Name: Louis Justin Otadora Asis STEM 2102

Subject: English for Academic and Professional Purposes

Teacher: Ms. Camille Sebugon

Who’s the best aspiring Philippines President?

“The battle of diverse candidates”

In the Philippines, presidents are limited to a single six-year term, and earlier
this month, Duterte put to rest rumors that he might try to stay in power as vice
president. This week was the deadline for presidential candidates to file paperwork for
the election on May 9, 2022. The International Criminal Court opened an inquiry into
alleged crimes against humanity committed in the Philippines under Duterte last month,
emphasizing the importance of his recent efforts to choose a friendly successor for his
legacy. At this time, the Commission on Elections expects to release a preliminary list of
candidates by late October 2021. By the start of the election period, in early January
2022, the commission will have finalized a list of candidates who will appear on the
ballot. A total of 97 people has declared their intention to run for president and have
filed certificates of candidacy, formally notifying the commission of their candidacy.
“Who is the most qualified contender to win the presidency?” is a question that most
Filipino citizens have.
Although the campaign for the 2022 presidential election has yet to begin, the
machinations and drama are already in full swing. This suggests that the Commission
on Elections is unlikely to produce a more trustworthy, neutral, and fair election in May
2022. The stakes ahead of the election next year are extremely high. It has become a
big topic on social media and journalism platforms because most potential presidents
are now launching their own platforms and campaigns to persuade voters to support
their advocacies. However, only 5 names have become popular and most talked about
among the 97 prospective candidates, with the potential to win the election in 2022.
Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Gerona Robredo, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., Emmanuel
‘Manny’ Pacquiao, Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso, and Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa
are the top five most talked-about candidates for President of the Philippines. Maria
Leonor “Leni” Gerona Robredo, the current Vice President of the Philippines, is one of
the most talked-about Presidential candidates. She’s also a former lawyer and activist
who is known to be President Duterte’s rivals. The two clashed on a variety of subjects,
including the drug war and the pandemic, as well as the burial site of Philippine tyrant
Ferdinand Marcos. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., a former senator in the
Philippines, is the second aspiring President. He hopes to succeed his father, who
served as President for two decades. He was the son of dictator and kleptocrat
Ferdinand Marcos, who ran for president as a member of the Nationalist Party in 1965
and established martial law during his second term. Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao, a
senator, a ballad singer, a farm owner, and a basketball coach who is also known for his
outstanding achievements in boxing around the world, is another prospective President.
His faith has often been the driving force behind his policy decisions. Francisco ‘Isko
Moreno’ Domagoso, a former actor and the mayor of the nation’s capital, who is better
known by his screen name Isko Moreno, is the next in line to become President. He was
also noted for being a successful mayor of Metro Manila, which was known for its
outstanding achievements, particularly in the area of innovation. Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela
Rosa, Duterte’s right-hand man, comes in last on the list of the most talked-about
wannabe Presidents. Bato, as he is nicknamed, means “rock,” and he is the Chief of the
Philippine National Police, which is in charge of Duterte’s “War on Drugs” platform. With
this background, people will have a better sense of who they will vote for in the
approaching election of 2022.
Since the Philippines is a democratic country, residents have the right to elect
leaders who will serve and innovate our country with platforms and advocacies that will
aid the Philippines in being a productive nation. If given the opportunity to lead and
serve the Philippines government, each of these potential Presidents has a diverse set
of policies and ideas. VP Robredo’s advocacy efforts target individuals on the margins
of society. “This is what I promised when I ran for office, and it’s what I promised during
my inauguration—the main program of the Office of the Vice President is to look after
individuals on the margins of society,” she remarked in Filipino. For the remainder of her
time, she intends to focus on assisting those who are less fortunate. Mr. Marcos, for
one, aims to unite all Filipinos behind a common vision and objective, particularly as the
country grapples with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. His political ideologies
were centered on the welfare of his constituents. Mr. Pacquiao’s support for the SAFE
STEPS program, a pan-Asian public service campaign aiming at presenting people with
essential information on how to prepare for natural disasters, was evident in his
lobbying. Mr. Moreno wants to transform the government by putting the smartest and
brightest in charge. For everyone, not just those from Manila, or from one political party,
or one faction, or one profession, or one tribe, or one age group. He promotes
‘inclusive, open’ administration because he believes it is essential in a democratic
society such as the Philippines. Finally, his support for law and order, which includes his
opposition to extrajudicial killings; his proposed legislation (if elected as Senator) to
reinstate the death penalty for drug traffickers and reduce the criminal liability of
juveniles from 15 to 9 years old; and his polling results, which do not deter him, among
other issues. Most people believe he is the Duterte administration’s and platforms’
successor. Regardless of their differing viewpoints, their goals are all for the betterment
of our country. Regardless of who wins the next 2022 election, the selected leader must
operate as a responsible leader who will listen to our voices, support our choices,
supply economic necessities, and put an end to the long-standing challenges that our
country has faced.
 We should not take voting for granted; it is a privilege that we must wield with
considerable prudence. It goes without saying that our future, as well as the future of
our children, is at stake. Let us exercise responsible voting and pick a new president
who will protect our interests. Let us not betray our country by voting for someone who
comes to us with arrogance and dishonest motives. We should also not sell our vote to
the highest bidder, who, if elected, will exploit the privileges of his office to acquire even
more privilege and power. Let’s not lose this chance to break free from the endless
cycle of politics. Vote intelligently when you go out to vote. Either we can turn the tide or
we will continue down the road to political oblivion.

Source: https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Philippine-elections-2022/Who-will-succeed-
Duterte-Five-presidential-contenders-to-know