TRANSFORM THE PHILIPPINES

Taking the road less travelled is what the tandem is doing in their campaign for the presidency and the vice presidency. I am going to write something about these to fellows because as their ratings are right now, they have a slim chance of winning. Election in the Philippines is most of the time dealing with surveys and massive political ad expenses to uplift ones survey ranking. These 2 individuals are lagging behind in their political ad so therefore they lag also in their ranking. These two I am referring to are Senator Richard Gordon and MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando.

The ones leading in the surveys right now are Noy noy Aquino and Manny Villar. Aquino is leading obviously because of his last name which has already become an icon in the Philippines for democracy. The people of course would always want to think that what his parents have done will he do also. Villar on the other hand is creeping up to lead side by side Aquino because of his aggressive campaign ads. You can just imagine how kids love to sing his campaign jingle, it has I think reached the platinum if it had been recorded. It is a known fact in marketing that an advertisement repeatedly watched by anyone will have a subliminal effect to the individual. A black repeatedly advertised as white will eventually look white.

Gordon and Fernando are legitimate candidates with very strong unconventional political successes behind them. Gordon has transformed Subic to be a progressive City after the US bases have closed in the Philippines few years back. Fernando also has transformed Marikina to be the cleanest city in the Philippines when it used to be the dirtiest in the Metropolis for many years..

I am a witness to how Fernando managed move heaven and hell just to go through all people rich and poor just to send his message across - discipline. Fernando is an advocate of discipline and hard work. He cleaned the sidewalks from illegal vendors; he provided relocation to informal settlers. There was even one time when the tricycle drivers were protesting because the city ceased to renew franchises for tricycles ( I have a blog about tricycles which will explain well why I agree). No politician in the history of the Philippines has ever done such bravery going against the masses just to implement an unprecedented ordinance, to clean up the sidewalks.

Many polititians I know would cuddle these sidewalk vendors and informal settlers because these are the masses; these are where the votes are coming from. Fernando never bothered to consider their votes during that time because he was looking beyond the present. Indeed Marikina became what it is right now.

If the Philippines would really want to see a significant change in the country's political landscape, they should choose Gordon and Fernando over the others. This is maybe the only chance that the Philippines will see a better disciplined citizenry. Japan and Singapore are the epitome of discipline in Asia, therefore if we can emulate a little of their ways, the Philippines will also progress like them.

Shun the promises of these politicians that will bring health, money and food to their government because these are old rhetoric. What we need to see are proof of accomplishments and manifested leadership which have been proven effective. These transformers, Gordon and Fernando, where able to transform their old Cities to progress, therefore they should have the tool to bring progress to the ever poor Philippines.

It is just so sad that the Philippines don't see this vision. The people still cling to promises and popularity. If they win this election then I will be happy, but I don't care if they lose because it is expected anyway.