The competition between the People Power Coalition and the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino is at its peak. Especially with the happenings in the so-called EDSA 3, more and more people (hopefully) will think twice with who they will vote on May 14.

As I was listening to the radio station last Tuesday, May 1, the chaotic events of EDSA 3 was still at its height. At this time, news about the arrest of Ping Lacson, Juan Ponce Enrile, and the invitation to stand as witness for Miriam Defensor-Santiago were the main topics discussed by the broadcaster. For the past few months, these 3, along with the other candidates running under the LDP, went to the provinces, ate with the poor, and conversed with the illiterate, to show the Filipino masses that they should vote for them.

The LDP has "a vision of a prosperous nation---a country without extremes of wealth or poverty; where hate, envy and greed shall have no place and where a man and his family can live safely, decently and with dignity." The LDP's Seven Point Agenda consist of: 1.) Food Self-Sufficiency through Agricultural Modernization and Rural Development; 2.) Equalizing Reforms: Education, Health and Housing for all; 3.) Jobs and Investment Generation; 4.) Strengthening the country's sense of Peace and National Security; 5.) Protecting the nation's environment; 6.) Protecting the rights of women and children; 7.) Ensuring justice and rule of law.

The PPC, on the other hand, is a collaboration of the prominent people of EDSA 2. For these candidates, they are clearly, a continuation, hopefully the fulfillment of People Power 2. They aim to reflect the GMA Administration's Four Core Beliefs: 1.) Win the fight agains poverty; 2.) Improve moral standards in government and the society; 3.) Change politics of personality and patronage to New Politics of programs and dialogue; 4.) Leadership by Example i.e. work ethic, lifestyle.

From the constituents' point of view, they aim to improve the economy (jobs, livelihood, housing), clean government (anti-graft and corruption), peace and order (law enforcement, mindanao wars, Abu Sayaf, MILF, NLF), education: moral values).

The PPC has been touring Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for the past few weeks asking for the support of the Filipinos. Will the events of EDSA 3 affect the chances of winning of these 13 candidates?

The PPC and the LDP have differences in their platforms. Nevertheless, they have the same goal---and that is to make our country a better place to live in. Which party do you think will make more impact on the Filipino masses? Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough. :)