Getting to the homestretch

The race among candidates for all positions is now getting to the homestretch. In chess, we call this the end game. And even a new chess player will tell you, winning depends always on the so-called end game technique.

Or, in a 100-meter dash or a one-kilometer marathon, victory depends on the few last meters.

There are chess players who are really good in the end game. As there are runners who always come from behind to beat the front runners. They have made enough energy reserves to use in the so-called last lap. Our own Inocencia Solis was like this.

And in chess, world champion Gary Kasparov is well known for letting an opponent surge ahead, then in the end beat him after his opponent became confident and complacent. He did this to Anatoly Karpov.

Let candidates think of this.

***

Yesterday afternoon, we interviewed over television front-running former Senator Loren Legarda. As I wrote this, I still did not know how the interview would come out. One thing I know was to ask her about her stand on the expiration on Feb. 9, 2008 of the CARP law.

In the past, I also interviewed Chavit Singson and Ralph Recto of Team Unity and Sonny Osmeña and Noynoy Aquino of Genuine Opposition. After Loren, I have a schedule to interview Mike Defensor for balance.

Many other Senatorial candidates who came here took a stand that they would not go for an extension of CARP. Instead they will craft a substitute law which will be more doable and practical that will really do what CARP was intended to perform, improve agricultural productivity and alleviate poverty.

***

No problem with Loren. She is articulate and in television she projects a very good image, being beautiful herself and articulate. She has projected an image of becoming the best Senator, that is the reason why she leads in all surveys.

The last time I sat down with Loren was in my farm outside Bacolod where she was brought by Sagay City Vice-Mayor Joseph Gerard "Tonet" Marañon, for Loren's television program in Manila. And she had a good time knowing about organic fertilizer production.

Then, shortly after, she held a press conference in my terrace with local media. You can't help liking Loren. Being an effective public official, a performing lawmaker, and very simpatica, she wins the heart of people she meets.

I believe, she will really top again the Senatorial slate this election as she did in 1998.

***

Congressman Newks Puentevella joined the Sunshine Boys in a breakfast at McDonald's yesterday morning. It was a very good interaction of the Boys with Newks. Senatorial candidate Sonia Roco also dropped by.

Before he came, Toti Ramos was distributing his leaflet supporting the Monico-Bing ticket. Toti is for Puentevella for reelection and also for Leonardia's reelection bid.

Toti's argument is Puentevella is married to a member of the Ramos family and to him, blood is thicker than water. He is an uncle of Bing, being the brother of Bing's mother.

The leaflet Toti was distributing said, "Paid for by 1960 City Councilor Toti Ramos." The Boys joked their vote would be "Toti Ramos," instead of Monico and Bing. But that would not be counted, Toti said. He announced he is putting a bet for any amount against his ticket of Monico-Bing. They can put up any combination of Congressman, with any Mayor against his.

And Toti was giving a handicap. Ten to 7, he said. If the bet is one million, the opposite bettor would get one million and if he loses he pays only P700,000. Marianing Tuvilla and Honey Galeno said Toti is really a good accountant and businessman.

Takers there, anyone?

***

When I came home, the group of Bing Leonardia was at Seaside campaigning. Bing criss-crossed the place which has very many voters.

The day before, or last Saturday, Monico's group was in the same place hand-shaking. You cannot tell who has the upperhand. Everybody went out to meet and shook the hands of all the candidates. And, out of courtesy, every candidate was promised their vote.

No wonder in our elections, no candidate loses. He is only cheated. He thinks all voted for him.

***

As I said earlier, this is the homestretch, the last lap of the race. This is the end game. And this is the very crucial period because voters can swing either way or the other.

But, undecided voters at this time does not exceed 20 percent. That is why it is crucial, unless a candidate's edge over his opponent exceeds 20 percent.

We still say, your vote counts. Take care of your vote. And vote according to your conscience.*

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