'Wasted' votes are better than blank ballots

Repost: you can visit Martin Bautista's Blog: mbautistamd.blogspot.com

Letter to the Editor (@ Philippine Daily Inquirer)

I HAVE talked to people who say they find it difficult to come up with the 12 names that they can vote for senator, so they will probably leave blank some slots in their ballots.

I strongly suggested to them that, instead of voting for an "incomplete slate," they write in the names of the Kapatiran Party senatorial candidates: Adrian Sison, Martin Bautista and Jess Paredes. They may not be household names--but if only because they are not "trapos"--and are in fact fully qualified in terms of education, experience and vision--they will make better senators than most of the known candidates.



It is often said that intelligent votes are useless because they are swamped over by the sheer number of "masa" votes. (Remember Mareng Solita Monsod's candidacy?)

Some will say that a vote for Kapatiran is a "wasted" vote because its candidates are "unwinnable." But a wasted vote is better than a "blank" ballot. And there's a chance for your voices to be heard. That's why this appeal to those who are inclined to leave some slots blank anyway.

For the record, I do not know any one of the Kapatiran candidates personally. They may have their own chinks in their armors. But since they are not the usual trapos, show-biz personalities and other unqualified celebrities who have the gall to run, they will definitely be an improvement.

--NOEL TRINIDAD, 33 Firefly St., Valle Verde 6, Pasig City

masamang damo

Nitong nagdaang araw, dalawang kurakot, este buwaya, ay! VIP pala, ang nakapaglaro kay kamatayan. Masamang damo, matagal mamatay!

una, nag-crash ang helicopter na sinasakyan ni Chavit Singson. nakaligtas pa!! pero wala masyadong matamong sugat, at ang helicopter, konti lang ang gasgas!!! pano nangyari yun? hindi kaya gimmick lang, kagaya ng hostage-drama? marami naman syang pera pambayad, di ba? maganda sana kung nakunan ng video yung crash sabay mala-pelikula na blasting, tapos nandun sila sa loob. nice!

pangalawa, sinugod sa ospital si FG Mike Arroyo dahil daw sa masakit ang tiyan. pero napag-alaman at binuko na rin ng mga doktor nya, na-TRIPLE bypass operation sa puso. sayang! at hindi pa natuluyan. sana tinamaan ng kunsensya yung nag-opera sa kanya at sumablay yung isa dun sa tatlong litid na yun! At nakaka-inis pa, binalita pa ng media na bumubuti ang kanyang kalagayan. WTF! kailangan bang i-sensationalize yung mga ganoung pangyayari? Mas maraming matutuwa, (that includes me) kapag kabaliktaran ang naging resulta! mas newsmakacku sana kung natuluyan sya! mabawasan ng gahaman sa mundo.

Puro sila ang nagkakamal ng pera, pahingi naman ako kahit konti. kung nagawa nilang mandaya sa kamatayan, kaya nilang dayain lahat, lalo na sa eleksyon na ito at sa susunod pang eleksyon.

Make a difference

Dr. Martin Bautista of Ang Kapatiran deserves our vote.

The guy is talking with a lot of sense, so idealistic. Currently listening at the Inquirer's podcasts, and after Part 1 of the interview, I got hooked. We need more of him and his fresh ideas.

He is right, pointing out where the country have been through all those years. The common political names still lording the country. The Rectos, Osmeñas, Magsaysays.

"Politics here is so corrupt because politicians make a living out of it. Corruption has become a way of life."

That affected me too, like a symbiote spidey had, dreaming to be corrupt someday.

But how long can he stay with that?

The dancing queen does it again

Talagang gagawin ang lahat para manalo sa eleksyon, pati ang magmakaawa effect! napanood nyo ba yung ad ni Tessie Oreta. Ewww! Bakit sya nag-dancing queen? sabay banat "I'm sorry". Bulok na yan, hindi nga bumenta sa panggulo eh! sayo pa! Hay, it runs in the family. Ang maiden surname nya ay Aquino, at sinong pinaka-sikat na Aquino ang laging newsmackaru? Alam na!

Pagkakamali ang ginawa ko na iyon. Gusto kong humingi ng patawad. Nasaktan ko kayo.

Gusto na nya ng closure! Grabe! pang-Starstruck! Talent: Dancing and Acting! Sana nagpaturo sya sa pinakamahusay na director, yung tipong hahagulgol talaga sya! at sangkatutak na acting workshop! anjan si baklang Louie Ignacio at ang kanyang attitude box...

Ano na lang mangayayari sa hopeless, hapless, helpless Philippines kapag nanalo sya ulit sa halalan na ito. Kelan ba matitigil ang mga kaplastikan na ito? The nerve, Tessie!