How a Pinoy in Canada ‘weighs’ the 2016 presidential candidates

I AM more of a Filipino than a Canadian citizen. I am a responsible and law-abiding citizen here in the Philippines as well as in Canada.

The coming elections here in the Philippines are very crucial to the future of this country—politically and economically. I therefore urge all registered Filipino voters to exercise their right to vote and uphold the sanctity of the ballot.

This is how I analyze and weigh each candidate for president.

I will not vote for Vice President Jejomar Binay because of his alleged corrupt practices. If the law in Canada or the United States were applied here in the Philippines, he should have resigned his seat already even while the charges against him are still pending in court. How did he accumulate his wealth? Was he wealthy before he entered politics?

I am a Christian more than a Catholic, therefore, I will not vote for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

As for Mar Roxas, a senior member of President Aquino’s Cabinet, well… did he do a good job as such? His mansion in Cubao is highly gated; I hope he is aware of the many homeless people wandering around his neighborhood.

Miriam Defensor Santiago should just remain a good senator —or, maybe, a part-time comedian.

Sen. Grace Poe? First of all, if I were a woman, I’d vote for her so that women would have a strong voice in government. She should learn from Justin Trudeau, Canada’s newly elected prime minister because of their similarities. Poe was a school teacher so was Trudeau, who is also very good-looking as Poe is. Trudeau stuck to a positive campaign, and so must Poe who is the “boses ng kabataan” (voice of the youth) as Trudeau is.

Trudeau’s opponents questioned his readiness to govern as prime minister, so did Poe’s. Trudeau is a devout Catholic and devoted family person, so is Poe.

Poe should stick to her platform which favors the youth, and advocates integrity and sincerity, values that she taught her students in her classes in the United States.

Lastly, let us pray hard to our Lord that all Filipino voters be guided into voting the right leader for our beloved country.

—FIDEL CLAUDIO