What do you look for in a candidate?

Interviews by Martin Dante L. del Rosario, Katrina B. Paredes, and Margaret Michelle C. Tan

“Platform, credibility, experience. Kasama na rin diyan ang history, past projects, past bills passed, at iba pa.” – Miguel Lope Inumerable (III BS CS)

“Wit and intelligence. Gusto ko rin alam niya kung ano yung gusto niyang mangyari.” – Anne Precious Kristine Rellin (III BS MCT)

“Sana at least graduate ng college, tapos siyempre responsible tsaka committed. Basta yung may pinag-aralan, hindi ako go ‘dun sa mga nagsasabing kahit walang pinag-aralan may abilidad, iba pa rin yung may pinag-aralan.” – Julie Rose Bagasbas, Staff, Office of Student Activities (OSA)

“Integrity. I think that if a candidate has credibility, then everything else will follow.” – Maria Michelle Michiko Soriano (II BS Mgt)

“Pare-parehas naman eh, kahit sino naman maupo ganun pa rin eh, walang pagbabago. Wala na, bahala na lang kung sinong manalo, ganun rin eh.” – Adrian Asuncion, Staff, Ateneo Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AMPC)

“The candidate must have integrity, must be a hard worker, has concern for the people, and is also honest and just.” – Erwin John Aquino (III BS Bio)

“If I think they’re smart, then I’m gonna [sic] vote for them.” – Jose David Jorge Yulo (II BS Mgt)

“’Yung hindi plastic. Pinapanood ko ‘yung mga forums on TV. ‘Yung marunong sumagot. ‘Yung hindi [marunong sumagot], definitely ‘di na ‘yun. I’m not very particular with parties, more on individual candidates talaga. I also visit their websites to check them out.” – Earl Keh, Faculty Member, Department of Quantitative Methods and Information Technology, John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM)

“I look for a good platform and credibility. [Dapat] okay ‘yung background—he didn’t do anything wrong or [he must have] no record of doing something scandalous.” – Jessica Jean Kristine Cocabo (II BS MAC)

“His credibility. I check out their podcasts, interviews, past projects, etcetera. Through [these], I will know in a way if he’s willing and capable of fulfilling his platform.” – Ruby Criselda Domingo (IV BS Mgt)

“Ayaw ko sa kandidato na hindi marunong sumagot ng simpleng tanong ukol sa kanilang pagkakandidato, at sa pagsagot nila ay hindi nila naiisip na walang katuturan o may kabuluhan sa pagiging sensitive sa mga nakikinig. Ayaw ko din ang kandidato na hindi tugma ang mga goals sa pagiging senador. Sa ibang salita ay dapat sa ibang posisyon sila tumakbo.” – Nina Isabella Niguidula (III BS MCT)

“’Yung maka-tao, maka-Diyos, at matulungin.” – Loreto Quinit, Security Guard, Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL)

“That’s not a simple question. The candidate must have devotion, truth, honesty, and selflessness.” – Simone Josefina Banawa (III AB MEco)

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A CANDIDATE? Comment and share your views with the rest of the Ateneo community!