10 candidates we should never support

This column is addressed to Filipinos who use their brains, their conscience and their sense of nationalism and patriotism when they choose mayors, governors, congressmen, senators, vice presidents, and above all, the next president, as well as other public officials. This is also addressed to the youth voters, the university and college students who are still filled with idealism and pure love of country. And to all Filipinos, young and old alike, who truly care for our nation and people.

First, we should not vote for the incompetent candidates whose only credentials include being member of a family dynasty, or being an actor, a famous basketball player, or a popular entertainer, or a sports champion. Competence in the position aspired for is the barest minimum requirement. No one should aspire to become a senator or congressman if he or she does not have any basic knowledge of law or the mechanics of law-making. Second, we should not vote for dishonest politicians who have records of plunder, estafa, fraud or any other felonies involving moral turpitude. Third, we should never vote for any candidate with known links to drugs and other crimes.

Fourth, we should not vote for any aspirant for public office who is known to be unfaithful to spouse, wife or husband. If he or she cannot even be truthful and honest to his or her spouse, how can he or she be entrusted with public funds and with public functions? Fifth, we should not vote for those who curse the pope and even God, those who say bad words via national TV and scandalize the children and minors. Sixth, we should never vote for candidates whose family or close relatives or dummies own construction companies and suppliers to public offices. Those who have a clear conflict of interests should be rejected outright.

Seventh, we should never reelect incumbents who have not done their jobs well and honestly, mayors who are corrupt, governors who have connections with shenanigans in drugs, gambling, prostitution, smuggling and extortions. Eighth, we should not vote for incumbents who have been found lazy, inept, uncaring and never helped fight the pandemic, are missing during rescue, retrieval and relief operations in emergencies, calamities and disasters. Ninth, and I say this with much caution and respect, we should not vote for candidates who are sickly and can hardly walk and are troubled in their physical mobility and thinking process.

Tenth, we should never elect a candidate whose father, mother, brother, sister is already a senator, a congressman, a mayor, or a governor. To the candidates, I dare say: if your sister is a sitting senator, are you going to run for the same position? If your daughter is a sitting senator, would you run for the same office? If your wife or sibling is a congressman of one district, are you going to run for the same post in another district? Are you pushing your wife to run for party list if you yourself are a member of the same House? Is that not pure greed for power?

If you say yes, then I call upon all mature and honest Filipinos not to vote for you and all your relatives. You do not own this country, and the Philippines is not your family corporation.