The recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reflects the fast-narrowing gap between Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar as, in fact, another survey conducted by the Manila Standard-Today newspaper has revealed an even much-closer result between the two presidential contenders.

In the Pulse Asia survey, however, it’s now practically even, after Villar has gone up in the ratings while Noynoy has slowed down. In view of these developments, will Noynoy still insist that these surveys are bought from shady sources along the infamous Claro M. Recto Avenue strip? In the latest SWS survey, said to have been commissioned by the business community, the results indicate that Noynoy Aquino’s lead has narrowed down to 7 percent. However in the Manila Standard-Today survey, Noynoy’s lead has slipped down to just 2 percent. The Pulse Asia results showed a faltering lead by the Liberal Party contender. Considering the margin of error allowable in such surveys, this is practically a dead heat of a race. With these developments I can imagine the growing panic within the ranks of the yellow army of the Liberal Party.

As I conjectured in my last column, the Cory magic is wearing very thin and, as expected from several months ago, the emotional outburst—occasioned by Cory’s passing, which the Liberals capitalized on to the hilt, resulting even in the melodramatic withdrawal of Sen. Mar Roxas from the presidential race to give way to Noynoy Aquino—cannot hold for very long. Now we are witnessing Noynoy’s vulnerability. Yes, as I bantered in my previous column that “London Bridge is falling down,” signs are all around that Noynoy’s bridge, indeed, seems to be falling down.

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The burning issue continues to be whether President Arroyo can legally appoint the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno. Again, I don’t think the issue of the so-called “midnight appointments” can be used in this singular instance. I repeat, the so-called “midnight appointments” rule, which had clouded the exit of the late President Carlos Garcia and which the Supreme Court struck down in the celebrated case of Aytona vs. Castillo, cannot be applied should President Arroyo appoint Puno’s successor some two months before her term expires.

The principle behind the so-called “midnight appointments” doctrine was borne of the haste in which the late President Garcia signed more than 350 appointments just a few hours before he was to step down from Malacañang. It was said then that the signing of appointments continued even as incoming President Diosdado Macapagal was already about to take his oath as the new president. That Garcia episode, by all norms of ethical principles, can be considered as done “in great haste” viewed by many to spite the incoming chief of state and preempt him from appointing his own people to existing vacancies. This was clearly what “midnight appointments” referred to. The Supreme Court was correct in striking down these appointments because of the clear malice and irregularity involved

In this particular case of Puno’s successor, while this may be a gray area, it cannot be said that the
appointment of a new Chief Justice is ill-conceived and “midnight.” By all means, President Arroyo should appoint Puno’s successor and let the naysayers question it later. After all, the President can appoint even a nonincumbent in the Court. Justice Tony Carpio is rather presumptuous in claiming that even if appointed by President Arroyo, he will refuse to accept. I am sure there are other justices who are ready and willing to serve even if only to prevent a looming judicial crisis from taking place.

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The papers warned about the possible massive brownouts in the Visayas region. Well, even now, brownouts have intermittently hit Iloilo City, some lasting for several hours, disrupting business and the normal pace of life. For instance, in the middle of my radio program over Cable Star TV in Iloilo City a few nights ago, the lights suddenly went out. My program naturally was rudely aborted, so from the station I proceeded to a city barangay celebrating its fiesta. I arrived at the place in total darkness. But the Filipino spirit is undaunted by such annoyances and the people continued to make merry despite the failings of the electric company.

Another headache today is the worsening lack of potable water and even water for agriculture. This time Mother Nature seems to be the culprit with El Niño shooing away rains. If the rainless days continue, this will become a double whammy compounding our brownout days like those during the Ramos years. Let’s start to conserve water and minimize electricity use. The little we do to help ease our problems will go a long way in making life a more rewarding experience.

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During the last Dinagyang celebrations in Iloilo City, many politicians, especially prospective senatorial bets, flocked to the city to join huge crowds of revelers and spectators. Clearly, they were not pilgrims who went to our city to pay homage to the Señor Sto. Niño, and whose festival is the reason for the Dinagayang. The politicians went to our city primarily to display themselves to the thousands of Filipinos from all walks of life, coming from every nook and cranny of Western Visayas. They came solely to be visible and nothing else, because it was obvious that they didn’t even take time to glimpse inside San Jose Church where the image of the Señor Sto. Niño was enshrined.

Viva Señor Sto. Niño! Or is it Viva Señor politico? Shame on you!

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