Political war in the Internet

by Nestor Mata (Malaya) Jan 19, 2010
http://www.malaya.com.ph/01192010/edmata.html


THE POLITICAL propaganda war has found a new battlefield – The Internet.

Both camps of Manny Villar and Noynoy Aquino have been using it obviously aimed at young Filipino voters.

It’s quite a different ball game really. Not the usual quaggy atmosphere we experience during national elections, especially in the hotly-contested race to the presidency this coming May. You don’t see in the Websites the litter of propaganda detritus.

Remarkably, the Websites carry intelligent, apolitical comments about Aquino and Villar, the two would-be presidents now leading the pack of so-called "presidentiables" from persons ranging from alumni of the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University to a journalist-teacher.

So far, we have already reported on the sober political views of an Upsilonian from the State University as well as an Atenean from the Ateneo University.

The Atenean, by the way, appears to be a corporate man to judge by his thinking of the kind of president he would vote for, that is, one who the abilities of a corporate CEO. He has already distributed his article among Ateneo alumni groups.
He has compared Aquino, an Atenean, to Villar, a UP alumnus. He noted that the two are different in their past achievements, executive ability, intellectual capacity, political savviness, courage, philosophy, and general qualities as a person.

"This is easy decision to make," the Atenean said. "Manny Villar would be considerably better president than Noynoy Aquino."

"If we assume that Villar sees the need to launch the Philippine economy into sustainable advance to heed the dreams of most Filipinos," he went on, "he would know what to do. Aquino has not been known from his past that he would know what to do…

"Villar is an accomplished businessman and has occupied political positions that gave him the experience on how to deal with politics. Aquino has been a mediocre figure pushed by his mother and her political allies …"

"The job of President," the Atenean continued, "requires myriad of skills that are acquired from experience and a valid perception of reality. The greatest skill needed is the ability to see a future course of action, a vision that would be feasible amidst the stormy environment that the Chief Executive would have to manage.

"This is just like the job of a CEO of a big corporation. A CEO has to define where a corporation should go…

"And in formulating this vision, the Leader takes into account the stronger traits and competitive advantage of the Filipino people and the Philippines. The Leader should be a supreme strategist who knows what he is doing at any one time.

"Noynoy Aquino is quite short of these capabilities."

Here’s one from a journalist/teacher who said that he had previous reservations about Manny Villar. "I thought that he’s running for the presidency out of sheer madness... You’re a certified billionaire already. You got the top plums in the legislature already. What more can you ask for…"