With posters of candidates flashing their most pleasant smile plastered around, political TV ads ranging from commercial-type vignettes to soap opera style dominating the prime time, non-stop word bouts among presidentiables and their running mates served daily on the news, and candidates with quite controversial backgrounds – from the son of a former dictator, to a Dirty Harry type toughie, a cancer-stricken feisty lawmaker, and an alleged corruption and political dynasty associated politician, the Philippine election arena can sometimes seem like circus to many, or a hodgepodge of various flavors, all seeking for attention, election, and position. These election practices are perhaps rooted in the country’s past, culture, socio-economic problems, and its own people’s perspective on power and its pitfalls