What can you say about rumors of a conspiracy to manipulate the results of the May 2010 polls?

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: These are just rumors. If the Comelec really wants honest elections, it should be more vigilant and systematic in addressing previously acknowledged problem areas and procedures. It’s also everyone’s responsibility.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan De Oro City: Putting more color in an already colorful election exercise does not make the picture any more beautiful. It is expected from all sorts of think tanks out to put people on the edge.

Such rumors are disturbing

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Such rumors are certainly disturbing.  Any denial of its existence from PGMA and her cohorts will be met with total disbelief since it is public knowledge that she is apprehensive about facing numerous court cases when she leaves Malacañang at the end of her term. As she was assisted by Garci and Bedol in her past electoral stints, such rumors will be regarded as credible.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Knowing how cunning PGMA is and her wish to stay in power, everything is possible.

Recent events validate this rumor

Bernard Nillo, La Union: A grand conspiracy to manipulate the result of the 2010 polls is not just another rumor; it’s a known fact.

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: Recent events tend to validate this rumor. First, the power shortage in Mindanao. We all know that our country experiences a dry spell every summer and yet, why are we giving the President emergency powers now? We should have prepared for this long before the coming of summer. Then came the appointment of a new Armed Forces Chief of Staff. Bangit is the head of the PSG, long associated with the President. With Mindanao, known as the hotbed of election anomalies, and some areas in Luzon and in the Visayas facing a possible power blackout on election day and with Bangit heading the Armed Forces, coupled with a Comelec that is perceived to be biased in favor of the administration, would it be surprising if people believe this rumor? I don’t think so.

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: It’s not a rumor. It has factual basis and we should be vigilant about the moves of GMA and her plan of becoming a holdover president if a failure of elections does happen with the endless problems the Comelec is facing.

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: It’s always possible as long as the Arroyo administration is still in Malacañang. Another scenario that would be related to this conspiracy theory is making Gibo rank closer to No.1 in the surveys a few days before the elections. Watch out for this scenario. It can happen if the people are not vigilant. Remember, the people involved in the 2004 national elections are still around and Malacañang has appointed them to different sensitive positions.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: Conspiracies are mostly rumors that are very difficult to disprove or prove. But in our beautiful country, anything is possible. During PGMA’s tenure of more than nine years, she garnered vast resources and enough loyalties from selected influential individuals from legislative, judiciary, police, military, and business entities to produce results of whatever grand design she is planning. It has been alleged that the 2004 poll was manipulated, so it’s possible that it can be done again.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: With the “Hello, Garci?” scandal still hounding GMA, with Puno and Gonzales on standby and Bangit now in place, the stage looks set for another deception.

Ed Alawi, Davao City: The grand conspiracy rumor could be real. Why else is PGMA going abroad despite the fact that there are only 57 days left before she steps down?

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City:  I sincerely believe that this is not just a rumor. There is a 95-per cent possibility of a grand conspiracy to manipulate election results starting on the day this automation was envisioned. With First Gentleman Mike Arroyo activating his “dirty tricks department”, the plan is already in place. God bless the Philippines!

Cris Rivera, Rizal: The stigma Garci left in 2004 on PGMA government’s facade and the dubious rehiring of retired generals for civilian duties fan these rumors.

We’re just being paranoid

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: People who circulate this kind of rumor are paranoid. They are the “sala sa lamig, sala sa init” kind.

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: GMA is not that stupid. Besides, vigilant Filipinos won’t allow it. We are just being paranoid.

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: Rumors of a grand conspiracy to manipulate the results of the May 2010 polls are just a manifestation of the paranoia that is very prevalent among candidates during election time. They always feel that rival candidates are out to destroy them. They should see a psychiatrist to help them cope with the rigors and stress of the elections.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Those rumors come from insecure oppositionists who have nothing to do but spread lies instead of helping us have free, orderly and honest election.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: That’s just one example of how paranoid some politicians and people are about automated elections. They want to make others doubt its validity.

Elmo Cruz, Manila: This is another product of the wild imaginations of the paranoid detractors of PGMA. If they have evidence to prove their allegation, they should bring it up with the Comelec and even up to the Supreme Court to punish the guilty parties. Otherwise, they should keep their mouths shut and stop campaigning for their election.

It’s a baseless rumor

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: This particular rumor was created by lunatics. It is an advanced confession of defeat or failure; a premature apologia.

Pat Cuilan, Benguet:  Hopefully, this baseless rumor, which is impossible, given all safeguards, will not serve as an excuse for losers to abuse democracy.

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: It is just a plain rumor, nothing more; a product of the wild imagination of opposition candidates who are so paranoid and fearful about the administration candidates’ possible victory in the coming polls. During election time, it is just normal for all these kinds of stories and black propaganda to come out, either to influence or to confuse the people.

Janet Lopez, Manila:  This is just a kwentong kutsero rumor, bearing the carbon footprint of its prime mover’s talpipe emissions.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: I believe the May 2010 elections will push through as scheduled and will be successful with only minor problems encountered. Our government is ready for any eventuality. Critics and those against the administration will do everything to distract the election and that is very alarming. I firmly believe that such rumors are a sham and should never be given any attention. Let’s all be optimistic that everything will be fine.

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: It is nothing but gossip created by rumormongers who just want to create a scenario of political instability in our country that they can use for their own vested personal interests.

Who’s behind these rumors?

Denny Bordon Munoz, Manila: Grand conspiracies are usually orchestrated not by local politicians but by a powerful country closely allied with a developing or developed country. In the case of the Philippines case, this election conspiracy theory must be CIA-inspired. 

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: This is another invention of rumor mongers who want to make spreading bizarre situations a cottage industry to bolster memberships of organizations allegedly designed to fight election cheating with the ulterior motive of using it for the election of a particular candidate.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: Such rumors could only come from paranoid survey leaders who won’t accept that their ratings have peaked and have nowhere to go but down.

It conditions the minds of the public

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: This is another grand design to condition the minds of the people that the administration is bent on winning by manipulating the results of May 2010 elections despite it being automated. Should that be the case, they better pinpoint where, when and how it will be done so as to alert the people.

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Such rumors are designed to sow distrust in government institutions and thus promote selfish political agenda. It would be in vain if only government credibility existed. 

There must be a reason behind this

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: I want to believe that those who started it must surely have a purpose, that is, to discredit the Comelec; to tickle the people to be on their guard; or to make the Comelec stay alert and do a clean job in this coming political exercise, which will be crucial to the future of this nation. Of course, in some cases, the evil rumors are the works of pranksters who have nothing good to do and who simply delight in making other people unhappy, which will dissipate after the damage is already inflicted and done.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: If you look closely, we can infer the following objectives: First, to preempt or frustrate it, if ever the grand design is true. Di na itutuloy dahil buking na. Second, to condition the minds of the public and create a scenario that if the color yellow or orange becomes light green in May, there was cheating and manipulation. In short, they want a repeat of what happened after the snap elections of 1986. However, it could also be possible that the rumor is the handiwork of the dirty tricks department of the administration to induce chaos and disorder due to failure of elections. Before we know it, PGMA will still be ruling beyond June 30 to contain “widespread violence”. Brace yourselves. The worst is yet to come.

What we need is prayer power!

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: These are not rumors but plans by the evil conspirators. Prayer brigades lang ang katapat nila. Good will prevail!

The allegations are credible

Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City: Credible, given the obvious maneuvers of those who’ve much to gain from a failure of elections. Hope I’m wrong.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Desperate groups who are hounded by their sins to the Filipino people can make desperate moves, including trying to manipulate the result of the coming elections.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: That has been planned for a long time in order to save GMA. Pro-administration candidates will emerge victorious in the polls as money will be the name of the game. Wala din naman delicadeza dito. Hindi nga ba hindi siya nag-leave even if she’s running for Congress? What can we do about it? Wala naman di ba? That is the problem with us. We know we’re being duped but we just accept it as fate.

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: If it’s a rumor, then it must be true. I would not be surprised if it happens because it’s only normal in Philippine elections.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: There’s always a grain of truth to such rumors, because Garci clones don’t simply die; they mutate to serve their master. Right, thinking Filipinos?

Col. Dennis Acop, Ret., Baguio City: How can we not believe it can happen or at least not discount it? First, election cheating is not something new to the Philippines, or to other countries, for that matter. It has happened before, it can happen again. Second, the Arroyo administration is a corrupt administration among the worst this country has ever had as has become common knowledge and publicly documented. Third, PGMA or her lapdog minions have not been discreet about their lust for continued power beyond 2010! For one, the pork-powered Congress has have been railroading the amendment of the once- sacred Constitution just to institutionalize their hold on power. Second, even the once revered Supreme Court has lost its independence when it comes to ruling whether incumbents can run or simply asserting itself for the common good. Third, the once-respected Comelec has become a joke, sweeping under the rug accusations of corruption against it; disqualifying opposition candidates just before the elections; and of course people are not surprised if it becomes complicit once again in frustrating the sovereign will (mark my word); etc. Fourth, the AFP and PNP have proven themselves to truly be “yes men”.

We should remain vigilant

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: This will go far if people allow it to happen, but are we going to let others taint our good intentions? We should be watchful at all times. This is one of our duties and responsibilities under a democratic form of government. Everyone’s constant concern is highly solicited. Come out and join this crusade to be guardians of our elections come May 2010.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: The electorate and civil society will not allow the manipulation of the results of the May 2010 polls, if indeed there is such a grand conspiracy.

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: God forbid that the poll results would be manipulated. The Filipino people are ticking time bombs waiting to explode.

This is politics, Philippine-style

E. Linsangan, Isabela: Rumors of manipulating the results of the May 2010 polls are only part of politics, Pinoy style. Better ignore it.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: It’s election season. Every politician running has an issue to play around with. The more controversial it is, the better for publicity and media mileage. If the Arroyo administration is really concocting a grand conspiracy to thwart the will of the electorate, it is only digging its own grave further into the dustbins of history. But if those who peddle these rumors are just in it to sow chaos, confusion and mind-conditioning in order to promote their hidden sinister agenda, then these people do not have the interest of the nation in mind, but their own selfish motives.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I’m sick and tired of political issues. They’re doing everything just to win.

Felix Ramento, USA: What’s new? Don’t we normally encounter this kind of rumor every election time?

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Rumors of grand conspiracies and cheating to manipulate poll results sprout like mushrooms during elections. These are nothing new and I’m no longer surprised.

We must bring back trust in government

Nony de Leon, Malolos City: I hope the loss of trust in our government institutions, engendered by these tall tales, will not be so irreparable as to make us more ungovernable. This new anti-GMA conspiracy tale is the latest chapter in the fictional epic that began in 2003. It is authored by rabid anti-government forces and amplified by their allies in media as the truth. Most of these gossips are later shown to be false but by then the damage had been done.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: These are the kinds of rumors that lead our country backwards. Let us have faith in ourselves and trust the May 10 election.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Skeptics abound due to the manipulation of election results in the past, which has triggered a national phobia among Filipinos. We have yet to see credible Philippine elections.

The Comelec must guard the polls

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Whether there’s a rumor or not, Comelec should stand guard and prevent any attempt to discredit the May 2010 elections. In the meantime, as responsible citizens, we should extend a hand to Comelec, if needed.

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: It’s a possibility, but the Comelec, AFP and PNP are duty-bound to make sure that elections push through as scheduled to make democracy work for the Filipino people.

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: The Comelec has a constitutional duty to enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election and to deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for the purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Those rumor mongerers should trust the Comelec who are doing their best to have clean and orderly polls. Itong mga mongerers ba mapagkatiwalaan?

Mark Kevin Santos, Nueva Ecija: These rumors might be true. Now that we are about to experience automated elections, the results of which are hard to change, a group of cheaters will regroup just to change the overall scenario of the election. The Comelec must take the appropriate action or else automated elections may not be successful.

Automation will prevent cheating

Dante de los Reyes, Bacolod City: It’s different now that we have automated elections because we can generate election results electronically and without human intervention. During the last elections, the manipulation of results was rampant because of the manual counting system. If there will be any cheating, it would be minimal and would not affect the results of elections.

Ric Vergara, Calamba: The threat to manipulate polls is always there but our computerized polls this May will help contain the problem.

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: Well, they are rumors, aren’t they? But the coming election will be automated, so manipulation is far-fetched unless we connive with the Comelec, right?

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