A message from the surveys

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

If the recent survey results on the outcome of the senatorial election are true indications of how the Filipino voter will decide on the May 14 polls, then it can be said that a clear message is being sent to the country's show business personalities who seem to believe that election to a high government office should be the culmination of their careers.

In the results already published in the media, two movie actors who have filed their certificates of candidacy and are aspiring to become members of our top lawmaking body, are faring rather badly, and even this early, excuses are already being given about their failure to land in more comfortable rankings. We like to think that, at last, our voters are realizing that popularity and good looks, as well as the acquisition of awards for outstanding performances in the make-believe world of movies are not, and cannot be assurance of equally remarkable output in a political office, even if it is only a local government one.

It has been shown in the results that actor-director Cesar Montano, who is even a member of the official senatorial line-up of the powerful administration party, is doing poorly in the surveys. Richard Gomez, known, not only for his good looks, but also for being married to a very popular and talented as well as well-born woman from a prominent Visayan family, is not doing any better.

But Gomez has a ready excuse, he does not belong to a party, and has to hack it alone. Perhaps he will get the support, as well as logistics from his fellow show business colleagues, who knows? And Montano, who has been reportedly having a hard time making campaign crowds realize that he is there as a candidate, and not as a hired entertainer or front act for the team, may benefit from some magic tricks that his party may pull. Who knows, again? Still, we hope that the Filipino voter wakes up and recognizes that it is his money, from the taxes he pays, that these people will be paid from and be granted that abominable largesse known as pork barrel in the millions of pesos to be used as they wish, with little or no accountability.

To those who are unprepared or even unfit for the position they are seeking, that is a very steep price for us to pay.*