Big Winners

All hail to the power of  machine! Complete canvassing of votes  has probably been done now as nine leading senators were already proclaimed. That’s big win for the entire Filipino people too. And true that this election was literally the hottest as more than 800 voters suffered  heat stroke one registered dead, 19 dead in election-related incidents and all that but it seems the bottom line is: it was still  generally triumphant! But I hope the brain behind those machines would provide us ample  PCOS units   next election to  secure all if not majority of voters registered  specially those comprising demographic population of the  elderly and disabled  who suffered self-disenfranchisement  resulting from  long hours of queuing up. As they lose their patience, so too of their votes roughly 2-8 million  estimates wasted  away what otherwise would have strengthen all the more our democracy adding more numbers providing majority rules specially on the still contested Vice Presidency and numbers 10-12 Senatorial slate.

Voting in one precinct covering 5-6 polling places was obviously unbearable. If the mature ones  were not even able to survive, how much more to the most senior. Standing 3-4 hours there as Noynoy himself experienced was indeed great disservice. That gesture was just unfortunate. It didn’t show respect to the aged and disabled, not auguring well the promise of efficiency poll automation suggests,  a no-no attitude and taboo. Glitches was a valid excuse also  for people in a hurry. Not to be hypocrite, I probably would have cracked under pressure too  and have  given away my vote had the poll watcher did not accommodate me voting early as I’m on my way as PPCRV pollwatcher volunteer in far away Impahanong in Malitbog unfortunately aborted by bad weather.

 Major victory for Philippine democracy, is how Chair Wrecker William M. Esposo himself true blooded Noynoy Aquino media ally of the Phil. Star puts it over this kind of first ever successful poll automation. But hold on  before we would be drowned inebriated by its success drinking like Russians or Knight Templars as if there would no longer be no tomorrow, Columnist Esposo warns and reminds that it’s time to take cognizance of “emancipating our benighted and exploited nation” whatever he means.

In sum, we have seen, experienced and witnessed it all. And it is now for the books.  The just concluded election was generally successful political exercise and probably will remain as GMA’s best legacy to the Filipino people now that she’s leaving Malacañang.

Thanks for Dick Gordon and Teddy Locsin who made Poll Automation law  possible. The counting is not yet over but cheers. Why not. By all indications, it’s simply unprecedented supported by incontrovertible proof that indeed  yes the Filipinos really can, a fact validated and  noted by foreign observers. This notwithstanding the problem seen  in Lanao del Sur and other ARMM municipalities.

 The people were generally the big winners for this.  But who’s the biggest if not Noynoy Aquino and his slate whose sentimental journey on the crest of yellow ribbon made his way all the way into Malacanang.

The institution church too the likes of INC what with Noynoy sure win in presidential derby at the expense of big loser Manny Villar and all the way down  who put their money where their ambitions were. But what now to their support to  Mar Roxas not enough of saving and swinging the victory for their protégée. Where is now their vaunted solid votes for him unfortunately still being clobbered in the polls by PMP Jejomar Binay. Their votes too in local polls spelled out the difference. Their votes for instance estimated to be at least 6,000 assuming 60% voted out of their 10,000 voting population sealed the fate of  Klarex Uy

Apparent biggest winners too in this election was dynasty which saw many families either ruling over the control of politics in national and local offices.  There are too many of them. And what about of the resurgence of  Marcoses in Ilocos Region, the Dy’s of Isabela, Binay’s of Makati. And as there was just no way of defeating the rage of the machine the people in Maguindanao has spoken, it is apparent that Toto Mangundadatu’s time has come and those of the Ampatuans fast eclipsing. It is just hope that this is for good for now as development in other areas are yet to be vindicated. Had it been manual counting, this cheating capital of the country would have staged another miracle in the poll Manny Pacman Pacquiao star is also rising in Saranggani.  See how the power of poll automation helps. But otherwise, no way. As Dick Gordon says it all: “Faster count, no time to cheat, no protests, no conflicts, no need for watchers and  teachers have an easier time.” But it is hoped that those from ARMM and other hotspots would be remedied as complete canvassing of votes are yet to be received in this area.

In the local fronts we are of course witnessing the consolidation of power of the Zubiri’s in Bukidnon, Romualdo in Camiguin, Emano of Cagayan de Oro and Duterte in
Davao.

 Big losers are of course non in  that they claimed that they were only cheated.  But thanks that the likes of Manny Villar, Gibo Teodoro accepted their defeat officially sans griping. The rest simply sourgraping. But who knows that there’s ground for PMS charge of Hocus PCOS and of Madrigal’s group on Electric Garci. But that could be another issue. For now it is hoped that there would be respect of the people’s mandate so the nation could move on.