ANC Harapan Presidential forum: More of the Same

JC delos Reyes--the young dreamer

ANC, through the help of the Commission on Elections, the PPCRV and the University of Santo Tomas, did the country a great service when they conducted the presidential forum last night.

Gibo Teodoro--witty yet blind and dumb for supporting Gloria

The forum, called “Harapan” pitted declared presidential bets before the public. Except from Nacionalista party bet Manny Villar, every single candidate attended: Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party, Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro of the Lakas-Kampi CMD, UNO candidate former president Joseph Estrada, Bangon Pilipinas bet Eddie Villanueva, Bagumbayan Party bet Richard Gordon,  Ang Kapatiran Party bet JC delos Reyes, and Independent candidate Nicanor Perlas.

What do I think of what happened? Well…

Noynoy Aquino--he knows the issues but presents nothing new

Almost everyone knows the problem and proposes the same solution. They share the same views and sentiments. They position themselves almost similar in all aspects.

That’s why, personality questions are often more useful than political ones.

Noynoy Aquino was asked if he ever lied in his life and he said probably when he was young. But, when he meets someone and he knows that the person is lying, he just had to leave the room pronto, indicating that he does not tolerate liars.

Former president Joseph Estrada gave a witty answer when he was asked what vice does he consider to be most important to him. After a few seconds of thinking about what answer he’ll give, Erap gave a witty answer—his vice in helping the poor. Good answer. But, we all know what’s really the vice he cannot live without.

JC delos Reyes almost stammered when asked how much is he worth. Delos Reyes says he’s under 5 million. He lives in a mortgaged property and owns just one house in Baguio.

Dick Gordon has the vision but teaming up with Bayani? Come on!

These are just some of the memorable answers during the forum. The rest of their answers and the questions posed, are uninteresting to say the least.

When asked what will they do if they’re given information about a monumental massacre similar to the Maguindanao incident, they all proposed the same thing—arrest the perpetuators and dismantle those private armies. Only Dick Gordon and Erap gave a somewhat different take on the issue–address the root cause why people join private armies in the first place.

In all, Noynoy Aquino seemed totally different from his father. Noynoy is eloquent, same as his father, no doubt about it. But, he lacks the fire which Ninoy was known for.

Nicanor Perlas--a dreamer chasing the wrong dream

Dick Gordon probably is honest and is charismatic.

For what is worth, it just proves that:

Noynoy Aquino sounds more of the same than someone considered as a maverick.

Estrada is old and sounds old.

Gibo seems promising yet his association with Mrs. Arroyo makes him blind and dumb.

JC delos Reyes should have kept running for a local post instead of president.

Nicanor Perlas should remain in the green movement.

Dick Gordon is charismatic yet sounds shrewd.

While Eddie Villanueva’s platform seems too good to be true. Idealistic, yes, but it really remains to be seen whether if its more of the same.