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.
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