MAPUA ENG11 3RD QUARTER SY 2009-2010

The Top Three Presidentiables and Vice Presidentiables Most Preferred by Mapua Voters

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The Top Three Presidentiables and Vice Presidentiables

Most Preferred by Mapua Voters

A Research Paper Presented to

Prof. Marites T. Fagaragan

Mapúa Institute of Technology

in partial fulfillment

of the requirements in

English for Academic Purposes 2

(ENG11)

by

Jennifer G. Diga

Dominique C. Dominguez

Nico L. Duran

March 2010


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ABSTRACT

Election is a form of direct democracy in which all citizens in a

community have the opportunity to participate personally in

collective deliberation and decision-making about how they will

be governed. Alongside with this kind of decision-making is how

the citizens, most especially our youths who take a large portion

in the voting public, will perceive the right qualifications of a

candidate for him to hold the office. There is a need for

awareness of the proper qualifications that the voters should

look for so that they are able to choose the right person for the

right position.

The research team gathered information through intensive readings

of articles from useful references, conduction of surveys and few

interviews with some students and an interview with an expert

specializing in Philippine Politics and Governance. The research

team has found out that the simple qualifications based from our

Constitution are not only the things they focused on, but instead

some other qualifications, accomplishments and skills also

matters to the public. Thus, it is still the public who decide

for their fate and the fate for the nation. Their expectations to

their candidates are neither realistic nor believable unless

already proven.


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In a phone interview with Spokesman for the Peoples’

Primaries, Ricky Xavier, he said about elections, “it’s a people

empowerment process. In the present system right now, we only

have a few politicians, rich or powerful individuals, deciding

the fate of the nation. Whoever the candidate chosen among the

people who join, will, in effect, be the choice of the people.”

Election is just months from now and the people are going to use

their rights of suffrage to express what they desire and what do

they want to happen for our country. Vote-buying is afflicting

our political system which will affect the voting decisions of

the public. Since they are free to choose whoever they want for

the position, more often that unworthy candidates get elected.

The research study will show that democracy is not simply

about popular participation in elections. Qualifications of

elective positions must be improved so that we can prevent our

country from unorganized manner of governance. Through the top

three (3) Presidentiables and Vice Presidentiables most preferred

by our voters will show what kind of governance they want to

experience and how do they choose their preferred candidate

accordingly. To be sure, universal education plays a very crucial

role not only in uplifting the standard of life of its recipient


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but also in contributing to better style and quality of public

governance by the nation’s politicians.

As stated in the Philippine Constitution, a President should

be a natural born Filipino citizen, besides being a registered

voter, also able to read and write. Furthermore, he must be at

least forty (40) years of age and must be a resident of the

Philippines for at least ten (10) years. The constitution does

not prescribe any educational, academic or literary qualification

except for the ability to read and write. (De Leon, 2008)

Still based on the Philippine Constitution, a candidate for

Vice President must have the same qualification as the President.

Similarly with the President, a Vice President should be a

natural born citizen, a registered voter, also able to read and

write. He must also be at least forty (40) years of age and must

be a resident of the Philippines for at least ten (10) years. The

Constitution does not also require any educational, academic or

literary qualification for the Vice President, except for the

ability to read and write. (De Leon, 2008)

In any case, the qualifications for elective officials

requires under the Constitution are minimal and simple. The

purpose is to accommodate wider participation of those who desire

to serve the country under the democratic concept. Given the


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legal qualification, granted the right of anyone who can vote to

run for public office cannot be abridged. Nevertheless, it is

believed that the Constitution assumes, specifically in the case

of the President, to be sure that he is morally and

intellectually fit and possesses executive ability to occupy the

highest office of the land. (De Leon, 2008)

According to Sureta (2010), a presidential candidate who is

principled, “tested in serving the country,” “courageous,” “has a

good plan for the country,” and “pro-poor” topped the

qualifications that voters want, a survey held by STRATPolls, a

Makati-based polling firm. However, according to the students of

Mapua Institute of Technology, they would prefer a “good

administrator/speaker/debater,” “popular” and “successful

businessman.” It follows that the elder voters have different

thoughts and opinions with that of the students. Although they

look for different qualifications, most of the respondents are

pointing Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino possessing most of the

qualifications. Moreover, Noynoy, being the son of late Senator

Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and late former President Corazon

Aquino did not affect the decision of the respondents. On the

contrary, this result does not indicate who will win this coming

election.


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Sharma (2001) said, “Every President has their Vice at their

back.” This coming election we are looking forward to whom will

be our next President. On the other hand, most of the voters

never mind what kind of Vice they wanted to have. Still, student

voters are looking forward the most to whom will be our next Vice

President. In general, the Vice President they want must be a

“problem-solver,” “transparent,” “servant leader,” “mobilizer,”

“with integrity,” and “fair”, which is very similar to that of

the President. In addition, a Vice President must be a good

supporter to our President. And lastly, a candidate with

comprehensive educational background degree.

It is known that the qualifications based on the Philippine

Constitution are minimal and simple. Moreover, Philippine

Politics and Governance Professor, Dr. Bienvenido Nepomuceno

(2010) said that it’s too cheap and amendments must be done to

it. Special qualifications such as being a full-pledged college

graduate, a Political Science-major or a lawyer would be a better

qualification for a President and Vice President to rule the

country in the best possible way. Also, according to him, family

background does not matter provided that the candidate knows his

best and focusing on it is discriminatory. Popularity doesn’t

even matter among the candidates because they are not artists.


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But as long as they have the platforms for the country, that is

one possible way to encourage people to vote for him/her.

However, if a candidate has committed crime in the past, he will

not be qualified anymore for the position, especially if his

political and civil rights are taken away. Provided that a

candidate must have integrity, he/she should not have done

something that would violate the provisions in the Constitution.

Expectations now during this election period start to arise.

One is that the people expect that the next President will exceed

the previous one’s capabilities of governing the country. And

with that, corruption is likely to be out-of-sight of the public.

Expectations like these cannot be assured unless there is

development of the citizens’ awareness and knowledge. We just

can’t expect to happen something like that in just a snap.

(Barcelon SJ, 2009)

However, in interviews conducted by the research team,

students came up with different expectations to their preferred

candidates. One student believes that the incoming leaders of our

country should have the courage to win the battle for corruptions

in the government, lead our country to unity, promote the common

good, have good tactical plans in gaining economic progress and

have dignified governance (Glenn D. Aquisap, CCE-4). Also, one


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believes and expects that he’ll be honest with all his actions

with regards to government issues. It only means that a candidate

be transparent. Being a good problem-solver is another one that

he should also possess (Jeremy Elias, IE-3). Another student,

Heherson S. Cabrera, BCC-3, expects his President to engage in

foreign relations and to be an education-and-science President.

He must also strengthen the defense department and more

importantly, the economic system. Another focus must be

agriculture and forestry.

Granted that the fact about the position of Vice President

is just merely an inch away to the position of a President, of

course, expectations also come along with him.

According to PMAP Executive Director Plana (2009), it is

still an enlightenment decision-making process rather than any

other way. The people must expect if his/her candidate will live

even with the times of weaknesses. The people may be aware of all

the pluses and minuses, but he/she will still ask

himself/herself, “Who can I live with?” Plana also said that

picking the right candidate is a very complex responsibility

because it yields a lot of thinking and power is a lot of

thinking and power.


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It follows that, according to Pulse Asia survey last October

2009, frequently, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino was 30 percent higher

than Manny Villar in the surveys for Presidency, however, Manny

Villar was able to get close to Benigno Aquino’s rating. Hence,

it is now just 3 percent higher. (Ager, 2010)

However, it was different case for Aquino’s running mate,

Senator Manuel Roxas III. Frequently, Roxas picked up speed and

garnered 47 percent, an 8 percentage increase from his rating of

39 percent last December. On the other hand, Senator Loren

Legarda, who previously rated 37 percent, plunged to 28 percent.

However, Estrada’s running mate, Makati Mayor Jejomar “Jojo”

Binay ranked third (3rd) with 13 percent. MMDA Chairman Bayani

Fernando and former Optical Media Board Chairman Edu Manzano were

tied at 2 percent. (Dedace, 2010)

Still, recent surveys cannot be reliable in predicting who

will win the position. Surveys come from one sector to another.

If one does not like the results, they can manipulate it and show

the public that it is the other candidate who wins the position.

An example of this is during the 1992 elections, former President

Fidel V. Ramos got very low ratings in surveys, but he won in the

elections. (Nepomuceno, 2010)


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Elections are now being valued even by some of the most

repressive regions in the world. Without it, citizens have no

choice of who will govern them. Elections must be free. It should

include ample opportunity for citizens to form political parties

and put forward candidates. An open and fair competition between

those seeking positions in the government is a must so that the

electorate could settle meaningful choices. They should be

allowed to campaign freely and within the same set of rules.

Elections also act as agents of political parties to aggregate

interests in order to build their political support as widely as

possible. (Jackson, 2000)

Election is said to be the only way to express democracy and

express of people’s sovereignty. This is the only thing that is

safe to say. This is through the influence on public policies by

indirect means. In fact, it is the people who entrust the reigns

to a particular representative whom they believe will promote

their welfare. Again, as defined by one of the country’s leaders,

“election is the means by which the people choose their public

officials for definite and fixed periods and to whom they

entrust, for the time being, as their representatives the

exercise of the powers of the government.” Furthermore, election,


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if honest and clean, is vital and important for it expresses the

sovereign will of the people.

But because the people are free to vote for anyone they want

or like, notwithstanding the fact that it is more often than not,

undeserving candidates get elected. Democracy is not simply about

popular participation in elections as voters and candidates.

Moreover, maybe it is high time that something is done to raise

the level of political maturity of our people and to expand the

legal qualifications of candidates to ensure that only the most

worthy and capable occupy elective public offices. (De Leon,

2008)

In a democratic society, it is given that those who exercise

the right of suffrage are sufficiently knowledgeable and well-

informed to reasonably understand the essential issues in every

election and to properly assess the qualifications and fitness of

candidates as well as their stand on controversial issues. But,

this is possible only if we have an educated citizenry.


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The candidates preferred by Mapua voters are Benigno

“Noynoy” Aquino III, Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, and Richard Gordon

for the position of President. For the position of Vice

President, the top three were Manuel “Mar” Roxas III, Jejomar

“Jojo” Binay and Bayani Fernando. The said names were ranked

according to their percentage rates based on the survey

conducted.

All the candidates are legally accepted as they were

approved by the Commissions on Elections (COMELEC), to comply

with the qualifications of their running position according to

the Philippine Constitution. Although, their qualifications

according to the voters are still yet to be met.

The expectations of the students from the candidates,

whether for President or Vice President, are almost the same.

Their expectations states that: he/she should be a problem

solver; our country is facing problems that are needed to be

solved; he/she should be open-minded – in order for our country

to have democracy and to prevent dictatorial form of governance


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and in order for the people to be heard of their plea and better

suggestions; he/she should be transparent – based on the word

itself, the leader should not be hiding anything from the people;

he/she should be a servant leader – should have the initiative to

serve the public and the country; he/she should be a mobilizer –

should be an organized person to have organized management;

he/she should be just and fair – for the true justice to be

promulgated at all times.


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APPENDICES


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Figure 1. THE PRESIDENTIABLES 2010

Figure 2. THE VICE PRESIDENTIABLES 2010

AQUINO DELOS REYES ESTRADA GORDON

MADRIGAL TEODORO VILLANUEVA VILLAR


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RESULTS OF THE SURVEY CONDUCTED TO A HUNDRED MAPUA VOTERS

Presidentiables

Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino III…………………………………25 %

John Carlos “JC” delos Reyes……………………………2 %

Joseph “Erap” Estrada………………………………………………6 %

Richard “Dick” Gordon………………………………………………17 %

Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal………………2 %

Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro……………………………………………24 %

Bro. Eddie Villanueva………………………………………………8 %

Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr………………………………………16 %

Vice Presidentiables

Jejomar “Jojo”Binay……………………………………………………22 %

BINAY CHIPECO FERNANDO LEGARDA

MANZANO ROXAS SONZA YASAY


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Dominador Chipeco Jr…………………………………………………3 %

Bayani Fernando………………………………………………………………20 %

Loren Legarda……………………………………………………………………18 %

Eduardo “Edu” Manzano………………………………………………4 %

Manuel “Mar” Roxas III……………………………………………29 %

Jay Sonza……………………………………………………………………………2 %

Perfecto Yasay Jr………………………………………………………2 %

Figure 3. CLEAR STANDINGS OF PRESIDENTIABLES

Figure 4. THE STANDINGS OF VICE PRESIDENTIABLES

1

2

3


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Figure 4. CLEAR STANDINGS OF VICE PRESIDENTIABLES

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

(interview questions asked to Prof. Bienvenido Nepomuceno Ph.D)

1. What do you think of the provisions in the Philippine

Constitution about the qualifications of a President and

Vice President?

2. Should there be any amendment to be done to these

qualifications?

3. Can you state some of these?

4. Does family background contribute effectively to the success

of a candidate?

5. Is popularity among candidates really matter?


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6. What if a presidentiable committed a crime in the past, is

he still qualified for the position?

7. Who do you think is better for the position – a pro-poor or

the one who had been poor?

8. Do you believe that the greatest leaders are organized?

9. Do you think the results on recent surveys will soon be the

same as what will be the results on the upcoming elections?

10. Who is your bet for the position of President and Vice

President?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ager, Maila (2010). Villar to win one-on-one fight vs. Aquino.

Philippine Daily Inquirer p. A16

Aruego, Jose M. et.al. (1995). The New Philippine Constitution

Explained. Quezon City, Philippines. pp. 117-125

Barcelon, Emeterio SJ (2009, February 5). Hopes and Expectations.

Manila Bulletin, Editorial Section, p.10


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De Leon, Hector S. (2008). Textbook on Philippine Constitution.

1977 CM Recto Avenue, Manila, Philippines. REX Bookstore pp.

300-305

Dedace, Sophia (2010, February 3). Aquino, Villar neck and neck

in latest Pulse Asia Survey. Pulse Asia Survey. Retrieved

February 10, 2010, from GMANews.tv

Donato, Juanito E. (1999). Introduction to Political Science: A

Simplified Text in Political Science. National Bookstore,

pp.61-64

Jackson, Robert J. et.al. (2000). A Comparative Introduction to

Political Science. Prentice-Hall, Inc. pp.364-366, 375-379

Lao-Manalo, Resurreccion (2000). Reflections on International

Responsibility for Social Progress. Human Rights Forum,

Volume 8 pp. 102-107

Nery, John (2010, February 8). Presidential bets face toughest

test. Philippine Daily Inquirer,. p.12

Richardson, William. Education for Today’s Leaders. Retrieved

February 6, 2009, from http://www.usd.edu/arts-and-

sciences/political-sciences/


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Servando, Kristine (2009). Top 5 Things to look for in a

President. Retrieved February 10, 2010. ABS-CBN News Online

Beta:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/special-report/08/26/09/top-5-

things-to-look-president

Sharma, Vijai P. Ph.D. (2001). “Qualities of a Good Leader”, Mind

Publications

Zaide, Sonia M. (2006). Political Science, 935 Aurora Blvd. cor

Pittsburgh St., All Nations Publishing Co., Inc. pp. 159-167

Zamora, Fe (2010, February 3). Voters prefer ‘principled person’

in palace, says Poll. Philippine Daily Inquirer

no author (2003, August 1). The Party-List System in the

Philippines KASAMA Vol.17 No. 3 Solidarity Philippines

Australia Network

no author (2008. Primary Education: What is a Primary? Retrieved

February 10, 2010. from http://www.lwv.org/AM/template.efm?

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ContentDisplay.cfm

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