PGMN’s newest anchor Edu Manzano called on voters to value self-respect and make better decisions in shaping the quality of leadership in the Philippines.
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In his debut episode, Manzano highlighted how everyday realities such as long queues, delayed services, and rising costs have become routine for many Filipinos, saying these are no longer isolated problems but conditions that persist because people tolerate politicians.
Manzano pointed to a broader culture in which corruption endures alongside weak public scrutiny. “Politicians adjust to voter behavior. Always,” he said, noting that candidates respond to what voters reward during elections.
He cited a procurement review from his time as Makati vice mayor in the early 2000s, where a copier with a market value of about P10,000 was priced at P80,000 in a local government proposal, with similar discrepancies found in basic office supplies. The pattern, he said, reflected deliberate padding rather than error.
Manzano also noted that political campaigns often prioritize visibility and personality over concrete plans, shaping the leadership that emerges. He urged voters to demand clear programs, timelines, and accountability, stressing that competence, integrity, and track record should guide electoral decisions.
“Stop being fans. Start being citizens,” he said.
Manzano described voting as a contract between citizens and public officials, in which leaders are expected to deliver results and can be held accountable through the ballot.
The actor warned that outcomes will remain unchanged if voting patterns do not shift.
“Walang magbabago kung pareho pa rin ang binoboto at pareho pa rin ang dahilan kung bakit natin binoboto,” he said.
