TAGANAAN, SURIGAO DEL NORTE-Candelario Agan, 60, a village watchman in Barangay Union here, did not mince words when asked how his vote on May 9 is shaping up. He said he had decided to trade his sacred choice in the ballot to the whims of anyone who could alleviate his family's misery.

"We will always be indebted to whoever will help us rebuild our home. Whoever comes first to help us, we will vote for this person. I don't see it as vote-buying but the act of kindhearted people helping poor people like us," Agan said.

His wife, Gloria, fully agreed with her husband's decision, which was borne out of their desperation.

Among the few still staying in the barangay evacuation center, the Agan family lost their home to the fury of Typhoon "Odette" (international name: Rai) on Dec. 16 last year.

Although they received some materials that can be used to begin rebuilding their house, they could not do so as the owner of the land did not allow them to start construction. Hence, they have been making do with tarpaulin sheets as their makeshift shelter for close to five months now.

The slow pace of rebuilding in typhoon-stricken areas, especially of the livelihood and income sources of displaced residents, are making them vulnerable to being manipulated through aid, making them easy targets of politicians vying for public office this Monday.