SURVEYS DON’T COUNT!

“Swindled Ratings”

It is funny how clichés work in politics, especially with the statement that goes like “magnanakaw galit sa kapwa magnanakaw”. The brothel-like Senate floor that is now housing senators who are either aiming for the presidency or another “senate-ship” is this cliché’s rendezvous. In fact, the word war between Senators Noynoy Aquino and Manuel Villar is one vivid example. Just imagine how Aquino easily trashed the Social Weather Station (SWS) when it published Villar’s commissioned survey result that trimmed-down LP presidentiable’s lead to 11%. Interestingly, SWS is the same survey outfit that disclosed Aquino’s lead on the presidential race for months. This was the exact ratio LP boasted on its regional campaigns, the very number that actually made Aquino look “all high and mighty” on public favoritism.

If the SWS are presenting nothing but good old trash in public, then are those ratings enjoyed by Aquino also superficial? That they do not count as factual but else propaganda paid for by LP’s “financiers”? Like what Sen. Noy said, manipulating the results is as easy as “stealing candies from kids”. Now, who can tell if LP’s margin of supremacy is indeed genuine? The former surveys nevertheless served well for his advantage, especially on having the mass think that voting with the majority that supports Aquino would be a better choice to take.

By far, surveys are nothing less than numbers that seemingly stand as a majority. Ironically, these phony ratings are good mind conditioners that actually mislead people to who is best voted for Malacañang. What the “majority” thinks as portrayed by these surveys matter to the eyes of the unwary Juan dela Cruz. The top ratings actually sanctify these presidentiables and make them look “good” regardless of whichever TRAPO they are link with. Take for example the case of Villar, who seemingly got necks turning his direction when he managed to dwindle-down Aquino’s supposed preeminence in the ratings. The Nacionalista-funded survey that reflected good ratings for Villar posed as if the “majority” is swaying their votes.

This is the sole reason why LP particularly Sen. Aquino cannot keep mum. He knows pretty well how public mindset easily bends. LP manages to use the masses’ volatility to ratings and it is no secret they would unlikely stand aside and have NP mess with their tactics. Frankly speaking, this is why Aquino tactlessly tossed-out SWS out the window with his remark unquote “…there are surveys that can be bought in Quiapo.” Survey outfits like SWS seemingly lost their significance on LP by the time they opened their doors for Villar.

“Ang magnanakaw galit sa kapwa magnanakaw”; this is a statement that works well with the word war between LP and NP. Surveys do not make a president, our votes do.