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.

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.

The Road to Nowhere Project of Senator Lacson

Another splat of graft and corruption… another matter to be scrutinized… another impending Senate investigation… Perhaps Senator Panfilo Lacson came out handsomely when he claimed to have unearthed an alleged anomaly over a duplicated fund allocation for an infrastructure project in Paranaque City. The funding was supposedly intended for the extension of the C-5 road from the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to Sucat, Paranaque. Lacson said that said irregularity was discovered during the Development Budget Coordinating Council (DBCC) hearing at the Senate. The project was allocated with a P200M budget for this year and another P200M for next year, thereby making it redundant. Obviously, opposition lawmakers are trying to zero in at Malacanang as the culprit behind the irregularity. As such, Resolution No. 622 was filed by minority members for proper investigation of the issue.
As things transpired, Lacson made a decisive strategy by pointing his finger to Senate President Manuel Villar as the one primarily involved in the alleged anomaly. What strategy? As everybody knows, the 2010 election is coming in fast and every presidential wannabe should be quick enough in exploiting and using current issues against their probable opponents so as to damage their credibility, pull them down, and eventually divert the people’s support to them. This time, Lacson is making the headway while Villar is thinking how to regain his “pogi-points.” Very smart indeed on Lacson’s part… but that’s not all. Lacson also knew how to use his future opponents for his gains. As we all know, Senator Mar Roxas II is also a presidential wannabe and his loving sweetheart, Korina Sanchez, in a well-known and well-respected TV/Radio journalist. It was just a matter of talk (plus cash maybe) that Lacson persuaded Sanchez to put the matter in the limelight since it will also help scratching out Villar in favor of Roxas in 2010. However, said sweethearts don’t know that Lacson is aiming for his “pogi-points” and not willing to allot anything for Roxas. Too bad for these showbiz lovers… it will be too late before they knew that they are being used.
While the on-going frenzy over the new issue reached its toll, other Senate members joined in to be a part of the limelight. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimente Jr. and Senators Manuel Roxas II, Benigno Aquino, Rodolfo Biazon, Loren Legarda… and guess who? Senator Jamby Madrigal… well, the public really appreciate her as a comic relief… Anyway, the impending investigation regarding “the Road to Nowhere Project” is expected not to help the lawmakers “in aid of legislation” as what have happened to past hearings. However, it did serve Lacson for gaining “pogi-points” and in pushing down Villar – his no.1 opponent in 2010.

Inililihis na naman ang issue para sa pang sariling interes.