The results of the SWS survey on Sept. 5 and 6 in the so-called Dagupan-Lucena corridor, which includes Metro Manila, squarely placed Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the undisputed front-runner for next year’s presidential elections. Noynoy obtained 50% of the tally, a commanding lead that will be hard to overcome given the static nature of voter preferences, while erstwhile leader Senator Manny Villar getting only 14% and comebacking former President Joseph Erap Estrada with 13%. Senator Chiz Escudero placed third with 12% while incumbent Vice President Noli de Castro was at a poor fifth with 7%.
All of a sudden, Noynoy Aquino was yanked from the shadows and thrust into the center stage as the symbol of hope for the aspirations of most Filipino voters to see change in the political landscape. Before Noynoy’s name was placed on the survey form, the presidential race was almost even among the top contenders, notably Villar, de Castro, Estrada, Escudero, Roxas and Legarda. Apparently, the death of Noynoy’s mother, former President Corazon Aquino, ignited a revolution of minds, which swiftly became a national conflagration calling for change. Noynoy found himself picked as the leader for this peaceful uprising, in the same way his late mother was 23 years ago.
The nation has been plunged into another era of darkness, one that is worse than martial law. The looting of the public treasury has become an ordinary past time for the first family and their subalterns. An arrogant disregard for the law is the official attitude. Extravagance and profligacy are not shunned in official conduct, but even flaunted (who says a P1 million dinner tab is expensive? Not in the Arroyo administration!). Corruption is regarded as a badge of honor, no longer shameful in the minds of those in power.
Filipinos are a patient people. But enough is enough. And the death of Tita Cory shook everybody back into their senses. A sleeping giant has been awakened. And the torch that Tita Cory had carried two decades ago was relit, and her son Noynoy reluctantly had to accept the role as its bearer. Change is what the people want. And Noynoy Aquino is the man who will lead the nation to make that change happen!
Shortly after Tita Cory was buried, 3rd district Rep. Arthur Defensor Sr. haughtily belittled the “Cory magic”, saying it has lost its power to influence the outcome of the next electoral exercise. He boasted that the money and machinery of the Arroyo administration will dominate the elections, and the forces of evil will prevail. Defensor laughed and sneered at the idea that the woman who gave him his biggest break in politics can still sway which way Filipinos will vote. Defensor might have laughed his last. That’s because the people have found the man who will lead them in this march for change.
I will make a fearless forecast — the results of the SWS survey in the vote-rich Dagupan-Lucena corridor (including Metro Manila) early this month will take firm hold as the months slip by and bring the nation closer to the elections. In Iloilo province, I would place Noynoy at 60% at this time, with Villar maybe at 12%, Escudero at 10%.
The Liberal Party might not have the kind of money and machinery the Lakas-Kampi-CMD might have, but it has the burning desire for change in every Filipino that will propel Noynoy to victory along with the rest of the party.
Go Go Go Noynoy!