***

Apparently the conscience votes won over the command votes. If this trend continues, it would indicate that the voters have awakened from a long stupor. Media can take a bow for this welcome development. Can Malacañang take a dose of its own medicine? In effect, there was a clear reply of GO spokesman Adel Tamano to presidential adviser on political affairs Gabriel Claudio, who downgraded media quick-counts and the exit poll. Claudio accused the GO and media of trending and mind-conditioning. But if the results of the exit poll will be the other way around, it would elicit praises from the administration. That’s how the ball bounces.

***

Manny Pacquiao suddenly realized that the political ring is much more different and difficult than the boxing ring. In boxing, one has to focus only on one opponent. In politics, it is very much difficult to recognize who are your friends or enemies. What is most embarrassing is that Pacquiao, who is a macho, was knocked-out in the 1st round by incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio. By now, Pacquiao should know better.

***

The strong voter support for Trillanes is not due to political strength but it may be a sympathy vote because of his continued incarceration for alleged involvement in the Oakwood uprising in 2003. The Trillanes votes could be surprising to the government. But it might have been due to the failure of the government to grasp the consequences of the Trillanes detention. Perhaps, people are getting sick and tired of the government policy on uprising, rebellion, insurgency and coup attempt, especially in the case of rebels and activists who are charged with rebellion, or insurgency but whose court trials are delayed.

***

In an interview a few hours after the voting started last May 14, Virgilio "Hello Garci" Garcillano bade goodbye to politics. Even before the counting of votes was completed "Hello Garci" he conceded defeat in the 4th district of Bukidnon. But Garcillano already carved a name for himself in Philippine history. "Hello Garci" will live forever.

***

"Victory Joe" de Venecia made it again. He was re-elected congressman of the 4th district of Pangasinan with a big margin. I never had any doubt about his winning the most hotly contested political fight of his life against Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim. Joe de Vs’ triumph was a victory for a battle-scarred politician. Earlier before the elections, I wrote that I was willing to bet my bottom peso that JDV will win. But nobody took me up.

***

It would take some time for Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim to realize the consequences of defeat in an election. In a media interview Lim said: "I received reports about our (supporters), especially young votes not able to cast their votes because their names were missing. We hear about soldiers who escorted people distributing money. We have evidence and witnesses who will come out to pursue the case."

***

With this development, don‘t expect political sniping in Dagupan City to stop. De Venecia and Lim accused each other of massive vote buying. I still have to hear stories about political candidates who did not indulge in vote-buying and electoral frauds like "Dagdag-Bawas". De Venecia said he will extend a reconciliatory hand to Lim. Lim said he was able to show the people the need of better governance.

***

As of this writing re-electionist Mayor Jessie Robredo of Naga City, who was disqualified by the Comelec, for lack of citizenship, was leading his rival Jojo Villafuerte. In the initial counting Robredo obtained 3,443 votes in 35 precincts as of May 15 for an early lead over his rival Jojo Villafuerte who got 992 votes. The city has 356 precincts and 70,572 registered voters. Robredo was a Ramon Magsaysay awardee in government service.

***

A Filipino correspondent based in New York received initial results of the mid-term polls in which majority of opposition candidates were among those in the magic 12. He commented that Filipino voters have shown that they are "very mature today." Would he have made the same comments if administration candidates dominated the senatorial race? Our voters are very mature if GO candidates win; not very mature if TU candidates win?

***

No barangay captain in Iloilo will receive the P10,000 cash gift from Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales for a 12-0 vote for Team Unity. A failure of delivery.

***

As early as 7 a.m. Nov. 14, Manila mayoralty bet Sen. Alfredo Lim received information that elections returns from precincts will be turned over to a spa clinic and switched with fake ones prior to canvassing at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. At 1 a.m. of Nov. 15 Sen. Lim was awakened by his supporters and informed about a possible arrival of election return documents in the spa, prompting him to immediately proceed to the place.

***

The video camera caught Sen. Lim and his supporters doing what they should, namely intercept what they thought was an act of election fraud. However, it turned out – at least from initial reports – that the spa was headquarters of mayoralty candidate Ali Atienza and the documents being received at the spa were the official copies of election returns of the dominant LP minority. I sympathize with Sen. Lim for what is now perceived to have been a mistaken action on his part. But I believe he did what was right for the occasion.

***

Also, I have to ask: Why was an Atienza headquarter situated within the Ninoy Aquino Stadium where official canvassing is to be held? If the returns were LP copies, why was it reported that election returns were being hand-carried from the spa to the canvassing area? The incident deserves a deeper probe.

***

The day after elections, President Macapagal-Arroyo herself said she "extol(s) the voters who trooped to the polls to cast their ballot, free of coercion and according to their own will." Bloc voting by members of religious groups is not freedom from coercion, neither is it voting out of one’s own free will.

***

After reports of initial election results from Pampanga favoring Fr. Eddie Panlilio, it was reported that the Kapampangans have given a "No" vote to jueteng and to quarrying graft. Also that Kapampangans have denied their support to the lord of jueteng and the lord of quarrying giving their vote of confidence instead to the Lord of the Rings.