One Nation, 99 Presidentiables

The Philippine election in 2010 is pioneering in numerous senses.  For one, it will be the first automated elections that we have.  Second, this election would feature a sitting president vying for a “lower” congressional seat.  Third, it is an election that includes an ex-president testing the spirit and letters of the constitutional prohibition for re-election for presidents.  And, fourth, it is the first time that a record breaking number of presidentiables filed their CoC’s.  They numbered ninety-nine, to be exact!

Of course, we knew about Gilbert Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan-Volunteers for New Philippines, the independent candidate Maria Anna Consuelo Madrigal, former president Joseph Estrada of Partido ng Masang Pilipino, Manuel Villar of Nacionalista Party, John Carlos delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran Party and Benigno Aquino III of Liberal Party.  They are obviously the frontrunners, and considered to be the most serious in their candidacy.

But, there were more than ninety Filipinos who also wanted the presidency. 

Below is a short list of lesser-known presidential aspirants for 2010.  The list is never complete, and the information corresponding to every presidential aspirant is scanty for most of those in the list. Anyone who has a better database could share additional information to complete the roll.

1.      Orlando Abitona, 71, from Cainta, Rizal.

2.      Vetellan Acosta, 52, is a financial consultant.

3.      Noel Aguirre is a former OFW from Jeddah, an inventor and entrepreneur. When interviewed, he rendered his litany of what he intends to do for the Philippines – from eliminating corruption in the government to addressing food shortage.

4.      David Torralba Alimurong, 70, is said to be a retired military general and a representative of the Majestic Alliance of Positive Activists.  He promised to combat climate change by providing from the Philippines seedlings to reforest the deserts of the Middle East.  He’s from Antipolo, Rizal.

5.      Maria Magdalena Apura, 81, is from Trece Martirez City in Cavite province.  She’s said to be a religious missionary.

6.      Arthur Atienza, a businessman

7.      Felix Baling, Jr., 46 is a retired engineer from Zamboanga City.