How do you find the Liberal Party's 'Hindi kami magnanakaw' slogan?

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: It’s a subtle way of accepting the fact that there are indeed many thieves among our politicians!  

Ed Alawi, Davao City: The LP had better come up with a clear-cut program to wipe out corruption instead of that wimpy slogan. The LP slogan implies they know who do steal, so the question is: What are they going to do about it?  

This is a tall order

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: I think the Liberal Party will abide by its slogan. The majority of its constituents come from well-known and well-respected families and, therefore, I think they will follow the pathway of their slogan.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: I like it; it’s what I really want to say to this government, if only I had the voice. The conscience of the few in government who are honest and sincere in their dealings won’t be bothered. In the same vein, those who just keep enriching themselves would hardly feel anything through their thick skins. Poor us, kayod ng kayod, ninanakawan naman.  

Camela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: The party’s future is tied to the slogan. Indeed, such a tall order!  

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: How sure are we are that none of them in the Liberal Party are what they profess and claim they are not? Kayo sa Liberal Party ang nagpahayag ng isang declaration na hindi kapani-paniwala! Nobody will ever believe that claim! If ever the Liberal Party presidential and vice-presidential candidates win, I hope the people around them will not mess up the intentions of these two.  

To see is to believe

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: It’s a slogan that’s too good to be true. With so many anomalies alluded to the present administration, this is a ploy to project a “Mr. Clean” impression.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: To see is to believe. Also, it is viewed as presumptuous, considering that it is being shouted in chorus. We see a number of those latching themselves on to Noynoy as trapos. We give Noynoy the benefit of the doubt, as he is banking on being the son of Ninoy and Cory. He should, by nature and norm, protect their good names and keep the flame of their legacies burning.  

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: I challenge the leadership of the Liberal Party to do it because actions speak louder than words.  

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: To some degree, this can be believable. My advice is for them to walk the talk once elected. Let’s see.  

They’ll do anything to win

Abelardo Abilay, Laguna: We tend to think that it is a desperate move on the part of the Liberal Party, but I must say that they scored big against the competition. Subliminally speaking, if they claim to be righteous, then there is a hint that others are not. The political landscape that we have now is all about technique. Will our next elected president win because of this catchy slogan? Abangan.  

Bax Cadiogan, Ilocos Sur: Like any other trapo, they spew anything in order to win.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: That’s a good sound byte meant to snare gullible voters. But I doubt if hindi nga.  

It’s what a campaign slogan should be

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: The slogan is like a torpedo that has found its direct hit. It touches the hearts of people who are longing for change.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It’s strongly-worded and very straightforward indeed. It’s what a perfect slogan should be. It’s simple and direct and puts the message across very clearly. But if Noynoy and Mar get to win the elections, they should stick to the message of their slogan in all their affairs and in the discharge of duties at all times, because everyone will be watching them if they are true to their word.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Funny, yet malaman. Bato-bato sa langit, tamaan huwag magalit. Ang mag-react, guilty!  

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: The slogan, if truthfully composed, could just be the platform this troubled nation has been longing for.  

The slogan is deceiving

Lilian Villaronte, Cabanatuan City: It’s corny. If elected, they will also steal, like other corrupt politicians do. Actions are better than a corny slogan.  

Manny Yauder, Calbayog City: Walang magnanakaw na nagsasabi na siya ay magnanakaw, kaya ingat lang tayong mga botante. Nakakatakot ang mga pahayag na ito.  

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: The LP slogan sounds as if they’re the only ones who won’t steal, that we can trust them, while the rest can’t be trusted. Nagmamalinis baga.  

Del Reyes, Marikina City: Hindi nga magnanakaw sila, sabi ni Noynoy, pero di ba ang nagnakaw naman ay ang Kamaganak Inc.?  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Oh, tell that to the Marines. That slogan is a deception. Dapat mag-salamin muna sila para malaman kung sino ang magnanakaw at hindi.  

Juan Deveraturda, Zambales: Good for media hype, but insincere and deceiving. It is insulting and offensive to all honest public officials.  

It’s very relevant

Vic Sanchez, Pasig City: I believe that this slogan was not only conceived at an opportune time, but it is also very relevant. What we need right now are righteous and honest leaders. Graft and corruption was institutionalized during the time of Marcos and improved by his successors, with each one trying to surpass the other. I, for one, had no more intention of voting after I underwent an operation for colon cancer in March 2007, because I believe that all the candidates aspiring for the presidency are thieves. However, when Noynoy declared his candidacy, I decided to vote again and cast my lot with him because he has no record of stealing and I trust that he will not betray his parents’ legacy. If he steals after he becomes president, I lose. If not, I win. In my opinion, honesty in governance should be the sole benchmark of voters in selecting their leaders. Whether we will continue to live in abject poverty or experience economic prosperity will depend only on the honesty of the candidates that we elect.  

Alex Jacinto, Gapan City: “Hindi kami magnanakaw” is a slogan that reflects the daring of the message enough to satisfy our longing for an honest, clean, and true government.  

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: All kinds of political slogans normally come up during election period and it is of no surprise to me that most candidates, if not all, will do everything to win the votes of the populace. The Liberal Party slogan of “Hindi kami magnanakaw” means only one thing: Trust us. I believe the message is clear that the Liberal Party’s slogan is good governance. However, it remains to be seen and my only wish is that this slogan will be followed through so that the complete change we’ve been longing for will finally be achieved.  

They do not have a monopoly of honesty

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: The LP does not have a monopoly of this anti-corruption branding. Voters should not allow themselves to be duped into thinking that the LP is the one that will put an end to corruption just because they promise that they won’t steal. That’s just a promise; voters should demand more details.  

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: It’s funny. I was a silent supporter of Noynoy before he joined the Liberal Party as a presidential candidate. In my Facebook forum, and my daily program Erguhan at Balitaan, I have criticized the Liberal Party for accepting trapos and well-known corrupt personalities into their party. Logically, that slogan would only ruin the credibility of the LP and, in the end, they will blame each other after losing the elections.  

It’s inconsistent

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: The slogan is inconsistent and shows a bankruptcy of ideas. The idea refers to the honesty of Noynoy’s mother that will be recycled once he becomes president. However, they failed to consider the favorite song of Noynoy’s father, “The Impossible Dream”. Is their slogan possible?  

Eufrocino Linsangan, Pangasinan: It’s a really good slogan, but I’m just wondering because, bata pa si Sabel, that has been the promise of all candidates during the campaign period and yet our never-ending problem is that of government money being stolen.  

Janet Lopez, Manila: It’s a self-serving, empty promise. It’s as empty as our national treasury.  

In politics, nobody is clean

Tina Aaronica Limueco, Cabanatuan City: Is that for real? I believe that most Filipino people are not convinced. How can we be? We’ve been under different administrations, and each and every one of them was corrupt. There is no exception. One thing is sure: No one in government is not corrupt; maybe they just have different ways of doing what they do.  

Gil Planas, Davao City: Hindi kami (mismo) magnanakaw; somebody will do it for us. After Edsa, kaninong administration ba ang naging malinis, huh?  

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Are they saints as to come up with this kind of slogan? In politics, nobody’s clean; they should remember that.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: It’s ironic. Why try to change history? FM’s cronies plundered RP for 20 years; Kamag-anak Inc., during Cory’s reign, took over the emptying of RP’s coffers. Erap and his compadres continued plundering in his short stint; FG and PGMA’s minions merely refined it into an art form. For LP’s slogan to be credible, they must expand it to, “Hindi kami magnanakaw; ewan lang ‘yung mga kasama namin” or “Hindi kami magnanakaw sa umpisa.” Hindi ba mas kapanipaniwala pa, ha?  

Ric Vergara, Calamba City: It’s a plausible slogan, but impossible to achieve. Ang sugpuin ang nakawan sa gobyerno ay suntok sa buwan!  

We were not born yesterday

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: In Biblical terms, it’s blasphemous. It’s sorely lacking in substance; very shallow. Has the party run out of ideas for a meaty battlecry? Perhaps, upon waking up one morning, its members suddenly found a halo upon their heads. While it is the party’s prerogative to retain its slogan, it is downright self-serving and undeniably presumptuous.  

Alex Katigbak, Parañaque City: We were not born yesterday. I still remember when people would say that the Nacionalista Party ay pala-pala kung humakot ng pera, pero ang Liberal ay kare-kareta! If all of them had not used their pork barrel during their congressional and senatorial terms, maniniwala pa kami, simply because Lacson said this pork barrel means corruption and we believe that.  

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: I find it absurd and ridiculous. Come on, puro ba santo ang mga taga-Liberal Party?  

Herculano Babatido, Misamis Oriental: Kawawa naman si Noynoy and Mar. They’re very desperate. May maniniwala ba na hindi magnanakaw ang mga iyan kapag nakaupo na sa pwesto?  

Never say never

Darlina May Pineda, Nueva Ecija: You can never say that you’ll not be blinded by money, because money makes the world go round!  

Doesn’t apply to the whole party

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Kay Noynoy lang ang slogan, hindi sa buong LP. Singular lang. Totoo naman, hindi ba? Hataw, Noy!  

Leonard Villa, Batac City: It’s catchy and practical and an offshoot of our hatred of rampant graft and corruption in government. The slogan clicks because Noynoy and Mar have clean records.  

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: I find LP’s slogan very idealistic. I believe in Noynoy’s integrity but I’m wary of some LP members.  

Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City: Based on their family background and the personalities of Noynoy and Mar, it is believable, but the question is, how about their appointed officials, if ever they both win?  

Felix Ramento, USA: It’s sloppy, but if it specifically refers to Noynoy and Mar, baka pwede pa. They should say so. As a party slogan, no puede, sirs.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: This slogan would refer more to Noynoy. The Aquinos are known to be upright, God-fearing, and not corrupt. Add to this, Mar Roxas, who has an untainted record.  

.  Romeo Coloma, Ilocos Norte: It’s a nice a slogan, but I hope that’s it and no other words are missing. How about “Hindi kami magnanakaw... sa ngayon“ or “Hindi kami lahat magnanakaw.” Noynoy or Mar can just simply say “Hindi ako magnanakaw,” but about the other members of the party? How sure are we that they are clean just like the others?

Just asking

Loi Castillo, Davao City: This kind of slogan will now keep their partymates at bay, especially those who give their party a bad reputation.  

Something to ponder on

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: The Liberal Party’s “Hindi kami magnanakaw” slogan is something we voters should ponder on in our selection of our incoming leaders.  

Dr. Dennis Acop, Baguio City: First, it sounds credible against the backdrop of its standard bearer, who is among the cleanest, if not the only one among politicians we have today. We certainly need men and women of integrity to be our political leaders now more than ever. Second, it is an indictment of the brand of political leaders we have today. It paints a grim scenario, indeed. Are we still serious about the business of public administration and governance, or is it really just about the old, sickening, and shallow worldly quest for power, fortune and fame at the expense of the public? Third, it’s a wake-up call for all citizens. The 2010 presidential elections is turning out to be a battle between what is right and wrong, between gimmickry and truth, what is honest and what is not. Finally, the slogan spells out in clear, direct, unequivocal language what Philippine politics has deteriorated into. After all is said and done, the elections is not so much about Noynoy, Villar, Erap, or Gibo as it is about what our values should be, but are not; what our systems ought to be, but cannot; what our institutions can be, but will not.  

Cedric Domingo, Metro Manila: It is indeed very good to know that they want to prove something to the Filipino people, something different from our government today. I hope it will not only remain a slogan.  

A cheap shot at the administration

R. Los Baños, Las Piñas City: It’s a cheap shot at the administration, which, by inference, they are trying to paint as thieves. Party stalwarts see no need to focus on their bet’s qualities as he only has a few anyway. They are probably confident that Ninoy and Cory Aquino’s memory alone will carry the day for them. I hope they’re wrong.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: The LP’s slogan is intended to lower and destroy a man’s dignity. It is nothing but pure arrogance and disrespect. It’s an offensive, defamatory assertion.  

It’s all rhetorics

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: The slogan has various connotations, depending on how it is read in public. There is nothing new about the kind of governance it expects to espouse.  

It’s rhetorics. Noynoy may not steal but we should be wary of the people behind him; some of their candidates have had corruption cases at the Sandiganbayan.  Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite

Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City: It reminds me of then US Pres. Richard Nixon’s “I’m not a crook!” just before his forced resignation over Watergate.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Negative “hindi” and negative “magnanakaw” equals positive. It could be better if they just used positive words such as “Mapanagutan kaming maglilingkod.”  

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Dictator Marcos had “Sa ika-uunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan” and he abused it. The convicted plunderer had “Erap para sa mahirap,” so he multiplied the mahirap. PGMA promised a Strong Republic, that she pardoned the arrogant and unrepentant convicted plunderer and pampered the Ampatuans. With the Liberal Party’s “Hindi kami magnanakaw,” ay naku po!  

It’s getting to be annoying

Norberto Robles, Taguig: The slogan is shallow and petty. The Liberal Party’s campaign strategy of hatred and of good versus evil is wearing a bit thin and getting annoying.  

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Ill-conceived, always trying to connect Noynoy to a saintly mother. How about the infamous Kamaganak Inc.? Let the guy be on his own.  

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: You don’t have to flaunt it if you’re not a thief. I see no finesse in this empty, holier-than-thou slogan.  

Too good to be true

Evangeline Matias, Nueva Ecija: The Liberal Party’s slogan is impossible to do. We couldn’t erase from our history that corruption is one of the biggest problems that our country is facing up to now. They shouldn’t make people expect the impossible.  

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: The slogan is too good to be true. In a sense, let’s all wait and see. This could be the start of something new in Philippine politics.  

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Really? It leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It may be said of a few, but not everyone in their party is that immaculate. How could they pontificate that way?  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: The slogan can be interpreted two ways. 1. We are not thieves; 2. We will not steal. The first one may be true, but I am just wary about the second.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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