Got an email today with a link to Pulse Asia's latest survey on the 2010 elections. I offer below my take and analysis of the survey's content. A copy of the artivel/results can be accessed through this link, courtesy of the FTV Network (http://firsttimevotersproject.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/pulse-asias-february-2009-nationwide-survey-on-the-may-2010-elections/).
The first batch of result say that around 65% of Filipinos believe the 2010 elections will push through. Count me in with that 65%. I don't think people and civil soceity groups will allow a no-election scenario to push through. Besides, if GMA attempts such a move, then she'd be pushing the limits of Filipino's patience, then perhaps she'll get a taste of the wrath and anger welling up in most people's hearts and minds (more on this in another entry).
The next batch of results are more interesting, talking about the possible presidentiables. I expected VP Noli de Castro to still be on top. What surprised me was the 2-3 position of Sen. Escudero and former Pres Erap, respectively. Seems as though Chiz is still quite popular among voters, even though he is a newby senator. However, I think it is too early for him to run as pres, may be VP or even another term as Senator. Also, he might not be ready to become most powerful person in this country.
In Erap's case, I really, really doubt if he can stil run as Pres. In my humble law student opinion, and from my learnings as a student of Fr Joaquin Bernas and Atty. Sedfrey Candelaria in Constitutional Law, he can't run anymore as the Constitution bars a person ELECTED as President from running again as Pres. He can run for VP, Senator, Mayor, even Brgy Capt of Greenhills, but not as President. The constitution does not make a distinction on whether the person finishes or not his or her term. The only condition for the restriction to set-in is when the person is ELECTED as president. So Mr. Erap, I think it would be a good time to stop telling your opposition friends that you'll run for pres if they won't unite and work together.
One more thing to note about the presidentiables. I'm quite surprised to see Mr Palengke Mar Roxas only in 6th place, despite all the publicity and media attention he's gathering now and in the past few months. Maybe he's doing something wrong, or perhaps he's doing it too much that the people who supported him as senator are being turned off. Points to ponder on Mr Senator.
Moving on to the results for the senatoriables survey, some interesting names popped up. Jinggoy Estrada topped the list, making him sure for a 1, 2 or 3 finish. Sen. Miriam's re-election bid would be a success, and so will a possible comeback by former Sen Drilon if he chooses to do so. Former senators Serge Osmena and Ralph Recto could also make a possible re-entry into the halls of the Senate. Interestingly, Edu Manzano and Korina Sanchez are placed in a good position to become senators. I guess TV and media really will bring you a long way, with all the exposure that you'd be getting. No wonder why VP Noli is poised to possibly become our next Pres, with the good run he had as anchor of TV Patrol and the good old days of Magandang Gabi Bayan. Not much new names popped up in the possible winners, I guess it's because it's too early to say who will run for senator. Perhaps in the next few months, more names will emerge and join the the circus that is the Philippine elections.
Survey says this and says that. It may be right and it may be wrong. It may even end up giving people an idea of who to support: as they say, some politicians actually commission surveys and ask that the results put them on top, because voters sometimes tend to be swayed by these results, somewhat similar to peer pressure. I guess this highlights the importance of educating our voters and giving them the opportunity to know their candidates well. A well-informed citizenry, I believe, is one of the first important steps that we need to atke for our country to be able to solve our problems. Good people electing good leaders will eventually lead to good plans and results.
More on this in the coming weeks and months ahead. Here's to hoping that we don't have another circus for an election.
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