By Joy Konstantine Agustin

THE news about Among Ed Panlilio running for President literally created a buzz over the country’s political landscape. Activists hoorayed. Traditional politicians booed. Church leaders are divided. The bloggers are skeptical.

Among Ed running for president? Come on! I mean, seriously?!

Let’s face it. Minutes after Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio disclosed to the public that he is taking a shot at the highest post in the country, people had mixed opinions about his intentions.

As what usually happens when someone announces his intentions to run for a public office, rumors of incapability, allegations of corruption, and bad reputations start to swell and prematurely stop, if not to kill, the momentous announcement.

Yes, the voting populace is becoming more mature in choosing a candidate. We have witnessed how popular candidates lost in the 2007 elections. But as people become more mature, they start to dig deeper. They do their research. They watch the news, read the papers. They see the good and the bad sides.

And here we are, being presented an alternative and reform candidate who made a phenomenal entrance in the political scenery when he toppled and won over the political giants in Pampanga. And here we are, being presented the various reactions from seasoned politicians, political analysts and survey results that tend to help (or disturb) the way we choose our leaders.

The people clamor for change. The people have long wanted for an alternative and reform candidate to emerge and bid for the presidential post.

We want it.

But are we bold enough to choose correctly? Are we really ready?

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)

INQUIRER.net’s Eleksyon 2007 Podcast and Eleksyon 2007 site were cited in the March issue of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility’s PJR Reports.

Here’s the entry in the online edition of the latest issue of PJR Reports:

Know your candidates

Online readers who are looking for reports about the 2007 elections may want to go to the Philippine Daily Inquirer site, which has a special elections section. Aside from election-related stories, “Eleksyon 2007″ has interview podcasts with various candidates (the section currently has podcasts with several senatorial bets). Profiles of candidates are available online as well as news clips (http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/eleksyon2007).

A SIMPLE response to a mammoth challenge this fellow-balikbayan doctor [Martin Bautista] has taken upon himself: sir, more power to Davids like you, who, rightly, have sprung the conventional box, and dare the “windmills.”

Like you, I was thought to be a nitwit when I returned to the Philippines from 38 years in Europe. I chose to stay in Mindanao for the very same reasons you’re trying to wake up this turpid nation of otherwise, warm, good people.

Sir, I’m already campaigning for your party. May more wake up and do something about it, this time. Thank you– from a small but significant spark of a sector of our nation.

– Dra. Georgie Obusan-Roos, Lagao, General Santos City (via e-mail)

AMONG the senatoriables’ podcasts in your site, it is Senator [Panfilo] Lacson’s that stands out.

His answers were direct to the point and with a high sense of integrity.

– Eleazar G. Diaz, Makati City, Philippines (via e-mail)