CAN WE HAVE CREDIBLE POLLS???

I am re-posting another Manila Standard Emil Jurado special about his credible opinion on the political scene of late.

Here it is:

CAN WE HAVE CREDIBLE POLLS?

To the Point
Emil Jurado
April 15, 2010

I cannot see the logic of Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno Aquino III and his band of Yellow Fanatics. They insist on a parallel count for the May 10 elections and a manual audit of the results after when the automated machines are supposed to give the people a fast and reliable count.

The only reason I can see for Noynoy and his group is that they are preparing for a scenario where, if Aquino loses, they will claim he was cheated.

The National Movement for Free Elections, too, through Yellow Fanatic Joey Cuisia, has been insisting on a parallel count and manual audit of election results. The proposal was thumbed down by the Comelec. Admittedly, Namfrel is biased for Noynoy—just look at the people behind it.

They want a repeat of the 1986 snap elections when the Comelec declared Ferdinand Marcos the winner with 10,807,197 votes against Cory Aquino’s 9,291,761. This drove the forces of Cory to harp on its huge disparity with Namfrel count of Aquino of 7,835,070 votes against Marcos’ 7,063,068 votes.

Knowing the malicious minds around Noynoy, Santa Banana, I’d not be surprised if this is their Plan B!

***

It’s obvious that Noynoy’s campaign capitalizes on people’s sentiments leading to his late mother’s rise to the presidency: the retreat to Cebu, the millions or so urging her to run for president, or the yellow regalia that went on an extended run.

Events could culminate in Noynoy’s extra-constitutional installation as President or leader of yet another military-backed citizen-led uprising.

Unseating President Arroyo at all costs seems to be Aquino’s strongest motivation. He has even branded his rival as a Gloria proxy. Noynoy’s next course of action after his defeat in the polls—which to me is forthcoming despite survey results—may be to cry out that elections failed or that he was cheated.

For, after all, how could it be possible for Noynoy Aquino to lose when even now people around him are already dividing the spoils of government?

***

The finding of Pulse Asia that the number of undecided voters is increasing is not at all surprising.

Since people get much of their information on the elections campaign from media, especially from the impact medium of television, and with all the mudslinging going on, people are now doubting the credibility of the candidates.

Take the case of Aquino claiming to be incorruptible and vowing he won’t steal. How can people believe him when records show that at the early age of 26 he took advantage of his mother’s presidency by putting up a security agency which bagged contracts with government-sequestered firms?

If many Noynoy supporters are now having doubts about their candidate, I can’t blame them.

***

If I don’t mention Senator Jamby Madrigal, who is among those lagging behind in poll surveys and who must now withdraw from the race, that is exactly my intention.

She is not running to win, anyway. She just wants to demonize Villar.