Philippines, Inc.’s Christmas Party was held on December 9, 2015 at the sprawling mansion of Felix Ang. Call time was 7:30 pm. William Gatchalian was ahead of me by a minute.
It was a private gathering of about 30 people mostly businessmen.
There were several foreign diplomats and former US government officials, but I only asked my Filipino colleagues “Sino iboboto natin?”
To my right, Ambassador Joey Antonio (owner of Century Properties), Noel Onate (Chairman of APEC Plans). To my left is Beaver Lopez, Atty. Mike Toledo, Harry Liu, Jun Periquet.
31 voters, businessmen
Mar Roxas ——- 10
Binay ———— 9
Grace Poe ——- 7
Duterte ——— 3
Miriam ———- 1
Undecided 1
Marcos ———- 12
Robredo ——— 10
Cayetano ——– 4
Honasan ——— 3
Escudero ——– 1
Undecided——– 1
William Gatchalian was funny. When he saw Poe’s name at the bottom of the presidential list, he asked me why I put her name last. I said “it’s alphabetically arranged”. Then he was so bothered how come no one was voting for Chiz. He put two lines instead of one. He also marked Poe twice. I told him “William isang boto lang”. I erased the extra votes he cast on Poe and Chiz.
Philip Romualdez did not choose a presidential candidate. Wala pa daw syang napili. He voted for Bongbong Marcos while saying “Syempre iboboto ko ang pinsan ko”.
My election survey was done in the spirit of fun and out of my personal curiosity.
Last to leave the venue were Philip Romualdez, Gigi Montinola, Dindo and RP Manhit, and the four of us: Noel, Omb, Susing Pineda, and Simon Paz. We talked about politics.
I was holding the blue construction paper where the guests marked the name of their preferred candidates.
Wow ang ganda ng painting. Katulad ng Kandinsky. Ms. Annie, isang ms. Universe question para sa inyo — What can you say about the face-slapping incident that will occur when Duterte meets Mar?
Hmm. Slim pickings…
Atty. Alvin,
In Tagalog, that’s walang itulak kabigin, lahat gusto mong itulak.
This exiguousness of qualified candidates (those who can play the role of navigator, mobilizer, servant leader, inspirational leader, guardian of national wealth and resources, someone who can deliver us from the morass of poverty, corruption, lost opportunities, etc.) will leave us with no choice but to once again choose the lesser evil. Leaving the spaces blank in a ballot is not a wise option where most often than not, candidates win by plurality of votes in our electoral system. Very disheartening. Good thing there is OMB to make me forget these issues albeit for a brief moment during the day. 😉