MEDIA ON POPULAR VOTE FOR NO-EL

“Oversight of Election Watchdogs”

Vote watching is nothing less than a crude excuse to actually heighten the possibility of a publicly preferred “no election”. The “Boto Mo I-Patrol Mo” for one that was intended to arouse voters to be vigilantly looking over the course of the nearing election was unfortunately swaying the public to amass skepticism. The truckload of “appalling” reports that these “patrollers” address on nationwide television should be a matter of concern since it generates more of pessimism other than an interest to participate on the coming election. Thus, this has been a regrettable oversight.

Unfortunately as “Boto Mo I-Patrol Mo” continues to “flag” in one of the country’s leading stations, “electioneering” such as premature campaign ads of various presidentiables undercuts it. The very station claiming clean and fear ballot casting is in fact condoning “electioneering” in exchange of multi-million worth of tv ads that they continually air in between their shows. Obviously, the tv station is simply making “Boto Mo I-Patrol Mo” a fitting façade to hide its money-making agenda. As such, the saying “pera-pera lang yan” proves true even among 2010 “reformist”.

If defined, the movement pushed by the station is nothing less than a refigured mind conditioning ingredient that generate public unease on the sought-after presidential race. It focuses more on actually making a wet blanket view on the outcome of the first ever automated elections in the country. That is, despite the stations nonstop show of support to various candidates by lending its airwaves to “premature” campaign propaganda materials.

Permitting electioneering in exchange of millions of peso is what capitalists do to make a huge profit out of the election. Undesirably, capitalist partisanship is going to haunt the viable selection of presidency by next year and a huge crowd of misled “patrollers” are going to make it possible. Worst case scenario in this media fiasco is having a handful of voters turn down the election out of riddling lack of trust. This runs appositively to what the movement “Boto Mo I-Patrol Mo” is trying to impart in its partakers. Instead of giving people hope and making them believe on the equal lengths of the law through exercising their rights of suffrage, the contrasting “pressure group” of the station and its outlined business ventures with supposedly “unlawful” political ads are both perplexing able voters.

Other than gathering unison perspectives on the elections, the campaign propelled by the tv station is more of “divisive” in nature. It ideally alienates the voters from the government which would be handling the smooth course of the 2010 presidential selection. Hence, majority of voters are actually prejudging the course of the elections. On one end this come close to provoking the crowd on boycotting 2010 and support a potential vote for No-Election. Moreover, what else does “Boto Mo I-Patrol Mo” promoters expect from their demoralized crowd?

RAILROADING LACSON’S DICTATORSHIP

The foreboding over a possible no-election scenario by next year is as prevalent as the rumored grounding of a transitory government to be dominated by members of the Political Opposition. After the controversial 12-paged Transitory Revolutionary Government or (TRG) proposal that was handed-out among 2008 AFP generals groomed to turn-down GMA, another “legit” coup d’état is on the rise through Isabela Rep. Ed Joson’s House Bill 3194 which compels the public to swallow-in presidential hopefuls like Senators Loren Legarda and Panfilo Lacson. For a consolation, the public is believed that the “Transitory Council”, comprised of influential civil society groups and solons from the Opposition base camp to act as a collective body instituted to divide the presidential control and keep the appointed Head of State on its toes.

But can we count on this? How sure are we that TRG or HB 3194 stays on track and not be a venue for a totalitarian rule of a non-elected “Head of State”?

As explained in HB 3194, the need for an alternative government once failure of election sets will ensure that GMA would not be extending her term of office. But it falls short in guaranteeing that the Transitory Government would not be further exploited for the benefit of few presidential hopefuls who simply can’t win Malacañang over a fair and square election. This was also the same alibi used to raise the concession towards a TRG takeover in mid of 2008. However, rather than quelling one democratic threat involving the spoke-about term extension of GMA, TRG and HB 3194 are no less propelling a no-el and even worse a “dictatorship’. The people conspiring behind it are TRAPOs who are not worth trusting. They all live in the same ego-centric lifestyle where their self-serving interests subdue the welfare of the state.

Instead of putting a leash on the current administration, this actually puts fangs on the opportunistic few to destabilize the government by “financing” or “masterminding” destabilization efforts that could easily be blamed on the Arroyos. Besides, Arroyo has been a fitting scapegoat minding the twin issues of graft slammed during her administration. The public could easily accuse Arroyo of power grip. Thus, giving few TRAPOs the favorable arena where they can twitch facts with the public’s roundabout consent.

Comparing the two plots that ought to oust GMA and install a “caretaker” government, it has been interestingly noticeable that Sen. Lacson’s name predominates Legarda’s. He was clearly the 2008 TRG originator and now the fiddled Head of State under the dish-out Transition Bill in KAMARA. Considerably, Lacson may have more than what meets the eye over the transition schemes. Perhaps, this explains why he backed out of the presidential race. Else, he would not be dogging his way out on the PAOC-TF hullabaloos. Moreover, it is an open-secret that he is out to clear his name in the Dacer-Corbito murders by nailing the blames on his former Chief Erap Estrada.

Portraying the good guy amidst the fiasco over erring politicians nowadays would give him an edge over other statesmen including Sen. Legarda, who was also pointed out in HB 3194. Legitimizing a swift overturn of GMA’s presidency is not enough to make it appealing for the masses to sink their teeth into. Other than demonizing Gloria and winning the Congress’ blessing, there is of course the need to get a hold of people’s confidence. This way, Lacson could claim he won the Filipino’s favor; by putting-up dirty antics and public stunts.

In fact, out of the twelve seated 2007 senators who will be tidied up as the Transitory Council, seven have already been wooed by Lacson to favor him when HB 3194 is pushed. That is, exempting Senators Manny Villar and Cayetano who are still in “word war” with Lacson. This number gives Lacson the flattering lead when matched up to Legarda. Practically, all that he needs right now, are “agitators” that could help generate no-el. To which, DOE Sec. Angelo Reyes could be aligned. Sec. Reyes who had been corresponding with Lacson has unexpectedly dropped the bomb about a possible black-out on election D-DAY. Reyes was plainly instigating baseless rumors that could fuel qualms over a no-el. Apparently, his correspondence with Lacson is building-up a good route for a fitting plan to sabotage the nearing election.

Should we be sitting-ducks as Lacson, among others, railroads his Martial Law rule? By the time coup spoils the law of the land and disrupts the flow of the republic, there is no assurance that an ad hoc government stays “temporary”. The TRG would be calling the shots. The Council, made-up no less by Lacson minions, could lengthen the Head of State’s rule as they please.

Is this really why we battle against Gloria’s term extension? To hand Malacañang over to Lacson who would in turn use it to build his totalitarian empire?