I THINK that since the election is now over save for the counting we can now do a post-election evaluation. Maybe candidates can learn a thing or two from this.

I did not vote for Pichay because he apparently spent so much for his political ads. This worried me. Where will he get the money to recoup his “investments”? Also, there were so many ads that I feel it backfired. I got fed up hearing him promise that he dreams of fulfilling my dreams. But it seems the only way for him to do that is that I must first fulfill his dream of becoming a senator.

I did not vote for Sonia Roco because of her “para silang autistic” remark aired over national TV. That’s a very callous statement. She claimed in her apology that she was not poking fun at children with special needs. But the fact that she used the word autistic had hurt me. By the way, autistic is not the politically correct term. It’s “children with autism.” Because we have to see the child beyond his or her autism.

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I AM supposed to be deep in my review for something. But instead, I find myself glued to the tube for the latest election results. And, on the road, my radio is on the AM band.

I’ve never felt so damn involved with any elections and to think I’ve been voting for so long.

I voted 8 from GO, 2 independents and 2 from TU. And hey, only 3 three my candidates didn’t make it to the top 12 — well, as of this moment. Roco seems to be stuck at 15. Zubiri has been making big strides from the late teens and is now actually 13th. But boohoo to Kiram, it would probably take a miracle to get him closer even to 12. I voted for him because I wanted Muslims to have a representation in the Senate; unfortunately my vote fell in the minority.

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AS I was listing my choices for the coming senatorial and local elections, I felt a sense of hopelessness. There are only two people on my list:

• a very old man who should have retired but felt that no one can fill in his shoes yet; and
• someone who dared not to be proclaimed by presidents he previously asked to resign (nevertheless, if he is not married to a megastar he would not have that “principle.”

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WHO is running for senator? Noynoy [Benigno Aquino III] or Ninoy [Benigno Aquino Jr.]? Can he (Noynoy) not run and campaign for senator with his own merits?

Kahit pa anong sinabi ni Ninoy sa iyo, kung isa man sa mga ito ay wala sa iyo, wala ka pa rin!

Bakit hindi ka na lang mag-kandidato sa sariling kayod mo? Kailangan mo pang sumandal sa mga ginawa ng ama mo? Wala ka bang sarili? Ang laki-laki mo na nagpapatulong ka pa sa tatay mo.

– Bernie Bituin, Edmond, Alberto, Canada (via e-mail)

WITH just two weeks to go before the election, the campaign is nearing the homestretch and we’re getting bombarded with one promise after another by the candidates?

Do you plan to vote on May 14? If not, why won’t you be casting your vote?

THE REPORTED feud between Team Unity members Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and Michael Defensor seems to be heating up after Singson said several Ilocano associations would not include Defensor on their sample ballots.

Here’s an excerpt from the Philippine Daily Inquirer article:

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur — Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, a candidate for senator in the administration’s Team Unity, said Saturday a group of Ilocano associations will not be including another TU candidate, Michael Defensor, on sample ballots that it will be distributing.

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WE lament the position of candidates [Joker] Arroyo, [John] Osmeña and [Tessie] Oreta
against the completion of CARP [Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program].

Apparently, except for Osmeña and Oreta who are consistent anti-CARP advocates, Mr. Arroyo is either misinformed or has not appreciated the facts well. CARP is a social justice program which has a significant impact on the political, social and economic inequalities pervading in the countryside. It aims to break the rural poverty trap, the political exclusions of rural folks, and the skewed agrarian relations that exploit rather than protect poor and hapless tenants, farmers and farmworkers.

Ironically, it is a revolutionary measure that breathes in a democratic environment. And while it started as a centerpiece program of the government, its budgetary and enforcement support can, at best, be described as palliative. CARP is not just land reform. It includes the whole package of support services that would ensure land productivity and fair economic development of farmer-beneficiaries.

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HERE’S a video of Ex-Navy Lieutenant Antonio Trillanes IV saying he would support moves to impeach President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo if he is elected to the Senate.

Video taken by INQUIRER.net reporter Joel Guinto, who conducted the interview inside Trillanes’ detention cell on April 23.

SIMPLENG tao, simpleng explanation. We understand him well because he means what he says.

He’s not the typical politician na will promise you tapos wala siyang ginagawa, pero magaling magsalita at galing
daw sa “Harvard.” Magaling silang lahat mambola o may asawa na artista, o artista din sila, larga na. Vicente P. Magsaysay, good luck ho sa inyo.

Mabuhay!

– Edward Bautista, Vancouver, Canada (via e-mail)

THERE is no sincerity in [Sonia] Roco’s apology.

She said that she would work for the cause of autism if elected. Supposing she is not elected, does she still have a commitment to the cause of autism?

In other words, Roco’s apology is conditional. A sincere apology knows no condition. She is making a mockery of Raul’s name.

– Angel P. Ramos, Quezon City (via e-mail)