RedBlueThoughts

Its May 29, about 15 days after the elections. And the COMELEC is still counting. Charges of cheating are beginning to surface throughout the country, with both political camps, GO and Team Unity hurling accusations against each other. As of this writing, COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento just resigned as Task Force Maguindanao head. Sources say, Sarmiento succumbed to pressures from Malacanang to ensure a 12-0 victory in Mindanao. Why did Sarmiento resigned? Sarmiento reportedly resigned due to rampant cheating in Mindanao. And we are talking about 100,000 to 1 million votes which could make or break the fortunes or future of a senatorial candidate.

That’s on the national scale. How about its impact on the local front? Losing local bets could use this as an occasion to question the proclamation of the winning bets and it could prolong this. Political instability will definitely set in and could upset the “Powers-That-Be”.

Moral/Ethics

I am not concerned with the political impact of these things. I am more concerned about the values that we, in this generation, would impart on the successor generation. What values are we to give them now? That it is okey for somebody to cheat and get away with it? That it is okey to cry foul even if we are defeated?

Our actions today will definitely shape the future direction of our country. If our generation right now acts like this, expect a bigotted and worse state of affairs in the coming years.

In every village here, thousands, err, millions of posters mark every nook and cranny in the country. Its like fiesta. This fiesta, however, is one you’ll surely hate. For it involves death, destruction, gory, bloody.

Mike Enriquez said, Philippine elections is one of the most unique political phenomenon in the world. Why? Well, it needs for the AFP to call for a red alert. Today, AFP Chief Esperon called every able-bodied soldier to stand by and defend the Republic or the Filipino People should there be violence on Monday.

Fearless Forecast

The Opposition will be dumb-struck when they hear this—most TU bets will clinch the Magic 12. Yes. I am not a GMA ass-licker but I see that TU bets will mostly likely win this elections.

First, I believe in what Fel Maragay wrote in his column that historically, administration bets win in midterm elections. Analysts are right in saying that the well oiled grassroots machinery of the administration will save the day for doomed TU bets.

Second, I believe that TU’s deeply entrenched influence in COMELEC will work wonders come election time. Look at what happened to this Lady Senator who placed well below the Magic Circle pre-election period then streaked up the winning circle…eventually….after allegedly paying for the votes in Mindanao!

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a dramatic rise of election-related violence in the country. Since January, a total of 125 election-related violence had occurred throughout the country, translate: 4 incidents every day. Observers say, this is the most violent election in Philippine history since the Marcos era.

What’s more, it seems that the State is using this to justify calling the State security agencies. What is the internal motivations for this?

I think that the State is planning to counter any moves for its ouster. The Opposition right now is perceived as weak. Doronila in his column said that the Opposition failed to mobilize public sentiments against the State, which, i think is an underestimation of the Opposition. Yes, in political terms, the moves of the Opposition lacks clear direction. By emphasizing on its strength in the Senate race, it somewhat abandoned its Congressional base which is quite crucial to any moves at impeaching the President. Conversely, the administration party made its grassroots machinery more potent and lethal. By admitting defeat in the Congressional and local fronts, the Opposition committed a faux pas. If, for example, the administration does massive cheating, it can always say that the victory of its bets was assured by its vaunted local grassroots machinery.

I think the State wants to impose emergency rule after the elections. If its bets fail to bag a substantial number in the legislative and local executive posts, it can always call upon the military and declare emergency rule citing failure of elections due to violence. Such moves may be considered ill-advised. But, self-preservation can always be invoked by the State.

The Opposition should ensure that it has the power or the capability to mobilize people as a counter-measure. But, by the looks of it, the opposition is a splintered lot. This elections further deepened the animosities between the Erap camp and the so-called “reformists”. (Erap camp-close associates and supporters of ex-president Estrada while the “reformists” are composed of former EDSA 2 leaders or ex-GMA officials). This elections is slowly uncovering the real character of these “Oppositionists”.