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Thursday, February 26, 2004
Wenceslao: Ahhh, surveys
By Bong Wenceslao
Here we go again. After Pulse Asia released its Feb. 16-20 survey showing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a virtual tie with opposition bet Fernando Poe Jr. (31.9 percent as against 31.7 percent) in the presidential race, various sectors interpreted it through their own partisan glasses. The Arroyo camp clapped and the FPJ camp booed.
The same thing happened in an earlier Social Weather Station (SWS) survey that had Poe leading Arroyo by several points. The Arroyo camp valiantly tried to rationalize the result while others questioned it--after all, the top man of SWS, Mahar Mangahas, is said to be a relative of Da King. Of course, the FPJ camp was delirious with joy.
If only there is a way to stop these independent pollsters from doing their thing. As shown by the reactions of those concerned, releasing the results of surveys at the height of a bitterly fought campaign only muddles the electoral exercise and is divisive. Besides, as is already been pointed out, surveys are being used to mislead voters.
Consider what is happening to the candidacy of the previously leading contender, Raul Roco. With the survey showing him several points behind Arroyo and Poe, financial backers will think twice about providing him with funds. And voters who hitch their decision on whom to vote to the leading bandwagon will desert him.
Anyway, the election is still far away and fortunes will still change. There is still, say, the possibility that the Supreme Court will stop Poe’s candidacy on its tracks because of the citizenship issue. And there are still tons of muck to be raked against each candidate that could affect their standing going into the May homestretch.
Then there is the debate between the candidates designed to test their readiness to lead the country. In this, I am sure Poe will lose more points in future surveys. Of course, we all know Da King wouldn’t dare join—he can’t even answer questions from reporters. And non-participation will be a blow to his macho image.
Finally, there is the United States government’s temperament to consider. American spooks have been known to influence the outcome of every presidential election, and I don’t think it won’t interfere this time around, what with the war against terrorism among the priorities in its foreign policy. It wants a defender of its interests here.
P.S. On the 18th anniversary of the Edsa people power uprising, Text Reax contributor Souie Mercado has this message: “Ang kahulugan sa Edsa people power nakulit na sa atong kasingkasing ug di na malaksi sa atong panumduman isip mga Filipino nga nagpakabana.”
On FPJ, here’s texter Sam Bitudio’s take: “At this early stage when he is not president yet, FPJ is behaving like former president Joseph Estrada and is being surrounded by the same so-called advisers—and some still think he will become a good president? When do we learn from our mistakes?”
Add to that this one from an unidentified texter: “You know why Danding Cojuangco finds FPJ a good target for investment? Because F-ilipinas P-ara J-ackpot!”
Finally, a texter sent these wise words from Dr. Dennis Teague, author of “Gaining Confidence in a Crumbling World”: “Humanitarian concern and patriotism should indeed be nurtured in our society. However, these noble qualities are not enough to slay the giants we are facing today. Resolute action similar to David’s requires a confidence based on faith in God.”
(E-mail: khanwens@yahoo.com; text: 0927-4912362)
(February 26, 2004 issue)
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