Do you consider the Noynoy-Mar tandem the team to beat in 2010?

Louella Brown, Baguio City: I consider the Noynoy-Mar tandem the team to beat in 2010. It is founded on honest governance.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: I doubt it, due to their common weaknesses: No clear platform of government, they keep attacking GMA’s shortcomings as their smokescreen; they have no charisma.  

Too early to tell

Ronali dela Cruz, Quezon City: I guess so. Both Noynoy and Mar came from impressive political backgrounds and they have already captured the public’s adulation.  

Rose Anne Quyo, Ilocos Sur: Considering the way people think of Sen. Aquino’s ability to lead and Sen. Roxas’ willingness to give up his bid as a presidentiable, I think these two make a good tandem. But it’s still a long way to go.  

Athena Charanne Presto, Ilocos Sur: It’s too early to tell if the Noynoy-Mar tandem is the team to beat in the upcoming presidential elections. I am not so sure if the support of the people for the said team will remain until the said elections.  

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Let’s look at this from an unbiased point of view. And let me say, first off, that up to this point I have not chosen any presidential candidate from among the present wannabes. After recent events, it appears that the Noynoy-Mar tandem is off to a good start, simply because of the euphoria over the death of former President Aquino. But the presidential campaign has not yet started officially. There is still a long way to go to the 2010 elections. The tandem’s sudden popularity, which could be perceived as accidental, may wane as their individual strengths and weaknesses are laid open by their opponents and closely scrutinized by an electorate that is not wholly swayed now by emotion.  

Carl Angelo Saribay, Ilocos Sur: The Noynoy-Mar tandem has the trust of some Filipinos. They have a strong chance of beating the other candidates. But, we must remember that it’s too early to predict the winning candidates.  

J-Dub Wenceslao, Quezon City: It’s still too early to tell. Let’s wait until the filing of candidacy and then we’ll see.  

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: Not so sure; The situation is fluid. Many changes can happen before the 2010 elections.  

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: I believe it’s too early to say if this team can sustain its popularity and winnability until election time. They are the early birds to declare their good intentions to lead the country for a change, but how about the others? Only after debates on current issues are held will I consider if the Noynoy-Mar tandem is really the team to beat in 2010.  

Ferdinand Rafer, Manila: The political propagandist is saying that winning the presidency is a walk in the park for Noynoy. But don’t be so sure. It’s too early to tell. The only thing I can hear from them is their promise that “They won’t steal” and their tirade against the administration. We need to hear more.  

Aldo Apostol, Quezon City: It’s still too early to tell. Let’s wait for other candidates.  

Sustaining their popularity will be tough

Eduardo de Jesus, Quezon City: For now, yes. But a month or two months from now, who knows?  

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Yes, they are the team to beat. Sustaining the “hotness” of this team, however, up to May 2010 is an uphill climb for LP and its supporters.  

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: For now, yes they are, but I have doubts if the euphoria would be sustained until election time and can be converted into votes. Let’s just keep monitoring the Noynoy-Mar tandem if they can maintain a trapo-free ticket. If so, they’ll be the team to beat in 2010.  

Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City: Not by a long chalk for, as Mr. Shakespeare would put it, there’s still many a slip between the cup and the lip.  

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: At the starting point, the Noynoy-Mar team is like a raging river, but another team may overtake them like a serene river at the end.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: The tandem of Noynoy-Mar is quite inspiring but ugly kibitzers may turn off voters and eventually wreck their chances.  

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City : As of this time, it may appear like the Noynoy-Mar tandem is the team to beat in 2010 because of some unexpected events. However, as the months pass, the magic of their tandem may lose its luster to give way to another tandem that may steal the thunder from them. Sometimes, politics, especially in our country, is volatile and the candidates are just as good as their last performance, as stated by one showbiz principle. Hot property ka ngayon, bukas iba naman.  

L.C. Fiel, Quezon: For now, yes, it’s the flavor of the month. Kidding aside, it’s a good tandem that challenges the rest to come up with more exciting pairings.  

Dante de los Reyes, Bacolod City: As of the present, I would say, yes, but can this bandwagon effect be sustained until election time? Look at Villar. He was a consistent topnotcher in every survey until the death of Cory and the entry of Noynoy as LP’s presidential bet. The problem with the opposition is that they have too many candidates.  

Their tandem is the best

Rowena Remiendo, Quezon City: Yes, I think the Noynoy-Mar tandem is so far the best choice among the other candidates.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Definitely. They have all the ingredients of a formidable team: Sentimentality and nostalgia, popularity, machinery. More and more people will realize they’re the only choice to combat the forces of evil in our midst. Malacañang will definitely do everything to stop them from winning.  Marilou Sy, Metro Manila

Noynoy and Mar  with Kris, Sharon, Korina, ABS-CBN, civil society, the millions that lined up the street during Cory’s funeral, and the silent majority who are already fed up with corruption in government  will be the team to beat in 2010 election.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: One need not look far to see what’s being offered by the trapos. On the other hand, the Noynoy-Mar tandem offers hope and change. Yes, it is the team to beat.  

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: Definitely, these two guys are the country’s hope for a bright tomorrow. They are different from the rest aspiring for the presidency  they are young, full of life and have no vested interest in the position because they are inherently well off, with a renowned pedigree of unquestionable reputation and unblemished standing in society. To vote for them is to vote for our country’s emancipation from the abyss of hopelessness and would open the door to a blissful tomorrow for our countrymen and the generations to come.  

Dr. Dennis Acop, Baguio City: Definitely. First, the present administration is so rotten that any decent Filipino would automatically opt for the Noynoy-Mar tandem if only due to their moral ascendancy and competence. The credentials of both candidates bear this out. Any Filipino who truly loves his country ought to vote for this tandem, which is the only one that can credibly lay claim to an agenda for genuine change. With this team, we can hope again. We can believe again. And we can be proud again to be Filipinos.  

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: By virtue of their clean track record in public service and the Filipinos’ clamor for change and reform, they are now the team to beat.  

Voltaire Benigo, Surigao City: Yes, the Noynoy-Mar tandem is the team to beat in 2010. We are thirsty for change and moral leadership.  

Rom Valdez, Baguio City: That’s for certain. They reflect the idealism of the youth. They have untainted records in government and they have mass appeal.  

Marl Ramirez, Metro Manila: Noynoy and Mar reflect the aspirations of the Filipino people. It is my prayerful wish that they would remain true to their promises for change in our country.  

Kaye Antoinette Adviento, Ilocos Sur: Yes, I consider the Noynoy-Mar tandem the team to beat in 2010 because Noynoy and Mar are both good. They are smart, brave, and religious.  

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: Everything being fair, no massive cheating, no failure of election, no intentional power outages, no assassination of candidates, Noynoy and Mar will be our next President and VP-elect come June 2010.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: I think it’s the perfect match. Mar, with his extensive experience in government and good track record, should complement Noynoy. Hopefully, they can offer this country a governance of integrity and honesty.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Yes, I consider Noynoy-Mar a tough team to beat. They have strong chances of winning, if only the electorate would open their eyes.  

Manny Lopez, Quezon City: The Noynoy Aquino-Mar Roxas tandem offers the best combination to effect much needed political-economic reform based on their character, track record, priorities and policy thrusts.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: As both Noynoy and Mar are clean and have spotless records, nothing can stop them from winning. Barring cheating from Lakas through Puno, they’ll win.  

Dong Soriano, La Union: It’s a resounding yes. Mar is so popular in Visayas and Mindanao, while Noynoy will have at least 60-70 per cent of the Luzon votes, including Metro Manila.  

Unimpressed

Joan Cejes, Makati City: It’s hard to admit it, but I think they are. With the greatest factor, Cory’s death, and the endless media exposure, together with the power of their relatives in show business, indeed they are. But I think Noynoy and Mar are very weak candidates. I’ll definitely not have them on my list. Mahirap na makipagsapalaran sa kanila!  

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: My opinion is that the LP team is effeminate, tentative, oligarchic, narcissistic and self-conceited.  

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: I’m not excited at all about the Noynoy-Mar tandem. In fact, this tandem strikes me as boring. Both hang on to the popularity of their parents. The team to beat is that of Manny Villar because of his mass appeal. He’s the new Erap.  

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: No, there are candidates who are better.  

Carlito Pajaro, Pasig City: No, it will be a fight between Teodoro and Villar for the presidency, that’s for sure.  

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: It’s getting obvious that Inbox is drumbeating for the Noynoy-Mar tandem. Sadly, I am one of those who will not vote for their tandem.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: This is a joke, right? Gibo and Noynoy are the Cojuangco pawns. Whoever wins will assure their stranglehold on power, like during FM’s and Cory’s reigns. I’m sure Hacienda Luisita, coco levy, Meralco, PLDT, ABS-CBN and others will rejoice, whoever wins. Up to now nothing can make me vote for Noynoy-Mar, not Cory, Shalani, Kris and her sisters, Judy Araneta-Roxas, Korina, no presidential bet is llamado as of now.  

Gibo-Vilma could be a threat

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Noynoy-Mar may gather majority votes, even if there are multiple presidential candidates. The only threat to their winning is if Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos is convinced to run in tandem with Gibo Teodoro. The strength of Noynoy-Mar, however, is even getting stronger by the joining in their camp of more popular and influential personalities and groups.  

They are only popular in Luzon

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: LP lacks provincial machinery, which usually dictates election results. The tandem is popular in the NCR, but virtually unknown in rural areas.  

Bernard Tansingco, Metro Manila: It’s too early to tell. At the moment, people are not yet informed of the achievements of the candidates, their leadership skills, their platform, etc., which will come to fore only during the campaign period. Also, the LP has not yet provided a complete slate up to the provincial and municipal levels, which will determine the party’s capability to fight for votes at every precinct. Often, the party or candidate with the largest purse to spend will also determine the outcome, as this is crucial to get full support from the local candidates who will carry their names in the local candidate’s own election campaigns in every barangay. Finally, they still need more media exposure.  

They are the media favorites

Fermin Ultra, Samar: The grand publicity made by SNN, The Buzz and other ABS-CBN news programs over Noynoy’s candidacy and Mar and Korina’s wedding make their tandem formidable.  

Emelet Cayson, Makati City: I don’t think the Noynoy-Mar tandem would be the team to beat in 2010. The yellow fever euphoria exists now, but the voters have not seen the other side of the world because the other candidates have not decisively presented themselves yet. I just hope that the Filipino voters would open their eyes to the reality and be able to make an intelligent vote, and not ride on the bandwagon that media giants are cooking. Let us not be unknowingly dictated upon.  

Loi Castillo, Davao City: With the good media exposure and support they are getting right now, Noynoy-Mar loom as the team to beat in 2010. The other candidates should also get good media relations officers and handlers to package them in order to win votes from all social classes.  

R.F. Layug, Metro Manila: It just so happens that the LP team is gaining more media attention, hence the impression of formidability.  

Juan Deveraturda, Zambales: Noynoy and Mar are rating strongly in the surveys and enjoy immense popularity right now because they have been in the news almost every day since the death of former President Aquino. Popularity, however, does not easily translate to votes come election day. What matters, aside from popularity, is a well-organized political machinery, strong support from local government officials (governors, mayors, baranggay captains, etc.), and an effective political campaign. My forecast is: It would be a tight race between the Noynoy-Mar tandem and the administration candidates, Teodoro-Puno or BF and Villar-De Castro tandem.  

No tandem is big and mighty

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: All candidates must prepare to eat dust. It’s too early to speculate who is leading. Even the surveys can be misleading.  

Kaneille Antonette Rabena, Ilocos Sur: For now, I still don’t consider the Noynoy-Mar tandem the team to beat in 2010. While they really have a strong showing, we still don’t know what will happen come election time.  

Their opponents are worried

Felix Ramento, Manila: The emergence of the Noynoy-Mar tandem is the most exciting development in the looming battle in the 2010 presidential elections. It drastically changed the betting odds, so to speak. As it turns out, the death of Cory, after all, was not in vain. It gave the Filipino people a chance to hope for the better once more. And for Mar, a Noynoy government could lay the groundwork for a smooth takeover when his time comes.  

Jarel Aubrey Apelin, Vigan City: The huge popularity of the tandem makes it the team to beat in 2010. Their tandem is the flavor of the month so their opponents have to start working early and use their resources now in order to catch up with their mounting popularity.  

Jose Parco, Aklan: Absolutely. Look at all the flak they’ve been getting lately. It only means that the other side is starting to panic!  

David Lazo Velasco, Marinduque: The Noynoy-Mar tandem is like a raging river gathering all kinds of lahar. They would lead the nation if elections were held today.  

Opposition votes will be divided

Mark Capistrano, Parañaque: No, the administration tandem will be the team to beat. Thirty-eight per cent satisfied versus 49 per cent not satisfied is a winning number, given that at least four bets are running.  

Rod Villar, Iriga City: I don’t think so. They cannot even unite the LP, what more the whole electorate to rally behind them? Let’s wait for other contenders to declare their intention to run.  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: It might be the team to beat if we base it on Sen. Serge Osmeña’s sponsored surveys. On the other hand, a fragmented opposition is expected to be weak.  

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: I think the opposition votes will be divided, so it’s much better for the opposition to unite, which I doubt will happen. I also think that even with a new President, whether from the opposition or the administration, we will remain a Third World corrupt country because, sad to say, corruption is already in the blood of most Filipinos who enter politics.  

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: No, the LP bets don’t enjoy an edge in 2010. They’re from a divided party of the disunited opposition that can’t possibly unite a nation for victory.  

They have incredible lineage

Leonard Villa, Batac City: The fact that the two come from political families untainted by corruption and their candidacy is anchored on change for the better. It’s the team to beat in 2010.  

Ed Alawi, Davao City: Yes, because of their untainted record, good breeding, and names kept clean. Members of their family will warn them of unscrupulous hangers-on.  

Narciso Alano, Cabanatuan City: Noynoy and Mar come from incredible lineage. They are young, competent, and capable. There is not a bit of scandal hounding them.  

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna: Considering their family backgrounds in public service, their outstanding performances and services in the area of public service, plus the outstanding legacies of their parents, as well as the overwhelming support of their partymates and the people, I think the Noynoy-Mar tandem has a great chance in the 2010 elections.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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