A national psychosis

National surveys offer a glimpse into the Filipino psyche, and if the latest IBON Foundation study is any indication, it depicts a people mired in collective amnesia and political immaturity.

The survey conducted last month asked a total of 1,014 respondents throughout the country the following question: "If the presidential elections were held today, who would you choose for President?" The nationwide score gave Education Secretary Raul Roco the biggest plurality with 19.96 percent. Surprisingly, deposed ex-president Joseph Estrada came in second with 14.08 percent, while President Arroyo received only 11.13 percent.

The Manila tally was even more surprising. Roco came in first with 18.80 percent, followed closely by Estrada at 18.05 percent. Third place went to former Philippine National Police chief and now Senator Panfilo Lacson, Jr. with 15.04 percent, while President Arroyo lagged behind at only 11.65 percent.

Roco as the top choice is not surprising, considering his taint-free record in public service. However, that the respondents chose Estrada as the next alternative speaks of a people’s serious mental lapse. They have forgotten that he is currently on trial for plunder and perjury and that he admitted to have used the alias Jose Velarde in laundering illegal gambling funds. Estrada’s high rating in Metro Manila, which is statistically the same as Roco’s, came less than two years after Manila residents launched People Power II to oust the man whom former Governor Chavit Singson called “the lord of all gambling lords.”

Manila respondents have likewise chosen Lacson over Arroyo despite the former’s string of unresolved cases involving summary executions, human rights violations and money laundering. The nationwide tally also tied Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr. with movie star Fernando “Ang Panday” Poe, Jr. at sixth place. In the eyes of many congenital idiots, Mr. Poe is in the same league as the esteemed Vice President, as if fantasy has turned into fact.

Concerning Filipinos overseas, the survey showed that a clear majority of the respondents are against the Absentee Voting Bill. This connotes that not only do our compatriots back home want to screw up the country’s future in the polls, they also do not want Filipinos abroad, who have saved the economy during the Asian financial crises and whose vantage point provides a broader view, to correct their stupidity.

In a knee jerk reaction from a man with ostheoarthritic knees, Estrada, who can hardly walk, is again eyeing the presidency as a result of the favorable survey.

If the Philippines sinks deeper in the mud, there is no need to ask why. *

Back to top