I came home quite late but I managed to watch an hour more of ANC’s Harapan. Seven presidential candidates were asked by the public about their platforms, thereby exposing those who did their homework well and those who relied on their intuition and prayed for divine intervention. Teodoro, Aquino and Gordon stood out with more concrete and sensible programs. The rest were plain sleep-talking most of the time. It felt like listening to a lengthy mechanical breakdown insurance seminar while strapped to your seat.

But you can always count on Erap for comic relief when boredom strikes you the hardest. Erap let out an innocent mistake when asked about his opinion on political dynasties. To get his point across, he asked a seminarian in the audience: “…padre, kung may anak ka na gusto magpari….” It cracked me up. Failon, the show’s host, was quick to point that out (that priests are not allowed to marry and have sons) and everyone bursted a gut of laughter. Has Erap been drinking again?

I voted for Brother Eddie in the last presidential race because of lack of credible choices. I sincerely doubted FPJ’s ability, questioned Lacson’s credibility and never trusted GMA. Brother Eddie was that year’s better option until the poll results came out placing him at the bottom. The pulpit became an avenue for him to address his grievance. That was the time I thought of the real danger in announcing to the public that God spoke to him. Somehow that can either make one a false prophet or God a liar if they don’t come to pass.

I am always for what is godly, morally sound and realistic. The four other candidates expressed the first two qualities but forgot that they have not ascended to heaven yet to aspire for something intangible, like making yourself a strong person through prayer on first 100 days in office (duh). It takes more than an utterance of prayer or belief in a supreme being. Being a president does require a brilliant mind, wisdom beyond his years, strong character and will to make things happen.