“What makes Erap a winnable candidate? The answer, of course, lies on the winning factors he has. What does Erap have to clinch a win? He does have the popularity of a celebrity that rival candidates do not have. Let him just twist his lips and the Masang Pilipino will swoon over him. Such a fainting spell is translatable into a vote, you know.”

THE HEAT of the race for the Presidency 2010 is on. It sets the candidates on the fiery excitement of acting on the principle of every man for himself. They start seeing red and finding fault at every turn. Mudslinging seems to be their judicious way of accusing one another of playing political hardball on the sly.

***

The game of getting at the highest office of the land remains as wondrous as ever. It arouses the curiosity of the electorates on what to expect from the Presidential Wannabes. Accusation after accusation and denial after denial baffle them no end. They are confused and don’t know who’s to blame for love of money. Truth tends to evaporate into thin air.

***

For example, Gordon and Madrigal told on the attempt of Villar to buy them out of the race. Their information against him saw print and aired through the radio and television. But Villar vehemently denied what the two had tattled on. Who lied? Not knowing who did tell half-truth, the need for a lie-detector arose.

***

But the accusers and the accused do not have enough time to submit to such a test. All the candidates are in the thick of the fight for the day of election is just a few weeks away. They are blazing the campaign trail on double time. Winking at whatever is said of them ought to be the better part of their discretion.

***

While these character assassins are busy with their demolition job, Erap stays as prudent as he can be. He refrains from doing dirty tricks to get elected and maintains his statesmanlike attitude in catching the votes. Holding no rancor on anyone, he goes on running with the grain of his slogan, “KUNG MAY ERAP MAY GINHAWA.”

***

How fast does Erap run the race for the Presidency? I suppose he runs faster than anyone can think of. For while Villar and Aquino are statistically tied in topping the surveys, third-placer Erap consistently draws near to turning the tables on them, nonetheless. He uncomplainingly struggles to reverse the score or tip the scale in his favor.

***

What makes Erap a winnable candidate? The answer, of course, lies on the winning factors he has. What does Erap have to clinch a win? He does have the popularity of a celebrity that rival candidates do not have. Let him just twist his lips and the Masang Pilipino will swoon over him. Such a fainting spell is translatable into a vote, you know.

***

Likewise, Erap appears to have the sympathy of a religious group with a command vote which I supposed belongs to another. He prays for the “PASIYA” a few days before the May poll. He also gets the nod of approval of the self-anointed returning Son of God. “Mano Po Ninong, I came late because I have to borrow an airplane” takes the cake.

***

The first denomination is deemed to have a potential strength of about seven million voters all over the country. If 80 percent of these electorates cast their votes, then their actual number would be a whooping 5.6 million strong. Say five million votes for the sake of argument, still that’s a large sum to cover.

***

The second denomination plumes itself on having four million voters nationwide. Again, if only 50 percent exercise their right of suffrage, then two million solid votes still remains a force to reckon with even as it gives rise to “Hand-kissing.” The wish of the group leader who hails from Lubao is the command of his followers.

***

Arithmetically speaking, five million votes plus two million votes equals seven million votes. What a big number of supporters Erap is about to come up with. Yet, seven million votes are not good enough to make him win. There is a need for a total of 15 million votes to ensure him of victory. And the accumulation of such number of votes is coming to pass.

***   

The latest survey makes it happen. Its result says that Erap is getting 20 percent of some 40 million electorates who are expected to go out and vote. Simply put, one fifth of 40 million is eight million; now add the seven million votes of the two sects together and the eight million votes of the Masang Pilipino and get 15 millions votes for a triumphant Erap.

***

Even then, it’s easier said than done. But look at the humility of the former President with an aborted term and you will find the strong possibility of having a Paradise Regained. See how people jump with joy at the sight of him at the hustings. To paraphrase former Vice Governor Cielo Macapagal Salgado, Erap’s diehard fans are asking, “LAKUAN YU NE PO KEKAMI, IKAMI NANG BALA KAYA.”