A RECENT survey of voters suggests that Noynoy Aquino is leading in socioeconomic classes A, B, C and D while his closest rival, Manny Villar, is leading in class E. (?Villar ties Aquino in presidential race,? Inquirer, 2/2/10)

Two main messages appear to be capturing the hearts and minds of the electorate. The first message focuses on governance: ?Tanggalin ang tiwali. Itama ang mali. Laban na tapat. Laban ng lahat.? The second message focuses on economic progress, jobs and poverty reduction: ?Si Manny Villar ang magtatapos ng kahirapan.?

What is striking here is that?as demonstrated by the history of other countries as well as our own?no amount of economic development can successfully deliver sustained progress, job creation and growth as long as corruption eats at the very core of government and weakens the very institutions established to sustain progress and help ensure that that progress is shared by all.

Promising jobs, housing and education without any fundamental changes in governance smacks of patronage politics which has been our country?s bane. In fact, this is a typical strategy of the ?trapos? who keep promising everything but deliver no meaningful change.

Good governance requires a true partnership between the public, on one hand, and the president and his cadre of public officials (who should be held accountable as servants of the people), on the other. From this fundamental reform, all other policy reforms would then have a chance at bringing about meaningful change.

Only one candidate has correctly taken up this basic challenge of governance. More importantly, only one candidate appears capable and credible to deliver on it. I know whom to vote for president and vice president, and I will hold myself accountable for these choices by being part of the growing movement for good government.

?RONALD U. MENDOZA,

overseas Filipino voter,

New York, USA;

ronmendoza@gmail.com