My Argument Against Publishing Survey Results

A survey is a well known tool used by many businesses and various companies to know their status with the customers. Some companies use the survey to know the customer's reaction to their products while others want to know how they fare compared to competition. This tool is provided to businesses so that they will know how they can improve.

Did I say anything about publishing the results of the survey? No. That is why I am against the published results by survey companies, private institutions or anyone who goes out and ask people as a form of survey. These results should never be given out to the people. The results should be kept private. They should be divulged only to those who commissioned the survey.

What happens when the survey gets published?

* The veracity is automatically questioned - publishing the opinion of some people will never be accepted by everyone. The old adage "you can't please everyone" and in this age of the internet, the opposition to a specific opinion could be vicious.

* The survey becomes an advertisement - I don't care if the survey is true. What I care about is that the survey becomes a form of advertisement. I even consider it as a form of pressure since people might be forced to patronize a product, watch a show or vote for a candidate because everyone is doing it.

I'm not questioning the results of the survey or if the survey is good for our country. I think it's a great tool but the results should be kept private. The current practice of public survey is a form of harassment or brain washing. We don't need to know what people think in some places - let us think clearly by learning more about the facts - not the survey.

Now What? NAMFREL Out - PPCRV Ouch

A few days ago Comelec has officially denied the petition of NAMFREL to be part of the election. The reason? There seems to be a vested interested based on the background of the election watch dog. Jose Cuisia Jr. and Jose Concepcion have been doubted because of their "political leanings". Fortunately, PPCRV is still on the loop in the upcoming elections.

Based on the latest news (resources in the end of the article), NAMFREL is trying to get acreddited through tie-up with CBCP-Nassa which naturally creates PPCRV (Parish Pastroral Council for Responsible Voting). But the Comelec questioned the authority of Cuisia to make such bold decisions such as establishing a tie-up with PPCRV. Hence their application for accreditation is not approved.

This is a sad and bad news for election watch dogs. Back in the days, NAMFREL is regarded is often the basis on who will win in the upcoming election. Think of them as the spoilers - since they don't have to go through strict regulations of the COMELEC, they can conduct a quick count and reveal the results weeks before the proclamation.

So now that the NAMFREL is gone the burden is on PPCRV to ensure an honest and clean elections. But this is a tall order for the church based-group. I have been a volunteer of PPCRV once and it's a grueling task to ensure that the election doesn't stall. You're practically the right arm of the poor teachers who are having trouble controlling the elections. And it's set to get worst because poll automation requires a lot of mumbo-jumbo in technology.

The pressure is now on PPCRV. We just hope they would provide concrete actions and inform the public in advance on what they will do on the upcoming elections. The void left by NAMFREL is not an easy to fill.

Source 1: It's final: No Namfrel role in polls

Source 2: No more Namfrel quick count in 2010

8 Reasons Why the Masa Should Never Influence Your Vote

The "Masa” is an increasingly overused word by the candidates. No one can blame them after all, Erap Estrada used this word to propel him to one of the margin of wins in election history. If you can harness the masa, you have a big chance of winning.

But the term masa have been muddled that you really can’t defined the word. Yes it means the poor but which poor people? Is it the Class E or Class D? Is it both? Is it the middle class? Some would say they are the regular folks - but no one can really tell who are the regular folks anymore in this country.

Because no one can understand who the masa really is, believing what the masa says should never be followed. If you want more reasons, here they are:

1. It's Everywhere - I think everyone is part of the masa. Whether you’re rich, poor, underwater, overboard, downtrodden, thick or thin.

2. Every Candidate is a Masa - they want everyone to think they are for the masa. But each candidate have a different opinion for the masa.

3. Candidates are Ruining the Word - cliche. I think Erap should patent that word so that no one can use it.

4. It's Slowly Shifting - yes! The word masa used to mean middle to those in class E but the masa now means anywhere were people are gathering.

5. It's Vicious - I can say something mean about the masa in public but I’m too chicken about it why? Remember EDSA 2 and EDSA 3? ‘nuff said.

6. It's a Fan Thing - if you take a look at it closely, many are following the candidate because of the platform, it’s because of the fan thing.

7. Money could be involved - yes! Some candidates pay people to show up.

8. You Should think independently - why should you believe them? Do your research! The fact that you are reading this is already a proof that you’re looking for answers in choosing the best candidate.