Bzzzzz: Palace hints of getting Bikoy's operator or financier. Local candidates' name-calling and sloganeering.

'Bikoy' operator

THE Palace may be seeing a link between the media matrix that the Manila Times "exposed" last April 22 and the operator or handler of "Bikoy," or Peter Joemel Advincula, the hooded guy in the series of "Totoong Narcolist" videos that alleged the funneling of drug money to members of the president's family.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo hinted that when he focused Tuesday (May 7) on something bigger from the surfacing of "Bikoy": his operator or handler, which in turn could lead to the financiers.

What was still not known: whether "Bikoy" was already in the hands of law enforcers, after his media appearance at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (BPB). Had he been placed in a secure place or had law enforcers stashed him somewhere for "tactical interrogation"?

Name-calling

Part of the arsenal in an election campaign is the use of names, to promote its candidate or put down the rival. Pick which are positive or negative, from the view of those who coined the word:

-- "Change" (a favorite theme of challengers, referring to "change" or the Tagalog "pagbabago"), used by the Junard "Ahong" Chan, candidate for Lapu-Lapu City mayor, who aims to change the decades-long rule of the Radazas in that city.

"Change" highlights "Chang" and with the additional "e" gives the message of "ka-usaban" (Cebuano-Bisaya for "change" or "pagbabago").

Chang's major opponent is Arturo Radaza, former mayor and former congressman, who wants to succeed his three-termer wife Paz, who in turn seeks to replace their daughter Aileen as congresswoman.

-- "Liebella," used by Mayor Osmeña against his rival Vice Mayor Edgar Labella. The play on the word is on the syllable "la," being replaced with "lie." Has not clicked since mayor wannabe has had no record of lying.

-- "Tomfoolery," which adds "foolery" to "Tom," the mayor's nickname, means "foolish behavior." Heard from some Labella supporters but not from Labella himself who frowns on name-calling.

Slogans, catchphrases

Aspirants for public office usually use slogans and catchphrases for themselves and their party.

You've heard and seen "Type O" for Mayor Osmeña. He has been using it in many campaigns already. In this election, some of his posters carry the slogan "SRP and BRT," probably thinking that the two big-ticket projects would draw voters, although one has moved slowly on development and the other had been stalled for some time.

Tomas's rival Labella uses broad description of himself: "Lantip. Hait. Lig-on." Incisive, sharp, strong: referring to his mind and values.

Newcomer Erik Espina uses "Tatak Gugma," along the "Kapuso" line of GMA Network. "Walay Kulba (No Fear) is Councilor Jun Alcover's line; "Panday," Councilor Joel Garganera's; "Tatak Manlalaban," Councilor Raymond Garcia's.

Returnee bet for Cebu governor Gwen Garcia still sports the catchphrase, "Ang buhat maoy pasultihon, dili ang sulti maoy pabuhaton." The new pitch is "Ibalik si Gwen. Ibalik ang Cebu Pagka Numero Uno." Her rival, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, with running mate Junjun Davide (incumbent governor who has slid down to vice governor) both lug the slogan, "Kalamboan sa Matag Sugboanon."

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