May 31, 2010

After weeks of covering non-sense, the Inquirer now quotes one of the Senators' voice of reason, as if it is their own.


The main banner for today, although seemingly a rebuke to congress Joker: Cut debates, fast-track canvass. ‘Congress not board of inquiry’, is actually a continuing coverage of practically nothing happening in the congress canvass. In the story, Sen. Joker Arroyo is treated as the voice of reason, while Enrile is projected as a hero thwarting any attempts of delaying the canvass. No one benefits from this kind of news while we all are shown to be fools spending energy on trash.

The other news on the front page today are as follows:

Probe PCOS memory cards, group asks Comelec - a one sided unchallenged coverage of CENPEG, a group supposedly monitoring the automated elections. Even if the group seems to be spouting screwed logic with their conclusions, they are still given free space. Perhaps, there will be a continuation of this news tomorrow. Again, we all lose from this kinds of news.

Volunteers train as river warriors - gave a positive treatment to ABS-CBN, via coverage of a project the network's foundation arm has undergone to protect the Pasig river. ABS-CBN +1.

‘Top kill’ can’t plug worst US oil spill - it is the first time the Inquirer gave a front page treatment to this international disaster. Although it does not directly affects us, the coverage is an international concern and I agree that people should be aware of this developments. The news gave no references to local politics nor personalities.

Palace dares Aquino to sustain economic growth - After carelessly pointing out election spending as the main driver of economic growth in the first quarter of the year, Aquino now is given negative treatment via an interview from Malacanang sources on the same topic. Aquino -1.

Aquino dreads ‘isolated’ life in Malacañang - Is Aquino losing "it"? It seems to be the question generated by this news report, which by the way took his side on the issue. Although the news is from his side, the presumptive president-elect is actually projected, by his own words, as petty and indecisive. Aquino -1.

Analysis. Old faces in next Cabinet bode ill for Aquino - This is a commentary by an Aquino campaign promoter, Amado Doronila, who is now trying to convert into a critic. The analysis is replete of continuing spin, crediting Aquino with "his electoral mandate", while removing any credit from Arroyo in the economic uptick. In any case, the incoming administration is rebuked with initial selection of cabinet people which Doronila tagged as "turncoats". Aquino -1.

Pastors urged: Keep sermon short, ‘tweet’ - I am not sure why the UCCP is covered at this time, but the news report does not have any reference to political personalities.

The scores:
ABS-CBN: 1
Aquino: -2

As if on cue, the Inquirer front page has become a critic of Aquino, something alien right before the elections. Could there be a reason to this? I leave that to the Inquirer Front Page readers to guess.

May 30, 2010

It is the first time in a long time do we see the Aquino name treated negatively on the main banner of the Philippine Inquirer Inquirer.


With their main headline today (NIGHTMARE ON TIMES ST. Aquino's plan to stay home worries neighbors) the Inquirer told Aquino how petty and ridiculous his decision was to stay in Times St. during his presidency. Of course, the Inquirer did not do it directly, but through interviews of people around the neighborhood. The same was ridiculous since Aquino said it in a forum (around February?) but it seems only now that Aquino is presumptive President that the Inquirer is ready to challenge. In fairness to the Inquirer, I have not checked all the headlines then that I really do not know if they published anything negative about the Time's St. decision at that time. Aquino -1

The other front page news are as follows:

Aquino on 7.3% growth: Campaign funds did it, not Arroyo’s economics - If yesterday was positive to Arroyo, the Inquirer today gave space to non-economists' opinion on the uptick in the economy. No, the opinions given space today are not just from non-economists, they are also from politicians averse of any Arroyo good news, may I say. Arroyo -1.

Meanwhile, perhaps since our students will be back to school in a few weeks, the Inquirer has two politically neutral features today on education, for which I give the paper a smiley :)

First time: Blind Filipino makes it to US study program

4 Gs keep this oldest (89) graduate going

Inquirer still No. 1 with 1.2M national urban readers - is of course a biased report by the Inquirer that their own paper is the leading paper in the country. Note that they use a survey to prove their point, surely trying to create a bandwagon.

Keep off new text-speak group, students' group tells DepEd - is just a negative treatment on the DepEd, that is all. The negative treatment came in the form of an interview of people who are mostly anti anything. But as to why they are featured, I can only conclude it is to invite readership via a controversy on Jejemon. DepEd -1


The scores today?
Aquino: -1
Arroyo: -1
DepEd: -1

Note that for two days in a row, Aquino is in negative territory. Would this be the case from now on? We will see...

May 29, 2010

Of course, those who claim electoral fraud has got to show proof. It seems that Inquirer only learned that now.


Although the title of the main banner today seems to mock those who are whining about losing in the elections Name names, losers told, the report actually seems to be like a reprint of the past complaints aired everywhere so many times already. I guess there is no stopping these kinds of news, huh? I am not sure if this news is negative to the COMELEC itself, or even to SMARTMATIC. I am sure though that the whole country does not benefit from anything like this. I say we either should show proof, or move on. Please.

The other news on the Inquirer Front Page follows:

Give Aquino a break, says antismoking group - this news would not have made it for a few days in a row while the mass media is still campaigning for Noynoy. But now that he is presumptive President-elect, mass media enjoys covering the sticky subject of Noynoy's smoking addiction. Aquino -1.

Five suspects in party-list scam charged - This news turns out to be a negative news on Mike Velarde's (of El Shaddai) party list group Buhay. Velarde -1.

Canvass continues by hand, tallies pasted on board - although it did not actually paint it so, this is a news showing practically how congress is actually part of the country's problems. The last part of the news has some positive reference to VP winning candidate Binay, though. Binay +1.

Security aides of Aquino ally shot at close range - although mentioned Aquino has not give favor to him as the report is a plain presentation of what was learned on the field.

SC affirms ’07 ruling: Sugar lands also under CARP - although dealt mainly with the ruling gave an insinuation about the situation at Hacienda Luisita. The SC ruling was made last April. The news report did not say why the story is released nor covered just now. Aquino -1.

WHATEVER HAPPENED…? Tragedy in the merry month of May - recounts the story of a boat accident a year ago. This news is negative to the regulatory body, Marina, who seems not to be doing anything about safety of sea travel. I am not sure what prompted this news report though and suspect something is up over at the agency. Marina -1.

Abu Sayaff member to plead guilty in the US - there is no online copy of this report and I have not read it.

The scores today:
Binay: 1
Velarde: -1
Marina: -1
Aquino: -2

It surprises me now that Aquino in this rare occasion got the whip from the Inquirer Front Page.

May 28, 2010

At last, there is good news today. And it is about the econmony, stupid?


Except for a one time use of the word "midnight" (referring to the last few weeks of the Arroyo administration, a word used also for negative reference such as in "midnight deals and appointments") (RP economy grows 7.3%. ‘Glorious ending’ for Arroyo presidency) the headline news today is positive to the president. Arroyo +1.

The other news on the Inquirer Front Page are as follows:

Aquino receives Sino, Japan envoys - is a positive news for Aquino. Aquino +1.

Aquino raps Ombudsman for clearing President, husband - is not so much about Aquino but about Arroyo. The President and the First Gentleman is treated negatively in the entire news. Arroyo -1.

NBI arrests 5 persons ‘selling’ party-list seats - at least this one is something, people getting arrested. This news is a bit negative to President Arroyo, though, her son being mentioned with the bastardization of the partylist system. Arroyo -1.

Finally, Congress starts count by hand - is a coverage of what we can call a saga happening in Congress, the canvass of votes for President and Vice President. The news actually shows that our congress is not qualified to do anything. However, the fact that it is being covered means that it is important perhaps more important than the random manual audits that the COMELEC is doing right now to validate the count. There is no one benefiting from the kind of importance being given to Congress at this point, but it really is wasting the time energy of people following the news.

‘It’s a sin’: June 12 not holiday, June 14 is - After many years of implementing a sort of Holiday economics, Arroyo was hit by the presumptive President-elect for it. It is the first time I hear Aquino hit the policy though and I wonder why he waited years to comment on it. Also, can't he wait for a few more weeks to abolish the said policy? The Inquirer did not did not analyze though if the holiday economics made any impact at all in the local tourism industry or in any other local industry, so there is no way we can say whether it is good or not. In any case, the Inquirer just gave Aquino space to say his piece, basically unchallenged. Arroyo -1. Aquino +1.

Arroyo stops auction of Imelda Marcos jewelry - a news that surprisingly gave space again to Aquino, however late his stated opinion is. Aquino +1.

Store clerk gets big break: He’s ‘American Idol’ - is a coverage by AP of the American Idol.

Netizens score lawmakers over delay, hit ‘stupid’ questions - could be the Inquirer's safe way of telling lawmakers they are stupid, this by getting "netizens" to tell them. Congress -1.

Glossary: Know your IT vocabulary - is the accompanying definition of terms for the earlier news.

The scores:
Aquino: 3
Arroyo: -2
Congress: -1

The Inquirer rebounded and gave some sort of free space to Aquino today. I wonder why? Meanwhile, Arroyo still gets the whips.

May 27, 2010

Stoking fear seems to be the main preoccupation of the mass media today.


I think this has got to stop. We know our country wouldn't amount to anything as long as popular mass media devotes its time and space to reports that not only wastes our energy but also makes the whole country look stupid Glitch delays canvassing. No. of voters balloons to 256,733,195. I say, please, no more fear mongering of No Proc scenarios.

Locsin admits mistake: PCOS signatures same as digital - just proves my point. Why on earth are we even listening to his (Locsin's) wrong opinion and then, later on, we listen to him again talking about how wrong his opinion is? May I ask the Inquirer whether they enjoy making money out of this?

All hearsay, no solid proof, says watchdog - precisely! And please, we do not need no one to tell us that all the reports are in fact baseless!

Morato: Men asked P1B to cheat for Teodoro - still another news on nothing! While real trash and how to handle them is a deeper issue, while we talk about climate change and the need for trees, why do we need to print this trash on paper. The tree wherefrom the (news)paper came indeed died in vain.

Comelec asks DoJ to probe ‘Hello, Ronnie’ - Grrr, do people actually pay the Inquirer to read this stuff?

Last 2 minutes: Ombudsman clears President, Mike Arroyo - Hello, do we have any real news today, yet? This one is negative to Arroyo though. Arroyo -1.

Times St. packs ’em in: Well-wishers, jobless, ‘James Bond’ - As expected, Aquino is swamped with letters, requests and indeed resumes (job applicants).

‘Crouching’ star on the road to save lives - at least I agree that this one should be in the front page. Road safety is important and is quite not given enough attention. With the increasing number of accidents especially involving motorcycles, every rider should have been aware of safe motoring. At least I found one news article worthy of its front page space!

’Twas year’s hottest day in Metro: 38 °C - weather is always important and deserves front page space.

The score today:
Arroyo: -1

It is a slow day today, the Inquirer does not have much to report. So they just try to get more juice from a very long ago dead tree. And even when there is nothing to report, outgoing President Arroyo still gets the whip. I say today's front page goes straight to the bin.

May 26, 2010

The Inquirer Front Page is still on the NoProc scenario today..



The main headline (VP CoCs may delay count. Veep race issues seen as canvass starts) is a report on opinion of different personalities involved in the canvass of votes. Although the gist of the story does not include and reference to the possibility of No Proclamation, the headline itself is somewhat pushing that idea. Perhaps the headline is meant to sell more at the stands. I did not see anyone directly benefited by the news, except, in a way, those who won the elections.

Other front page news today are as follows:

Automated polls spawn automatic protests - is basically a space given to former COMELEC chairman Christian Monsod and did not favor or put into negative any of the national figures, not even the COMELEC itself.

WHINERS AND LOSERS. Locsin: Complainants serve public - is a report on more allegations of poll fraud that are devoid of proof (and even logic). The loser here is the entire country where other people can look at us as fools, thanks to the Philippines brand of journalism where controversy is preferred over facts.

Revillame says sorry, wants out but can’t - is all about the TV gameshow host Willie Revillame's relationship with his own TV network. There is no reference to any national figures, while Revillame himself is given more than positive treatment (as in, the news reported that he sticks to his word but can't, because of a contract).

‘Whiners who cry fraud deserve to lose’ - here is more discussion on election fraud, a further waste of time. I did not see anyone benefiting from the report though.

Liar! Liar! Comelec exec loses cool, kicks chairs - is a he-says-she-says account of what happened during a COMELEC meeting with supposed whistle blowers on the discontinued ballot secrecy folder contract. I think the COMELEC is put in a bad light with this news, giving prominence on the unproven irregularities.

SC legitimized no digital signature, says lawyer - is a part of a continuing report on the defects of the automated election where the whole country loses. I did not see anyone to have benefited from the news report.


Auctioneers here to sell: Imelda gems not for sale - is a story on Imelda's jewels and is somewhat negative to the PCGG. Of course, any talk on her jewels will make a negative reminder of her excesses during their time in Malacanang. Imelda Marcos -1.

Scores: Imelda: -1

Amazing to note that the newspaper has not so much given a negative or positive treatment to anyone these days.

May 25, 2010

Still, more baseless news on poll fraud are the main headlines in the Inquirer Front Page today..

The main headline today More losers cry poll fraud. ‘Koala asked P50M to rig vote’ is simply a rehash of the Koala Bear story, this time coming from some losing politicians who cannot explain why they did not report to the authorities little Koala Bears' offer of cheating before the elections. I cannot see how this news can be negative or positive to anyone except I am sure it is quite negative for the country as a whole, as we could be mistaken by the world as mere gossipers.

The other news in the front page today are as follows:

Locsin urges original ‘koala’ to come forward - continues the story of the masked man no matter how irrelevant he really is. The news though gave ample space for Estrada giving him positive treatment. Estrada +1

CONGRESS CANVASS Easy sailing for Aquino; VP race too close to call - is a story of possible canvass by the congress on the votes for President and Vice President. It seems to me that this kind of story benefits whoever is the real loser in the VP race. Surely, the winner would like to be proclaimed soon while someone losing would like to delay the same. I read this news to have favored Roxas, therefore. Roxas +1

Palace, LP wrangle over ‘no proclamation’ talk - although this news gave space to both the Palace and LP sides, it gave too much credence to NoProc scenario, and thus a negative treatment to President Arroyo. Arroyo -1

Digital signatures built-in, say poll officials - is a news report on the supposed lack of digital signatures which centers on actually on how the term "digital signature" is defined. The news though again gave the idea of possibility of cheating although I cannot see whether the same give positive or negative treatment to anybody.

Nograles cool to freedom of info measure - is a coverage on a public transparency law which is pending in congress. The news itself did not mention any of the national figures except Speaker Nograles' apparent coolness (not bent towards working to approve it) towards the pending bill.

Aquino on smoking: Sorry, but I can’t quit - this report shows how weak Presumptive President Aquino is not even planning on quitting his smoking habit. I say Aquino is treated negatively here. Aquino -1.

Peñafrancia group to raise 3M rosaries - is a feature on the activities surrounding the Our Lady of Penafrancia.

The score today:
Estrada: 1
Roxas: 1
Aquino: -1
Arroyo: -1

Note that it is the first time in a while the Aquino joined Arroyo in the negative territory.

May 24, 2010

Another problem with the automated elections is the main headline in the Inquirer Front Page today.


This time, it was Locsin who said that there is a huge problem in our automation, that there are no digital signatures on the election returns (Election returns flawed, says Locsin. He cites missing digital signatures) which runs contrary to RA8792 (Electronic Commerce Act of 2000). I am not sure though whether RZ8792 covers the poll automation or whether the specific laws covering the automation itself has provisions on digital signatures. I think the first course of action here is to ask the COMELEC's legal department about this which the Inquirer did not do. In the meantime, I do not see anyone benefiting from this news except the losers in the May 10 elections who may yet again use the issue to further their complaints.

The other news in the front page today are as follows:

Handlers of ‘koala bear’ still unknown - shows the mass media's preference to talk about things controversial although shallow. This is a continuation of the news on the Koala Bear, the news report saying Locsin says the tapes came from Ermita while Ermita says his copy came from Buddy Cunanan (a Manila Times Columnist). The news report though stopped at that and did not follow on Cunanan. Perhaps it is supposed to make us salivate for more and eagerly await tomorrow's continuation.

Pacquiao faces toughest challenge in Sarangani - Gave Pacquiao negative coverage describing his election spending in Sarangani and putting him to task on his promises. Although this news is necessary and in fact important, the question is why the boxer is being singled out. The news itself did not say whether Pacquiao's opponent did a lot of spending as well in the campaign. The news though came from Agence France-Presse, which I can understand is reporting for the international audience who may know Pacquiao but won't give a damn about his opponent. Pacquiao -1

Why Quezon gov was denied Catholic burial - is a factual report on the death of an official in Quezon province and seems neutral even to the Catholic church.

Analysis. Visit shows US recognition of Aquino mandate - is an analysis by Amando Doronila whom we now always see as supportive of Aquino. This analysis seems to promote to the mind of the people the continuing drive for "mandate" from the Aquino camp, as if a win is not enough. Of course, a better analysis would have been to look at the sticky points in our relations with the US, rather than just to highlight the approval from the world leading power, so uncharacteristically of Doronila.Aquino +1

Hot, humid days seen till mid-June - is a news report on the weather giving space to preparations in Albay for La Nina. It gave positive exposure to Albay Gov. Salceda which we do not count yet.

Aquino rejects uncle’s bid to legalize ‘jueteng’ - looks like a press release for Aquino which confuses as to whether Aquino really is for Jueteng or not. Aquino +1

REACH OUT AND READ Program embraces women of Aurora - is a feature on a children's health program in the province of Aurora.

The scores today go:
Aqiuno: 2
Pacquiao: -1

May 23, 2010

Still, a positive spin on Aquino's "mandate" is the center of the Inquirer's attention today.


As if a foreign country's approval of the presumptive president is of supreme importance to our society, and as if yesterday's positive treatment of the meeting between Aquino and the US envoy is not enough to illustrate such (a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100523-271542/China-Spain-hail-Aquinos-poll-victory">China, Spain hail Aquino's poll victory), today's news is more of the same, this time including the congratulatory letters coming from the Chinese ambassador and Spain's prime minister. Surely, this headline news is a press release from Sen. Aquino's camp. Aquino +1.

The other news in the Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page are as follows:

With ‘grace of office’ comes every blessing needed - this is a news report on the interviews with Aquino religious priests and a nun supporters. Aquino +1.

Oprah sent her TV crew to film Charice baptism - is a simple coverage on the singer's baptism.

Ex-CJ Puno says no to Aquino’s DOJ offer - is both a positive and negative treatment of Puno and does seems not to have given anyone any favor.

‘Arroyo won’t need begging bowl for pork’ - is a news with negative treatment on Arroyo's supposed use of pork for political ends and a supposed departure from the practice. Of course we all know that if there is a departure from previous pork utilization practices, the interviewed presumptive Speaker would not have been confident to get the post at all. So I say it is a pure negative spin against the present administration. Arroyo -1.

Some enchanted evening, Fr. Reuter found love in RP - is a pure news coverage of a beloved honorary "Filipino" priest.

VILLANUEVA VS VILLANUEVA Court to decide matters of heart SPECIAL REPORT - is a continuation of yesterday's feature on the plight of an old woman and the fight for her custody.

Todays score goes:
Aquino: 2
Arroyo: -1

Again, Aquino enjoys positive treatment from the front page, while the whip stays with Arroyo.

May 22, 2010

Aquino's supposed mandate proven by a backdraft of the US envoy visit is the topic of the main Inquirer headline today.


The front page headline today (Aquino receives US envoy. Thomas: Will of Filipinos has been respected) made the seeming US approval of the Philippines elections as a centerpiece. The newspiece also highlight Aquino's word on his supposed "mandate" versus Arroyo's questionable tenure..

“I think we will have better relations with the US especially after a government with no clear mandate has left and a new government with a clear mandate has taken over,” Aquino said.

It also features Aquino's obviously out-of-context view of Nograles's statement on the schedule of congressional canvass:

“I don’t think it is right for the Speaker to say that. We have an obligation to preserve the stability of leadership to ensure that the term of the [incumbent] government would end at 12 p.m. on June 30,” Aquino said, adding:

“When he says [the canvass] would end exactly at that time, that would only add to doubts [among] the people that we don’t need at the moment.

“Creating fears that there will be no president by June 30 is not service to the people.”

This obviously gave Aquino a big thumbs up. Aquino +1

Palace: ‘Pork’ control limited to 2010 budget - insists on the supposed contest for speakership in the lower house. This time though, the Inquirer seemingly made some research and affirmed the inclusion of a provision limiting the president's control on the PDAF per the GAA of 2010. I cannot get a firm hold on who benefits from this piece of news, though, except that it could benefit Aquino once an LP bet got the post (as if winning a ferocious battle). I make no judgement on this one, yet.

Aquino OK riding with Arroyo to inaugural, no farther - this is a news on "The Buzz" type of interview with the presumptive president, which Aquino, not unlike his sister Kris, gamely played along. One thing that the Inquirer missed though is the seeming indecision by the senator to marry his girlfriend of two years (Not only does he seem to be undecided to marry her during his Presidency, he seems undecided to marry her at all. Poor Shalani). He also unmindfully mentioned about his father Ninoy hitting him on the nape which the Inquirer barely picked on.

He related how his father, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., would hit him on the nape when he did not show respect for his elders.

On a personal note, Aquino admitted that he was not ready to have a First Lady.

“Yes [it’s inspiring to have a wife] but at the same time we have to be cognizant that we could make a wrong decision. That’s a huge responsibility,” he said.

Aquino, 50, has been going steady with his girlfriend of two years, Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad, 30.

Aquino told reporters on Thursday night that no one has given him advice not to get married.

Nevertheless, the news report gave space to a pure Aquino view unmindful of the gaffes he almost always does. Aquino +1.

Losers lament zero votes, padding, pre-shading, etc - is a news on election cheating, expectedly from the losers' points of view. I did not see any glaring reference to any of the Presidential candidates, nor did it attack the integrity of the COMELEC nor the PPCRV.

WHO’S KOALA BEAR’S HANDLER? Palace, says Locsin; a losing ‘presidentiable,’ says Comelec - is another wasted space dedicated to the Koala Bear. Locsin though named Malacanang behind the incredulous masked witness while the COMELEC suspects a losing candidate which could either be Estrada, Villar or Teodoro. I say the Arroyo administration received flak from Locsin in this one. Arroyo -1.

Jojo Binay camp jubilant, cites Aquino slip of tongue - meant it takes another national figure to make use of an Aquino gaffe. Binay +1.

VILLANUEVA VS VILLANUEVA Heirs battle for custody of 100-year-old matriarch - Is a sad feature on a 100-year-old grandmother whose children seems to be fighting for custody, apparently to take control of her wealth when she dies.

Thai still split, urban poor versus elite - I did not see the online version of this news but I presume it is exclusively reporting on the Thailand crisis.

So the score:
Aquino: 2
Binay: 1
Arroyo: -1

To this day, the Inquirer still gives positive treatment to Aquino while Arroyo is still hounded by negative reportage.

May 21, 2010

Pork. That is the main headline of the Phil. Daily Inquirer today.



Trying to heat up a non-issue, the control of the lower house, is the main banner of the Inquirer today (Aquino won’t control pork. 2010 budget ties hands of successor). The title is actually a quote from Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman of Lakas-Kampi-CMD who said that the General Appropriations Act of 2010 has a provision inserted on it barring the President from impounding the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or more commonly referred to as the Pork Barrel.

As usual, the Inquirer did not do its homework to check whether the GAA indeed has such a provision. So I run a quick check but did not find any (see file from DBM website). Still, even If I did not find anything, that doesn't mean there is no such provision. The Inquirer should have at least asked other people who would have known better instead of leaving the statements just at that and make a headline! I am not really sure how this news would play out, whether it benefits one personality over the other. The speakership contest is still so far out (July 26, 2010), the control of the President on who is going to be speaker is known to be insurmountable, yet the mass media insists on reporting it. In the end, people are wasting too much energy on trivial matters instead of looking for real solutions to the many problems we all have. There is only one loser on this kind of news, the people.

The other front page news for today are as follows:

Locsin loses it in House over his ‘baby’ - reports the outburst of Cong. Locsin and the complaints of many losers in the last elections. So far, the news that are coming out are still devoid of any documented proofs or substantive elements. I don't see anyone benefiting from these news though, although I feel again this news is a waste of time. Meanwhile, if our lawmakers make it a habit of making a fool out of our election suppliers, sooner or later the whole country would also suffer, as there could be a time that no credible supplier will bid their lowest price to go into this kind of humiliation.

Comelec on ‘koala bears’: Stop peddling lies - again to waste more of our time, this news gave space this time to the COMELEC's (wasting their time also) rebuttal of the nonsense that the Koala bear is saying. The news also gave ample space to Binay's statements, making the piece positive for the winning VP candidate. Binay +1.

Aquino to take oath before lone SC dissenter - is a report on coverage of Aquino giving his side on some issues and ignoring all gaffes he continuously makes. Aquino +1

Poll collection fashioned out of tarpaulins, plastic, bullets - is a news about an ingenious recycling of campaign posters with very little reference to Aquino, Villar and Estrada.

‘Dear Gloria,’ you’ve got mail (hate), goodbye - is probably a balanced take on the Dear Gloria facebook page but which is a mostly negative page, by the way. So I still give it a negative score for Arroyo. Arroyo -1.

Foreigners cry with ‘Morong 43’ in jail visit - is a news report on the plight of the Morong 43 suspected to be communist rebels. It did not mention anything about Arroyo although it is obvious that the report is leaning for the rebel suspects. There is quite some reference to the incoming administration who supposedly would "try to help" them but the report did not gave any confirmation on that. I think the news is negative to the military though. AFP -1

Protesters dispersed; Thais still divided - is purely a report on the Thailand crisis.

My scoreboard for today:
Binay: 1
Aquino: 1
Arroyo: -1
AFP: -1

Today, presumptive President, Sen. Aquino still enjoys a positive treatment from the Inquirer front page.

May 20, 2010

A koala bear in the Philippines? That is the main news in the Inquirer front page today.


The main headline (‘Koala bear’ is amusing. Melo says man out to derail elections) mainly reports the reaction of many including the COMELEC on the supposed election fraud witness who is hiding behind a Koala-Bear-looking mask. The news is just a collections of quotes from different personalities which by their quotes established that the Koala bear witness makes no sense. The Inquirer though, as if lacking a mind of their own, did not do its assignment by analyzing the lack of logic that the Koala bear has been saying. And even if the witness makes no sense, he grabbed the so called "Balanced News, Fearless Views" headlines nevertheless (hey, we cannot fault them for that, they didn't say logical news, sensible views, did they?). In the end, some elements of the news gave Aquino a good coverage by establishing that his win is assured. Aquino +1.

The other news on the front page are as follows:

PPCRV dares whistle-blowers: Polls credible, present proof - this news is on the same topic but coming from the point of view of the PPCRV. There is no reference on national figures though so I list this one as neutral.

Barangay ‘kap’ out for Aquino oath but Corona not in - This news is in defense or retraction of Aquino's apparent gaffe in choosing a barangay captain to swear him in. I am not sure if I am the only one who took note that the gaffe there could mean a total embarrassment to Aquino. WOULD HE REALLY WANT TO BE SWORN IN ANYWHERE NEAR HACIENDA LUISITA? Obviously now, his spokesperson is trying to stop the fire Aquino has created. But they do not need to fret though, the mass media did not so much took notice. In fact, the Inquirer totally ignored Lacierda's addition to the Local Government code when he said that Barangay Captains are allowed "only" to administer oaths relative to his functions.

“That has been ruled out because Section 420 of the [LGC] says that a barangay captain can only administer an oath relative to his function” as chair of the lupong tagapamayapa (peace and order council), Lacierda said.

Note: bold highlight is mine.

Of course, a quick look at the specific section of the local government code would have also totally embarrassed Lacierda for it did not limit the Barangay Chairman at all but rather allowed him/her to administer oaths pertaining to his/her functions.

SEC. 420. Power to Administer Oaths. - The punong barangay, as chairman of the lupong tagapamayapa, and the members of the pangkat are hereby authorized to administer oaths in connection with any matter relating to all proceedings in the implementation of the katarungang pambarangay.

The news report also defends another Aquino gaffe on not recognizing the new chief justice. Now the report found someone, a UP professor, Theodore Te, who is obviously an Aquino supporter, to rehash the same argument that the LP would like to publish over and over again. The news also report a critic from the same sources on Corona's apparent media blitz to defend himself. Obviously, some people would want to crucify Corona and not give him a chance to defend himself.

I say this news utterly favors Aquino, is negative to Corona and to Arroyo. Aquino +1, Corona -1, Arroyo -1.

2 champs–Pacquiao, Aquino– meet for ‘friendly chat’ - is a report about the meeting between Aqiuno and Pacquiao. I understand why the headline call Pacquiao a champion. I do not understand though why it gave the same for Aquino. It also gave some coverage on Kris Aquino. With the title and the thought that Pacquiao might be switching to the Aquino camp makes this piece of news a bit positive for Aquino. So, Aquino +1.

Bangkok burns amid Army crackdown - is a news on the crisis in Bangkok, Thailand which does not have any local reference.

Comelec knows VP winner but isn’t talking - is a general neutral report on the COMELEC's canvass. The paper though still is not making a call on who won the electronic canvass in the VP race even if it can be presumed that they have access to the results. In fact for me, this news could have been the same as the "Inquirer knows VP winner but is not talking". OF course, this omission by the paper gave a positive chance to the loser whoever he is. At the very least, the paper is shown to sacrifice the truth just so not to anger the losing candidate (which I think is Roxas). So I guess this news goes Roxas +1.

Nograles to file raps; goons in Basilan; other fraud reports - now this news cover the same electoral fraud charges this time coming from Nograles', the NP and from a group called Kontra Daya's side. Again, the Inquirer chose to be a mere recorder of what the people are saying rather than use their mind and give weight to what is being said. I did not find any positive or negative spin though even if Villar is mentioned a bit in the report.

SULPICIO TRAGEDY ‘When I saw these bones, I can feel this is my son’ - covers a development on the sinking of the shipping vessel called Princess of the Stars (Sulpicio Lines) which the news itself recalled to have happened in 2008. It did not have any reference to any national figure except when there is mention that the government allowed the Sulpicio Lines to change it names and are now still operating in the shipping industry.

The scores for today:
Aquino: 3
Roxas: 1
Corona: -1
Arroyo: -1

Still, it could be easily noted that the present administration is the favorite whipping boy (or girl) of the Inquirer Front Page.

May 19, 2010

Is the Inquirer trying to make an issue out of nothing today? That is the first question that popped out of my mind when I saw the Front Page today.

The main headline speaks of possible election fraud (Fraud tales grow taller. But PPCRV sees few discrepancies in vote count). The first part of the news shares it as if the allegations are "wild". Later though, it gave ample space to Estrada's complaints. Although the Inquirer surely would have had access to random manual audit performed by the COMELEC and the PPCRV, the paper did not attest to the result of the activity. It just quoted what PPCRV said as if they did not witness it:

PPCRV spokesperson Ana de Villa-Singson told reporters that the difference of 0.0006 was less than 1-percentage point, an indication of the accuracy of the electronic count

For me, it looks like the Inquirer would like this controversy to hold and juice it to the fullest, perhaps to sell more paper from the stands. In any case, the news itself gave positive coverage for Estrada whose complaint is given prominence. Estrada +1.

The other news in the front page today are as follows:

Osmeña, Lapid, Guingona take last Senate seats - this news gave some positive spin for Aquino by having Hontiveros (13th placer) and Guingona (now Senator) talked about continuing the fight. It also gave positive space for COMELEC's Melo. Aquino +1, COMELEC +1.

Thai gov’t rejects talks with protesters - this news on the upper left corner of the front page is about the crisis in Thailand and does not talk about any of the political forces in the Philippines.

12,000 watch concert for Maguindanao dead - This news remembering the gruesome massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao expectedly gave negative treatment to President Arroyo. Arroyo -1

BINAY VS ROXAS Veep winner known next week - again, this news seems to be an attempt by mass media to make an issue out of nothing. The mass media has access to COCs and it seems they do not want to analyze them and call the results. Whoever is the real loser in the VP race is the one given favor by this news and of course I cannot make that call. The only thing we know is we, the readers, are being played upon by these kind of news.

Gordon still couldn’t take it he got only 450,000 votes - this one is hard to call if it is positive or negative for Gordon. The title seem to say that Gordon is at least a sour loser or at most losing his mind. The contents of the news itself gave reasonable coverage of him, though. So I say it is neutral.

New Chief Justice goes on media blitz - this one goes positive for Corona as it covers mostly his side. However, while mass media should have done its job by looking at Corona's decisions in the past whether they benefit the Arroyo administration or not, the preferred to ride on the controversy and act as if it is not their job to verify. This news has brief mention of Sen. Escudero, who this early is given credible coverage by the paper. I say, Corona +1, Escudero +1.

Marcelo defends The Firm, denies raps - this gave the "firm" ample space to defend itself but I do not say it benefits any of the national figures.

So the scores seems to show that Arroyo is still the favorite whipping girl of the mass media although not as intense as before the elections:
Estrada: 1
COMELEC: 1
Aquino: 1
Corona: 1
Escudero: 1
Arroyo: -1

May 18, 2010

The new Chief Justice is the main headline of the Inquirer today.

Corona: Aquino doesn’t bother me. Chief Justice vows independence from Arroyo

The main front page headline today, although featuring answers by the Chief Justice to the negative issues hounding his appointment Play hardball on Corona, Aquino urged played out positive for him. I say Corona +1.

The other news in the front page today and my judgment on them follows:

Ex-SolGen tags ‘The Firm’ in drive vs new CJ - This news is a treatment of the same issue, from the point of view of Ex-SolGen Frank Chavez who lashes out at those pushing for Carpio to be Chief Justice. In the end, he also put the Supreme Court into negative light with the decision on the constitutionality of the appointment. I say this one puts the entire Supreme Court into negative territory. Supreme Court -1

OFF LIMITS Palace hides Corona oath-taking from media - Although there is definitely nothing into it, the title of this news itself proves negative to the PGMA administration and to Corona himself. There is nothing into it because indeed private ceremonies and inaugurations are normal occurrence in the Palace. Corona is even quite easily accessed by the mass media while the whole event is expected, meaning there is nothing hidden at all. Still I say Arroyo -1, Corona -1.

Thai troops tighten noose on Red Shirt camp - is a news exclusively reporting on the Thailand crisis with no political colors.

VEEP RACE Binay up by .8-M votes but LP says Roxas ahead = While the Inquirer has the power to side to the truth by checking their own media Certificate of Canvass and analyzing the remaining uncounted votes (as to where they are coming from), they instead let a he-say-she-say kind of report muddle the issue as to who is leading in the VP race. If only the Inquirer will do its job properly, right from the start, the people would have been more informed and we would have known which side is lying. However, perhaps it is too much to ask the Inquirer. In any case, I read the news as more negative to Roxas although both sides are given print space. I say Roxas -1.

House fight: Who controls the pork rules - This news just proves that the supposed fight for the speakership is actually a non-news, a fact that I was talking about in my radio program since it was first brought up (right from the start of the run of President Arroyo for congress). We have actually been reading trash all along and the Inquirer seems enjoy printing it. But would this piece of news rebound to the positive for Aquino as to saying he is in control? If we say the LP and Aquino is synonymous, then indeed it is positive for him. But is the LP and Aquino synonymous to each other? I am not sure, so I say this one is LP +1, for now.

Metro sizzles at 37.3oC; rains still 2 weeks away - while the Inquirer today was merely reporting the weather, it is noteworthy to remember that before the elections, weather news such as this means the possibility of brown-outs which means the possibility of failure of elections which means the extension of PGMA's tenure. I cannot believe people would really fall for that political propaganda, but they did. Now the same report passes by as if nothing happened. This news is politically neutral though.

So the score for today:
LP: 1
Corona: 0
Supreme court: -1
Roxas: -1

May 17, 2010

Like a TV soap series, the Inquirer main headline today is a continuation of their coverage of the battle for the House of Representatives.


For me, the real news (Anti-Aquino Congress seen. Noynoy may need to form new political alliances) there is that Aquino would have been proven to be very weak if and in case the house was controlled by soon would be ex-President and Congresswoman Arroyo. However, it seems the news gives drama to the struggle for control of the lower house, without giving priority to the logic of such. Still, I say whoever holds the pork holds Congress, and whoever holds the pork but loses control of Congress will lose control in everything. I say Arroyo gets this one. Arroyo +1

The following are the other news (and my judgment as to who they benefit) in the Inquirer Front Page today:

ANALYSIS With Corona snub, Aquino risks showdown with high court - Is not actually news but an analysis made by whom we consistently see now as to have been very supportive of Aquino, Mr. Armando Doronila. Mr. Doronila blames Arroyo on the possible consitutional crisis of Aquino's snub of the new Chief Justice:

Ms Arroyo’s appointment—one of her last acts in office—was highly provocative. She was carrying out a scorched policy against her successor by creating conditions for a constitutional crisis involving the next president and the Supreme Court, which she had packed with her appointees.

Of course, Doronila is plain wrong as it is Aquino's action that will surely determine whether there would be a crisis or not. Aquino was actually the one who provoked the crisis by not recognizing the Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of Arroyo's appointment of a new Chief Justice and not the other way around. Aquino actually threatened to hammer his own head. Now, everyone is waiting whether he will do it or not.

Doronila also forgot that it was the incoming President who was actually divisive when the basis of the latter's campaign is actually anything or everything against Arroyo..

The exiting President, who is responsible for this last-hour controversy, has left us a toxic and divisive legacy by sowing landmines in the path of transition.

I say this front page material puts a very positive spin for Aquino. Aquino +1

‘People’s President’ embraces destiny - is the continuation of yesterday's fan piece about Aquino. The author, Thelma Sioson San Juan, cannot even just quote other people's praise of Aquino, but instead embelish her work with praise for his idol all coming from herself:

A regular guy who’s not full of himself—that’s a side to Aquino the public hardly knew in the three decades that his family has lived on the national stage, perhaps because he never deliberately hopped on that stage.

Well, if there is anything we can get from this piece, it is that there is no indication of any wedding plans during the Presidency (as if the President cannot have a family and be president at the same time, poor Shalani) and that sister Kris Aquino will remain to be on our TV sets (as if there is nothing wrong, nor conflict of interest, with that) for possibly the rest of our lives. Aquino +1

COMMENTARY Polls show passion for democracy - is a plain commentary on the voter's turnout and the process by which we vote. I see no reference to any national figure, so I say it is neutral.

25 DEAD IN CLASHES. Thai Red Shirts seek talks - although this news might be of importance to us in the future (ie. a study on the manner of protest actions and government crackdown of the same, and the economic results of such political action and how their crisis gave our country better standing in the international community, etc.), it does not have reference to any local national figure.

Web wizard helps people in distress - is a feature on a certain Yobie Benjamin, supposedly a Pinoy web expert based in the US.

‘Magnificent 5’ may swing vote for Senate head - is about an interview with Zubiri on the future of the senate leadership. Although it discusses the different scenarios/possibilities, I see no benefit for anyone, except Zubiri and his group.

Barangay chair needs ‘barong’ for new role - is an advance notice on who might swear in Aquino as President. It gave Noynoy a bit of a positive spin in the end when it quoted a Baranggay Chairman as having said that Aquino is a humble person. But I don't think it is enough to give this news to favor Aqiuno as it in fact pre-empts his action and limiting his freedom to choose who to swear him in. It could even be a trap set up to have Aquino sworn in in a place that may even be hostile to his ascendancy to power. So I say this news is neutral, at the moment.

So I think, today's front page gave favor to only two persons as follows:
Aquino: 2
Arroyo: 1

May 16, 2010

While she hasn't left yet, President Arroyo has already plotted her return. That is the main topic in the Inquirer Front Page today.


The main headline today (Arroyo firms up Lakas grip) seems like a teaser to an upcoming movie, as it focuses on the return of the outgoing president President Arroyo. I say the news is a one sided press release coming from the Arroyo camp which the Inquirer seemed too happy to play along. Arroyo +1

The other news today and my humble judgment on them are as follows:

9 senators’ proclamation fastest ever in RP history - This news junks the idea that Pinoys are clamoring for change as it highlights the return of former senators thus "the old are made new again". The news, although at first I thought would be plainly positive to COMELEC, gave space to Marcos who now becomes a national figure as an incoming senator. I say this news piece gave Marcos a slight favor enough to earn a point. Marcos +1

This special time worth timeless, precious mementos - This news is a feature on "Samuel John Butcher, creator of the “Precious Moments” inspirational greetings cards, posters and figurines". The feature even shows a photo of a special figurine made by Butcher of a teary eyed girl looking at a shoe with a Cory name on it. The figurine also has the incription "who's gonna fill your shoes?". Although the girl doesn't look like a Filipino girl for me, the news of course gave some positive favor for Sen. Aquino, who now seems to be about to fill Cory's shoes. Aquino +1

‘People’s President’ embraces destiny - This news is not news at all as it has got I-am-a-big-fan-of-Noynoy-Aquino written all over it. Really, this piece is amazing, funny even. Let us take quotes and comment on them:

Noynoy’s likely ascendancy to the presidency, in what is shaping up to be an overwhelming mandate from the people, comes as a total surprise not just to the holders of power in this country, but even more so to himself.

"Overwhelming mandate"? The author, Thelma Sioson San Juan, seems to have forgotten that Aquino is just taking in a bit more than 40% of the votes while almost 60% did not vote for him, hardly overwhelming. Funny if we use the same logic, both Binay and Roxas whose numbers were near 40% got overwhelming mandate too, which doesn't make any sense!

"Surprise.. to the holders of power in this country"? I wonder what the writer is talking about when it is the same holders of power in this country who propped him up?

Meanwhile, I wonder how supposed "journalists" ask their subject a question such as "Don't you see the irony of your life" which is like asking "How do you feel being good?"?

He wasn’t just trying to be philosophical or spiritual, he was just being his true self, a guy who’s not preoccupied with himself at all.

The guy who didn’t fanatically seek power for himself will be the President of the Philippines any day now. Don’t you see the irony of your life? we pressed on. We felt we had to ask him because not only have we known him for 26 years—“since 1984, to be exact,” Noynoy calculated—we’ve also tracked that life during those decades.

He merely looked at us, half-shrugged and proceeded to talk about other things. Obviously, to him, even his date with destiny was still not about himself.

Perhaps I was wrong. Maybe the writer is not a journalist. I do not know her at all. Perhaps she is just a fan and this piece is a fan mail, for only a fan would say on her own "he doesn't have to fake it".

His candidacy was triggered by the people’s clamor following the death of his mother, the icon of democracy and revered former President Corazon Aquino. Yet city slickers have hardly caught a glimpse of how this “people power” candidate is truly at home with the people, and they with him. He doesn’t have to fake it.

It is funny really how the writer called this a "people's campaign" when we all know that at least hundreds of millions, if not billions, of pesos are spent by the Aquino camp on TV ads alone.

While he didn’t plan it, Aquino was on his way to becoming a People’s President. Volunteerism and donations made up his people campaign. (The array of merchandise—T-shirts, baller IDs, caps—that came from every kind of donor was bewildering. And because all of it was volunteered, there was no uniform design, except that they all stuck to the yellow color theme.)

As if we are not yet given jokes after jokes yet, the writer even says that "not many know Aquino can speed read", possibly Aquino not even knowing it himself until now!

Not many know that Aquino can speed-read. He was on the plane when the Supreme Court handed down the decision that the incumbent President has the power to appoint the next Chief Justice, and he knew the media would be asking for his comment as soon as the plane landed.

According to an aide, he had the Supreme Court decision downloaded and proceeded to read the entire manuscript, go over it with his lawyers and mentally mark the salient points.

“It was then we realized how he could speed-read and that he has a photographic memory,” the aide said.

Needless to say, this piece is again for Aquino, even double so. So I gave this to Aquino +2!

Binay still leads; LP says don’t count Mar out - is an uncontested press release coming exclusively from the LP. While media has access to real COCs as well the Inquirer did not bother to verify if the LP claim is accurate. So I say this one goes for Roxas +1.

Estrada focuses on ‘hocus PCOS’ - While the earlier news is a release from LP, this one comes exclusively from the Estrada camp. So I give this one to Estrada +1.

So the score for today goes:
Aquino: 3
Arroyo: 1
Marcos: 1
Roxas: 1
Estrada: 1

Looking at the front page, I thought there are more press releases given space (for Aquino, Arroyo, Roxas and Estrada) today than any other day in our monitor. Meanwhile, there seems to be a resurgence of positive spin for Aquino, recovering from some negative news coming a couple of days ago.

Something cooking? I let you, the readers, make the call.

May 15, 2010

The battle in the Supreme Court is the topic of the main headline today.


The main headline, although it also features comments from the palace' side, gives more space to Aquino's side today than to anyone else (Aquino may be sworn in by barangay captain. Congress starts canvass of poll results May 24). I say further it gave way too much space to unfounded opinions from Aquino and even Pimentel, who seems to have completed a roundabout (Pimentel was one of those who first called on Aquino to run, and then was on Villar's side during the campaign as he defended Villar in the Senate, and now he came back to Aquino's defense). Aquino +1

Puno retires, calls Corona 23rd Chief Justice - This news is mainly a tribute to Puno, although the title and first focus was on Puno's recognition of the new CJ. I think therefore it is a bit positive to Corona. Corona +1

Grace Padaca weeps for Isabela; Among Ed goes back to priesthood - This news did not give reference to Aquino nor to any other national figure, even if it gave space almost exclusively to both Padaca and Among Ed. I say it is neutral as far as our scores are concerned (We are grading the Inquirer on their treatment of national figures only).

Comelec told to speed up transmission of poll results is a generally neutral treatment of news on the automated elections.

COMMENTARY Filipinos carry on love affair with PCOS machines - is Randy David's post mortem of the elections which favors Aquino and of course negative to Arroyo. Aquino +1, Arroyo -1

Charice hailed soon-to-be Asian superstar in US - this news piece highlighting the difficulties of pushing Charice's music to the teenage market is devoid of any political reference.

Arroyo can’t rely on party; Lakas reign ending in 15th Congress is a news piece basically against Arroyo. It completely disregards the fact that even Belmonte is an Arroyo supporter to the last minute before the elections. It also reiterates the misleading notion that Arroyo supported Congressional candidates rather than local candidates which was already debunked by the Inquirer's own past coverage. So Arroyo gets another negative treatment here. Arroyo -1

Battle of networks shifts to holograms - is a news feature on the big network's fixation on technology. It somehow gave positive treatment to both networks, so I gave them the scores. GMA7 +1, ABSCBN +1

The final score today goes something like this:
Aquino: 2
Corona: 1
ABS-CBN: 1
GMA7: 1
Arroyo: -2

So as of today, I think Arroyo is still the favorite whipping girl of the Inquirer Front Page.

May 14, 2010

The supposed fight for speakership is the main headline topic today.


When every newspapermen knew that the President always gets the support of the House of Representatives, especially at the start of his/her term, the headline today dreams up a contest for the speakership (LP to pit Belmonte vs Arroyo for Speaker. Ms Arroyo has 80 solons now, needs 144 votes). Although the real news would have been how weak an Aquino presidency is if he is not able to secure the Lower House's support, Arroyo is treated as a wheeling/dealing politician who wants to be Speaker. Arroyo = -1

The other front page news today are as follows:

Aquino plans Corona snub, seeks another justice for oath - seems to be a neutral treatment to both Aquino and Arroyo. What is wrong with this news though is it did not resolve the obvious question as to who should swear in the new president - whether the constitution requires the CJ to swear him in. So I checked the constitution and did not find any requirement. Neutral.

COMMENTARY Not over until Comelec completes audit tests - is a commentary by former COMELEC chairman Christian Monsod on the recently concluded automated elections and the following audits (still to come) and which I deem as neutral.

‘Eraptions’: Why he is not ‘conceiving’ - is a news on jokes on Estrada but is actually a piece on his questions on the Automated Election. I judge the news as neutral to all parties.

Roxas men to Binay: Don’t say you won; 6M votes not yet in - this news report is more of Roxas' side of the story. What is wrong though is that the news did not validate the veracity of the points raised by the Roxas camp, even when the Inquirer surely has access to the same counts (which are available to the media) claimed. I give this news to, Roxas = 1.

Inside story: Hyatt 10 vs Kamag-anak Inc. - is a negative treatment on the crack within the Aquino camp, based on speculation and from the usual unnamed sources. Some claims seem dubious to me though while this is obviously a news that is negative to Aquino and his uncle Jose Cojuangco Jr.. Aquino = -1

It’s still toss-up between Binay, Roxas for veep - This news. although written in a neutral manner, gave Roxas a good chance (still) to win the elections. It did not analyze though the votes that are still not counted, as to whether they came from a Roxas bailiwick or not. I see this news as positive to Roxas. Roxas =+1

My score for today's front page is as follows:
Roxas: 2
Aquino: -1
Arroyo: -1

I am not surprised with a negative mark for Arroyo as I am already used to it. It is notable though that we now see a negative mark for Aquino, less than a week after the elections and after his win can be presumed. Meanwhile, Roxas now seemed to be getting some positive press from the newspaper.

May 13, 2010

Politics remain today on the Vice Presidential race.. while President Arroyo still gets negative treatment.


The main headline is about the chief justice appointment (Arroyo: Corona is next Chief Justice. His credentials OK but President’s act scored) where of course the President was scored mainly on the title.. - the news seem neutral though..

The other news on the front page are as follows:

Aquino urges Arroyo to reconsider chief justice appointment - is mainly an Aquino press release and therefore beneficial to him. Aquino = 1

Vote-map: Aquino takes even Estrada country - this news is factual although the topic itself benefits Aquino. It seems to give the incoming President a mandate. Aquino = 1

Across nation: Arroyo son wins in Bicol; other Palace men fall - another factual report on who won where and basically neutral.

Binay hits fraud try; Roxas awaits Visayas votes - the news content is only a little bit going for Binay, but the title plays to Binay's press release. So I judge this one as going for Binay. Binay = 1

‘Mar didn’t quite catch yellow fever’ - is a news on what went wrong for Roxas. It is definitely negative for him including his wife who now is published to be a smoker. Roxas = -1

COMMENTARY. Wave of yellow votes so massive, sinks rivals - this is a commentary by who now seems to be an Aquino supporter, Amando Doronila. It simply gives Aquino the high marks and says he's got a huge mandate. So again, Aquino +1

Kris in crisis: Bon voyage party online - is a news about an online party shooing Kris Aquino away (to make good on her promise). The news is negative to Kris Aquino of course and perhaps by extension to Noynoy. So Aquino = -1

A few days after the elections, the front page is still in love with Sen. Noynoy Aquino, but ready to subject him (or his sister) to ridicule, while the same seems to have been dumping his runningmate. The score goes:

Aquino = 2
Binay = 1
Roxas = -1