Why I'm not voting for Chiz on May 14

Friday, May 11, 2007

I've got nothing against the guy. He's smart, witty, and talks darn good but, perhaps, that is the problem. He is all talk and no substance.

Chiz has been in Congress for 9 years, but has nothing substantial to show for it. The glib talker that he is has a ready excuse for this. He says PGMA's allies in Congress make it hard to pass laws sponsored by opposition lawmakers. I don't believe that crap.

If Joe de V. can build consensus across party lines and shepherd bills of national importance, why can't you, Chiz? Because you're busy throwing mud at PGMA and not doing the job your constituents elected you for -- to write laws NOT appear in talk shows to impress the public of your gift of gab.

There are many laws awaiting amendments and even repeal. The Revised Penal Code for one could use another revision from a bright lawyer like Chiz, who has a Master of Laws from Georgetown University. Believe it or not this law, "revised" in the 1930s yet, only provides "a penalty not exceeding 1,000 pesos" (yes only P1,000 folks!) upon any public officer or employee who procures a search warrant without just cause.

A story is told that Chiz, during his time at U.P. Diliman, never won a debate against Mike Defensor. I don't know if this is true, but I'm not surprise if it is. That's because Chiz is all glib; his ideas never measure up to the quotable sound bites he dishes out.

Mike, for all his faults and his inauspicious association with an administration hounded by scandals lately, has shown results at every post he has held. And he is consistent. He and Chiz were among the young Turks in Congress who chased Erap out of Malacanang. But look where the two are right now.

Chiz has reconciled with Erap as has Manny Villar, who was instrumental for sending the impeachment complaint straight to the Senate. And Mike? He is running for the Senate precisely because it's the only way he can check a President fast-becoming her predecessor. I will not be surprised if Mike impeaches PGMA if it comes to that!

On Monday, I will vote for young politicians and neophytes like Dr. Martin Bautista of Ang Kapatiran, but not for Chiz. He epitomizes a young politician who's beginning to act and sound like a trapo -- if not one already. His political benefactors are the Eraps and the Dandings of this country.

This election is about me, my generation and our chance to shape the political landscape and rid it with trapos. Chiz will win a Senate seat, that's for sure, as will the Sottos and the Villars, but not with my vote.
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Quick Facts

* Chiz represents Sorsogon, one of the 44 poorest provinces in the Philippines.

* His hobby is restoring classic and vintage cars, a very expensive pastime. Here's a quote from his very own website:

"Outside the halls of Congress, he does have a life. His main hobby is restoring classic or vintage cars, and he can be seen around driving his favorite 20-year-old Range Rover."

And this guy promises to lead us out of the rut? What does he know about abject poverty when he can afford to "drive" around Manila in his vintage Range Rover? Heck, if he can't even take Sorsogon out of the list of the poorest provinces, how much more the rest of the country?

Gosh, I can't believe many are easily fooled!