In today's blog post, I will talk about the presidential candidates' background and platforms to enlighten you readers more about the running candidates. 

Platform: First, Binay's objective is to widen the social inclusion/improvement or basic services. Second is to have a healthy economy or to have an economic dynamism. Third is to have an effective and sacrificing authority. He also wants a caring governance. 

Background: Binay graduated at University of the Philippines for high school and finished college at the Philippine Normal College Training Department. He got his degree in political science at University of the Philippines Diliman in 1962. At the year 1986 to 1987, he was appointed as Mayor of Makati City. 1988 to 2007, he was seated as the Mayor of Makati. October 21, 2009, he was in a tandem for the 2010 elections, running for Vice President of the Philippines. He eventually won the position and is currently the Vice President of the Philippines. Binay has recently been caught on a corruption case, although the issue is still not resolved. 

Background: Rodrigo graduated high school at the Holy Cross of Digos at 1966. He took the course of Law at San Beda College in Manila. At the year 1972, he graduated and passed the bar exam at the same year. He was a special counsel at the year 1977 to 1979. He became a prosecutor right after at the year of 1979 to 1986. He was appointed Vice Mayor in Davao at the year 1986 to 1988. He then became the Mayor of Davao City at the year 1988 to 1998. He paused from his Mayor position and became a Congressman at the year 1998 to 2001. Then again, he became the Mayor of Davao. he consecutively switched from Vice Mayor to Mayor and is now currently the Mayor of Davao since 2013. Rodrigo faced an issues about excessive cussing and rumors of him killing people. It became a hot issue across the nation since he cussed Pope Francis over traffic during his visit. Although with all the flying rumors and talks around the country, Duterte does not care less about the issues. 

3. Mar Roxas 

Platform: He is part of Noynoy's project, "Daang Matuwid". He would want to continue the project "Anti-Corruption" if he is elected President. "There is no force stronger than the force of good people coming together with good leaders. Everybody has a 'pangarap'. Everybody wants a 'pag-asa'. They're the two most powerful motives. But we now have shown them that their 'pangarap' has hope." says Mar. He also wants an effective and compassionate administration.

Background: Mar attended grade school to high school in Ateneo De Manila and graduated at the year 1974. He attended Wharton School of Economics at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated at the year 1979. He became active in politics and became part of the House of Representatives at the year 1993. After his congressional stint, he was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry and then after in 2004, he was elected to the Senate with a staggering 20 million votes, the largest ever obtained by a candidate in any Philippine election. 

Platform: Poe wants to resolve the problems in the health sector. She wants to resolve the issue of the West Philippine Sea, the problems in traffic, the unfixed service of internet, the talks on climate change and giving proper amount of food, especially to children. 

Background: She is the least experienced out of all the candidates. She studied high school at Assumption High School. For college, she attended University of the Philippines Manila at the year 1986-1988 under the BA development studies program. She received teitary education at the Boston College, degree in political science. She is the chairperson of Public Information and Mass Media. She is also the first lady senator to serve as chair of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

Platform: Miriam wants to fund for the public infrastructures, agriculture and people. She wants to fight against drugs and for pollution to look for ways for pollution to decrease. She wants to implement these projects per region/province to guarantee. 

Background: Miriam is considered to be one of the most intellectually brilliant leaders that our country has ever seen. She was class valedictorian at all levels – elementary, high school, and college. She has earned the degrees Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude; and Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines. She went abroad and earned the graduate degrees of Master of Laws, and Doctor of Juridical Science, from the University of Michigan, one of the top three law schools in the United States. She finished the academic requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Religious Studies, at the Maryhill School of Theology. She is a senator at the republic of the Philippines. she was elected by States Parties to Rome Statute as judge of the International Criminal Court for nine-year term. She is the first Filipino and first Southeast Asian from a developing state to be thus elected. Miriam has an outstanding background and has countless of achievements as a politician. Although at July 2 at the Senate's Sumulong Room, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago announced, "I have cancer of the lungs, which makes it hard for me to breathe." Her cancer was announced to be the 4th stage which is the last stage. Despite the disease, she still continued her candidacy for presidency.

       As a minor who still has no power to vote, it is still important to be aware of the political issues happening. We should stop being ignorant about the issues happening around us for a change. Since I am still unable to vote, I still participate by watching and reading articles regarding the current happenings. It is only not interesting, but it helps me gain more knowledge on the candidates for presidency. As much as i want to vote, the least i could do is state my opinion and influence my family members to vote for this certain candidate.

      With these five candidates, we see their personal backgrounds and contributions to the country. We may not be aware of their whole background but with enough information, we get an idea on who to vote for on the upcoming elections. They may not be perfect and each and every one of the candidates has something lacking, but with the right vote and critical thinking mindset, we all have the power to change the country. It's up to us as Filipino citizens to choose our "right" leader. Which poison will you pick? Who will you vote for?

Always remember to vote wisely!

J A N E