Yesterday I spent some time at the Inquirer.net office with Dr. Martin Bautista of the Kapatiran Party. As one of those running for the 12 seats of senate, “Doc Martin” comes from a fresh non-political background as he is a doctor and an overseas Filipino who came back to do some good in this country. He had many interesting things to say in spite of him being labeled by some as a “Don Quixote chasing imaginary windmills.” From the combined perspective of being a doctor, a private citizen with no history in politics as well as an overseas Filipino for several years, he brings fresh meat on the table on the realm of politics, governance and where the Filipino should put priority to do damage control in helping resuscitate the nation.

In my newfound political peregrinations, I am invariably asked why I am fighting a lost cause. I always begin by asking them what’s lost because I certainly don’t see anything lost in my cause. And here’s the time they allude to a certain amount of pity that they feel for me, a sweaty and sunburned physician asking for their vote. I still haven’t paused long enough to think of a perfect response because I am treating this challenge the way I have conducted myself throughout my life. I am going to pour everything that I have into this very worthy cause. (source thanks to Lynne)

And then it hit me that “Doc Martin” could be anyone with a fresh perspective on things. Someone with an informed opinion, has a voice with the masses (the Doc gets asked for medical consultations during campaigns, plus he also looks like Lucky Manzano) and a clear vision of where he wants to bring the country, can run for senate. This is by the way a brazened statement as it can also be the primary reasoning for nuisance candidates to run.

So now its really interesting that a dedicated blogger-by-profession can actually meet these three points I mentioned earlier. I mean if Loren Legarda is a good example of how traditional media can penetrate the senate and do a good job what’s stopping a travel blogger to give a fresh take on tourism, or a technology blogger to file and review bills on the current state of Philippine technology?

I know, my idea is far off. But we do live in crazy times. If an actor can become senator, why not a blogger?

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You have 9 Responses

  1. Jayvee for Senator! ;)

    Seriously, we ought to have a blogger in either house of Congress. MLQ3 perhaps? or Yuga?

  2. jhay on March 23rd, 2007 at 10:23 pm
  3. probloggers have more right than actors to run for political office

  4. sansan on March 24th, 2007 at 8:47 am
  5. i’ll vote for you..hehe

  6. reah on March 24th, 2007 at 11:54 am
  7. Dr. Bautista’s blog is http://onmywayhome.blogstream.com I strongly recommend that you read all 35 pages of it. I could not stop once I started.

  8. Lynne on March 24th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
  9. it would be nice to have a blogger write about the senate and the inside outs of government. the problem here is that there is always the looming fear of getting a warrant of arrest. :)

  10. Jayvee on March 24th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
  11. I don’t see why a blogger can’t be a senator or an elected official. However, I think that will take place at the very least a decade from now. Our internet penetration is still so low that the massess don’t know much about this area. Only the few who are tech savvy can relate.

    Unlike actors/sports celebs who are exposed to traditional media which reaches all 7,100 islands of this great nation, we bloggers are still relatively unheard off.

    I think a blogger will be in a gov’t position only if blogging is a second profession. Similar to MLQ3. Blogging was just a recent addition to his arsenal.

  12. Juan on March 25th, 2007 at 1:04 am
  13. juan hit it on the dot. Democracy is the will of the masses. The masses don’t know us. I’d say two decades before a blogger becomes president, but I’m a cynic like that.

  14. Ryan on March 25th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
  15. yeah, why not?

    we can start by forming a party list representative.

  16. Sonnie on March 25th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
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