Six re-electionist senators, sure winners in 2010 elections, says "The Center"

Ed Malay, the lead of this survey group called " The Center" issued another PR-laden article---six re-electionist Senators are sure winners in next year's elections. And the lucky six are: Jinggoy Estrada, Pia Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Juan Ponce-Enrile, Lito Lapid and Bong Revilla Jr.

Okey, so expect two brilliant lawyers, an environmentalist, a former presidential son, and two moviestars again at the Senate. And you know what? I think Ed Malay, even without basing it from a survey, is correct in this one.

I read a confidential report, a study on how Filipinos vote. Two of the top four values Filipinos want their candidates to have are: First, a clean record of public service and second, someone who "delivers", meaning, a candidate who actually extends a helping hand to the poor. This may mean even the most self-serving "medical mission" or a "bike rally cum donations rally" but these schemes work---all the time.

This shows that despite hours and hours of voter education, and hours and hours of trying to raise the level of "nationalism" and the necessity for electing "new faces, new names" in the next elections, the results would still be depressing---two aged lawyers, an environmentalist aligned with the biggest real estate magnate and three moviestars---would still be occupying the six top Senatorial slots.

So, now, all "new faces" would have to contest the remaining six slots. And their chances are pretty, pretty slim since familiar names want their political comebacks come 2010: Frank Drilon (former Senate president and now running under the Liberal party), Serge Osmena III (even as an independent, his name still rings a bell), Ralph Recto (even if you hate him because of the VAT issue, his name still registers strong in surveys), Tito Sotto III (voters already forgot the drugs issue and how he stabbed Erap in the back and made the big jump to the Arroyo camp).

So, these four familiar names enjoy a stable political stock. And in an automated elections, where complicity favors the old, traditional political brand names, newer names in politics stand a losing chance in this forth-coming elections.

There are only at least five new names that seemed very strong not just in surveys but also, basing on my inquiries with grass-roots organizers, are:

1. Teofisto Guingona III or "TG"---the political scion of the Guingona clan.
2. Bongbong Marcos--despite the "Marcos" tag, Bongbong's name resonates very, very well with older and intelligent voters.
3. Susan "Toots" Ople---getting lots and lots of support from the ground due to organizing work and online campaigns.
4. General Danny Lim---every one seemed convinced of his drawing and electoral power.
5. Apolinario "Jun" Lozada---very strong in both the Luzon and the Visayas.

These five names, I believe, with fight it out in the end game. Whoever has the longer strand of hair (:-) will survive the hair-pulling event in the stretch.

Yet, there's a catch---since we don't have a very credible electoral body in the name of the Comolect, err, Comelec, we may yet see at least two more administration names there in the final winning Comolect senatorial list. That would mean violence.

Teofisto Guingona stands up once more

There comes a time when everyone, every Filipino, needs to decide, decide on what to sacrifice for the sake of his country. History would show that events of the greatest magnitude happen, when ordinary people decide to finally stand up and say "Enough is Enough!" And my friends, this is the time.

When people of all ages, of all ideological beliefs and of differing religious views unite together for the sake of the greater good, beautiful things happen. The last time that we truly did it was in 1986, when all of us, all of us, went to EDSA and side by side, faced the forces of tyranny. In those times, everyone, every single one of us, became Patriots.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary sacrifices from ordinary people like us. We don't need heroes, for everyone has the power and the will to become one. And when thousands of us decide to stand up and be one with those who desire for change, change do happen, in an instant, in a blinking of an eye, we break the camel's back.

Tomorrow, former Vice President Teofisto "Tito" Guingona Jr. will once again stand up. At 10 o'clock tomorrow, at Club Filipino, Tito will announce something that will shake the very foundations of this evil regime. I admire this man. At 81 years old, Tito never fails to amaze even the strongest of us. Kung yung ibang ka-edad niya ay magreretiro na, Tito continues to fight for the Filipino.

The question of the day is---ikaw, tatayo ka ba at lalaban? Simula na!