It is important to discuss these things so folks can make informed decisions. So yes, if politicians do good things they get mentioned, if people do bad things, you can bet we will scream it to high heavens.

And if it is not what you expected it to be, you are welcome to check out the 6 million other sites referencing Baguio City.

One thing I like about Atty Molintas is that he is very open-minded, there were some young people in our group and he gave everyone’s opinions equal importance. That was pretty impressive because he listened more than spoke.

In contrast, I had merienda with a candidate for Congress the day before and he loved to hear himself speak. Only his ideas were worth anything to him.

But worst of all, I attended a forum once where our Congressman was asked a simple question by the students in the audience and instead of answering, he started on a tirade accusing people of not paying their taxes and totally avoided answering the question.

After writing all this, I guess I want a mayor who consults the people before undertaking anything, and someone who has the wisdom and heart to do what is best for everyone.

I cannot stand politicians who think that governance is all about projects, cement projects at that.

I don’t think the candidate has to make a personal appearance. In the case of the Magundadatus (Ampatuan Massacre victims) the candidate sent his female relatives to file for him.

And in the case of Voltaire Acosta, who is running for councilor (and whom I’m voting for), it was his wife Digna who filed.

While we’re at it, this list is not that final, because some candidates can substitute their relatives for themselves. In other words, a sibling or a spouse can be the final candidate.

Also, a candidate who files for mayor, for example, can withdraw the candidacy and run for a lower position like city councilor by asking his party-mate to withdraw.

Am not well-versed on election law but I had the occasion to interview one of our mayoralty candidates about this, who happens to be a lawyer (Jose Molintas) and who was patient enough to answer my questions.

Thanks for organizing the candidates into the positions they will run for. I have a question – Is it a requisite for the candidates to show up at the COMELEC to file their candidacies? I find it odd that the handwriting of several candidates seem to be done by one person only… Does that mean that someone could volunteer anybody? Thanks for answering!

Hahaha, I could not resist the hints (advantages of this being a personal blog, not a newspaper) as I found it odd that so many were running for mayor and Baguio has such few choices for vice-mayor.

FOR A CHANGE is exactly right! If we vote in the same people, I am afraid it will just be more of the same uglification and self-serving questionable projects. And I am not talking here about just the top 3 posts — even councilors must reveal what their programs and projects are — NO MORE SURPRISES FOR THE PEOPLE, OK?

Had I known, for example that they were planning to turn the Skating Rink into Fiesta Carnival I would have freaked way before that travesty ever happened.

I am planning to offer every candidate space in this blog for so voters will get to know them and their plans better.

Thanks for dropping a comment and I hope you keep em coming!

We cannot hope to rely on ONE candidate to make the change for all 300,000 currently living here. It must be the bibingka approach — political will from everyone on top and the awakening of the masses to the possibility of a better and more prosperous life while being responsible caretakers of the city we all love.

For these elections the electorate must be true to the claim of of Baguio residents as “intelligent voters” for obviously, the people elected in the past two decades have been destroyers of the city. The population must DEMAND honestly, selflessness and sacrifice from the politicians the way the population must also behave honestly, selflessly and be willing to sacrifice to rebuild the city.

I know you have relatives still living here. I am sorry you were not around for 17 years to perform the role of caretaker, but even from afar you can play your role by getting to know the candidates, demanding that they reveal their projects before asking your relatives to vote for them.

It is no longer enough to be familiar with names, but to really grill them the way one would a job applicant — for that is what the candidates are: job applicants and we, the people, are the bosses.