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.

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.