2022 Philippine Presidential Elections: Getting to Know Our Five Leading Candidates

“The servant-leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.”  - Robert K. Greenleaf 

(DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE ONLY DISCUSSES THE FIVE MOST POPULAR AND CONTROVERSIAL PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS OUT OF TEN CANDIDATES.)

#Halalan2022

Written by Claire Ferrer
Layout by Aurora Madali

Posted on February 10, 2022  |  11:30 AM

As the 2022 Philippine Election nears, citizens all around the Philippines will be given the responsibility to vote for future leaders and government officials for the years to come. More importantly, they will be choosing their respective leading candidate for the highest position of the country's government - the President of the Philippines. As significant as all elections should be, a lot is riding on this specific election since many issues in our country currently need to be addressed. One of those is the need for a plan to slowly but steadily help recover our country from the COVID-19 pandemic. As of now, we have five very distinguished candidates that are running for president - VP. Leni Robredo, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Each has made notable contributions to our country and has served their time engaging in politics. But, having the responsibility of voting for the Philippines' next leader, we must carefully evaluate the candidates on their contributions to the betterment of the country and their plans should they win the presidential election.

The first candidate for the office of the presidency is the Philippines’ current Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo. During The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews, Leni states that she is currently running as an independent candidate despite being the leader of the Liberal Party of the Philippines. A lawyer, politician, and social activist, Vice President Robredo means well for all.

Robredo first dabbled in politics in the year 2013, starting out as a representative of the third district of her home province, Camarines Sur. She has served there as a representative until 2016. She then ran for Vice President and was elected in the same year. But, her service did not stop there, Robredo still held other governmental positions. In 2016 she also became a Chairperson for a brief five months for the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). 

She had many accomplishments during her term. One of the most significant contributions that she made was to provide low-cost housing for the families that have fallen victim to typhoon Yolanda. During that time, she has ordered the construction of at least 17,000 homes. "Sayang because we have really worked very hard in the past five months. Ang daming problema ng housing na sana hindi na mabiktima yung mga tao sa iringan ng pulitika," she said in an interview with CNN Philippines in December of 2016. (It is unfortunate because we have really worked very hard in the past five months. There are so many problems in the housing sector, and I wish the people would not be made victims of political squabbling.)

In October of 2016, Robredo initiated the extremely successful anti-poverty program called ‘Angat Buhay’ under the Office of the Vice President (OVP). The program was mainly focused on physical (malnutrition) and mental health, youth empowerment, and education. During her six-year term, she has helped over 600,000 Filipino families through the Angat Buhay program, staying true to her own political beliefs and promises. She also made sure that students are ensured good quality education so that everyone may have equal opportunities in the future. As a member of Congress, Robredo also authored many significant bills and laws that were proven useful in the years to come. Some of which were the People Empowerment Bill (HB 4911), which gives more Filipinos a say in policy-making, the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill that prevents any form of discrimination towards people of any race, identity, religion, belief, gender, sexuality, etc., as well as the Open High School System Act (RA 10665) that funds and establishes the open high school system. She also was the Co-Chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) for a short 19-day stint. As for Robredo’s COVID-19 response, it was estimated that she has spent over P113 million for pandemic response to funding needed equipment and easy access healthcare services for all, including the Bayanihan E-Konsulta, Swab Cab, Vaccine Express, Community Learning Hubs, and Community Mart. According to an article provided by Inquirer.Net, Robredo plans on further expanding and creating more stable and functional services that will help with the country’s increasing issues if she wins this year’s election.

The second candidate is current Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, called “Yorme” by many. He was first introduced to the public as an actor. His first appearance was as a cast member on the show “That’s Entertainment,” which has helped him gain popularity and a clear path towards showbiz until he entered politics. According to his IMDb page, he has also starred in other television shows and films such as 'May Minamahal', 'Muntik na Kitang Minahal', 'Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy', and many more. Moreno is currently running under the political party Aksyon Demokratiko and has made it clear several times that he is loyal and running for the people and not for any political party, regardless of the rumors and people who offer him to switch parties. “Basta ako, ang loyalty ko sa tao,” (My loyalty is for the people.) Moreno states during The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews. 

He started out as the Councilor of Manila in 1998, then he was reelected in 2001 and 2004, which gave him three terms in office. Shortly after his term as the Councilor of Manila, he then ran for Vice Mayor and ended up winning. In 2017, he made a comeback as a Chairman for the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for a year, until he obtained the position of Undersecretary in Luzon Affairs and Special Concerns in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Not long after, he was elected as the Mayor of Manila in 2019.

Ever since Moreno started his tenure as mayor, he has mainly focused on renovating and reconstructing the City of Manila. But first and foremost, he focused on providing assistance to the citizens of Manila. According to Rappler’s article entitled: Students, seniors set to get P500 monthly in Isko Moreno’s Manila — it is said that Senior Citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), single parents, and outstanding Grade 12 students were given a Php 500 monthly allowance, given that they live in the city. He was very dedicated to making the city look “brand new'' again, so he ordered multiple cleanup drives for the streets through waste management, had vendors and trespassers cleared, cleaned Manila North Cemetery (which according to the public, was quite controversial), and demolished illegal infrastructures built in the capital. To make sure that it stays this way, Moreno signed a bill that orders barangays to conduct a weekly cleanup drive. To also preserve the rich history that Manila holds, Yorme has also had the Jones Bridge redeveloped. Not only that, he has also funded and ordered public housing projects for the homeless, and thus created the high-rise housing project that will soon open as Tondominum 1, Tondominum 2, and Binondominium. 

The third candidate is former Filipino professional boxer, Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, also known as “Pac-Man.” Over the years, Pacquiao has become a household name, mostly because of his skill in boxing. Most consider him to be one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, which hurled the Philippines up to the top of the sport. Although he was very talented in boxing, he announced his retirement from the sport the month before announcing his candidacy for president. As of now, he is running under the political party PDP-Laban, the same party as President Rodrigo Duterte. Pacquiao is a conservative and an evangelical Christian, and his beliefs and religion have influenced his policies and decisions throughout his career. The senator has acted in accordance with President Duterte’s wishes for most of his term ever since aligning himself with the President and PDP-Laban.

He started his political career in 2010 when he was elected into the House of Representatives as a representative of Sarangani. He served a three-year term and then ran for senator once his term ended in 2016. As a member of the 17th Congress, Pacquiao has filed a total of 31 bills alongside Senator Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go regarding the return of capital punishment. It was also popular news that he held the worst attendance among all senators, with a total of 12 absences. According to an article by manilastandard.net—Carpio: ‘Absentee’ Pacquiao not fit for presidency, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio even had some comments about this: “As congressman, Pacquiao was the number one absentee—he was the topnotcher in absences in Congress. As senator, he again topped—he was number one in absences,” he said. He served as a senator until 2022, up until the moment he announced his candidacy for president. 

During Pacquiao’s time in office as a senator, he has passed a total number of 25 laws, some of which were extremely helpful and beneficial to the public - Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act (RA 11166), Universal Health Care Act (RA 1122), Handbook for OFWs Act of 2018 (RA 11227), and many more. “During his terms as the representative of Sarangani from 2010 to 2016, Pacquiao passed a total of seven laws. Pacquiao principally authored one of them and co-authored the remaining six. As a senator from 2016 until present, Pacquiao has been able to pass 18 laws.” an article from Rappler says. It is even listed down on Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s Facebook page and his Public Information Website all bills and laws he has authored and co-authored in the past 11 years. It doesn’t stop there though, Pacquiao even spent a significant amount of his prize-winning from matches to help the underprivileged by providing good education through scholarships and by creating healthcare infrastructure for the general public. And of course, with his love for his province, Sarangani, he was able to raise enough funds to start a housing project whose goal is to build 1,000 houses. Manny Pacquiao has even started a foundation called the ‘Manny Pacquiao Foundation’ that focuses on giving back to the less fortunate. The Manny Pacquiao Foundation website showcases multiple ways Manny has given back to the community. Such as recent housing projects, COVID-19 response, and help for victims of trafficking and assault.

The fourth candidate is former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who has been involved in politics for over 25 years. Son of former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, he is currently in the political party “Partido Federal ng Pilipinas” (PFP). He was exposed to a lot of politics at a very early age because of his father’s presidency - he entered politics at the age of 23. It all started in 1980 when he won the position of Vice Governor of Ilocos Norte, and soon enough was promoted to Governor three years later. When the People Power Revolution happened, his family was ousted from power. The Marcos family was forced to live in political exile in Hawaii, United States for their crimes, thus putting on hold Marcos’ term as a Governor. 

Thanks to Marcos’ resume posted on the Philippine Senate website, more was revealed about his service record. Once he returned to the Philippines, Marcos, still sticking to his home province, was elected back into the House of Representatives as Ilocos Norte’s Representative in 1992. During his first term as a Representative, he authored 29 House bills and even co-authored 90 more. Two of which eventually led to the creation of the Department of Energy (Department of Energy Act of 1992), which handles and supervises all programs, plans, and projects held under the Philippine government, and of the National Youth Commission (RA No. 8044), a commission that encourages the youth to participate in non-governmental or governmental organizations. Not only that, he has also devoted most of his Countryside Development Fund (CDF) to organizing teachers’ and farmers’ fellowships in Ilocos. A list was posted on the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan website that shows an extensive list of his contributions and accomplishments throughout his service. Marcos ran for Governor in Ilocos Norte once again and won in 1998, serving three consecutive terms which ended in 2007. 

Once his terms ended, he ran unopposed in the Congressional Election for Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; a position formerly held by his sister Imee Marcos, and was elected. During his second term, Marcos has made an important contribution by writing the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law (RA No. 9522), which officially declares the Philippines as an archipelagic state and determines the country’s territory using the straight baseline method. Marcos then made his second attempt at running for the Senate in 2010 and won, placing 7th overall, working in Congress until 2016. As a member of the 15th Congress (2010-2013), Marcos authored thirty-four bills and co-authored seventeen more, seven of which were passed as a law. Most significantly out of the seven laws were the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and the National Health Insurance Acts.

Last but not least is Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson Sr., a former police general. Lacson is currently running as an independent candidate for president, promising a stronger response to the pandemic and better public services. Due to his extensive experience in politics, it isn’t a surprise that this isn’t his first time running for president. He is known to be a very stern and disciplined politician. Upon graduating from the Philippine Military Association at 23, he was given major responsibilities as he was commissioned in the Philippine Constabulary (PC), then a major service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which he took charge of keeping peace and order in the Philippines, as well as enforcing laws that were set. Given his background, Lacson was able to start a career in the PNP. Ever since then, he has worked on many high-profile cases, ranging from diminishing “kotong” (bribe) cops to ransom kidnappings. One of the cases he worked on was the ransom kidnapping of Robina Gokongwei-Pe, daughter of businessman John Gokongwei Jr.. According to a Top Gear Philippines article, it is said that John Gokongwei offered him 400,000 pesos as a reward for saving his daughter. He declined politely due to his no-take policy, so instead, the Gokongwei family donated 10 mobile patrol vehicles to the Philippine Constabulary (PC). Lacson even recalled the kidnapping and the events after: “We rescued Robina just before the ransom payment, so no ransom was paid. Afterwards, John offered P400K as reward money which I politely declined. He officially donated 10 mobile cars to the PC Metrocom instead thru then Chief PC Fidel V. Ramos.” he stated via Twitter.

In 1998, Former President Joseph Estrada appointed Lacson as the Philippine National Police Chief, giving him the responsibility of supervising, commanding and directing the PNP, as well as establishing rules or policies for implementation, funds, documents, properties, and personnel. He was also appointed to lead the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF). In 2001, Lacson ran for senator under the party Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), from which he won a seat in 10th place. Six years later after his term, Lacson won reelection in the 2007 senatorial election, originally planning to run for Mayor of the city of Manila but immediately withdrew his decision. From the start of his political career, Lacson has made it very clear that he was an advocate against the pork barrel system and is working to fully abolish it. “Mr. President, our countrymen expect to see every peso of their taxes wisely spent on every project. They become profoundly disillusioned everytime they are robbed of it.” he said in a speech, ‘Living Without Pork’ in March of 2003.

Other than that, Lacson is also known for numerous achievements regarding the filing of multiple anti-crime bills that have been approved and passed by his higher-ups; laws such as the Amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Reproductive Health Act, which was immediately passed as a law by Former President Benigno Aquino III, who marked the bill as urgent. Upon being appointed as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) courtesy of GMA News Online, it was reported that Lacson also helped victims of typhoon Yolanda by funding over P167 billion for the Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP). “(It was) extremely difficult, many times frustrating, yet satisfying only because I worked with very competent staff and consultants who didn't mind the limitations imposed by our own government in all aspects,” he said. In 2016, he ran for a senate seat as an independent candidate and earned the fourth seat in the senate. Although he has filed many bills during his third Senate term, he was set on going after law enforcers who were taking advantage of the current anti-drug war at that time, which is why he showed his peers a video presentation on January 26, 2017 of police officers planting evidence in civilian clothing, in hopes of exposing them and internally cleanse the PNP of dirty cops. "May mauuna rito, may backpack, magpplant ng mga shabu, and then papasok yung raiding party (Someone will go here first, with a backpack, and plant shabu, then the raiding party will come)" he explained in an interview with CNN, narrating the events of the video. 

In any proper democracy, voting is a right. It gives the public a say in what happens in the government as well as the country. People vote so that they may choose someone who will stand as a representative for their ideas and for what is best for the nation. It is bestowed upon Filipino citizens to choose their leader, ergo, they play a part in shaping the future of the Philippines. Hence, it is everyone’s duty to familiarize themselves with the current status of our country. Voting responsibly will not only benefit the people but will also benefit every aspect that makes up the Philippines. These politicians’ contributions speak for themselves, and though there are interviews conducted to truly understand their intentions, actions speak louder than words. In these candidates’ notable careers, they have enforced bills and laws, served the public as best as they can, and faced issues thrown at them. Though not every moment of their political careers was at all glamorous, they’ve held themselves together and still continue to serve the country.