By *Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD EdD
I have worn many hats in my life—educator, public safety
advocate, public servant, and political analyst. In classrooms, I have taught
young minds to think critically and to see beyond what is immediately visible.
In the realm of public safety, I have worked with communities to promote
discipline, preparedness, and the protection of life. As a local public
servant, I have seen up close how decisions made in air-conditioned offices
ripple into the daily struggles of ordinary people. And as a political analyst,
I have studied the moves, motives, and mistakes of leaders—both the great and
the disastrous.
These experiences have shaped how I see leadership. I’ve
learned that while charisma can open doors, only competence and integrity can
keep them open for the right reasons. I’ve also seen how the right leader can
inspire hope in a nation, while the wrong one can drag it into years of
division and missed opportunities.
The year 2028 may seem far away, but in the life of a
nation, four years can pass in the blink of an eye. By then, the Philippines
will once again face one of its most important decisions—choosing the next
president. We’ve been through many elections, and if there’s one lesson history
teaches us, it’s that our vote is too important to be decided only by emotions,
catchy slogans, or sheer popularity.
If we want 2028 to be the start of genuine progress, we must
start preparing now—not only by watching potential candidates but by educating
ourselves, our families, and our communities about what truly makes a leader
worthy of leading our country.
Why a Grading System Matters
Elections often feel like a popularity contest, but
governing a country is not the same as winning a talent show. A systematic way
of evaluating candidates helps prevent decisions based solely on crowd appeal
or partisan loyalty. The grading system below is meant to serve as a voter’s
compass—a tool for thinking critically and weighing qualities that truly matter
in leadership.
Criteria for Evaluating Presidential Candidates
Each candidate can be rated on a scale of 1 to 10 for each
criterion, with 10 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. A weighted
percentage reflects its importance, for a total of 100 points.
1. Popularity (20%)
Popularity reflects how well a candidate is known and
trusted by the public. While it is not the sole measure of capability, a
president must have the ability to connect with people, rally public support,
and communicate effectively. Popularity without substance is dangerous;
substance without sufficient public appeal may lead to weak political support
(Mangahas, 2019).
2. Integrity (25%)
Integrity is the moral foundation of leadership. It means
being honest, transparent, and consistent in principles, even under pressure. A
leader with integrity will refuse bribes, resist political manipulation, and
uphold the rule of law without fear or favor. Filipinos have seen too many
leaders rise to power only to betray public trust—integrity is our safeguard
against that (Transparency International, 2023).
3. Track Record (20%)
Past performance is one of the most reliable indicators of
future behavior. Whether in public service, private sector leadership, or civic
work, a candidate’s track record shows how they handle challenges, manage
resources, and deliver results. Success in local governance, crisis management,
or implementing reforms should weigh heavily in our choice (Asian Development
Bank, 2020).
4. Family Background (10%)
While we elect an individual, their family’s behavior can
affect governance. If a candidate has a spouse, siblings, or children who have
histories of corruption or abuse of power, the risk of “second-hand” corruption
grows. The Philippines has witnessed situations where a good leader’s image was
tarnished by a spouse’s greed or a relative’s influence peddling (Coronel,
2021). We must ask: Will their family be a source of honor or a liability?
5. Educational Attainment (10%)
Education equips a leader with tools for critical thinking,
policy analysis, and decision-making. While degrees alone do not guarantee
wisdom, a president must be able to grasp complex national issues and engage
intelligently with experts. Continuous learning—through formal education or
professional training—reflects humility and readiness to adapt (Commission on
Higher Education [CHED], 2022).
6. Leadership and Management Skills (15%)
A president is not just a decision-maker; they are the chief manager of the government. Leadership skills involve inspiring people, building consensus, and setting a vision. Management skills require organizing resources, ensuring accountability, and executing plans efficiently. Leaders who lack management ability often leave good ideas stuck in the pipeline (Northouse, 2021).
The Scoring Process
|
Criteria |
Weight |
Example Score (1–10) |
Weighted Score |
|
|
Popularity |
20% |
8 |
1.6 |
|
|
Integrity |
25% |
9 |
2.25 |
|
|
Track Record |
20% |
7 |
1.4 |
|
|
Family Background |
10% |
6 |
0.6 |
|
|
Educational
Attainment |
10% |
8 |
0.8 |
|
|
Leadership &
Management Skills |
15% |
9 |
1.35 |
|
|
TOTAL |
100% |
8.0 / 10 |
||
This system does not guarantee a perfect choice, but it reduces the chance of being swayed by temporary hype or biased propaganda.
Educating the Filipino Voter—Starting Now
The challenge is not just about creating this grading
system; it is about making sure the Filipino electorate understands and uses
it. Political literacy must begin years before an election. By 2028, it will be
too late to start from scratch.
We can begin by:
- Holding
community discussions on leadership qualities.
- Encouraging
schools and universities to integrate political literacy in civic
education.
- Using
social media to share factual profiles of potential candidates.
- Training citizens to fact-check claims and spot disinformation.
As an educator, I believe every Filipino voter—whether young or old—has the capacity to think critically when given the right tools. As a public safety advocate, I see how political stability depends on having leaders with discipline and moral courage. As a public servant, I know the real work happens after the cameras leave. And as a political analyst, I understand how one election can shape a generation’s destiny.
Conclusion: The President We Deserve
By 2028, we will once again stand at a crossroads. The
president we choose will influence not just policies but the very moral
compass of the nation. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to
choose wisely—not based on who makes us feel good for a moment, but on who can
lead us with vision, competence, and integrity for six years.
The grading system I propose is not the only way to evaluate
candidates, but it is a starting point—a reminder that our vote is a decision
of great consequence. Let us not wait for campaign jingles and posters to tell
us who to choose. Let us start thinking now, talking now, and preparing now.
Because when the day comes, the question will not just be,
“Who will win?”
The question will be, "Did we choose the president our country truly deserves?"
References
Asian Development Bank. (2020). Public sector management and
governance. ADB. https://www.adb.org/publications/series/public-sector-management-and-governance
CHED. (2022). Higher education in the Philippines:
Challenges and reforms. Commission on Higher Education. https://ched.gov.ph
Coronel, S. (2021). The role of political families in
Philippine governance. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
Mangahas, M. (2019). Public opinion and leadership
legitimacy in the Philippines. Social Weather Stations.
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice
(9th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Transparency International. (2023). Corruption perceptions
index 2023. Transparency International. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023
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