The man or woman who would be president

The highlight of the May 9, 2016 national and local elections is arguably the election for president. The Comelec is supposedly helping voters to choose by co-sponsoring with media conglomerates three Presidential Debates. But because of time constraints, and perhaps weaknesses in the format, the five candidates for president hardly had the time to elaborate on their respective programs of government. Television viewers were merely treated to colorful mudslinging and vapid motherhood statements.

The coverage of the media on the candidates, on the other hand, has focused more on what has been happening during the campaign sorties of the candidates.

To do its share in helping the public in making an informed choice, The following are Bulatlat’s short articles on each of the five presidential candidates, focusing on their track record. After all, as they say, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating.” A cliche but nevertheless true.

Jejomar Binay | Man for the masses or just another ‘trapo’?

In his website, Jejomar Binay claims that he was “not born into wealth and political prestige, nor did he taste the privileges accorded to the scions of the rich and powerful.”

Rodrigo ‘Digong’ Duterte | Will his penchant for shooting from the hip propel him to the presidency?

During the first presidential debate, he said, “Criminals, well I go after them…As long as I do it in accordance with the rules of law, I will continue to kill criminals.”

Grace Poe| Does her ‘gobyernong may puso’ offer an alternative to ‘trapo politics’?

Being a political newbie has worked both for Poe’s advantage and disadvantage.

Mar Roxas | Could the US-trained banker convince the masses?

He knew even then that the key to winning the elections was “convincing the lower classes that the person running had their interests at heart.” But that has been a problem for him.