Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro has been quoted as saying that he will run a “positive campaign.” No mud-slinging and black propaganda. Presumably, this means no dirty tricks, no “dag-dag bawas”. This is what he says and he may actually mean it. Whether this will actually come to pass is another matter, contingent on a number of factors, like how desperate the administration is to have its candidate win.

For whatever reason I can’t explain, I believe he’s sincere. He looks and sounds like a decent and upright fellow. He was a year or two younger than me in law school and although we were never friends, or even acquaintances, he came across as quiet and self-effacing. Brilliant academically. He was certainly not political, as politics was defined in U.P. during the 80’s, despite his formidable political pedigree.

But going by the recent surveys, his chance of becoming president by votes alone ranges from slim to nil. According to Pulse Asia, 79% of the respondents said they would “surely not vote for” (43 percent) and “probably not vote for” (36 percent) a presidential candidate endorsed by Ms Arroyo. The widely-perceived and well-founded “kiss of death” from GMA. Continue reading “Why Gibo Matters” →