Michelle T. Lao Prof.

Carmen Fernandez English 10 January 29, 2010 Why I Would Vote for the Underdog With the upcoming elections on May 2010, many of the candidates have started to bombard us with political campaigns and flashy advertisements, each vying for the affection, or rather, the vote of the general public. After all, in order to be elected, a candidate must be popular enough to get the majority of votes. We are slapped with one advertisement after another, until those campaign jingles get stuck in our heads and be uploaded on YouTube, which get a million hits. Although some of the presidential candidates have already started their campaign, there are a few, who have stood by the rules and law concerning elections. By following those rules now, he may be giving a preview of what he will do once he is elected, that he would adhere to the laws our country practices. JC de los Reyes is one of the few brave men who would compete against candidates with big names in politics and in society. In 1995, he ran for office and became the City Councilor in Olongapo. As a councilor, he focused on the poor, the youth and cooperatives. He is an active member in parties that promote the politics of social concern, which had programs like housing for 60 families. He had set up a free legal assistance program, which had been very successful among his constituents. He has spoken against illegal drugs, violations of workers rights particularly at Subic Bay. He has filed numerous cases to the Ombudsman against highranking officials, upholding his policy and addressing the problems of expensive costs of basic needs. De los Reyes possesses a humble yet successful track record. Nobody really sees any advertisement from JC de los Reyes. For a candidate to have advertisements he must spend millions of pesos in order to be known; de los Reyes does not. Rather than spending those millions on commercial, he uses what money he has to tour around the nation, providing educational discussions and feeding programs to the less fortunate Filipinos. He sees that the money used on commercials would have a greater use and impact if used in teaching and feeding the poor. He has a point. De Los Reyes acknowledges that these may not be enough to alleviate the suffering of the masses. In order to change the situation in our country, one must clear out the root of the problem. Without the root, the plant dies. One major root that the public have always identified is the rampant corruption and nepotism in our government. We know that these are present in every country, developed or not, but minimizing it may be the key to raise our countrys situation. With corruption minimized, there will be more money for the government to invest in land and capital. With more usable land and capital, there will be an increase in output like food. Our country will also be able to export, increasing our income. Budget will be allocated to improving primary and secondary education, leaving the citizens competent and learned. Budget will also be allocated to small- and medium-scale industries, to stimulate the growth of their business, enabling jobs for those who are unemployed. De los Reyes may not be popular and has idealistic goals, but unlike other politicians he is untainted from the spoils of dirty politics. He could be a catalyst, promoting virtue and duty to his fellow men. He may spark a change in the world of Philippine politics, and that change could lead to our countrys progress.

Source: PoliticalArena.com

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