The initial ANC forum, “Face to Face: 100 Local Government Champions versus Four Presidential Contenders,” was a good start in exposing to public view and understanding what’s in the minds of those seeking the people’s mandate to govern the country in the next six years of a new administration.

Surely, such encounter between presidential contenders would clarify as well as measure both the strength and dimensions primarily of their character as individuals and as leaders.

Today, more than anything else, what is important is the quality of mind and the character of those who govern.

Of course, it is imperative that leaders are schooled and learned, but more than that true leadership is best demonstrated by a man’s inner self – his true character as reflected in the substance of his stated policies.

As Pope Benedict XVI has said just recently precisely about Philippine leadership, “the prevailing poverty in the country calls for upright political leaders.”

“The struggle against poverty in the Philippines calls for honesty, integrity, and an unwavering fidelity to the principles of justice,” the Pontiff declared, explaining that all these qualities are required of those entrusted with position of governance and the administration of public affairs.

At the same time, Pope Benedict XVI asked Philippine officials, in concert with the people, to work for peace, charity, and perseverance.

By appearing in public forums, the country’s future leaders are helping the people understand better what they are offering them, and depending on the force and validity of their causes, they would be judged by their constituencies.

In the ANC forum, those who joined the exchange of views included Senator Manuel Villar Jr., Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Senator Francis Escudero, and Senator Noynoy Aquino.

They were joined in the discussion by local government officials.

Aquino is running under the Liberal Party after Mar Roxas, LP president, withdrew from the presidential race in his favor and is now Noynoy’s running mate.

Escudero, who has yet to declare his candidacy, is said to be the prospective standard bearer of the National People’s Coalition possibly with Senator Loren Legarda as running mate.

Villar, NP president, remains undecided whom to pick as his vice presidential teammate although Vice President Noli de Castro is being bruited about as the likely choice.

Gibo Teodoro, who has recently been chosen by the Lakas-Kampi-CMD executive committee as its presidential bet has Local Governments Secretary Ronaldo Puno as vice-presidential running mate.

All of them, of course, are still awaiting official proclamation by their respective parties but for all intent and purposes, except maybe for one or two, they are the 2010 presidential and vice presidential contenders.

To be sure, there was really nothing much about the initial appearance of the four presidentiables at the ANC forum, but it could be a beginning of more substantial elucidations of their presidential intentions.

Sometimes, you see, intentions are more important than mere deeds.

(zhern_218@yahoo.com)