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Question and answer

jimparedes:

A friend wrote:

how will i address friends and family who say that the reason they will not vote for noynoy is because he is not yet ready?

i told a friend who has this complaint to watch the presidential forums and see it for herself. she told me that she does and that is her basis in saying that. how can we address this? i am a 29 year old dentist and i have difficulty in verbalizing my thoughts about political issues. please help!

My answer:

Noynoy is ready. In fact, the people are ready for a leader with integrity.

Admittedly, he is not a flashy, glib speaker. Admittedly, some of the other candidates are more emphatic and may even express wit. But we have all seen too often the ‘bright’ ones elected and have overlooked their character. Are they honest? To whom are the beholden? Marcos, GMA were REALLY bright and “ready’ to govern, and take our money along with them.

The best and most loved Presidents we’ve had were not flashy. In fact they were seen  or criticized as ‘weak’ or not bright. I am speaking of Magsaysay and Cory. They will be remembered for restoring faith in Public Service and Democracy.  They lived and died without amassing great wealth and just worked tirelessly.

Look at the other candidates.  Who would you trust to buy a used car from? Someone who will sell you the highway to go with the car? Someone who will not answer straight about what the car has been through or whether some parts were cannibalized, or whether it was stolen, or flooded out during Ondoy?? Or someone who tells it like it is?

Noynoy can and will hire the best and the brightest to be in his cabinet.  My point is, integrity is the MOST important aspect of the Presidency. Talent can be hired.  If President is corrupt, then down the line of governance, the signal people will get is it’s OK to be corrupt as well. We must break out of that cycle.

Flash and glitz are cheap. But integrity is solid.

Jim

Jim Paredes is my favorite APO.