Following the airing of part 1 of GMA7′s Isang Tanong Presidential Forum, his rabid supporters immediately flooded cyberspace with praises for their idol Senator Noynoy Aquino. Their statements vary slightly but in essence they all say the same thing and that is:

I was so impressed with Noynoy.

I don’t know about you but I find this really strange. If you watched the forum with an objective mind I seriously doubt you’d find anything impressive about the performance of Noynoy or any of the other participants for that matter. The fact is most of their answers weren’t really substantial at all. Of course, there were some exceptions but none of them from Noynoy.

Before any of you pro-Noynoys get all indignant consider first the questions asked of him. (loosely translated from the vernaclar)

From Mel Tiangco: What have you accomplished?

From Malou Mangahas: What three things do you plan to accomplish?

Viewer-submitted question: If elected to the presidency would you be willing to give up your position should you be implicated in allegations of corruption?

Efren Peñaflorida: How can one be a hero?

Analyzing the questions with an objective mind, one should easily see that these questions are hardly insightful. As I said in the preceeding post, they were mostly “motherhood” questions that demand nothing more than motherhood statements. Of course, Mel Tiangco’s question is in a class of its own. It was so basic a question it shouldn’t have been asked at all especially since Noynoy’s much-vaunted “accomplishments” are already public knowledge. Seriously, someone should have given Ms. Tiangco a better question to ask.

So how did Noynoy answer these questions anyway? See for yourself.

This comment posted on another blog should give you an idea of the general sentiment of objective viewers.

what I see is mediocrity, lack of confidence (as seen in his bearing), lack of focus (as seen in his shifting eye focus), seeming lack of conviction, and incoherence. I had to replay the video thrice before i could get heads or tails of what he talking about… he’s the type of person that I will not hire based on the initial interview alone…

My observations as well. I also noticed, as many others also have, that Noynoy talked really fast. Was it a conscious effort on his part to appear fast as opposed to  slow? Or did he just have another appointment to attend to?

Come on pro-Noynoys, can’t you just be real for once? Noynoy was not at all impressive in that forum. Not by a long shot. And what’s with the false air of objectivity some widely known Noynoy fanatics are trying hard to project with comments similar to this one:

For me Gibo, Perlas and Noy did very well. I’m impressed.

Who are you kidding? If you were really objective you wouldn’t include Noynoy in that list. Compared to how former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and environmentalist Nick Perlas carried themselves and responded to the questions, Noynoy’s performance was nowhere near as good. MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and even Councilor JC de los Reyes provided better (not necessarily popular or palatable) answers.

Can’t we just all be honest about it? I don’t like Noynoy because he has nothing to offer than a fairy tale and has made no real effort to prove otherwise. The rabid Noynoy supporter, on the other hand, likes Noynoy exactly for that reason. Stop pretending that you like him because of his “impressive” qualities because the simple fact of the matter is he has not displayed any up to now. Hopefully, he will be able to in part 2 of the forum.

But wait, there seems to be a slight problem. Rumor has it that the Senator will not be appearing in the 2nd part to be aired next Sunday. Apparently, the source of this piece of disappointing news is shock-jock Mo Twister. Here’s the relevant excerpt from his blogpost.

And here is a bit on information you might not know.  This is a two-part show, last night and then the other half to be aired this Sunday.  The next episode was supposed to have a twist where we will see the presidentiables ask questions to each other, but guess who isn’t going to be there?  Noynoy.  Apparently, right after the taping of the first show, he stood up and said he had to leave for some official reason.  The other half of the program (next week’s episode) wasn’t finished–shoot, it didn’t even start.  So unfortunately, this pivotal episode will not have the guy most of us came to see.  Rumor has it that because Noynoy wasn’t answering very well, it was decided by his people, that it would be best if he did not take part in the 2nd half.  What answer Senator Aquino gave to GMA on why he was leaving, I don’t know at this point.  However, what could be more important? I would understand if it were a medical emergency, but is there anything else more important at that time than finishing this program? Wasn’t he aware when they scheduled the show taping that day, that you should be prepared to finish your obligation to the show and not just that, to the public who are so eager to see you and hear your views?  Is the rumor true that he ran away because he was struggling? What do you guys think?

Well, if Noynoy’s camp is to be believed the reason for his departure has something to do with the Election rules. Here’s an excerpt of the “official” explanation (boldface highlights are mine):

Senators Aquino and Roxas will be filing their certificates of candidacy on November 28, and the decision to do so was made as early as the first week of November.

According to the Omnibus Election Code, and in light of the recent Supreme Court decision in the case of Penera vs. Commission of Elections, after the certificate of candidacy has been filed (Nov 28 in the case of Senators Aquino and Roxas), candidates may not participate in election-related events until February 9, 2010, for those vying for national positions

Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits any person from engaging in election campaign and partisan political activity outside the campaign period. Under 79 of the OEC, election campaign and partisan political activity refers to any act designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate to a public office, which includes:

“Holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades, or other similar assemblies, for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign or propaganda for or against a candidate;

This provision of law has been expanded by the Supreme Court in the recent case of Penera vs. Comelec, G. R. No. 181613, September 11, 2009, where the Court ruled that “the conduct of a motorcade is a form of election campaign or partisan political activity, falling squarely within the ambit of Section 79(b)(2) of the Omnibus Election Code, on “[h]olding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades, or other similar assemblies, for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign or propaganda for or against a candidate.”

If a mere motorcade as in the case of Penera was considered a form of premature campaigning, then appearing on a televised program such as “Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot” where known presidentiables are invited to answer policy questions that may touch on their respective platform of governments, will be certainly be considered as engaging in an act designed to promote one’s candidacy.

Based on the advice of his legal team, Senator Aquino  declined to participate in the second half of “Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot,” which will be aired the day after he files for candidacy, on November 29.

Hmm. This is really funny. Really, really funny. After subjecting the public to heavy bombardment of his “mythical” TV ad, Noynoy now suddenly turns into a shy boy. Ayayay. What’s so special about November 28 anyway that Noynoy can’t just move the date for the filing of his COC? And what about that legal advice? If Noynoy’s camp was really so concerned about the airing date of the forum’s 2nd part then shouldn’t it be concerned also about possible re-runs of the 1st part after November 28? Ayayay again.

Well, what do you know. There’s a big reason why Noynoy can’t move the date of his COC filing and here it is:

Editor’s Postscript:

Some have been asking, why not just move the date? Good question. Here’s the answer:

(1) The Nov 28 filing date was chosen and confirmed before the invitation to join Isang Tanong Isang Sagot reached the Senator’s desk.

(2) It was also chosen, on a more personal note, because it is the day after Ninoy’s birthday. (You might ask, why not Ninoy’s birthday itself? Well, because there are a lot of events to celebrate Ninoy Day and Sen Aquino wanted to celebrate it freely with the people, without legal constraints).

(3) Also traditionally, major political parties choose separate dates to file, so it can be “their day” with their supporters, and no confusion. That gives only 2 days for an invariably more number of presidentiables to file AFTER “Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot.”

Celebrate Ninoy’s birthday freely with the people? Why? Let me guess. Media Mileage.

Noynoy is really missing out on an opportunity to show the people what he is made of. Part 2 of the forum would have given him a chance to showcase his awesomeness against the other candidates, all of whom are nothing compared to him at least according to his most rabid supporters. But instead of taking up the challenge he retreats?!?

This is not impressive. Not impressive at all.

Noynoy Aquino
(Mel Tiangco) What have you accomplished?
(Malou Mangahas) What three things do you plan to accomplish?
(submitted question) If elected to the presidency would you be willing to give up your position should you be implicated in allegations of corruption?

John Carlos “JC” de los Reyes
(Mel Tiangco) A candidate runs because he knows he has a chance of winning. Do you think you have the resources to win?
(student representative) You are against the Reproductive Health Bill because you say it tramples on the rights of women. How will you balance protecting women’s rights and addressing the country’s population problem?
(submitted question) How will you prove to the nation that you’re running for the good of the country and not for your own interest?

Joseph Estrada
(Jessica Soho) Why are you running? For public service or for vengeance?
(student representative) What mistakes did you commit during your previous term that you will no longer commit should you be elected again?
(submitted question) Can you rid the government of corruption?

Bayani Fernando
(Jessica Soho) We’ve been through a dictatorship. Why should you be elected considering that you’ve been characterized as a dictator and executioner?
(Atty. Victor Lazatin) You’re not ranking well in the surveys despite the fact that you’ve already gone around the country. You’ve also lost support from Lakas. Will you still push through with your presidential bid.
(submitted question) Do you have any other motive for running?

Nicanor Perlas
(Arnold Clavio) You are in favor of divorce. How do you expect to get the support of Catholic voters?
(John Nery) How do you differentiate yourself from Senator Loren Legarda who is also a high profile green (environment advocate) candidate?
(submitted question) What is your platform with regard to national security, corruption education and the millenium development goals?

Gilbert Teodoro
(Arnold Clavio) You’re not ranking well in the surveys. Would you admit that President Arroyo is like heavy baggage?
(Mon Casiple) What is your final solution to insurgency?
(submitted question) Would you be amenable to having your assets frozen while you’re in office?

Bro. Eddie Villanueva
(Vicky Morales) You didn’t fare well in the 2004 presiential elections. What will you change in your present strategy to do better this time around?
(Howie Severino) Can you promise you won’t use the bible as basis for your policies and decisions in case you get elected?
(submitted question) What will you do to help the middle class?

Manny Villar
(Vicky Morales) You are rumored to be PGMA’s secret candidate because you’re the least hostile. What is your stand on “Hello Garci” and the other issues involving the First Family?
(Winnie Monsod) You were part of the impeachment of Former President Estrada as Speaker of the House. Now, you’re being accused of using your office to enrich yourself. What makes your case different from that of Estrada?
(submitted question) what steps will you take to destroy the network or machinery of discrimination against workers?

While not a complete waste of time, the program did very little to provide the public with a clearer picture of what the candidates have to offer. It really didn’t help that none of the questions delved into the “How” as in “How do you plan to rid the government of corruption?” or “How will you improve the economy?”

The word “platform” was also mentioned a couple of times but no additional detail was provided. I expected GMA7′s award winning line-up of broadcast journalists to dig deeper but apparently the forum rules limited them to asking just one question. I guess they had to stay true to the program’s title ‘Isang Tanong’ or ‘One Question.’

The final round of questioning was supposedly a main highlight of the program. None other than  CNN Hero of the Year awardee Efren Peñaflorida was tapped to ask the question. I have nothing but respect for Peñaflorida. What he has done to help poor children in Cavite get their basic education is truly commendable. However, I just can’t understand why, of all the possible questions, he had to ask this one: How can one be a hero?

All in all, I would say that the forum could have been done better. For one, I think the economist Winnie Monsod should have been designated as the lone interviewer. The question she asked of Senator Manny Villar was the only one that had a bit of a bite. As a viewer I would love to see Monsod taking the lead in future programs of this type.

Now, about the candidates. In general, none of them impressed me. Definitely not Bayani Fernando who was applauded by the students among the audience  for his reply to Peñaflorida’s “hero” question. To me, the fact that they applauded him for his inane response is truly troubling.

You can watch the forum through this link.

I will try to write more about this later.