Gordon, Aquino trade barbs

By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA

from Manila Bulletin 
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/237395/gordon-aquino-trade-barbs

The Facebook does not matter, it is not even your face that matters.
Thus said Sen. Richard Gordon to presidential rival Liberal Party candidate Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
Gordon, who is also running for president in the May 10 elections, said that in any political race "accountability" is most important.
Gordon pointed out that Aquino has a lot yet to prove to the people, saying that he (Aquino) and his family have had numerous opportunities to make the nation great but they have regrettably failed to deliver.
Gordon said a leader must be accountable and should show that he has done something to improve the lives of his people. “How many more chances do you want? Ano ang kakayahan ni Noynoy Aquino sa local government?" Gordon said. "Hindi pa siya nasubukan ni sa barangay captain. Even in legislature, ano ang batas na nagawa niya na nararamdaman na ng taong-bayan?” he pointed out.
“You have had in your family a president, a vice president, four senators, congressmen, governors, lahat ng pwesto sa Tarlac, pero how is Tarlac?"

Reacting to Gordon’s tirade, the Aquino camp said “he (Gordon) is just desperate to improve his poor popularity ratings that is why he is belittling the capability of the son of former President Corazon Aquino.”
Aquino’s staff, Edwin Lacierda said they are no longer surprised over Gordon’s actions, stressing that the senator from Olongapo does not appreciate being overtaken by a neophyte senator.
"Obviously, Gordon will say that. He will not appreciate the efforts of former President Aquino because he is a Marcos and President Arroyo's ally," Lacierga said over a phone interview.
"But he seems to forget it was Mrs. Aquino who toppled the corrupt dictatorial regime of Marcos. She gave way and did not abuse her power," he said, adding that the issue at hand is the people's need for a leader who will push for clean governance and fight corruption.
"He just wants attention so his ratings will rise as well," Lacierda noted, saying that Gordon does not register well in Facebook.
Gordon was founding chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and led volunteers in turning the former US naval base into a lucrative Freeport, which has become a model for bases conversion for other countries.
During his stint as tourism secretary, Gordon was also responsible for the marked increase in tourist arrivals and improving domestic tourism with his WOW Philippines program.
Gordon said even his running mate, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando offers a stellar record as an executive.
Fernando also transformed Marikina City, shedding its tag as the country’s “rape capital” and turning it into a “model city” with his good example and unbending political will.
Gordon urged voters to look into the "book of accounts" of candidates in the 2010 elections, not into their Facebook accounts or survey ratings.
Earlier reports have shown Aquino as the leading presidential contender in preferential surveys as well as in popular social networking sites such as Facebook with 210,988 supporters followed by Nacionalista Party presidential bet Sen. Manny Villar, Jr.
Gordon, who is running under the Bagumbayan – Volunteers for a New Philippines Party has 2,894 supporters in Facebook. (with a report by David Cagahastian)