I wonder if there’s a text, document, research or book that would show the trends, how-to’s and other pertinent information on strategizing on endorsers for your own electoral campaign, or for people to know how to effectively, efficiently and, of course, economically endorse your own candidates, both for local and national positions. That sure will be one hit piece of reading for your politicos, or wannabe politician.
In a report by Jing Castañeda of ABS-CBN, released yesterday night by TV Patrol World, the latest surveys show that people would not vote for a candidate who will be endorsed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and former President Fidel V. Ramos. It has no positive effect, instead, it will prove to be unpalatable for the voters if certain personalities endorse who they will vote for this coming May 2010 elections.
According to that report, 51% of the voters will surely not vote for a candidate who will be endorsed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This surely backs up what was rumored as a “kiss of death,” for a politician who identifies or brands himself or herself with the President. Mon Casiple, a political analyst, said that, “it worsened when she decided to run again for Congress, and perpetuate herself in power.”
On the other hand, 41% of the voters will surely not vote for a candidate who will be endorsed by former President Fidel V. Ramos, according to the same survey report.
It was also made clear that those endorsed by religious leaders, or those claiming to be one, such as Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and Brother Mike Velarde, will have negative effects on the voters. 44% of the voters will surely not for a candidate who will be endorsed by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, while 41% of the voters said that they will surely not vote for candidates endorsed by El Shaddai’s Brother Mike Velarde.
In the same report, celebrity endorsers also prove to have negative effects on their endorsements. 41% of the voters will surely not vote for candidates endorsed by People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao, 35% said that they will surely not vote for candidates endorsed by Wowowee’s Willie Revillame, while 31% of the voters said they will surely not vote candidates who will be endorsed by veteran comedian-actor Dolphy.
Instead, only the candidates endorsed by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who was supposedly running for the presidency this 2010 elections but later backed out, and actress and talk-show host Kris Aquino, have the possibility to be voted for by the voters. 39% of the voters said that they would probably vote for candidates endorsed by Sen. Chiz Escudero, while 31% said that they would probably vote for candidates endorsed by Kris Aquino.
Still the largest positive rating at 40%, voters said that they would probably vote for candidates endorsed by the church that they belong in.
It was also noted that political advertisements and endorsements aren’t enough to sway or convince voters to vote for a particular candidate. They say that the voters now are more mature and they make their choices after careful selection from the candidates’ pool.
Personally, I do not believe in surveys because they only offer a snapshot of a certain group of people at a particular time, when the survey was taken. The real survey, as people have already said, will still be on the Election Day on May 10.
Surveys, admit it or not, just frame the mindsets of people, and would favor the leading candidate or “the lesser of the two evils,” as one candidate who is also running for President has retorted in a recent statement.
In fact, in my opinion, it should be reviewed and studied if COMELEC, in the future, can ban the release of these surveys in the public, to level the playing field and so that it would not influence, intentionally or unintentionally, the choice of the people; instead, they should focus more on the platform, and other pertinent characteristics one is looking for in the leader of this nation.
For now, both Kris Aquino and Senator Chiz Escudero are in Senator Noynoy Aquino’s camp, and more or less the other endorsers namely Manny Pacquiao, Willie Revillame and Dolphy are in Senator Manny Villar’s camp. Does this show that the odds are in favor of the LP candidate?
One thing’s for sure; I personally know that there are talks inside the camp of Senator Chiz Escudero of a possibility of a release of an ad in support for or endorsement of Senator Noynoy Aquino. As to when it will be released or if it will be released at all, let’s just wait and see.
Exactly a week ago, Senator Chiz Escudero launched a book entitled "Say ni Chiz (as told to Bibeth Orteza)" in the National Book Store in Shangri-la Mall Crossings. This book is a very handy compilation of truths in the life of Francis Escudero, when he was an average/normal young boy, to when he grew up as a lawyer, and to what we all know him to be now. It tackles his personal and political life, and a lot more. Through the language used to narrate the story, he made sure ordinary Filipinos would easily connect and understand him more. "Parts of the book tackle his brief but significant encounter with the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., whose 6th death anniversary is on December 14." (ABS-CBNNews) Senator Chiz Escudero once served as FPJ’s spokesman during the presidential campaign in 2004.
For me, this book is a light read and would be an ideal gift to your loved ones this Christmas :)
Just recently, members of Youth for Chiz (Youth for Change!) had a small dinner get-together with the Senator himself. He explained to us why he decided not to run, reiterated why he bolted out from NPC, discussed about his future plans as a Senator, and where he wants us, the youth, to go from here.
I saw in my members' eyes that they understood where he was coming from. I can surmise that that night, not only that they learned more about him, but also, they got the chance to understand more about his decisions in the past and see his person, his relaxed and informal self.
I get it. I guess that it is through us, those who he gets to interact more, that people will get to know the real Chiz, the other side of him, beyond what the Media and or critics have shaped or accused him to be. It's through us, the youth, that other people may get to know who he really is, his vision, and his plans for our country.
I share with him his ideals and ideas of a principled run and giving and showing that every Filipino has one vote..that even if you're the richest or the poorest Pinoy, come election day, you're just the same. You have the same power to choose who will lead us, and where we will go from thereon. It's a matter of using that power wisely.
