Wednesday, 31 March 2010 00:00 BY EFREN L. DANAO The Manila Times There was a time when the likes of Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Manuel Roxas, Camilo Osias, Quintin Paredes, Gil Puyat, Raul Mang-lapus, Ramon Magsaysay, Claro M. Recto, Lorenzo Tañada, Lorenzo Sumulong, Jose Diokno, Arturo Tolentino, Ninoy Aquino and Jovito Salonga loomed large in Philippine politics. These giants were men of unquestioned integrity and patriotism. They were the main reasons why politicians then were held in high esteem and why politics had drawn the best and the brightest among the youths. Most of my contemporaries when we were young dreamt of being a mayor, congressman, senator and even president someday. It was easy to dream then. Election was peaceful and inexpensive. In my hometown, Lupao, Nueva Ecija, the losers conceded immediately and even went to the house of the winners to congratulate them. On the national level, I never heard of any election protest until in 1971 when there was a tigh...