In our choice of President come 2016...

We must not think of ourselves only. Our choice of President will affect the futures of our other neighbors in Asia. Why?

A President who clings to China will do policies different or contrary to the expectations of other nations, including the United States and Japan. A President who fights China will probably be dragging everyone to a conflict which will be regrettable in the end.

This Spratlys island is a balancing act, something which a populist president will never ever understand.

How about the Bangsamoro Question? The Bangsamoro Basic Law is sure to be passed sometime next week. Implementing such a law requires a toughie of a leader at the same time, someone who knows how to tame those among the propertied classes who feels threatened by the BBL.

It may be popular to talk tough on China but doing so may affect another side of the bilateral relationship with them. It may likewise be unpopular not to engage them but doing so may affect other ties with other Asian countries as well.

We don't need a Populist president come 2016. What we need is a strategic thinker of a President, someone who knows how to detach himself from the throng and sees things at a distance.

This is not the time to consider state matters as a trifle. Our economy and our future are inevitably tied with the regional economy and it is not enough anymore to treat things in isolation. With this ASEAN integration, our hiccup at one side of the region affects the other side of the equation.

We must not be self-absorbed or be selfish to think that our decision come 2016 is ours and ours alone. The traditional borders that separate states from each other are slowly crumbling and state actions cannot be treated as impacting in one place only.

If we elect a popular candidate yet unprepared, we are doing the country, the future generations of Filipinos and even our Asian neighbours a great disservice. 

Let us stop thinking of Malacanan as just an entertainment hub. I know it's hard not to considering that it has acted as such laughable manner since the very start of this Republic.

These times are different. We may regret our actions come next year when we trade state matters over emotions or over populism or over elitist propaganda against a potential perfect candidate.

Or we might be electing someone whose allegiance in the first place is placed elsewhere. Such is the danger and the importance of 2016 that we start taking these elections very seriously.

Or, leave state matters to a Council instead of the present form of government.

12 Little Things A Candidate should possess to become a Good President

If the latest Pulse Asia and SWS surveys are correct, there is now about 4.5 million Filipino voters who consider themselves "undecided" (9% in Pulse Asia, similar with SWS), meaning they still don't know who to vote for come May 10, 2010 elections.

Let me aid you in choosing your candidate for the Presidency. I call this my "12 Little Things a Filipino President should have"

Brains. First, do we need someone with the brains to be our president? Yes, of course. We need someone intelligent, but more of somebody with a wolfish wit who knows how to spot fakes and ass lickers and snakes roaming or more accurately, loitering around the palace grounds.

Experience. Second, do we need someone with the managerial experience? Surely, yes, but we need someone who is more of a leader instead of a manager. Someone who inspires people, someone whom the people will actually respect rather than just admire.

Strong will. Third, do we need someone with the strong will? Yes, of course! The palace, they say, is a snake pit. It is better for our president to be feared rather than admired (or, be feared and admired at the same time, better!).

Vision. Fourth, do we need someone with a strong ideological bent? Yes, although better if we elect a visionary instead of just merely having an ideology. I will bet my bottom dollar to a visionary anyday than waste my money betting on an ideologue. A visionary leads while an ideologue, well, will just debate ad infinitum. We don't need debates. We need direction.

Hardworking. Fifth, do we need a slave driver or a hardworker as president? Yes and no. Yes, a slave driver of a president will translate into greater and more results in terms of governmental services. No, if the president thinks that he must do everything all by himself.

Moral. A president who knows what is truly right and what is truly wrong and expresses what the general sentiment is, without being populist, is what we need.

God-fearing. A God-fearing president will not steal, will not cheat, will be judicious in judgments and will refrain from doing things contrary to what God intends.

Servant Leader. Someone who thinks that Leadership is actually servant-hood has his heart in the right place. If his heart is in the right place, then, he is expected to act with justice.

A good listener. Someone who listens governs well. This is the trait of most of the world's greatest leaders and presidents.

A conversationalist. Our president should be able to communicate effectively with the people. He must be able to explain himself well to avoid speculations.

A lover of beauty. A person who does not appreciate art, does not appreciate life. Those who do not appreciate life, do not respect people.

Achiever. All of the above is nothing if the president is not an achiever. He must be hungry for change. He must be a lover of innovation. And he must infect everyone with his mindset.