World

Bizarre candidates kick off Philippine election race

by Babel-Fish | November 23, 2009 at 03:01 pm

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Well its official pre-election time here in the Philippines, guns are being oils and bola's sharpend. Already 21 people have been murdered in the name of politics.

Mad men and women, and people that just want to have fun and take the micky out of the system are plying for main political seats. Of course they will be listed as non contenders and be scrapped well most of them anyway.

MANILA (AFP) - Bizarre candidates such as the "Ultimate Messiah" and a man who crows like a chicken are seeking their moments of fame by making unlikely bids for president in next year's Philippine elections.

Their chances of winning are non-existent but they have given a splash of colour to the start of a long election race in which the Southeast Asian nation's chaotic brand of democracy will be on full display.

Rigoberto Madera was the first to register as a candidate at the election commission on Friday, waving handouts identifying him as "Star General Ace Diamond, Commander-in-Chief on Earth... Emparador (Emperor), Ultimate Messiah."

But for Madera, 62, winning the May elections and becoming president for six years is only a stepping stone.

"I will run for president of the US, after Barack Obama," he declared to reporters.

Another prospective candidate who rushed to register at the Commission of Elections was George Samia, 60, although he said he preferred to go by the name of "Samia Manok", which translates to Samia Chicken.

To emphasise this, he crowed "cock-a-roo-a-roo", much to the amusement of the election registrars.