Exodus to GMA?

I also agree with Manila Times Publisher Dante Ang as elucidated by my colleague Bel Cunanan that the early race for the May elections may be over, except for the counting, in light of the exodus of political leaders and their followers to the GMA Camp.

I went around two weeks ago – visiting palengkes, depressed communities, barbershops and beauty parlors, and riding jeeps, buses and taxis after the results of the opinion surveys of Pulse Asia and SWS were published to have a feel for myself how the "common people" think of the candidates for president. I noticed that while they may be poor, they are educated enough to understand some of the important qualities needed for a candidate to run and be President of the country.

Many of them have read or heard or watched the results of opinion surveys in newspapers, radio and on TV. Many of them also expressed doubt about the results of the opinion surveys that were showing that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was leading, and could have won, if the elections were held during the time the surveys were done.

But when I went around again two days ago, and asked people (not the same persons I met two weeks earlier) if they watched Fernando Poe on TV during the interview made by Philippine STAR publisher and columnist Max Soliven, many of them said they did, but were puzzled that Mr. Poe was not able to answer directly and intelligently the questions posed. They emphasized that "one-liners" are not enough, and are indicative of the lack of ability of Mr. Poe to respond to important and relevant questions that affect our country. I did not ask who they will vote for, but I am beginning to believe that the Filipino electorate is becoming mature, and this will immensely help further the inevitable election of GMA.

The frequency of political surveys is helping provide voters a glimpse into the place or rank of presidential aspirants in the coming elections. The surveys have been conducted from statistically selected random samples of 1,300 respondents all over the country – scientific undertakings that have a plus or minus three percent standard error of estimate. Unfortunately however, many people do not understand how these opinion surveys or scientific tools are done, and there is always doubt about the veracity, accuracy or reliability of the results depending on what side of the political spectrum one belongs. For instance, fanatic supporters of Mr. Fernando Poe will not and can not believe or accept the reality that if the elections were held during the time the last surveys were conducted, he could have lost the election.

On the other hand, and more than just depending on opinion survey results, respondents who give their opinions without actually seeing the subject of the polls, can actually see and observe what a presidential candidate has to offer. The TV camera does not lie. For instance, Fernando Poe’s simplistic "one-line" answers to important and relevant questions and issues posed by Mr. Soliven at ABS-CBN, made people wonder if Mr. Poe can really run the affairs of the country if he is elected president. Ping Lacson did a lot better in the second interview of Mr. Soliven and Pinky Webb. Ping talked more sense, although it may be late for him or any of the other opposition candidates to displace GMA as frontrunner in the coming elections based on the mood of the nation today.

Every year, the UNIFEM Philippine Committee celebrates International Women’s Day in collaboration with UNIFEM New York. This year, UNIFEM and Zonta Foundation Philippines will jointly celebrate the occasion tomorrow, March 10, at the Manila Polo Club at 4 p.m. The theme will be "Celebrating Progress in Women’s Lives."

Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Alberto will be the guest of honor and speaker. Nena del Rosario-Villanueva, a renowned pianist, will perform.

Georgitta Pimental Puyat is the UNIFEM Philippine Committee president.

Also tomorrow, the Coalition for Youth Productivity Project and a roundtable discussion on the issue of productivity of disadvantaged youth, especially young women, will be launched. Venue will be the lecture room of Consuelo Foundation at the Citibank tower in Makati City.

The project is a partnership between Consuelo Foundation, Levi Strauss Foundation, and five technical institutions in Metro Manila. The project seeks to develop technical employment or self-employment, life skills, including health and sexuality, and character and leadership for community involvement of disadvantaged out-of-school youth. It also aims to involve government, civil society, and business sectors.

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