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.