OVERPROTECTIVE NOYNOY

“Blood Weighs More than Politics”

There is nothing superficial about the New York Times depiction of the Cojuangcos hogging politics and Hacienda Luisita. The people are not that naïve to not be able to determine just how Malacañang was used by the Cojuangcos to serve their best interest. The clan’s indifference over the distribution of their claimed Hacienda Luisita among its farm workers is as discernible as the insensitivity of the Liberal Party on letting us swallow another Cojuangco minion – Sen. Noynoy Aquino. The part where Noynoy managed to go about the affairs of his cousin –Fernando Cojuangco whom the senator claimed was aggravated by political white wash and misguided journalism is enough proof for the public to rethink LP’s offered “reform”.

The true story beneath the lavish talks of presidentiable Noynoy Aquino on Cojuangco family extending the distribution of land to make sure that the farmers get clean-slate of land titles free from debts is that the Cojuangcos have obviously exploited the land to its inutile state. Don Jose Cojuangco who bought the 6,400 hectare azucarera using loaned public fund from the Central Bank of the Philippines (CBP) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) back in 1958 has made quite a hole on the land reform and grants system when he lied about the existence of the 100,000 azucarera residents inside the Luisita estate that should have rightfully owned the land during the 1980s. The only obvious failure of the 1986 Edsa People Power would be the continued land struggle in Hacienda Luisita. Former Pres. Cory Aquino’s administration ended dictatorship but it helped breed deafening abuses against toiling farm workers on the Cojuangcos very backyard.

Noynoy promising Hacienda Luisita in five years right about the time before he steps down the presidency once he get elected is another iconic rundown of Cojuangcos intentional deceit and misuse of authority over the Luisita farmers’ affairs. In fact, others see this as an understatement in which Noynoy is trying to bait the azucarera over votes. He is only making a fool of the Luisita farmers; again; making these farmers’ believe that their only hope of getting their piece of land is by giving Noynoy Malacañang. Just like the rotten power thug between different social classes in the country that involves the well-off and the deprived who are under their paychecks, the Cojuangcos through Noynoy will soon be able to turn the tables once and again on the rightful allocation of Luisita. That is, by taking a look back at how the Cojuangcos managed to stall the division of the azucarera through Cory’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in 1988.

Blood runs thicker than politics, and for Noynoy, blood is foremost valuable than honest and impartisan governance. Philippine politics is so prone to familial dynasty-ism that most of the time families pay interests on running for various public offices for the benefit of either business or control. This is the exact same thing that fuels Noynoy’s presidency. It had always been for the advantage of the Cojuangcos who nearly faced the people’s tribunal after the 2004 Luisita massacre and the persistent prostitution of farm workers’ rights. Furthermore, it is disgusting to see Noynoy being overprotective of his affluent cousins as he himself had not done much in the years he served in the legislature.

NOYNOY: DENY, DENY UNTIL YOU DIE

There is no way around the problem but to deny ever saying such revealing statement. This was the scene that most likely transpired between Liberal Party standard bearer Noynoy Aquino and his cousin, Fernando Cojuangco, chief operating officer of the Hacienda Luisita, in their haste to neutralize the effects of the latter’s claim that their family has no plans of ever giving up their rights to the 10,000 acre land.

In Noynoy’s mind, Fernando’s slipup would most assuredly wreck his current standing in the presidential race and would only prove his duplicity on matters pertaining to agrarian reform - thus the immediate need to employ a stop-gap measure such as the much used “taken out of context” excuse our politicians often resort to and have clearly mastered.

However, the issue at hand is no longer just about the Hacienda Luisita wrongfully remaining in the hands of the landed Cojuangcos - despite past public posturing from Noynoy to do otherwise - but the fact that the unico hijo of Ninoy and Cory is ready to put the blame on another person which is in this case, his cousin. Despite his assurance that Fernando is of sound upbringing like himself, he still insinuated that his cousin was not careful enough to guard his words and has caused much damage to Noynoy’s public image.

He is not yet the president but he is already giving us a glimpse of him lording over us – his future fiefdom – with much aristocracy that is only expected and natural from a haciendero like him. It is also obvious that Noynoy can definitely lie through his teeth. We also got a peek of what was to come under Noynoy’s leadership and that is, the law is applicable to everyone, everyone but him and his family; a fact that was already practiced during his mother’s term – proven by the undistributed hacienda – and that he has long forgotten or omitted from his campaign speeches and public interviews.

To obtain the 10,000 strong votes of the very farmers whom their family have fooled into accepting the transformation of Hacienda Luisita into a corporation and contenting themselves as stock holders, Noynoy and his political backers intentionally gave lose hope and announced that the original beneficiaries will be awarded lands free and clear within five years, but only after all the debts of the HLI was settled. However, thanks to Fernando Cojuangco, the farmers now know better.

These are glorious words from a man whose only purpose is to clearly hoodwink the throng of farmers into shading his name in the upcoming elections. Is he now a peddler of lies?

Related story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/183662/after-luisita-massacre-more-killings-linked-to-protest

MISSING THE POINT ON LUISITA CONTROVERSY?

It is not strange for another Cojuangco to stand-up for the revered “familial name” against a snowball of criticism about the decades-long Hacienda Luisita controversy. Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate – Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino is simply living up to the standards of his clan, which normally includes “turf protection” and “asset-clinging” with utter abuse of authority. They remain defensive on the accounts of Luisita division as they intend to continue their control over the 4,000 hectare sugar farm land. The way Aquino defended his cousin, Fernando Cojuangco, the chief operating officer of the holding company that owns the Luisita plantation, is reason enough for voters to think twice on his offered “reformed administration”.

Noynoy is on complete defensive mode when it comes to his clan’s entanglements with azucarera. And the way he belied and accused the New York Times of misquoting his cousin on a remark that the Cojuangcos have no intention of giving-up Luisita is one proof of his undoubtedly biased judgment over Luisita. After being elected in Congress and actually gaining the authority to help dismiss Luisita farmers’ 46-year old lamentations and grief, Noynoy surely ignored good governance and stayed quiet with tail bended down on the affairs between the Tarlac farmers and his clan. The 2004 Luisita massacre is enough proof of Noynoy’s political prejudice.

The controversial Luisita azucarera operated by the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) and the Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CAT) was legally bounded to be distributed to its farm workers as part of the implementation of the former Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) ruling. Records show from the Manila RTC that the late Don Jose Cojuangco purchased Luisita on March 31, 1958 with the help of loaned government funds from the Central Bank of the Philippines (CBP) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). Part of the said negotiation was Don Jose’s agreement to distribute the land to his farmers pursuant to the Marcos government’s social justice program. However, Don Jose held back on his end of the bargain on claims that there were no tenants inside the azucarera. Ten years later, CBP released an inquiry that lambasted Don Jose’s earlier claims that also stunned the public. On said report, there were about 100,000 residents in the 10 barrios making-up the entire hacienda; and that this overwhelming population is under Tadeco’s payroll.

In 1980, the government almost succeeded in pushing Tadeco management to honor its 1958 agreement with CBP and GSIS. The Ministry of Agrarian Reform (now DAR) was even tasked to overlook the manner of Hacienda Luisita’s division or distribution to the azucarera farmers. But this was short-lived as Pres. Cory Aquino took office and implemented the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). CARP actually stalled the land-distribution by turning its farm workers into stockholders or co-owners of the azucarera turned corporation – Hacienda Luisita Inc. Instead of land, Cojuangco gave them shared capita, which now faces bankruptcy as stressed by Noynoy.

The Cojuangcos practically soiled the original Hacienda Luisita agreement and exploited the land till it became entirely useless. All their farmers were duped with no peso or land to their name despite their numerous land reform agreements. That is point fact. Noynoy being overprotective of the Cojuangcos “good name” makes him no less than part of the pack of Cojuangco wolves out to protect their estates like true blue capitalist.

BUTAS NA PANGAKO NI NOYNOY

Kahit ano pang pagtatanggi ang gawin ni presidential candidate Noynoy Aquino patungkol sa bagong kapalpakan sa usaping reporma sa lupa partikular na sa Hacienda Luisita ay malinaw na wala talagang balak ipamahagi ng pamilya Cojuangco-Aquino ang libo-libong ektarya ng naturang hasyenda sa 10,000 magsasakang pina-asa nito. Salamat na lamang sa pinsan mismo ni Noynoy na si Fernando Cojuangco, chief operating officer ng korporasyon at nagising ang mga magsasaka sa isang mapait na reyalidad na sila pala ay nilinlang lamang ng unico hijo ni dating Pangulong Corazon Aquino. Isa rin ba ito sa mga aral ng magulang ni Noynoy na madalas niyang sambitin sa tuwing haharap sa kamera?

Nakakalungkot na hindi naging tapat si Noynoy sa mga magsasakang nagpa-unlad ng kanilang lupain sa matagal na panahon. Kung tutuusin ay dapat silang tumanaw ng malaking utang na loob sa mga abang magsasaka dahil kung hindi dahil sa kanila ay hindi mananatiling maunlad ang pamumuhay ng mga Cojuangco-Aquino.
Kung dati-rati ay marami ang natuwa sa ginawang pagdeklara ni Noynoy na balak na nitong ipamahagi ang lupain sa mga benepisyaryong magsasaka sa kasagsagan ng kampaniya, ngayon ay marami ang naiinis dahil malinaw na binola lamang ng senador ang mga tao para sa kanyang pangangampanya. Ito ay malinaw na isang political strategy lamang upang lumabas na mabango ang pangalan ni Noynoy at upang tuluyang tumigil ang multo ng Hacienda Luisita na patuloy na ibinabato sa kaniya.

Maski na ba maglabas ng pahayag ang pinsan ni Noynoy na si Fernando na siya ay biktima ng “taken out of context” ay hindi na nila mababawi ang matagal nang sira at suportado ng mga “factual” na impormasyon. Kung iisipin, ano ang mahihita ng New York Times partikular na ng sumulat ng artikulo na si Norimitsu Onishi, na siya rin namang nagpatunay na ang binitiwang pahayag ay totoo dahil ito ay naka-record sa paglabas ng maling istorya? Kung baga, galing mismo sa bibig ni Fernando ang pagkontra sa sinabi ni Noynoy na planong pagpapamahagi ng Hacienda Luisita.

Kung ngayon pa lamang na nakikita na natin ang kabaluktutan ng pananaw ni Noynoy patungkol sa ikakabuti ng mas nakakarami ay ano ang mahihita at aasahan ng milyon-milyong Pilipino na kaniyang pinapasakay sa slogan niyang “hindi ako magnanakaw”?

DRUG MONEY TRAIL ON LACSON’S ESCAPE

Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s Political Consultant - Lito Banayo is said to be managing the solon’s affair in cleaning his name on the Dacer-Corbito case. And Banayo does this with huge help coming from renowned drug lords’ deep pockets. Sources reveal that around 2 billion pesos worth of drug money has already been fueling Banayo’s campaign for Lacson’s sake. About 500 million of this money was used to court various RTC judges to actually quash the case. Another 16 million was initially used in an attempt to stall the issuance of a warrant of arrest. Though the plan to sabotage Lacson’s WOA ran futile, the millions paved the way for him to leave the country a month before the warrant was served last February 05. Obviously, Lacson was tipped-off about his looming arrest and he apparently bagged the opportunity to plot his escape.

Although at a “runaway state”, Lacson is still able to micro-manage his defense in the Dacer-Corbito case with the assistance of Banayo and of course Chinese tycoons running a drug trade under the senator’s protection. To name a few of these “financiers” is Kim Wong who owns a chain of restaurants and casinos in the country. In 2008, headlines included Lacson’s ill-gotten wealth amounting to $180 million under a hoax account in Hong Kong. The said money was part of Lacson’s pay-up after working with Wong’s drug dens. The charges, however, did not materialize as more controversial issues in mid of 2009 bumped it off the political arena. Coincidentally, Wong just happens to be an “indispensible” persona behind military and PNP officials, including Ret. PNP Chief Avelino Razon who is seeking a mayorial post this coming election.

The costly escapades of Lacson and his supposed well-financed “trick or two” to actually evade arrest by the Interpol shows how well-financed the senator is outside the country. Thus, it is likely true that the former claims of Dacer-Corbito state witnesses- Glenn Dumlao and Cesar Mancao of Lacson “manhandling” their testimonies on the murder case are accurate. The late night visits of Lacson to Dumlao and Mancao in the US with his promise of financing their families in the Philippines are nonetheless being funded by the likes of Wong.

Other than stage-managing his case, Lacson is also making use of the nearing elections in his defense. As sources further revealed, Wong is also doling out part of the said 2 billion drug fund on Sen. Noynoy Aquino’s presidential race. The idea is to actually lure Aquino to incur a huge political debt to Wong. By the time Aquino bags the presidency, Wong and other legitimate tycoons who invested on LP are entitled to ask for favors. Among these anonymous benefactors is of course Lacson. We could only guess that he would be pressuring Aquino to grant him his murder case during his administration. At a heartbeat, Lacson and Wong would ask no more than assistance to scrap the Dacer-Corbito case. This way, Lacson could reclaim his political stature and protect the drug market which Wong domineers.

The “mismanagement” inside LP and the rumored “pushover” leadership of Aquino, would undoubtedly make him an easy prey for Lacson and Wong.

IS LP TIED ON LACSON’S DRUG MONEY STRING?

The loose leadership of Sen. Noynoy Aquino inside Liberal Party as reflected on his ill-managed campaigns that have been the cost of his flat lining public support also led to the supposed entry of formerly accused drug lord- Kim Wong in his political wing. Kim Wong, who had been formerly accused as Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s protected “drug trader”, is also a well-known “financing” alter ego of Lacson and Mayorial candidate former PNP Chief Avelino Razon. The tycoon who owned chains of casinos in the country is rumored to be Lacson’s “eyes and ears” within LP’s doors. Using around 2 billion pesos worth of drug money, Wong was able to sneak into LP’s political affairs.

Apparently, Wong’s entry inside Aquino’s presidential parade is masterminded nonetheless by Sen. Lacson. As expected, Lacson is planning on remotely controlling the affairs of Aquino for his advantage to include the probable dumping of his case by the time Aquino ascends to Malacañang. Furthermore, other than Wong, other Chinese tycoons are also playing a role for Lacson’s behalf, one of which is a renowned real estate investor. Intentionally, these personalities would make-up the pressuring bloc that would push Aquino off the edge in favor of “dry-cleaning” Lacson’s no-guilty defense on the Dacer-Corbito case.

Unfortunately, this drug money is trailing LP’s dealings. The 2 billion is merely the tip of the iceberg of illegal money laundering and “political deception” that would no sooner absolve Lacson of his high crimes and rectify his former clout in protecting drug lords such as Wong. Other than courting LP with billions of pesos, Lacson’s camp is also using his political consultant, Lito Banayo, to seal his ties with LP. Banayo, who had been a close-friend of the Aquinos with his former participation in the emancipation of the course against the Marcos dictatorship, is also running a good show inside Aquino’s camp. Acting like a good confidante, Banayo is “sweet whispering” LP about the entry of this huge sum of money under the names of Wong and others.

LP admitted negligence on overseeing their campaigns and even their candidates’ platform presentations. At first they blamed it on “flooding” donations that reached an overbearing point that involved LP feeling unappreciative of the support being extended to Aquino. Ironically, LP confesses their faults with a bang of showing off but there should be nothing to be proud about illegal drugs feeding Aquino’s presidential ambitions. Not unless they thought they could keep it a secret from the public.

Blind leadership is what’s causing LP’s collapse. Some say, this is something the Party has brought upon itself after choosing a “wimp” over Sen. Mar Roxas. Conflict-ridden LP keeps making absurd excuses to the next. But what does this “divisiveness” and fluidity of authority and control in LP suggest? If Aquino could not sniff out one crime committed within his backyard, how would you expect him to run a government safeguarding an archipelago with 90 million inhabitants?

Additional Years of Education, Answer to Poverty?

As we draw closer to the May 2010 National and Local Elections, more and more candidates are going to the extremes for the sake of getting noticed. However, it should be underscored that the nearing elections do not give political candidates currently seated in a government position the consent to go berserk and submit the masses to half-baked ideas and proposals for the sake of having a “say” in the political arena or for plain campaign purposes.

LP’s standard bearer, Senator Noynoy Aquino pointed out how the Philippines’ 10-year education curriculum is proven incompetent as compared to the 12-year education curriculum of other countries. Noynoy says: “The Philippines has the shortest education cycle preparatory to university. Ours is 10 years; the rest of the world is 12. In short, we have a curriculum that, on paper, covers the same subject matter as the rest of the world but which we cram into 10, instead of 12, years. This means that our teachers take all kinds of short cuts to try to cover the material or just simply do not attempt to cover the entire syllabus in a given year for lack of material time. This shortchanges our children’s education.”

This, according to the presidentiable, is one of the reasons why many Filipino graduates are ineffectual and could not compete with graduates of international universities/colleges. Noynoy envisions that his proposal will help alleviate poverty in our country. But will the additional two years of intermediate schooling be enough to address these problems? To start off, the Senator’s idea will only increase the number of out-of-school youth because additional years, of course, means additional expenses for the struggling masses; thus making this proposal anti-poor. Our country is filled with public schools that are lacking teachers, proper facilities and even the basic needs such as books and classroom materials.

How can the government fund the teachers, schoolrooms, and textbooks for the added years, when it does not even have enough money for the grade levels existing today?

Our country is in the midst of grave poverty but are we too desperate to consider taking a very simplistic approach in solving a highly convoluted problem existing in our country for so long? If the times call for an immediate action on this matter, why not improve and further develop the standard of Philippine education without having to risk losing the number of enrollees for the next school year? The proposal is sound but did he even confer the possible disadvantages? If Noynoy really cares to improve our country’s education system, then he should be presenting something beyond sound ideas. More importantly, his decisions should be of great consideration to the masses which comprise the majority of our population.

Let us face the truth that in a country where there is a visible sign of struggle almost everywhere we look, there is no place for a law that will only melt the littlest hope the poor masses are hoping for—a brighter and better future for their children. Noynoy should know better.

LP BENT-DOWN ON SWS?“ Politicking Reckons TRAPOs”

“Learning lessons the hard way” best fits the major blunder Sen. Noynoy Aquino committed when he wrote his apologies to the Social Weather Station (SWS) higher ups after he made bold statements about survey predictions easily bought along corners of Quiapo. But the letter came weeks late and the damage was already been done. Besides, who in their right mind would believe that Sen. Noynoy was referring to other survey outfits when he is obviously pissed about the 11% mark-down on opponent Sen. Manuel Villar’s sponsored SWS presidential tally? LP was frantic about their dropping lead against Villar that caught Noynoy squeaking “foul play” and ditching SWS altogether. These are facts but LP, especially Aquino is trying to warp it point blank.

LP kneeling on its knees to claim back SWS’ favor is a glimpse of how Aquino’s supposed administration would be like; a weakling that lip-serves. Quite frankly, some have grown to think that Noynoy finally made a man out of himself as he lambasted SWS as a “cheap” source of immaterial “numbers”. The first time Noynoy made a bold statement by himself that he yet again “regrets” with his “sorry correspondence”. Well, can we really blame him? He was clearly making a joke of himself when he brushed aside SWS as if it were an empty can on his trail. The SWS which catered all of the surveys that he topped for months surely deserved better than being whipped and criticized.

Numbers do get a good hold of the public’s attention and this sticks far from being a superficial propaganda. LP knows this quite well but was unable to brief their presidential bet. Aquino, ignorantly declared in public that surveys could easily be manipulated with the right amount of money; saving the public from proving whether LP’s lead is rather a work of yet another wealthy manipulator. Truly, a good fish is best caught by its mouth wide open. Unfortunately, this seemingly insensitive solon is boldly seeking the presidency using only his family name.

Sadly, this apologetic letter have already worn-out his welcome not on the SWS per se but the public who have already branded the survey outfit as biased and nothing less than a business enterprise making profit out of the forthcoming elections. Aquino has successfully spoiled his month-long lead and the masses would not be too naïve to give SWS a chance to redeem itself, all thanks to the doing of their major client –LP.

Others say, if only LP and SWS have played it smart and actually briefed Noynoy of the loose ties inside the deals the entire misunderstanding would have been avoided. Hopefully, their oversight was a huge help to the public who actually have faith on the standards of the SWS.

IS DRUG MONEY USED FOR LACSON’S LIBERTY?

What does it take to clear a former PAOC-TF, PNP Chief and an elected senator’s name from riddling charges of multiple murders? Will 2 billion pesos make much of a difference, like stalling the Dacer-Corbito murder case and re-entering mainstream politics?

As Sen. Panfilo Lacson went into his self-exile last January 05 foreseeing the issue of his warrant of arrest for the charges of murder this February 05, his political consultant-Lito Banayo have been overseeing series of supposed “under the table” negotiations to quash the case and win Liberal Party’s presidentiable-Noynoy Aquino to act as Lacson’s political aegis. The deal is, half of the initial 2 billion pesos believed to be generated among drug lords under Lacson’s protection will be used to court justices to stage-manage the proceedings while the rest would be funneled down to Aquino’s campaign wagon in terms of “donations” from renowned Chinese tycoons.

About 2 weeks after Lacson’s “asylum” in Hongkong, Banayo was seen meeting up with him in Hong Kong discussing the splitting up of the 2 billion pesos and the entry of Lacson inside Liberal Party using Chinese tycoons as “front men”. Shortly after said meeting, formerly tagged Chinese drug lord identified as certain Kim Wong met with Lacson in Macau. Like Lacson’s former talks with Banayo, Wong was supposed to keep an eye on the so-called donations of the Chinese community on Aquino’s campaigns.

The idea is to have Aquino biting Lacson’s billion-worth bait that runs in form of “simple” donations coming from the business sector. The “face” of these generous donors would in fact include Kim Wong. Trusting the donations coming from Wong would be made easier for Aquino with the help of Banayo and renowned Lacson-loyalist Dinky Soliman, who also works for the movement - InciteGov. Taking a look back, Soliman was reported supporting a group of “mutineers” that would push for a revolutionary government ousting GMA altogether. This band of mutineers was soon discovered funded and “pre-managed” by Lacson himself. With Banayo and Soliman both working inside Liberal Party, Lacson would be assured of a smoother “shadow leadership” in Aquino’s camp.

LP would not likely know they are being played at until they have already fallen deep into Lacson’s political scheme. So as LP bags Malacañang, it would be more likely for Lacson to clean up his mess with the PR-man 2000 murder. Other than that, the country would be run “unfortunately” by a president who won with a huge help of elicited money coming from the deep pockets of sneaky drug lords who roamed free all-thanks to Sen. Lacson.

VOTERS CLAMOR TO HAVE PRE-ELECTION SURVEYS BANNED

A survey result recently released by the Social Weather Station (SWS) that was prejudicially commissioned by San Juan Representative Ronaldo Zamora, an ally of the Nacionalista Party standard bearer has only led to a horrendous and immature word war between presidential candidates Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar and has only given embarrassment to the country.

Instead of just showcasing the general feel of public opinion with regard to the presidential candidates, surveys reports published by polling organizations such as SWS and Pulse Asia have only placed the already chaotic political atmosphere in a deeper quagmire given that political stakeholders rallying behind these presidential wannabes are now employing the services of these polling firms to undertake manipulative moves against their respective candidates’ competition. Apparently, those who pay better will surely have a better placement in these pre-election polls.

Surveys are now being employed as a highly destructive method of campaign strategy by various political parties, with each attempting to condition the public into accepting a specific notion about the government such as its supposed incapability to heed the public’s basic needs and the suitability of their candidate as a replacement. Such a distorted tactic should be stopped altogether since it does not speak of reality and the qualifications of presidential candidates, for that matter are only made inconsequential which we as voters ironically needs to be made aware of.

Another candidate, despite his low ranking in the SWS survey, was able to hit the nail right on the head. According to Senator Richard Gordon, it is the people who elect presidents and not surveys, as this can and will most assuredly be manipulated by unscrupulous quarters seeking to suit their personal needs. For one, a higher rating means higher campaign funds which in turn results to a heavily indebted and beholden candidate. Do we need to see another presidential wannabe who will commit his six years of “servitude” to responding to “utang na loob”?

Regrettably, we the voters are the ones always victimized by these pre-election surveys. Innocent and gullible voters who sadly proliferates our country are the ones easily swayed to believe the fabricated figures of these presidential preference surveys being commissioned by various public relation firms tapped by the different political parties. Take the cue from the two frontrunners of these surveys. Noynoy and Manny are now at each other’s throats and are now well into mudslinging, a fact that only exacerbates our country’s already dwindling international image.

Gordon despite appearing to be merely sour-graping though has a point in saying that surveys are mind-conditioning. I personally believe that this should be banned during election period as it is not really helping anybody, especially us the ‘common’ people.

SURVEYS SALE ON QUIAPO: SEN. NOY BRAGGED

The thing about Sen. Noynoy Aquino belittling the recent “paid” ratings of the Social Weather Station Survey (SWS) simply made it obvious how unreliable and “superficial” his lead was for the past months. Undoubtedly, the part where he bagged the highest public favor for the executive post is nonetheless an illusion financed by his well-off “backers”. Besides, who can tell otherwise? Who can guarantee that those numbers are consistently correct after “Sen. Noy” practically made a mock comment about the independent survey corporation being easily bought and easily manipulated.

The ratings whether we admit it or not gives an undying mark on voters’ consciousness. This reaches out to people who are just going with the wave, which is, voting with the majority. The SWS ratings that bore Sen. Aquino’s name on the top are good campaign paraphernalia, to which LP has obviously been enjoying and exploiting in past couple of months. Mind conditioning and name recall are basics of PR particularly when one speaks of gaining political heights during election. The surveys bagged both by presenting these ratings on every newsprint in the country.

But why would LP’s bet throw such an uncalled-for sarcasm? Was Sen. Noy not briefed about these surveys that helped his claimed “poorly-funded” campaigns?

It is unfair to tag Sen. Manuel Villar’s sponsored surveys as “cheap” and scheming. LP may have held their horses when Aquino stirred his comment and lightened it a bit by saying “not all” but nonetheless the one that catered Villar was the same company that gave-out public trust that apportioned his liking. The “cheap” and “quality” surveys all came from SWS. Now, doesn’t that make the survey outfit being run by whosever’s pocket is fatter?

Besides, Villar is not the only presidentiable willing to spill out millions or is he the one with the sole capability to buy himself a favorable rating. Villar is among those desperate to bite the bait of Communist fanatics like Satur Ocampo’s 2 million Bayan Muna command vote, but he is not likely the only one frantic on taking all possible means to get good voters turn-out. In fact, Both Villar and Aquino are riding on issues of ratings and even “unlikely” supporters to outwit their adversaries. They are seemingly the same band of “robbers” who stab each other’s backs.

Did LP forget to look at one of their own, who are the Aranetas and Cojuangcos behind their “apos” or “sons” in the likes of Senators Noy and Mar? It is quite ironic that these LP elites felt inferior over Villar when it is an open-secret that Villar could not beat those clans single-handedly, especially when we talk of millions of pesos. Juan dela Cruz finds it offensive that Sen. Noy’s camp actually considers themselves as “poor”. That is like adding insult to the toiling Hacienda Luisita farmers that until now are robbed of their rights to own a decent piece of land.

Acting weak and being “hoodwinked” do not fit LPs candidates pretty well. Sen. Noy’s “childish” naysay about the SWS’ ratios should make him a laughing stock and expose him for the “phony” that he is.

LP DITCHES SURVEYS

Conspiracy on surveys breaks out as SWS “favorite” presidentiable tagged them as “easily bought” and more or less “unreliable”. The word-war between the Nacionalista and Liberal Party began when Sen. Manuel Villar obtained 33% of public favor that narrowed down Aquino’s lead to a mere 11% at a paid survey from December 5-10 of last year. Furthermore, said ratio proposing the first ever decline of people’s support on LP’s bet- Sen. Noynoy Aquino is enough to stir egos out in the open. These “reformers” led by Aquino who continue to brag about their supposed adherence to clean politics and good “reputation” has lost their resolve to keep-off “word war” like ordinary Traditional Politicians or TRAPOs. As their ratings continue to slide back and forth, the self-proclaimed “saint”-Sen. Aquino is beginning to look terribly anxious and overly sensitive.

Even more disturbing in this whole “I am on top debate” is that LP enjoyed the ratings for months on end. The numbers actually gave LP something to brag about; actually flaunting it as proof that the public wants reform under his would-be victory of Malacañang. It was not as highly unreliable or else irrelevant at that point as far as LP is concerned. The large leap on public favor was seemingly an “open secret” and truth that opposing camps of NP, LAKAS-CMD and others are to envy. Back then, Sen. Aquino and the surveys simply “complemented” each other. But are those jumps on ratings “factual” quoting Sen. Aquino’s statements in the Phil Daily Inquiry; “Ah may survey na matino, may survey na nabibili sa Quiapo”. What makes the former survey’s “matino” or should we say consistent? Was it because Villar’s supporters’ openly admitted funding said survey? If Villar got his boost by pumping funds on SWS, then did Aquino-Roxas allies paid the past surveys that magnified him as the public’s best choice?

If surveys can be bought, why then would LP brag about topping it for the past months? If numbers could be manipulated to fit the “wanting” of some presidentiable, isn’t it fair to say that the other surveys conducted where LP bagged the top spots were also “schemed”? If we talk about capability to dole millions, why should we discount the Aranetas who are behind LP? Or the Cojuangcos that would of course favor Noynoy? If Villar and his supporters could make shell out ratings, then what guarantees us that LP was not doing the same trick especially when they are all coming from the same survey outfit?

It is sad to admit that there are candidates who wanted to absolve themselves. Those who feel like they have the greater advantage simply because they “think” they emulate being good. Goodness is never inherited nor is it rehearsed. Being the son or brother of somebody that is famous does not necessarily mean that he is a good candidate for sainthood or state tribute. In order to be somebody, LP’s main man has got a lot of things to prove, one including that he can stand by his own shadow and can claim that he for one made something significant. Thus, I agree with Sen. Aquino that the surveys are junk and a total waste of time, I simply don’t believe that Juan dela Cruz would be that ignorant to sanctify him.

SURVEYS ARE NOT FOR REAL

Oh yes! They are not true and valid at all as Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III says that there are surveys that can be brought in Quiapo. This is the reply given by the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer when asked about his declining numbers compared to the surging ratings by other presidential candidates in a forum held last January 09, 2010 at De La Salle-Zobel School in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa. He also insists that there are credible surveys where presumably he is the top choice among the presidential candidates. Along with Aquino were Nacionalista Party’s standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar, Bagumbayan Party’s presidential bet Sen. Richard Gordon and former Department of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro of LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD.

Obviously, the forums had greatly affected the voter’s perception as the survey results are still up for change. Popularity should not be part of the qualities taken into consideration in choosing a candidate. The presidency is not an heirloom that can be passed from generation to another or something that you can buy from the grocery. Knowledge and intelligence should also be considered to be able to lead the nation and its people.

The result of the surveys for the past months showed Aquino being number one consistently. Aquino’s rank was constant since his declaration to run for the presidential race. It was noted that the highest rating gained by Aquino was immediately after the death and burial of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino. He firmly believes that Filipinos would support him as much as they supported his parents. However, his ratings started to decline as the emotional support and the so-called “Cory’s magic” started to fade off, which is already expected by his campaign managers and political backers.

Noynoy’s political career is way behind other candidates. Villar and Gordon are trying to make the public see that Aquino has not done anything worthy as a legislator. Though the race is tough, each presidentiable has a tactic to achieve their goal of the presidency. They should prove themselves through their works and achievements rather than sticking with the family’s legacy or using their wealth for campaign ads.

It does not follow that the child of a former president would and should be one also. President Diosdado Macapagal as revered during his term while her daughter, President Gloria, went through public criticism all throughout hers. In the same manner, Noynoy being the son of Ninoy and Cory alone does not automatically make him a fit president. Show us what you got, good senator then maybe, we would know for ourselves whether those surveys are indeed real or not.

NOYNOY’S HYPOCRISY

It is finally out of the bag. Senator and presidential wannabe Benigno Aquino III or Noynoy is a highly experienced hypocrite. His impromptu retort to a question posed during a presidential debate on January 9, 2010 at the Dela Salle Santiago Zobel School in Muntinlupa City Zobel revealed this much and only emphasizes this conclusion.

In a nutshell, Noynoy has this to say during the debate: if survey results favor his candidacy – with him leading the pack of presidentiables - then the polling organization that released the report is credible, but if survey results prove otherwise – showing a decline in his number – then the survey firm is a fly-by-night company and any report published by it should be shot down entirely by the voting public.

Is this just hypocrisy or simply self-serving politics that is being exercised and proven by Senator Noynoy? His inability to police even his own remarks, that is, even to merely appear as a likeable candidate which is normally expected from any traditional politician does prove that although he may not be lying, he lacks civility when caught unaware by the public. Worse, this also proves that he really is a neophyte politician who is not ready to take on the more tasking responsibility of leading the country.

In his speeches and political ads, we more or less often just hear Senator Noynoy exalting the achievements of his parents, using this to remind us all that without his parents there will be no democracy to speak of. We have already honored – and quite expansively – both Ninoy and President Cory Aquino for their catalyst roles, but enough is enough.

Noynoy should not insistently use the legacy of his parents’ name to gain our votes. Just like any politician who would want to prove himself to the public, he too should enumerate his political achievements, that is, if he has them.

I DON’T STEAL, ASK MOMMY?

As the 2010 election nears, voters scram in search for good candidates. This is where the “early politicking” actually makes sense. This is the time where claimed “infomercials” sounds more like “vote for me”. Frankly speaking, these premature campaigning serves its purpose in giving the public just the right idea to whom they should cast their votes, which unfortunately is to the less sounding “few”.

Arguably, the public should change its standard of who is “saint” or “sinner”, because it is not as simple as looking at the candidates’ last name that either rings good or riddled with controversy. For one, parentage does not guarantee anything. Sons or daughters do not live the lives of their parents nor do they inherit morality; genes have nothing to do with it. Leadership is never a privilege in a state where democracy reigns. Luck cannot be used as an excuse to force leadership in Malacañang.

If we are concerned with presenting facts and having someone as transparent as water to manage this country, why not start with the open secret that all these presidentiables cheated the law against premature campaigning by way of making “infomercials”; the son of our beloved EDSA-I heroine included. The smiles, the reform chitchats are proof of how dishonest they could be when it comes to pursuing political goals; preserving familial integrity did not stop either of them. Change should have been started with “abiding by the law” and not exploiting it for political advantage. Where is morality or honesty when one is already cheating the law at this point in time? What else would they bend when they are given much more power?

I pity hopefuls who use their comfortable family blankets. But then I was wrong. Presidentiables who like to live on a dream of being a saint amidst his wicked gimmicks does not deserve public sympathy. It is the people he unfortunately enticed to sanctify him that deserve empathy. If they are foolish enough to believe that honesty is inherited or bought by those multi-million PR financiers, then they will soon see how it will backfire to a serious state threat. The moment we swallow their infomercials/electioneering ads we are giving away our chances to actually vote for an honest state executive. The damage has already been done and the stench of politicking is already out but we choose not to see.

What is worse is when these presidentiables try to laundry out their names and act as if they are to the point of sainthood. They are hypocrites hoping to gag us up with nothing but propaganda. This writer would like to think we, Filipinos, are better than that.

THE NEXT PRESIDENT UNDER MICROSCOPIC EYES

“Who can be the worst possible plunderer among the 2010 bets?” That was the question posed by William Esposo in his Philippine Star article last January 5, 2010. For years and years, in the electoral history of Philippines, the mass has always shown different tastes in choosing their next president—exceptional educational and political experience, popularity, charisma, personal background, character, credibility, and influence are only some of the obvious criteria the people sought after our past leaders. The Filipinos are in a continuous search for an effective leader after so many disappointments in the past—Filipinos are eager to choose the best possible leader in the coming 2010 elections that could bring about genuine and positive social transformation in our country. Ironically titled, Esposo’s article simply stresses that the next president of RP should be relied on trustworthiness and honesty. Esposo’s idea is agreeable but his reasoning, at the same time, is somewhat flawed.

Esposo’s essay underscored that “…our national salvation relies not on competence, as four of the five leaders have it—but on trustworthiness and character.” True enough, good moral background and character are ideal characteristics for a president. However, reality bites that a leader chosen solely because of trustworthiness and honesty is like giving birth to a political puppet easily manipulated by the more knowledgeable and erudite government officials. The country is in dire need of a more effective, performing government and the coming 2010 election is a critical point of acquiring it, thus, our choice should not only rest on a trust or loyalty basis but also and more importantly on capabilities and competence.

In his article, Esposo also subliminally conveyed his support to Sen. Noynoy Aquino, by merely mentioning that “the sons of genuine heroes are not inclined to join organized crime” pinpointing the senator as the most suitable presidentiable without having to mention any name. This could be of an advantage on the part of Sen. Noynoy however, if we are to look at it on a different perspective, it could also be interpreted as an insult stating that the latter is not as competent as the other presidentiables are.

The Filipino masses have witnessed too many faux pas in the outcomes of our national elections—a brilliant leader turned dictator, popular and dearly loved president turned plunderer, and so on and so forth. The mass clearly would not want to have a trustworthy and loyal, yet incompetent leader turned to a political dummy in the future. If we are to set a criterion for our next president, character, experience, and competence is deemed necessary for our economy to move forward and progress.

NOYNOY PINATUNAYAN NA NAMAMANIPULA ANG SURVEYS

Mismong kampo na ni Senador Noynoy Aquino ang umamin na namamanipula nga ang resulta ng mga surveys na naglilipana ngayong papalapit na ang eleksyon. Marahil ang kanilang pahayag ay bunsod ng naulinigan natin mula sa isang mapagkakatiwalaang impormante na ang partido Liberal ay minsan na ngang nagbayad o mas kilala sa tawag na nag-commission ng isang survey firm upang magpalabas ng paborableng survey result patungkol sa kandidatura ng nasabing senador.

Dahil na rin sa kapusukan nito - ang pagbibitiw ng salita bago mag-isip – ay nahuli tuloy si Senador Noynoy na sila nga ay naglulunsad ng isang tinatawag na “mind conditioning” o ang pagkondisyon ng pananaw ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng pagbabayad sa ligal na raket tulad ng SWS o Pulse Asia. Napag-alaman na ang paglalabas ng survey - sa pamamagitan ng isang public relation firm na binayaran ng kampo ng Liberal Party - ay umiikot sa isang stratehiya kung saan ito ay makakapagpalabas ng isang paborableng senaryo na direktang ma-iimpluwensiyahan ang opinion o di kaya ang magiging desisyon ng mga botante sa padating na eleksyon.

Ang sinasabing stratehiya ay ang pagpapalabas ng isang survey patungkol sa performance ng kasalukuyang administrasyon na diumano’y may mababang grado bago ang paglabas ng survey na may paborableng resulta patungkol kay Senador Noynoy. Sa ganitong paraan ay na-diktahan na ng kampo Liberal ang taong bayan na si Noynoy lamang ang gusto ng publikong maging susunod na pangulo ng bansa at ang kandidatong sinusuportahan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ay hindi makakapagdulot ng mabuti sa bayan. Hindi ba’t ilang beses na nating nasaksihan ang ganitong senaryo sa mga nagdaang lumabas na surveys kung kaya’t masasabi nating totoo nga ang nakuha nating impormasyon?

Sa ganitong paraan ay naibababa na ng LP ang posibilidad na makalikom ng sapat na boto ang karibal ng kanilang manok dahil nakondisyon na nila ang utak ng publiko na ang 90 milyong Pilipino ay pabor kay Noynoy. Hindi ba’t matatawag na isang pandaraya ang ganitong gawain dahil hindi naman repleksyon ng tunay na sitwasyon ang isang survey? Hindi ba’t mismong si dating Senador Franklin Drilon ang nagsabi na nababayaran nga ang surveys upang magbigay ng resulta na aayon sa tao o kampo na nagbayad dito? Ang nakakalungkot, marami sa ating kababayan ang talaga namang na-iimpluwensyahan ng ganitong mga palabas at nakiki-uso lamang sa pagboto ng susunod nilang lider ng bansa kung kaya’t talagang kaliwa’t-kanang surveys ang pinapalabas ngayon ng iba’t-ibang mga presidentiables. Kung sino ang may bentahe sa lumabas na survey ay paniguradong siya ang nagbayad ng survey. Ito ang masaklap na katotohonan sa ating bansa kung kaya’t marami ngayon sa ating mga kababayan ang humihingi na ipatigil ang ganitong mga gawain tuwing eleksyon dahil ito lamang ay pailalim na pagdidikta sa mga botante.

VOTERS QUESTION COMELEC PARTIALITY IN APPOINTING CITIZEN ARM

The clamor for public awareness is now paying off as voters are now not only perusing the qualification of national and local candidates they plan to vote but are now also scrutinizing even church-based electoral watchdogs being blindly tapped by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Some quarters have recently questioned the urgency behind the poll body’s accreditation of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting or PPCRV given that only a mere twenty days have passed from the time of the organization’s filing of its petition to the COMELEC’s promulgation of a resolution granting approval to said request.

The PPCRV headed by Ambassador Henrietta De Villa suspiciously bagged the accreditation to be COMELEC’s lone citizen’s arm that would unitarily launch voter’s education on poll automation and provide assistance to voters during the actual elections. Aside from this, the PPCRV is the lone private organization that is allowed to conduct poll watching during the canvassing of votes in every precinct in the country not to mention suspiciously being furnished a soft copy of the computerized voters' list and access to the precinct count optical scan machines prior to May 10, 2010.

In a nutshell, COMELEC’s rushed accreditation of the so-called watchdog has only given the PPCRV a right to monopolize voters’ education on poll automation which some unscrupulous individuals within the organization - who almost always exist in any innocent-looking group - could possibly influence to serve the benefit of a certain presidential wannabe or even a political party. Access to voters’ list and the voting machines prior the actual election could also lead corrupt quarters within the PPCRV to possibly tamper the data in exchange for monetary remuneration from the highest bidder, a scenario that we are all aware is fairly probable to transpire in our country.

An unimpeachable source pointed out that the PPCRV suspiciously timed the filing of its petition on October 5 in the midst of a public turmoil aptly tagged as the aftermath of super typhoon Ondoy which naturally left all of us focused on relief and rescue operation for thousands of our needing Kababayans. A few days later on October 14, the COMELEC heard the petition noting the lack of oppositor – an expected result of PPRCV’s non-compliance to a COMELEC order to cause publication on three separate newspapers within a period of three successive weeks – on the organization’s petition. On October 26, or twelve days after the first and only hearing, the poll body blindly approved the request.

Curiously, the process was indeed rushed. However, the important question should be this: was it done to serve the COMELEC or the PPCRV?

2010 COMELEC CITIZEN’S ARM, CHEATED?

Shortcutting the legal process is plain and simple cheating. This should not be taken out as a matter of desperate surgical steps in order for the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to look “all buckled-up” and ready for the forthcoming elections especially when it involves the accrediting of poll watchdogs that would replace NAMFREL or the National Movement for Free Elections. The 21-days given to the newly-installed election watchdog- Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) was barely enough to give the public a glimpse on just how dependable and equip they are as the election takes off. That is, as the 2010 projects the first ever computerized election in the country.

The nippy selection of COMELEC with regard to the replacement of NAMFREL is not the only thing that made PPCRV’s intents nonetheless dubious. The timing of PPCRV’s so-called application for the watchdog position is something that cannot be discounted as a major plot for a looming sham. Its application last October 5 was more or less part of the “alarming” pretense. That is, as PPCRV officials manage to side wink public interest opposite their direction. They have rather exploited the Ondoy cataclysm to out win their “pre-occupied” oppositors. The banging headlines on rescue and retrieval operations not to include the country at mourning made it easier of PPCRV to “cheat” their way on COMELEC’s mandate.

After October 5th, PPCRV was directed to publicize its filed petition simultaneously on major newspapers in the country. This is done to make their application official with the public knowing about it. Thus, opposing views to include disparate parties could argue with said petition that may lead to further hearings. But who in their right mind would be interested on PPCRV at a time of disaster? Else, how many was able to read the publication of their appeal? Camouflaging behind state perplexity such as Ondoy had been a “trick” PPCRV had used. What else would they have underneath their sleeves?

Other than the “quick count” on PPCRV’s accreditation, one of its Board of Directors- Johnny O.R. Cardinas happens to be the incumbent president of the Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK), an interfaith movement that formed the Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP) that serves as official political party of 2010 presidentiable Eddie Villanueva. Obviously, PPCRV is already somebody’s guard dog.

COMELEC seemingly pushed us to trust PPCRV by riding on the said group’s “trick and treats”. PPCRV is given the “duty” to safeguard our ballots. But whose duties will it be to protect us against PPCRV; the group that downright conned the system and is apparently swarmed with presidentiables’ wingman?

PPCRV AN ELECTION COOK-UP?

Election watchdog NAMFREL or National Movement for Free Elections had not likely handed the 2010 election stewardship to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) on rightful terms. It was rather a cooked-up plot inside the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) after pronouncing the PPCRV’s accreditation in nearly 21-days. PPCRV represented by Ambassador Henrietta T. De Villa and Counsels- Attys. Howard M. Calleja and Rosalie Lapuz filed their petition before the COMELEC October 05 of last year. A week after (October 14), PPCRV’s petition was shortly discussed on a COMELEC hearing and was dubiously granted twelve days later on the 26th of October of same year. It was a decision reached after COMELEC found the lack of “oppositors” or else an opposing party that would relatively question the validity of PPCRV; could be publicly acceptable but still why is there a need for the shortcut of the process?

PPCRV clearly filed its petition on the height of a state catastrophe when issues like “election watchdog accreditation” did not sound interesting, else important. Who in their right mind would have thought of 2010 elections barely a week after Ondoy took a good hit on Metro Manila? Even the country’s papers and radio stations paid no attention on such an issue, why would the frantic public think otherwise. This was the long days of rescue and retrieval operations where huge part of Marikina and Pasig is still plummeting on deep murky flood. It is downright obvious that the mere two weeks for PPCRV’s accreditation campaigns did not reach a good length of keeping the public aware that they “exist”. Now, why or who would muster the thought to throw an argument against it over COMELEC?

So what will one get over speeding-up PPCRV’s accreditation? Else, how significant will PPCRV be in the coming elections? And just why someone go through the trouble of making sure that it will get its “YESES” in COMELEC?

Accredited election watchdogs, which had been the role of NAMFREL for the past thirty-one years since 1983, serve as elections’ neutral and else monitoring group. These groups have their own set of poll watchers on various precincts, including the conduct of voters’ assistance and information on values education on city outskirts. PPCRV upon getting COMELEC’s accreditation is mandated to independently supervise the elections. They are to maintain neutrality and impartiality during the entire course of the voting period down to the poll counting and the pronouncement of winners. On such process, they give the public updates on the partial casting of ballots or the renowned NAMFREL quick count. The public, so to speak, rely on this election watchdogs to counter-check the election results. Most of the time, they had been favored highly reliable in terms of ballot counting.

Try to imagine PPCRV putting-up his trick or two during the elections. What if their quick counts were made “literally quick”? PPCRV manage to “cheat” their way in for the accreditation. How dependable will PPCRV be in terms of releasing election results that are as important as the presidency when they have cheated their way in COMELEC?

PRESIDENTIAL FORUMS OR TANTRUMS? “The Debate that turned out to be a Read Script”

What the voters need is a presidentiable who walks the talk and not just speak it. The recent forum sponsored by the largest media network in the country was all for show to simply make a good stand point for presidentiables they obviously favor. Was it not too obvious that aside from asking plausible projects that one would-be president should work on once elected, the questions were natured to drop a bomb at the administration bet DND Sec. Gilberto Teodoro? Like a sparring of anecdotes between Opposition stalwarts and an Arroyo ally, the public simply witnessed a wrestling of political affiliations. If we hate to think of the idea that Gloria takes another shot at the legislative, then what better way to downsize her clout by not speaking of her entirely. Getting her name on the headlines is simply a trick that holds no water in the public. The public is damn tired of her and the Opposition should start a new “opening act”.

Frankly speaking, the presidentiable forum was a total waste of public interest. It was a magnified Senate privileged speeches that created more doubts than answers. In fact, the topic was anchored on nothing but Gloria, which by nature gave the “forum” its fancied “hype”. Besides, it is not every day you get to watch solons to think narrower or else dumber than they all already do. Best example of which is Erap who had the guts to question Gloria’s Congressional bid while he parades his intent to run for the same post that he won and lost out of graft. If it was for the sake of delicadeza, Erap should have kept his ambition to himself and saved himself a pint of self-esteem. What makes him think a convicted plunderer has the right to bag Malacañang once again? If Gloria is daydreaming, then Erap is sleepwalking naked in the 2010 polls.

Even LP’s standard bearer who made a bursting joke of “I am incapable of lying” showed his not too appealing alter-ego. Like an elitist who praise himself, the presidentiable with the least feat in his political career whines about being a good but dormant public servant. Who would trust a senator from a long-list of influential clan members that actually bent democracy to fit their entrepreneurial interests? If issues on human rights draw cards on the table, why did the sponsors overlook the case of the Hacienda Luisita massacre that adds up on the inventory of the unsolved “politicize” deaths.

Sen. Dick Gordon to include LAKAS’ Gibo Teodoro was relatively the ones with valid answers and reasons. One could say they were among the bunch who had their talks with perceivable walks. Furthermore, Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s “messianic call” or even that of the Kapatiran’s movement for pious leadership sounded materially stupid. It was way too obvious that they rely much on their religious clout to get the position and are naïve to think that a mixture of church orthodox and political tricks could work. The executive post is not a matter of homily one addresses to a listening believer. The state is not a podium for promising or sweetened speech of salvation. Yes, God and morality should form part of a clean and effective government but this does not mean giving religious honchos an edge. They are nonetheless seen as greedy devotees who only wanted to expand their controlled sect.

The forum is not a telenovela for presidentiable to play protagonist. The network should not turn the 2010 elections into one of its income-generating melodrama.