Beyond the grandstanding, the speeches, the distribution of largesse, the advocacy advertisements and the infomercials, do Filipinos really know the self-declared presidential wannabes come 2010?

ABS-CBN’s weekly feature of personalities in the news, “Probe Profiles” shifts it focus on the possible choices for the post to be vacated by President Arroyo on June 30, 2010.

The special series, which starts Wednesday (Oct 14), examines the background and qualifications of the men and women who have expressed intentions to run for president next year. More than a litany of personal ID details, the series titled ‘Kilala Mo Ba Talaga Sila?’ tackles their brand of leadership by probing into their public and private lives.

For the first installment of the series, Cheche Lazaro faces presidential frontrunner and biggest spender Senator Manuel “Manny” Villar. A businessman with a rags-to-riches story, Villar explains how his management background—along with “sipag at tiyaga”—can drive his blueprint for the country’s growth.

‘Probe Profiles’ follows the senator as he touches base with the public while Lazaro also sits down with a staunch critic of Villar, who gives a different perspective of the senator’s brand of leadership and performance in the legislature.

Understand why Villar’s business should be everybody’s business on “Probe Profiles” on Wednesday, (Oct 14), after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN. “Probe Profiles” is replayed Fridays at 3 a.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC SKYCABLE 27). The episodes may also be viewed for free on Probe’s official website, http://www.probetv.com. For a behind-the-scenes look, visit http://probeprofiles.multiply.com.