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WHAT went wrong?

The amalgamation of ideas from various civil society, politicians and volunteers has caused an internal "struggle of perspective" in Sen. Noynoy Aquino’s presidential campaign, according to Liberal Party campaign manager Florencio "Butch" Abad.

A discussion on how Aquino’s presidential campaign is being run by his political strategists and handlers came in the wake of a drop in his approval rating and a sudden rise in that of Sen. Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party.

The latest Pulse Asia survey showed Aquino with 37 percent against the 35 percent of Villar who has bombarded the television industry with "his millions, or probably billions, worth of advertisements."

"I’m sure there was a struggle of perspective on how to run the campaign," he told a TV interview. "That’s the nature of the animal (the new LP)."

Abad, former Batanes representative and education secretary, said that during one of their brainstorming meetings a few months ago, one of the "purists" in the group even went as far as starting a debate on whether Aquino should place political advertisements in media.

"We should understand that there are purists who come from the ranks of non-conventional NGO groups (in the LP)," he said. "Many people who want to help are non-traditionalists and un-conventional who are entering a conventional arena (election)."

One of the known LP members from civil society is former social welfare secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman who, along with Abad and other key officials, defected from the Arroyo administration in 2005.

Abad said the conservatives thought there was no need for Aquino to engage in a traditional political campaign because it was a "people’s campaign and they will go out of their way (for Noynoy)."

He said the idea did not sit well with pragmatic politicians and when Villar "revved up" his campaign through a storm of advertisements and the use of TV personalities, they knew there was something wrong with the direction they were bringing the campaign to.

The former congressman said the sudden surge in Villar’s rating prompted them to review their objectives, Last Sunday, they spent the day focusing on how Aquino’s anti-graft and corruption message will be better sent across.

"We are in the process of focusing and sharpening our message in terms of translation, visuals and language," he said.

Abad also disclosed that a new TV campaign ad will soon come out, focusing on what the Filipino people should expect to get if they vote for Aquino.

"We’ll clarify the message like when we vote for Noynoy, this is what it means...that’s the kind of emotional connection we want (to achieve)," he said.

Abad also dismissed Villar’s anti-poverty campaign, saying it is only an offshoot of a societal disease which is graft and corruption.

While Aquino does not micromanage his campaign, Abad said, his sisters led by Kris are regularly being consulted by party leaders on matters concerning fund disbursements and image packaging.

Abad said since they need someone to run their communications division fully time, Yolly Ong was replaced by Maria Montelibano who, at first, was just helping the LP in the field.

He said they have also agreed to zero in on the grassroots level by rallying their local government counterparts to help them in the provinces and far-flung towns which are being capitalized on by both Villar and Gilbert Teodoro, the administration standard-bearer.

Abad, however, said that while the "euphoria" caused by former President Corazon Aquino’s death may have already settled down, he does not believe that the "Cory magic" has waned.

The former Arroyo ally said they trust in the wisdom of the Filipino people in choosing Noynoy for not being a corrupt politician. "That (message) resonates so strongly," he said.

"We’ll not lose. I don’t think so. We’ve been leading from the start and we still are despite everything that has been thrown at us, including the kitchen sink," he said.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, campaign manager of the LP senatorial slate, said they have divided the 12 into two groups – the "anti-corruption" and the "anti-poverty" team.

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon leads the anti-corruption team along with Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III, Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros, detained former Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, lawyer Alexander "Pinoy" Lacson, and women and Muslim rights advocate Jasmin Busra-Lao.

The anti-poverty team is led by former senator and socio-economic secretary Ralph Recto who is joined by former Bukidnon congressman Neric Acosta, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, Sonia Roco, Dr. Martin Bautista, and former senator Sergio Osmeña III.

The LP camp criticized Villar, saying his "dismal attendance record" at the Senate showed his "priority of ambition above service."

Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Villar "should be the last person to speak on the issue of competence and service toward country."

"His Senate record clearly shows that of all the senators, he has the worst attendance record. What kind of competence does Villar boast about when he was only present in 15 Senate sessions? And of those sessions, he was late 12 times, while his colleagues burned the midnight oil over important matters of state," Lacierda said.

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