She deserves to be the voice of our Filipino Muslim brothers and sisters in the Senate.