FINE TUNE YOUR SELECTION:

1. Check out your candidate's educational attainment. -Look at his curriculum vitae. He should be no less than a college graduate. If he did not finish college, that speaks of his low educational aptitude and drive.

2. What is his platform? -What are his true issues? Does he have a vision or goal? Make a reality check of what he intends to do once in office. See beyond those empty promises and look for the true commitment to serve.

3. Know all you can about his personal life. -Is he mature enough? How is his family life? Is he separated? If he can't keep his family together, how can he keep his constituents united? Is he a womanizer, a gambler? Is he God-fearing and does he love serving people? We don't want déjà vu, do we?

4. How is his character? -Is he overbearing? Is he difficult and quarrelsome, hard headed and a nuisance? Be sure to see through the mask candidates usually project before they get elected. Vote for kind, gentle and good-hearted souls. Say no to tarays!

5. Is he qualified for the position? -Is he really qualified for the job? Was his past occupation relevant to the position he is aiming for? Is your impression of him real or is it the result of promotional mumbo-jumbo? Those bright advertising boys can sell you a rotten rack of "mad cow" beef, you know. With sugary words and neon light promises, they can easily trap your vote.

6. Check out his career record. -Has he done anything noteworthy? Is he an old dog in the political arena who has been power tripping and milking us of our money but has done nothing for the people? Is he using his family name to gain a political seat that he does not deserve? Beware of political dynasties! Having too many officials from the same family is unhealthy. Actually, there ought to be a law against this!

7. Check out his lifestyle. -Yup, check out his lifestyle --- friends! Remember those politicians and their penchant for girls below legal age? How about those who engage in midnight gambling soirees? Hmm. And does your politicians have flashy cars and a Mafia-lifestyle entourage? Beware: he is a potential power vulture.

8. Check out his communication skills. -Leadership is primarily about having the right, effective communication skills. Is your candidate equipped with the intelligence and verbal savvy to lead and inspire people, as well as face the press and members of the diplomatic community?

9. Does he sincerely want to serve the people? -Or does he only want to serve himself and his interests? Choose a candidate who is pro-people and is deeply involved with his constituents. Check out how visible and truly of help he was during past political revolutions and calamities or disasters.

10. Is he accessible to people? -How accessible is your candidate? Can people run to him in the middle of the night when they badly need his help or direction? Check out his public relations record. Does he pleasantly welcome suggestions and listen to negative comments?

11. Compare him to other candidates. -The best way to weigh the desirability of a candidate is by comparing him with the other candidates running for the same position. After assessing their qualifications and you find out that no one truly deserves your nod, vote for the lesser evil. Leaving blanks in your ballot will provide space for cheating at the polls. Most of all, check out your candidate's political leanings and affiliations. Then you'll know what to expect when he gets into office.

12. Listen to your conscience. -Money definitely makes the political world go round. Are you being bribed into voting for someone? Times are hard, so dear Juan de la Cruz, get the money and run! But vote for the candidate who deserves to be in office. We all have our own hunches about other people. Trust your intuition. If a candidate doesn't feel right, most probably, he isn't! And most importantly, listen to your conscience before you finally cast that precious vote!