Why is Grace Poe number one? The SWS and Pulse Asia failed to capture this unexpected outcome of the May 2013 elections in their surveys? Why?
Why the amazing spurt to numero uno by Poe? And why was Chiz Escudero, Grace’s mentor, not in the Iglesia ni Cristo list of preferred senatorial candidates?
Let’s volunteer possible reasons why Grace is leading the pack in the Senate race: first, the fresh unadulterated face, confident disposition, and the perennial white, simple dress; second, “Poe” is a legend; it is a crisp, short, yet meaningful name that connotes reverence. “Grace Poe-Llamanzares,” like “Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel,” is too long and sounds alien. Both are difficult to remember from a long list of candidates (unless you’re a “Nancy” (Binay), or Bam (Aquino), or Sonny (Angara). Dick (Richard Gordon) did not click, as well as, sadly, Jun (Magsaysay) and Mitos Magsaysay (retiring?). So when Grace’s astute handlers focused on Poe, her awareness rating skyrocketed from “69 percent” to “95 percent.” It was a walk in the park after that.
To a certain extent it can’t be denied that her resounding victory is a vindication of Fernando Poe Jr.’s debacle in 2004. FPJ in 2004 had Erap Estrada, Jojo Binay and Chiz. The rest is history. Chiz, Loren Legarda and Grace left the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) to officially join Team PNoy. Was Team PNoy a major, major factor in propelling Grace to number one? We will never know if in the company of UNA and the “Three Kings,” Senator Poe would have landed number one. Let’s leave it at that and ponder to our hearts’ delight. But year 2016 perhaps will unravel a lot.
Back to reality, let’s focus on the forthcoming Congress. Let’s wish the young ladies in Grace, Nancy and Leni (Robredo) make a big, big dent on Philippine governance as, not too long ago, did Gloria the economist and Cory the housewife in what appeared to be contrasting fashions.
Will Grace and Nancy please introduce their better half—Llamanzares and Angeles—respectively? Ladies, put some sense to this male-dominated political landscape. And do not fail us.
—MANUEL Q. BONDAD,
manuelbondad@yahoo.com