My 12 Senator Forecast

After running through the 80 something candidates for this 2007 Senatorial elections, here is my calculated guess. They are in no particular order.

1. Chiz Escudero
A very public official and leader of the Opposition at the lower chamber. He has a daily radio show at DZMM and strikes a chord with the public. He's a very charismatic speaker and is capable of getting his message across to the voters. It also helps that he looks like the Bamboo lead singer.

2. Loren Legarda
A very admired legislator during her tenure at the Senate. She lost to Noli during the recent Vice presidential elections but her popularity can still get her a Senate seat. She has a reputation as a clean and hard working official. Her ex-husband is now being charged with murder.

3. Noynoy Aquino
With the opposition being badgered by the very solid administration, who can resist voting for Ninoy's son? His father got elected during the oppression of Martial Law and now the similarities will bring him the Senate.

4. Prospero Pichay
A very good supporter of the President. He has come out several times to the media to defend the Madame. He is also more widely heard and seen by the people. His personality and demeanor reminds one of the common people. It also helps that he has name recall thanks to his vegetable-sounding name.

5. Peter Cayetano
All his efforts to target the First Gentleman wasn't foolish after all. This got him big big media attention and daily newspaper exposure. He has even surpassed Chiz Escudero in public appearances thanks to his continuous expose on the First Family's private German bank accounts. With the First Gentleman attacking in his latest salvo, this has just rocketed the Opposition congressman's popularity as a corruption-fighting, honest and with-the-people politician.

6. Kiko Pangilinan
Mr. Sharon Cuneta. Need I say more? He will win thanks to his immensely popular actress-wife. He won before, why not again?

7. Mike Defensor
He's the ardent defender of the President and member of her inner inner circle. He is also very media savvy and constantly expresses his opinions on various issues especially in defense of the President. He has done the correct moves during his rescue mission at the Bicol disaster. He is young, smart and popular. Mike is the anti-thesis of Chiz. He will win. Oh and did I mention he is with the Administration.

8. Manny Villar
Rich and shrewd. This successful businessman rocketed to the Senate Presidency in less than a decade. He started out as the Paranaque Mayor and had since then never looked back. He is now recognized as a third force with allegiance neither to the Administration nor the Opposition. He is more in-sync with the middle class and is known as a hard working and fair politician. He is the future president of the Philippines.

9. Panfilo Lacson
The former PNP chief will win with his strong anti-corruption platform and crime-fighting repuation. He has the support of the Filipino-chinese community thanks to his successful anti-kidnapping efforts during the Estrada administration. He is well funded and clean.

10. Joker Arroyo
He gained popularity during the impeachment trial of Erap as one of the congressman prosecutors. He regularly tops the most thrifty senators list and is recognized as a serious, hardworking and clean official. He can also be regularly seen on TV expressing his opinions on various issues of the land.

11. Caesar Montano
Star power. He is a very popular movie actor and director. Recently he just won a best actor award for his 2006 Metro Manila Filmfest entry.

12. Ed Angara
This old tiger knows the ins and outs of Philippine politics. He is the former Opposition leader of the Senate during Ramos' time. Experienced and backed by a well oiled political machinery, Ed Angara is sure to win a seat.

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