Sandra Aguinaldo studies the ruling class on 'Makapangyarihang Boto'

“MAKAPANGYARIHANG BOTO”
Dokumentaryo ni Sandra Aguinaldo
May 6, 2013

They are the country’s economic elite. They are the seemingly insignificant 1 percent of the population and yet control 70 percent of the country’s wealth. Beyond their economic power, this group of people also yield great political power. They are the driving force of a campaign-- with their deep pockets, they can make or unmake an independent candidate.
 
Experts say, the ruling elite has always lorded over Philippines politics for the simple reason that the ones who get elected are also descendants of these powerful families. There are however, people who use their economic power to propel their advocacies.

In 1983, Jose Concepcion, a known businessman with some of his rich colleagues founded NAMFREL, an election watchdog, inside his mansion in Forbes Park.
Concepcion became a household name after the snap elections of 1986. Then President Marcos declared himself winner but the NAMFREL count showed that Corazon Aquino won. Edsa People Power ensued and the rest is history.

The ruling class where Concepcion belongs is very elusive, the ultra-rich Filipino-Chinese businessmen, more so. Most of them shun the publicity but work their political power in the shadows. Sandra Aguinaldo enters the sanctuary of the privileged to understand the vote of the very rich and powerful this Monday on I-Witness.