My Noy or My Chiz?

Disclaimer: This one’s not a political campaign. These are just this writer’s thoughts.

When I was already decided not to vote come May 2010 Presidential Election for the simplest reason that I hated the early campaign ads (and must I say annoying ones) of the two President-Wanna-Bes, Noynoy Aquino declared his candidacy in Club Filipino during the 40th Day of his Mom’s Death. My initial thinking was that he was just forced by the clamor for him to run, especially that Mar Roxas (one of the two wanna-bes I wrote earlier; you know who the other one is) have sacrificed his bid for the country’s highest political seat.

In all honesty, I at first questioned his capability to govern this country ~ his being the son of two national heroes aren’t solid qualifications. Yet day-by-day, I am realizing that more than anyone else who have declared their wanting to be called the Chief Executive, Noynoy is the most noble. In the current political game when we just choose the lesser evil, I must say that the man from Ateneo is indeed the most qualified. His advocacies of liberal democracy and public accountability are winning platforms; the things this ailing nation really need especially now that we are faced with the many issues of corruption, human rights oppression and environmental turmoil.

I am not giving him kind words because I am a Kris Aquino fan. More than anything else, I believe that Noynoy has been living up to the legacy of his parents, and that his political advocacies are the extension of what his parents were not able to finish during their leadership stints.

With that I have decided that come May 2010, I’ll ink the name of the only son of Benigno Aquino and Corazon Cojuangco in my ballot.

But not until another political hero of mine joined the race.

I have always been a fan of Chiz Escudero. In his many interviews that I’ve watched, I simply admire how this UP alumnus gives concrete and direct answers to the many questions, both political and personal, tossed on him. His straightforward and brilliant lines of thoughts are what differentiate him from the many Senators who were just there boiling seats in the Senate. He may be too idealistic, but his zeal towards a good and better nation is simply catching ~ that even perhaps the greediest of men would be much willing to cooperate of attaining, given the opportunity of listening to this man’s impeccable wit.

Chiz was one of the pro-impeachment congressmen who were the prime movers of the impeachment proceedings against PGMA. His words on the questionable leadership of this president were simply astounding ~ "It is the truth that has lost. But the search for the truth does not end today. The president and her allies will always be haunted by questions.”

My brother who’s currently a freshie in a state university has a fondling tale as well about Chiz. In one of the forums he attended, Chiz confidently answered the question, “Why are you so in a hurry to run for the Presidency when you are only on your first term as a Senator?” The crowd applauded his answer, (not in verbatim, apologies) “Bakit hindi pa ngayon? Kung sa susunod pang mga eleksiyon, baka lamunin na din ako ng mabahong sistema ng politika. Ayoko pong maging trapo.” To which I totally agree. We’ve had good and impressive leaders before whose credibility are now questionable, simply because they have allied with their many corrupt predecessors.

Admittedly, I am now torn. Will I go for the heroes’ son or the man whose political rise was described as meteoric?

It could have been much easier for me if Chiz chose to run as Vice President; for I don’t have a choice yet for the next highest post in the Philippines (and perhaps I wouldn’t have a choice at all). All I know now is that I will no longer go back to my first decision of not voting. Now that I have decided to claim my right as a Filipino by voting who our next President will be, I must start to think deliberately. I still have more than half-a-year anyway.

Hmm, what about a toss of coin? Just kidding…