Proem

Before the explosion that occurred at Glorietta 2 Shopping Center, Makati, Metro Manila, the hottest news was the alleged giving of money to Governors and Congressmen at Malacañang Palace.

On October 11, 2007, it was alleged that selected Governors and Congressmen were called to Malacañang, Palace for a meeting and after the meeting they were allegedly given P200 thousand or P500 thousand.

Denials

The manifestations of the Governors and Congressmen were to deny. However, on Oct. 14, 2007, Governor Ed Panlilio, a priest and Governor of Pampanga admitted in television that he received P500 thousand. He was followed by Governor Mendoza of Bulacan who also said that he received P500 thousand. Congressman Abante, a protestant minister, also admitted that he received money.

When the Governor and Congressmen of Bohol were interviewed by local media, they categorically denied that they received money.

Poll Survey

From October 21-25, 2007, we conducted a poll survey for the probable outcome of the Barangay Election in Tagbilaran City. We inserted a "rider question" to obtain the opinion of the people of Tagbilaran City regarding the giving of money.

The random sampling had 2,196 respondents. It already had a confidence level of 98% with a margin error of ±2%.

The Question

Translation of the Bisayan question: There are Governors and Congressmen who revealed that they were among those who were given P200,000 or P500,000 at Malacañang Palace.

However, the Governor and Congressmen of Bohol manifested that they did not receive. Do you believe that the Governor and Congressmen of Bohol did not received P200,000 or P500,000?

Responses:
Would believe that they did not received - 9.25%
Would believe that they received - 48.72%
No comment - 42.03%

The Dilemma

It is an accepted doctrine in law that no amount of public opinion can overrule a fact. The question is - Why is it that only 9.25% believed the denials and explanations of our highest officials of the province?

On the other hand, 48.72% believed that they received money. The difference in opinion is too large to be ignored.

Partial Explanation

There could be many explanations. However, the interviews of this writer (Jes B. Tirol) revealed the following gist of the people's reasoning.

Our Governor and Congressmen have made the people of Bohol believe that they are close to or among the favorites of Malacañang. In fact when Gov. Panlilio of Pampanga made his revelation on Oct. 14, 2007, President Macapagal-Arroyo was here in Bohol.

Therefore, if they are favorites, they must have received money because those who were not as close to Malacañang revealed that they received money. It is therefore a case of the colloquial saying, "Your foolishness will go home to your body."

The dilemma is this, if it is true that our officials are close to Malacañang, then they must have received money. If they did not receive money, then it is not true that they are close to Malacañang. Now which is which?

Poverty Alleviation

A Makati, Metro Manila company requested me to inform the Boholanos that they are in need of 100 Call Center workers. For those who are interested, call cell phone nos. 0917-8291223 or 0915-901-6976 or land line # (02) 8927893.