Article by: Rad Lem-ew Vince B. Balisong, Alexandra Isabelle G. Delavin, and Alyanna Ysabelle A. Faustino
Graphics by: Albert Dylan S. David and Cassius Klai Francisco
The upcoming local and national elections will determine the leaders who will become frontrunners in setting the country on the path to recovery and stability after the health crisis. The decisions and actions of these elected officials are set to create a domino effect on the lives of every Filipino. Now more than ever, every vote matters.
With only two days left before a crucial moment in Philippine history, it is necessary to be familiar with the 10 presidential candidates and remember their respective platforms to determine who among them has the capability to sit on the most powerful seat in the country.
The 10 presidential candidates are Former Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella, labor leader Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, Former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Sen. Panfilo "Ping” Lacson, Sr., Faisal Mangondato, Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., Dr. Jose Montemayor, Jr., Sen. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, and Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo.
Abella, Ernie (Independent)
Ernesto “Ernie” Abella, who is a businessman, writer, and pastor, briefly served as President Duterte's first spokesperson.
The 72-year-old presidential candidate established the One Accord Credit Cooperative and Southpoint School in Davao City. He was also a founder of the Hope of Asia and Jesus Fellowship, Inc.
The former Foreign Affairs Undersecretary vows a ‘brave new Philippines’ if elected and will push to improve tax collection. He is determined to continue the programs of the Duterte administration, but with greater emphasis on positioning the country as an 'agriculture powerhouse.'
He advocates for the role and participation of ordinary citizens and small entrepreneurs in governance and better access to food and healthcare services to children and senior citizens.
Find out more about Abella on Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information campaign partner of the Commission on Elections: https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/abella-ernie.html
De Guzman, Leody (Partido Lakas ng Masa)
Labor leader Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman is the presidential running mate of Walden Bello.
De Guzman campaigns for increasing the taxes to 20% for millionaires and billionaires, increasing the minimum wage to Php 750.00, and banning contractualization as he vows to enact the “Labor First Policy” if elected.
As chairperson of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, De Guzman envisions a new politics, economy, and social development, seeking to uphold a ‘labor first’ to alleviate the plight of small and medium enterprises.
His platform also includes ensuring a pro-people, medically-informed, and demilitarized pandemic response, upholding climate justice by holding rich countries accountable, and reorienting the economy to meet the domestic needs, among others.
Read more about De Guzman on Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information campaign partner of the Commission on Elections: https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/deguzman-leody.html
Domagoso, Isko Moreno (Aksyon Demokratiko)
Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, known as an actor and TV personality before entering the political scene, is the running mate of vice-presidential aspirant Dr. Willie Ong.
After being elected as the mayor of the national’s capital in 2019, he has focused on improving public health and school facilities, providing low-cost housing for the urban poor, and beautification and tourism projects across the city. Like President Duterte, Domagoso aims to replicate his achievements as chief of the capital city on the national stage through dynamic and proactive leadership.
The Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer takes pride in the progress he has envisioned for Manila, with platforms geared towards realizing public infrastructure, bringing forth education in far-flung areas, government restructuring, and peace and order.
Check Domagoso’s complete profile on Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information campaign partner of the Commission on Elections: https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/domagoso-isko.html
Gonzales, Norberto (Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista Pilipinas)
Former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales is a democratic-socialist who focuses on activism and peace talks.
Gonzales campaigns for political reform which includes shifting to parliamentary system and strengthening political parties. He also aims to improve the country’s standard of education by achieving first world status and encourage a more inclusive economy by boosting small and medium enterprises.
The 75-year-old presidential aspirant vows to prioritize the agricultural sector reformation to modernize rice production, increase farmers' income, and stop open-pit mining. He also aims to focus on the health and infrastructure sectors by treating the COVID-19 pandemic as a national security threat, improving the pharmaceutical industry, and implementing structural changes to establish the Philippines as a first-world country.
Find out more about Gonzales on Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information campaign partner of the Commission on Elections: https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/gonzales-norberto.html
Lacson, Ping (Independent)
Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Morena Lacson Sr., who has been in politics for more than 40 years, is the presidential running mate of Senate President Vicente "Tito" Castelo Sotto III.
Lacson was the author and sponsor of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, Philippine Identification System Act of 2018, and Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, as well as an author of Reproductive Health Act of 2011 and Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020. He also submitted the Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan as the Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery from 2013 to 2015.
If elected, he aims to gain public trust by addressing corruption. His roadmap includes a comprehensive health agenda, budget reform, and supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). He would also like to improve broadband service and access and automate government services.
The senator opposes pork barrel allocation and foreign ownership of public services. He also supports anti-political dynasty bills.
Read more about Lacson on Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information campaign partner of the Commission on Elections: https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/lacson-ping.html
Mangondato, Faisal (Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi)
Businessman Faisal Mangondato is the running mate of vice-presidential candidate Carlos Serapio.
He aims to place the country on “autopilot” and implement federalism, which he believes will eliminate the existing corruption and poverty conditions.
The 59-year-old presidential candidate campaigns for the Ecological Solid Waste Management Program. He also aims to boost the economy to provide the primary needs in education, livelihood, and medical matters amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about Mangondato on Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information campaign partner of the Commission on Elections: https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/mangondato-faisal.html
Marcos, Bongbong (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas)
Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is the son of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. He, along with vice-presidential running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is known to advocate unity.
The former senator was a principal author of the Balanced Housing Development Program Amendments as well as an author of the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act and Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2012.
Marcos eyes the improvement of the country’s pandemic response, an anti-insurgency campaign, and the continuation of the war on drugs, but with a different approach focusing on prevention, education, and rehabilitation. He also aims to produce more jobs in agriculture, tourism, and MSMEs.
Check Marcos’ complete profile on Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information campaign partner of the Commission on Elections: https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/marcos-ferdinand.html
Montemayor, Jose Jr. (Democratic Party of the Philippines)
Jose Montemayor Jr. is a cardiologist, consultant, lawyer, medical technologist, and lecturer. He is the presidential running mate of vice-presidential candidate Rizalito David.
His agenda is centered on a faith-based approach to glorifying God, which condemns same-sex union, abortion, divorce, and the death sentence.
Montemayor’s proposed COVID-19 pandemic response focuses on preventing COVID-19 infection by strengthening the public’s immunity through healthy foods and vitamins, increasing the salary of health workers, and ending lockdowns. He also pushes to eradicate corruption and address economic prosperity. He promotes press freedom and agricultural and infrastructure improvements as well.
Read more about Montemayor on Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information campaign partner of the Commission on Elections: https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/montemayorjr-jose.html
Pacquiao, Manny Pacman (PROMDI)
Sen. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is a retired world-class boxer. He is the presidential running mate of Buhay Partylist Representative and House Deputy Speaker Jose "Lito" Livioko Atienza Jr.
Pacquiao aims to eradicate the country of its poverty, criminality, and corruption. He also detailed on strengthening the country’s gross domestic product if elected. The 43-year-old aspiring president urges a more efficient COVID-19 pandemic response through mass testing and contact tracing.
Find out more about Pacquiao Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information campaign partner of the Commission on Elections: https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/pacquiao-manny.html
Robredo, Leni (Independent)
Aspiring president Leni Robredo currently serves as the 14th Vice President of the Philippines. Her vice-presidential running mate is Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.
Robredo was the principal author in the House of Representatives of the Economic and Financial Literacy Act Tax and Incentives Management and Transparency Act.
As vice president, she spearheaded the “Angat Buhay” program, where at least Php 520 million in resources were mobilized for the benefit of 321,000 families and 223 localities around the country. She headed relief operations for the victims of natural calamities and disasters as well as multi-sectoral pandemic relief programs. Her office obtained quality management system certifications from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001:2015) in 2017 and again in 2020 as well as the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit for three consecutive years.
Part of VP Robredo’s campaign is to continue improving the budget allocation for infrastructures and educatio n and supporting small businesses, unemployed, and out of work. She also aims to restore trust in the government as well as boost industries related to marine, climate, technology, and manufacturing.
Check Robredo’s complete profile on Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information campaign partner of the Commission on Elections: https://votepilipinas.com/candidate/robredo-leni.html
The Philippines’ presidential aspirants carry certain political ideologies which give a glimpse of what the country will become in the next six years. Choosing the next leader can either be a matter of continuing the shortcomings of previous leaders or setting the Philippines back into the right direction. Hence, make sure to vote for the right candidate on May 9, 2022.