More Disappointment Care of Isang Tanong Part Two
If you failed to catch the second part of the GMA Isang Tanong Presidential Forum you didn’t really miss much. Although it aired rather late I tried my best to watch it in full. But, hey, the combination of sleepiness and boredom can be quite a challenge to fight off.
The first part, which aired last Sunday, November 22, was quite disappointing as I pointed out in an earlier post. I mean, as a voter who is seriously interested to know what our presidential candidates plan to do, I was expecting insightful questions about specific matters involving governance but heard nothing but motherhood questions. I guess disappointment come in pairs.
The main problem lies in the questions that were asked. With the exception of a few, the questions mostly delved into past concerns such as Former President Joseph Estrada’s conviction for plunder. Some were just plain weird like the one asked by former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, which was “What is political will in Tagalog?”
I don’t know why but some people just can’t seem to grasp the simple, basic truth about elections. Elections are all about the future; when we talk of the future we should talk of plans; therefore we should ask the candidates about their plans. Of course, there is also that differentiation between promises and plans, which I will address later.
Anyway, with lousy questions we can expect lousy answers. I can say again without hesitation that majority of the answers provided by the candidates failed to give the voting public a clear view of how they plan to achieve their campaign promises. We’ve heard them all before but to refresh our memories here are a few the most popular ones: education for all, affordable (if not free) healthcare for all, peace in Mindanao, and everyone’s favorite an end to government corruption.
By the way, in my opinion, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas and evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva gave the best answers. Perlas was particularly straightforward with his answers. Senator Noynoy Aquino, the candidate who would probably be elected president in 2010, was a no-show. However, judging from his past interviews, his absence wasn’t really such a big loss.
Going back to the topic… I don’t understand why the questions asked in both episodes of Isang Tanong were not well thought out considering that the producer of the forum is a multi-awarded TV network. I guess this only proves that awards are really no proof of great thinking.
In any case, I remain optimistic succeeding programs of this kind will be done much better. And, since I’m aware that some network researchers actually do visit this blog I’ll end this piece with a link to a blogpost that should help them come up with better questions for the candidates the next time around. The difference between a campaign promise and a plan is clearly defined there.
This whole debate on platforms seems to presume that the candidates can actually do what they are saying. I doubt, in fact, the ability of many of these candidates to do what they say they will do. Let’s look at their backgrounds and see what they have done and then ask the question: WHAT HAVE THEY DONE IN THE PAST THAT WILL GIVE ME AN INDICATION OF THEIR ABILITY TO EXECUTE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING? Look at their CVs. If they have never led an organization much less go through grueling pains of running a business or a large organization, then there is NO WAY that they can run the Philippine Government.
A friend of mine said Noynoy may not have the experience but he can have good men in the Cabinet. They do not know what leadership and competence is all about. In a country where the state agencies are institutionally weak, we need a leader with experience and competence who can inspire and direct his men towards a particular direction.
We cannot elect a man into the Presidency so he can learn “on-the-job.” The job is far too important to let someone experiment with the position. We need to elect a man who will hit the ground running. A man who has the experience, the competence, and vision to raise us all up from the poverty — both material and spiritual — that we are all suffering today.
So, do not look for platforms — look for experience and competence.
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admin Reply:
November 30th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
chito,
you’re wrong. more than the power to inspire what we need is someone who ha a clear set of plans, a solid platform. in the first place, who says noynoy can inspire? you?
competence and experience are imprtant but without a solid platform they mean nothing.
i suggest you rethink your recommendation because the more you say it the more you’re hurting noynoy’s campaign, seriously. just read what you have written. you practically painted noynoy and his camp (of which you obviously belong to) as advocates of traditional politics.
for the sake of noynoy (who can be a great president if only he had a solid plan) please rethink your battlecry.
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admin Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 12:40 am
chito,
my mistake… di ka pala noynoy… villar pala. anyway just the same having a platform is important.
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Chito,
I believe experience and competence is important, too – but the best way that can be demonstrated is through providing clear plans and objectives in the form of a platform. A candidate who has the attributes of experience and competence but can’t explain how he will apply them is not a worthwhile candidate. A candidate with a platform but no experience or competence to validate the platform is equally unworthy. Bring all three, or don’t bother bringing anything.
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First, I will eliminate those candidates in the list who don’t have solid track record of achievements and competence for the position – character, of course, is a must-have. If candidates don’t have these “basic” requirements, we should not even waste our time looking into their so-called platforms or whatever design of the future that they have.
Only after then will I look at what the candidates have to offer – their vision, platforms, leadership and management philosophy – charisma is a plus! If the candidate doesn’t have experience and competence, let’s not waste our time looking at their platforms – we all know that all these black and white plans will end up in the garbage can.
I think that’s the logical order. It can never be the other way around. That’s as basic as screening a job applicant, right?
Unfortunately, most of us Filipinos do it the other way around.
Most
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admin Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 1:59 am
allan,
for the most part the sequence you prescribed is basically correct and logical. however, if we’re gonna place a lot of importance on achievements maybe we ought to qualify that as achievements in private enterprise and/or public service. for me having a track record of success in business is a big plus but it does not necessarily guarantee great performance in government.
i’m curious though what for you exactly is an example of an achievement… (honestly, i’m hoping you won’t say “building a business empire” because that would certainly make me doubt your motives for implying that platform is the least important.
anyway, i’m not sure this is right “most of us Filipinos do it the other way around.” apparently most of us just go with gut feel.
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botomoto Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 am
why aren’t people talking about poll automation? we should be having discussions about this now instead of later.
http://www.botomoto.com/think-about-it/wowowee-trumps-2010-philippine-elections-in-google-search/
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I hope that everyone of us will vote for the right candidate. Someone who has guts and balls to really move our country forward. I am voting for Nicanor Perlas in 2010.
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Enrico Navea Reply:
January 10th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
That’s Dick Gordon and Bayani Fernado.
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[...] tangible and whose attainment can be measured. Blogger BetterPhilippines (BP) provides an example how Mainstream Media takes its cue from an electorate that responds virtually instinctively to the a…. BP cites as an example Part Two of GMA Network’s Isang Tanong Forum where various [...]
[...] and whose attainment can be measured. Blogger BetterPhilippines (BP) provides an example of how Mainstream Media takes its cue from an electorate that responds virtually instinctively to the a…. BP cites as an example Part Two of GMA Network’s Isang Tanong Forum where various [...]
Definitely NICANOR PERLAS!!!!
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admin Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
juan,
all the candidates will be equally scrutinized.
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that’s what i have been doing (equally scrutinizing the candidates) to make sure that i will vote with my conscience and vote for my highest aspirations. i have followed the presidential debates since ANC came out with the first forum this year. and so far that’s my conclusion – definitely NICANOR PERLAS!
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I hope that whoever wins in the election will serve truthfully to our country…
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Quoted from another site
Integrity is very important. I still cannot say if Noynoy is sincere or competent because of Media bias. Look at it this way: What if NOYNOY AQUINO’s name is Juan Arroyo, but definitely not a relative of Gloria Arroyo. But in terms of performance as a legislator, still the same as Noynoy, then his mom and dad aren’t Ninoy and Cory. But he is still TOTALLY NOYNOY AQUINO minus parents’ name and surname. Same performance, same track record. WILL HE EVEN THINK of running? WILL PEOPLE even want him to run? The ANSWER is a BIG NO. For that alone, most people’s basis for his perceived integrity is VERY VERY WEAK. It is very clear.. His perceived integrity is based on the following: Parents’ name, surname and Media’s failure to ask the TOUGH QUESTIONS. See? If his surname is ARROYO or MARCOS or BAWBELAT or and his parents were ordinary citizens, would he even come out as a leader? a leader who relies on his own merits? NEVER!
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may i ask …y the listing of 99 presidential candidates can’t display…i want to know their names…tanx and god bless…
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admin Reply:
December 16th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
delia,
i don’t have that listing, sorry.
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