This is a repost of an article from the Kablogs site entitled Come Fellow OFW's, Vote With Us!

This article, a compilation of thoughts from some of the best and brightest PEBA and KABLOGS bloggers, was also posted in Philippine Online Chronicles, and Blogwatch.ph.



The post reads:

"For decades, we've been lauded as "Bagong Bayani" as a recognition by the same government who has caused our mass exodus into foreign lands.

Let's breathe the title of modern day heroes and accept its appended challenges and responsibilities. Despite our distance and diversity, we take pride in being a part of the Filipino abroad’s global recognition as shapers of the world.

Now, the time has come to unleash the heroes within us as the majestic sun rises in the East and its rays of hope shines upon our nation this coming May 2010 election.

This is a call for our collective voice in the 2010 election. We encourage all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families to actively participate and be part of our country’s historic electoral process.

For several years, we’ve made our presence felt in building our nation. In every single dollar remittance that is being delivered in our family’s doorsteps, we OFWs have helped in sustaining the Philippines’ economic growth.

Our experiences in and out the country have led us to become seasoned professionals who are now politically mature to discern what’s best for our home country. Now is the moment to make a difference. We are part of the 12 million Filipinos dispersed across the world and we can definitely make a difference.

We will solidify our stand to choose the right leaders for our country. We will influence our family and loved ones back home, the recipient of our hardships and struggles abroad, to act too. We will guide them in making their choices this coming May 2010 because we believe that their actions will not only shape our country’s future but the future of the generations to come.

Our nation has suffered from the action (and inaction) of irresponsible and corrupt government officials but we must remain steadfast in our hope and desire of having a better country. Our nation is already battered and divided. This coming election, its fate resides in US.

If there is a time to live as modern day heroes, to make a difference as global Filipinos, to embark on something worth doing, IT IS NOW!

Let us empower ourselves as OFWs. With one voice and one heart, let's vote and get counted! Only responsible voters can bring responsible leaders in office on May 2010. Let the new leaders of our land rise from the votes of OFWs."

(We encourage all OFW bloggers to post this in your blog and FB Profile, Twitter, Plurk and circulate this piece to OFW and families email addresses. Thank you.)

My take on presidential elections

Original posting here.

None of those I elected in the past ever won. My criteria are quite simple:

Must be faithful to the marriage. If you can't be faithful to your wife, how can you be faithful to the many?

Must always be truthful. Always direct to the point, no frills, no fuzz, no insinuations.

Must not be a media ass-kisser. In fact, the lesser the media mileage, the better. I hate those politicians who jump at an issue the soonest they get a chance.

Better yet, why not we plot a table using Carlos Alberto Montaner's 20 categories in electing a good president (actually he listed only 19, I don't know why, that's why I added the 20th category).

Full file is available if you want to copy or download it.

Montaner is a respected Latin American journalist, a professor and President of Firma Press.