[Rappler’s Best] Who’s your bet? The charmer or magician?

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'As Filipinos go to the polls next Monday, May 12, they might as well concede to the reality that they have voted, and continue to vote, for candidates who have charmed or cast a spell on them through money and machinery'

Gayuma o mahika, is how Jairo Bolledo frames his documentary on Rodrigo Duterte and his political brand. After all, one either has the charm or magician skills — or both — to be able to rule a big and challenging city such as Davao for 34 long years.

As Filipinos go to the polls next Monday, May 12, they might as well concede to the reality that they have voted, and continue to vote, for candidates who have charmed or cast a spell on them through money and machinery. (Everything you need to know about the elections and for an informed choice is here. Here’s a refresher on the numbers that matter: the vote-rich provinces and cities.)

• How does one explain the phenomenon of the three Tulfo brothers, for instance, two of whom are sure winners in the Senate race based on all surveys? In this piece, Isagani de Castro explains the Tulfo brand that banks on the macho charm.
• How does one, on the other hand, understand the election of three charm-deficient Villars to the Senate in the last two decades, and the aggressive push of another one for Monday’s polls, if not for the magic of money and machine? The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) noted that the previous campaign spend of the three Villars “underscores the rising cost of Philippine elections.” Former Senate president Manuel Villar Jr. reported spending P38.5 million in 2001, and two decades later, his son Mark reported spending more than three times the amount, according to PCIJ’s Carmela Fonbuena.

Beyond charm and magic, is there still room left for liberal politics, as advocated by two senatorial candidates who have already lost in previous elections and are taking another chance these midterms? In this documentary, Bonz Magsambol takes us through the uphill battle of senatorial bets Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan. 

Another election is happening ahead of May 12, and its results will reverberate around the world. 

• The conclave to elect the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church begins on Wednesday, May 7. Check all updates here.
• Cardinal Pablo David cautioned the faithful against turning the election of a new pope into a political contest. Yet, it appears there’s already a campaign against one of our own, Cardinal Luis Tagle, who is among those being eyed by Vatican watchers as a possible replacement for the late Pope Francis. 
• Paterno Esmaquel II reports that Tagle has been the subject of a smear campaign, which was likely the trigger for the statement issued on Saturday, May 3, by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines that meant to deflect criticism that Tagle failed to act on clergy sexual abuse. How will the conclave navigate between the power of God and the power of men? 
• Politico writes about how the ultraconservatives are pushing to make the Vatican “great again.”
• Cardinals from Asia and Africa are apparent contenders to replace Francis because the late pope had also given them more power. The representation of Asian and African cardinals has risen to 30% in this year’s conclave. What is it about the rise of Asian and African cardinals? Paterno takes a deep dive.

Here are some of Rappler’s bests that you shouldn’t miss:

Val Villanueva tells us how PrimeWater managed to enter into problematic joint agreements with local water districts.

Lian Buan walks us through the arguments of the defense counsels of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte in their request for the International Criminal Court judges to free him unconditionally.

Kaycee Valmonte looks into the failed Makati City subway project.

Dwight de Leon reports on the billionaires’ stakes in these elections.

Stephen Acabado reminds us that our ancestors were already skilled in the art of fermentation — long before bottled beer lined supermarket shelves.

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– Rappler.com

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