Are you satisfied with the results of the last elections?

It was great to see a lot of women make it in these elections not only in the local posts, but most especially for the senatorial race!  Personally, I am very happy to see Senator Grace Poe — so young, intelligent, promising and most importantly a very honest person — make it to the number one slot.

Atty. Harry Roque

It did not come as a surprise to me that candidates from Team P-noy dominated the senatorial race. My question though is whether the results validate the people’s support for the President since this year’s elections were billed as a referendum on his performance. Further, I wonder if the winning candidates from Team P-Noy will really support him. It seems to me that outside of his cousin Bam Aquino, it would be foolhardy to assume that the rest of Team P-noy will become diehard supporters of the President. Also, the failure of at least a thousand PCOS machines and the problems with  transmission and with many CF cards are reasons to do away with Smartmatic and PCOS in 2016.

Jhon Gutierrez, businessman

It was generally peaceful and orderly. But I was not too impressed. A lot of nonqualified candidates made it without even any experience in local office or service. As usual, a lot of movie stars and political dynasties dominate the scene, either by popularity or they buy a lot with promises again. Another special issue has also arisen. How is it that candidates who have criminal records or who are locked up can be voted into public office? Civil interdiction should prevent them for having this right.  Until 2016, as the saying goes, “In God we trust.”

Dinggay Juico Villanueva, homemaker

The say political elections are a good deal like marriages, there’s no accounting for anyone’s taste. Having said that, I’m very happy with the outcome of the local elections in QC.  As for the national level, I would’ve been more satisfied with the outcome had Jun Magsaysay and Risa Hontiveros made it.

Mayor Pie Alvarez, San Vicente, Palawan

Personally I’m very pleased with the outcome, especially with the local elections in Palawan! My father and I see so much potential in this region and we are incredibly blessed to have been elected into public office. On the national level, I am also satisfied with the results. There is a good mix of senatorial candidates that will infuse new blood and energy into the system, such as Bam Aquino whose entrepreneurial spirit reflects the type of movement we need to motivate the working class. I am still a little disappointed that the election process is not 100-percent fail-safe and smooth.

Carol Esposo Espiritu, communications consultant

I’m happy about  Bam Aquino, Grace Poe and Sonny Angara, but disappointed about outcomes for Jun Magsaysay, Risa Hontiveros, and even Teddy Casiño  whose integrity somehow compensates for his nit-picking hardline tendencies.  We should jointly hold ourselves accountable for how the rest of Filipinos vote.  We should instead be asking why people vote the way they do. 

Len B. Javier, writer, Rated K/ABS CBN

On the technical aspect of the elections, I’m not satisfied because of the non-working PCOS machines. As expected, missing names, and long lines to deal with. But generally, it was peaceful and I would say that Pinoys are committed to exercise their right to vote despite the rain, and extreme heat. Mabuti na lang may libreng pamaypay giveaway at the school gates yun nga lang may pangalan pa rin ng kandidato.

Pacita “Chit” Juan, president, Women’s Business Council of the Philippines

Yes. I think this may be the first time we will have more than three women in the Senate so that’s good to know. It is also good that there will be a younger group working for the next generation’s  welfare. Younger senators and more women should  make for a better composition of this body.

Pao Barrientos, vice president/GM, Retail Business Unit at LivingSocial (Ensogo.com) PH

I believe in democracy and the people have spoken. I hope these officials, regardless of party, fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the Filipino people who elected them. Our country has so much potential and I look forward to seeing its continued growth.