What's a good read?
Curious if presidential candidates have written books? Are there books written solely about them? We highlight books written by or about the candidates running for office ahead of the upcoming elections.
Political biographies are a unique genre. It’s a genre that may seem biased, and some books on this list are no exception. It’s also a genre that necessitates self-discipline on the author’s part – especially if the author is also the topic. The books on our list record the lives of various people while also providing insights into their work. We scoured the internet (aka we exhausted Google) in search of these books to some success.
2022 Presidential Candidates
On May 9th, 2022, the Philippines will hold one of the most significant elections in the world. Candidates for president and vice president and their senatorial slates staged rallies across the country, bringing massive crowds of supporters.
18,100 positions are open, ranging from the president and vice president to city board members. 106,174 clustered precincts will see millions of voters leave their homes to cast ballots.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released the final ballot face for the 2022 elections, including the final candidate list for the high-stakes election.
For the president, there are ten candidates on the ballot. The greatest number of presidential candidates on the ballot since the country switched to automated voting in 2010 was ten, also recorded that year.
They are, in alphabetical order:
- Ernesto Abella
- Leody de Guzman
- Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso
- Norberto Gonzales
- Senator Ping Lacson
- Faisal Mangondato
- Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
- Jose Montemayor Jr.
- Senator Manny Pacquiao
- Vice President Leni Robredo
Books About or Written By
For years, the political climate in the Philippines has been a diverse mix of social inequities and class conflicts. Some books create awareness about the various forms of injustices from a fictional position, allowing readers to enjoy and form their knowledge of the topic. However limited, consider these suggestions the next time you’re looking for a new book to read. Here’s what we found.
As of this writing, we have not found any books written by or about Ernesto Abella, Leody de Guzman, and Faisal Mangondato.
Isko Moreno Domagoso
God First’ Why Isko Moreno: I’M Doing It (Isko Moreno)
by Rick A. Conchada
This book is about the mayor of the City of Manila, his speeches, promises, and accomplishments in 2019. The author shares ideas and observations about the mayor and the incredible changes in the city and its inhabitants—the city’s cleanup and clearance and how it impacted street sellers. The questions asked and answers he gave regarding how he would do it. His commitment to bettering and improving the city’s services. His goal is to restore the city of Manila to its former glory.
Yorme! The Life Story of Isko Moreno
by Yvette Fernandez
Isko Moreno is Manila’s 27th mayor. A street kid growing up in Tondo, he rummaged through garbage cans in search of food to feed his family. He bought school materials by selling old newspapers and bottles. Isko’s life shifted when he decided to try his hand at acting. He later went into government to help the citizens of the city he adores. This is the story of a young Tondo child who had high dreams, worked hard, and soared for the stars.
Norberto Gonzales
The Philippines: crisis and commitment
by Norberto B. Gonzales [and] Romeo Intengan, Jr
Ping Lacson
Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s Platform of Government
by Panfilo Lacson
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson’s government program as delivered to the Philippine Business Conference on November 29, 2003.
Si Ping Lacson Ang Presidente
Ping Komiks, read and get to know Ping!
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Asikasong Bongbong Tuloy Tuloy! (The Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Story)
Marcos’ comic book was released in 2015, around the time he filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president. The 20-page comic book depicts Marcos’ life from birth to his younger years, culminating in his election as a senator. There is no reference to Martial Law in the comic book, which has dogged the younger Marcos and his political ambitions.
Jose Montemayor Jr.
Franchise Closure: ABS-CBN Fiasco What Went Wrong?
by Dr. (Atty.) Jose C. Montemayor
To decide complicated legal situations involving the legalities of franchises and their possible closure, such as what happened in the case of ABS-CBN, complicated legal procedures must be simplified yet complete, understandable while complex. Is it illegal to refuse to renew it, or is this part of President Duterte’s retaliation?
COVID-19: The Most Dangerous Coronavirus in History
by Dr. (Atty.) Jose C. Montemayor
When it comes to COVID-19, a multifaceted strategy must be considered. Doctors, patients, and their families are finding it more difficult to treat this contagious disease, which is unusual and difficult to treat, due to complicated diagnostics and therapeutic approaches.
Dutertenomics
by Dr. (Atty.) Jose C. Montemayor
The poor have a great deal of faith in the government’s leaders. The highest and most honest trust and reliance on economists are unrivaled, and it is surprising that even in the information era, the trust placed in them is unrivaled wherever or in whatever condition in the globe. As a result, leaders must uphold their sworn obligation to carry out their responsibilities with the utmost sincerity and dedication.
Manny Pacquiao
Pacman: My Story of Hope, Resilience, and Never-Say-Never Determination
by Manny Pacquiao
Manny is the greatest pound-for-pound boxer in the world, but more importantly, he has developed a close bond with the people of his native country, the Philippines, to the point where he is practically revered as a god. Manny began his life on the streets after being born and raised in a poor hamlet in the Philippines. In his pre-boxing life, he supported his family of five by selling nearly anything and everything on the streets to make ends meet. During these early years, he demonstrated the hard effort, perseverance, and pure grit that would define him as a boxer. Though he aspired to be a priest, his mother couldn’t afford the education, so he turned to boxing to move heaven and earth.
The Legacy of Manny Pacquiao (J.D. Rockefeller’s Book Club)
by J. D. Rockefeller
This book is for Pacman fans, boxing aficionados, and random people who want to learn more about the life of the “Peoples Champion.” Manny Pacquiao is often described as a sporting icon, a Filipino hero, and a man with incomparable ability. He is known as “Pacman” in the boxing world, but he is also regarded as a popular icon – a man who has been a symbol of optimism, tenacity, and achievement in the real world. His is a one-of-a-kind narrative. Born into a middle-class family, he struggled with poverty, had dreams, and faced numerous hurdles (both in the ring and in real life), but overcame them all with maximum courage and eventually attained success.
Pacquiao: Winning In & Out of the Ring
by Jose Gamboa
So, how did Pacquiao, a man with little formal education, wealth, or connections, become the most successful boxer in history, the world’s 6th most paid athlete, one of the 40 wealthiest Filipinos, and, most recently, a Philippine Congressman and one of TIME’s 100 most influential people of 2009? “Pacquaio: Winning In & Out of the Ring,” a comic biography meticulously researched, written, and drawn by a Filipino, will first explain the tale of Manny Pacquiao, and then show the reader how Pacquiao’s success stemmed from ideas and ideals that anybody can apply to their daily lives.
Leni Robredo
Servant Leader: Leni Robredo
by Ed Garcia
Servant Leader: Leni Robredo, a book published in 2020, documented the growth of the Bicolana in Philippine politics. The book is organized into sections, each focusing on a different aspect of Robredo’s public life. The first half focused on her historic rise to vice president in 2016, while the second part focused on her brief but significant appointment as the drug czar in 2019. The final paragraphs addressed what comes next for the lady who is ready to take on the challenge.
Dancing Waters: The Story of Leni Robredo
by Yvette Fernandez
Vice President Leni Robredo is known for her compassion and charity, which she has shown by assisting the poorest Filipinos across the country. This is her tale, from a youngster admiring the dancing waters of Naga to a wife and mother, to a lawyer and community activist, to the nation’s second-highest post.
