Tales of Two Countries’ Presidentiables

By: Joe Mauricio

 

Coincidentally, America and the Philippines will be electing their respective presidents in 2016. Every four years, the citizens of the United States and every six years the Philippines, make the world’s most important “who” decisions.

In America, they choose their president, putting him or her in charge of the largest economy and the strongest military power on Planet Earth. This is a great responsibility. And yet, the process by which politicians come to power–not just in the U.S. but also true in the PH–has a huge room for improvement.

As you now know, great people decision first starts with a widespread of candidates, including both insiders and outsiders. But around the world, politics remains a dynastic business populated by popular names, such as Clinton, Kennedy, or Bush in the U.S.; Aquino, Binay, or Estrada in the PH.

Unlike the U.S. presidential elections, the Philippine elections get too personal and criminal, to some certain point. Accusations and mudslinging border to illegality.

Yes, Barack Obama, a mixed race outsider, won the U.S. presidential election in 2008. Similarly, Benigno Aquino won the Philippine election in 2008, because of his mother’s legacy as former president of the country and his father’s iconic role in the People Power Revolution.

Had Hillary Clinton beat Obama for the Democratic Party nomination in 2008, as she nearly did, then won the general election against Republican candidate John McCain, the United States should have been led by two families, represented by a father, a son, and a husband.

For a candidate, people want to see passion, experience and good character; while a decision maker (or voter) in an election can seriously impair a judgment because of an emotion. If you ever made a spontaneous purchase that you later regretted, there is a good chance it’s because the salesperson or the marketing material got you to stop thinking and start feeling.

Sit in the car, take it for a spin. Won’t your husband/wife love you in that new dress/new suit? You were probably also made to feel a sense of urgency. Let me check whether it’s still available. THE SALE ENDS TODAY…!

Most of us recognize this, we’ve all done unwise things in the heat of the moment. It is also the same in voting for politicians. Alot of times we don’t like the issue, but we like to see them hug and kiss our babies, visit our places of work or homes to shake our hands, etc.

How do you avoid the dangers of the heat of the moment? First, create a candidate’s checklist of skills, experiences, and good character. Review it as you meet the candidates.

Who is the best President of the Republic that could address poverty, economies, Mindanao problems, and our claim to the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea?

Manila dailies are seemingly consumed by the destruction of VP Jojo Binay…Colonists like Spain and United States created the Philippines 400 years ago without regard to the people’s wishes.

Now, after we got our independence, the politicians (aka colonists) are siphoning the country’s wealth and continue slaving the poor.

Filipinos want a president that can unite the country under ONE PHILIPPINES where each can maintain his respective identity while belonging to a structure that would serve them all.

The Philippines will likely continue to be turbulent — with NPA and MILF issues, for several years. However, the elements that will determine its long-term future, are already in place.

The road will be long, but maybe they will succeed in the end with a president who has experience and good character.

In America, people’s decisions are some of the most difficult yet most consequential choices politicians make. It’s not the Democrats or Republicans, but who has the engaging, practical, and evidence-based wisdom that will help the country with this essential task.

For the next year’s elections, exercise your wealth of experience to explain what’s really required to get and groom the best candidate– anyone whose success depends on making better people’s choices.