Struggle reaps triumphs DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 05/07/2010

Struggle reaps triumphs

DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 05/07/2010 As I projected since the mid-march Magdalo survey, which showed Estrada statistically tied to Aquinorroyo in the National Capital Region (NCR) (with 33 percent to 35.6 percent), leaving Villarroyo behind, Erap would be in dead heat in the race for Number One by election week. Metro Manila sets the tone for the rest of the country and it’s only a matter of time that the NCR shift to Estrada would reach the North and South. The latest in-house survey of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), which has been closely paralleled by the results of the Magdalo, Manila Standard Today, Stratpol and DILG surveys, but with a larger base of 2,400 respondents, shows Estrada at 29 percent versus Aquinorroyo’s 34 percent. The startling fact is that even the Liberal Party (LP) in-house survey, which is already making the rounds, shows Aquinorroyo only 5.8 percent ahead of Estrada five days before the elections. Today, I brought a bottle of red wine to the PMP HQ to celebrate the good tidings. The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) announcement did not faze me because it was victory either way. My debate with Yellow stalwart Mano Alcuaz centered on his point that the INC is simply opportunistic and would go for his candidate. With the INC confirming his argument, I gladly lost because my secularist view won in the confirmation of the true nature of the INC leadership. I discussed this with my radio listeners and told them: “Just like the El Shaddai masses of which 70 percent voted for Erap in their mock elections despite Velarde’s bias for Villar, the INC masses are not blind. Many will quietly vote for their champion. We must talk to the INC masses as separate from their leaders.” Leaders of these religious sects may have a lot in their mind, so it has been stated by political analysts: Personal ambitions, bureaucratic interests and pecuniary matters. Take the Gloria Arroyo faction in the El Shaddai. The 2004 elections had been very profitable for some of the sect’s leaders such as the one appointed chief of the elevated transit corporation. Although these people tried to maneuver things in favor of their chosen bets, the masses still backed the leader they recognized as pro-masa. Thus, in the wake of the INC announcement, with PMP supporters exchanging texts, this sentiment sums it up perfectly: “In 2004, the INC endorsed Gloria Arroyo against FPJ but the latter still won the vote — tough he was cheated.” Of course, Danding Cojuangco was also INC-backed in 1992 and Miriam won the vote, as FVR won the cheating. Another triumph is the collapse of the credibility of the Comelec’s Automated Election System (AES). Comelec law chief lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan used to arrogantly boast of 100 percent success and mocked critics as idle ne’er-do-wells. Ditto for Chairman Jose Melo. Despite universal praises for them, I had to state the truth: That they’re all in on the hoax from the very start. The AES is already a failure today as are the elections because they no longer have the minimum of credibility any election requires. The Comelec will, of course, go through the motions, counting and proclaiming and declaring it successful — leaving protests raging and a nation P11 billion poorer and without any election system to speak of. Let’s not forget the congressmen and senators who rallied behind poll automation, particularly Teddy “Boy” Locsin whom everyone expected to be bright enough to see through the AES farce. In one episode of Carambola, Rep. Boying Remulla practically chastised Locsin for the AES screwing up even the local elections. And just as bad is the “manual count” call of the Yellow election manipulators Namfrel, Makati Business Club, Gus Lagman and company, who will only be trending the elections in favor of their mascot. I don’t see any way to save the AES and the elections. This country really needs to sort out this mess; maybe the junta’s time — of reformist civilians and military — has come to restart the process for honest, credible elections. (Tune in to 1098AM, Sulo ng Pilipino, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Global News Network, Destiny Cable Channel 21, Talk News TV, Tuesday, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.; also visit http://hermantiulaurel.blogspot.com) (Reprinted with permission from Mr. Herman Tiu-Laurel) Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100507com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Works of evils FRONTLINE Noynoy can’t hack it focus For proud Pakistani-US community, an embarrassment NO HOLDS BARRED The swellheads DIE HARD III Struggle reaps triumphs COMMENT The disgraced Nacionalista Party FEATURE Tribal anger rises in Bangladesh’s volatile hills