Inquirer To Be You asked a number of Ateneo students who they will vote for President in the May 9 elections, and why.

“I am voting for Mar Roxas for President and Leni Robredo for Vice President because of their promise to continue with and improve on the administration’s program of reforms. Their performance in public fora reflects a genuine understanding of the country’s state of affairs. Their platform demonstrates comprehensive solutions to address the country’s needs. I know they will be able to deliver because their track records are marked by industry and integrity.” —Shiphrah Belonguel, AB Developmental Studies; ADMU Loyola Schools Constitutional Convention head; Ateneo Gabay externals vice president

‘Choose the lesser evil’
“I haven’t firmly decided who to vote for, but I’ve narrowed down my President choices to Mar Roxas and Grace Poe. It’s become clear to me that this election has evolved into a “choose-the-lesser-evil” battle, and I’ve had no reason yet to believe that Roxas and Poe are ill-intentioned in their respective candidacies. Roxas is bent on continuing anticorruption programs of the outgoing administration, and it’s a major bonus that his running mate is Leni Robredo, as she is my vice presidential bet. Despite being accused of several mishaps in the past, he undoubtedly has the most experience in the executive branch.

“Meanwhile, Poe has been very impressive in the election debates. She has been able to articulate her plans and visions.

“I know the two are not perfect candidates. I recognize what is being said about Roxas’ alleged incompetence, and Poe’s inexperience and citizenship issues. Ultimately, I’ve decided that the flaws of other candidates—extrajudicial killings, cases of massive corruption and Marcos revisionism—are things I cannot forgive.” —Miko Alazas, AB/MA Political Science, major in Global Politics

Apprehensive
“My top two choices for President are Grace Poe and Mar Roxas, mainly because Poe has done generally well during debates, and because Roxas can continue what President Noynoy Aquino has started.

“I can’t take Jejomar Binay’s blatant corruption and political dynasty. He can’t take sole credit for Makati’s success. Also, it is one thing to run an already prosperous city and another thing to run a developing country.

“As for Rodrigo Duterte, I have the following to say: 1) I think he’s done a commendable job as mayor of Davao City—however, I don’t see how his plans can be effective on a national level; 2) His blatant disregard for human rights and due process are objectionable, and beg me to ask, ‘Is that price of peace and order?’ I cannot take the principles he stands for and the culture that he is cultivating among Filipinos—that we must forego democracy and the right to a fair trial in order to achieve peace; 3) His stand on drugs is misinformed and does not grasp the complexity of drug use and abuse. Killing the drug dealers won’t help. We have to help those who have no other means of dealing with the world except through the use of drugs.

“I refuse to support Miriam Santiago because she took on Bongbong Marcos as her running mate. Putting a Marcos that continues to deny the faults of Ferdinand Marcos—faults which plunged the country into debt that we are still paying today, and promoted debt-driven growth and human rights violations that occurred under martial law—is not acceptable to me.

“However, I’m still apprehensive about Mar and Grace. Grace turned her back on the country, which she claims to love. As for Mar, he is tactless and charmless, and his handling of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” and the Zamboanga siege put his skills into question.” —Richard Milante, BS Management Engineering; Ateneo Residents Students Association president

Undecided
“I’m still undecided because I have yet to see a candidate whose platforms resonate with my advocacies: that of sufficient health coverage, comprehensive land reform, workers’ rights and increased opportunities outside the National Capital Region.” —Gian Infante, BS Health Sciences; Ateneo Task Force 2016 Election Monitoring head

For Miriam
“I’m voting for Miriam Santiago. Even though a lot of people are saying that she won’t win, she is the only candidate who I believe has the experience and the veracity for the presidency. In all her years of public service, she is one of the few politicians who is very vocal and well-informed on issues the people feel strongly about, and she has a clear stance on most of them. I agree with most, if not all, of her views on these issues: graft and corruption, foreign policy, OFW protection, Mamasapano and the Bangsamoro Basic Law.” —Isabella Suarez, BS Legal Management; chief executive officer, White Bucket powered by Gawad Kalinga

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