General Admission
Candidates beware
By Al S. Mendoza
CANDIDATES are the most vulnerable.
That’s because since they are mostly in the limelight these days, they talk a lot.
It is this human act that puts them as subject of scrutiny. Eternally.
Always, they are on the ropes.
Non-candidates are spared of that and simply stare at those gunning for electoral posts, becoming cruel judges at times.
Words, words and more words are what political bets lean on to in their bid to attract votes.
It is what they say—or not say—that will either make them win or not.
Talk, talk and talk is their chief weapon in advancing their cause.
It is how they talk, how they deliver words and how they respond to queries that will decide whether or not they win votes or not.
Over the past few days, three presidential candidates captured headlines again with statements bordering on the comical and controversial.
Two had been at it before: Rody Duterte and Mar Roxas.
After Duterte had admitted he spent one night in the hospital “for migraine,” Roxas countered: “He [Duterte] must reveal his complete medical records from Cardinal Santos Hospital.”
Duterte, in his patented kanto boy style, fired back: “Patunayan niya munang tuli na siya bago ko gawin ang gusto niya (He [Roxas] must first prove that he is circumcised before I would accede to his request.”).
Some weeks back, Duterte and Roxas had also traded barbs.
When Duterte threatened to slap Roxas when their “debate” on whether Roxas had earned his degree from Wharton went haywire, Mar countered, “Suntukan na lang.”
To which Duterte retorted, “Barilan na lang.”
The “firewords” ended there.
Just days ago, Grace Poe seemed to take offense when her son wearing an expensive pair of shoes went viral.
Instead of apologizing for the seeming display of affluence, Poe, the embattled presidential wannabe, defended her son by telling media: “He saved money for his shoes and so, what’s the problem?”
Or words to that effect.
Her response could only mean they are so wealthy to easily be able to buy luxury items with “lots of savings in the bank.”
Had Poe instead said, “If you were offended by my son’s action, I apologize sincerely on his behalf,” might that not have portrayed her in a positive light?
Please, a little humility my dahlin’?
And now how about this: Manny Pacquiao saying that two males or two females having sex is “worst than animals.”
Instantly, he got a mountain of hits from the social media, not to mention earning tirades from gay/lesbian celebrities like Vice Ganda, Boy Abunda and Aiza Seguerra.
The president of the country’s so-called Third Sex movement has called on all gays and lesbians not to vote for Pacquiao, who is running for senator in May.
Will Pacquiao’s boo-boo affect the boxer’s standing as part of the illustrious Magic 12 in the senatorial derby?
Your guess is as good as mine.
(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)
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