‘Daang Matuwid’ tag for Mar, Leni hit

MANILA, Philippines - An election watchdog has criticized the use of a campaign slogan as nicknames of the standard bearers of the ruling Liberal Party (LP).

“The use of ‘Daang Matuwid’ as the common nickname of LP standard bearers Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo reflects the ruling party’s desperation to get votes even if it means resorting to voter deception,” Kontra Daya convenor Danny Arao said in a statement.

“While candidates’ nicknames are allowed to be written on the ballot, it is strange and sneaky that Roxas and Robredo share a common ‘nickname,’ one that serves as the current administration’s slogan and, therefore, widely used in government projects funded by taxpayers,” he added.

Following the start of the overseas absentee voting on April 9, various posts online have questioned the use of “Daang Matuwid” in the names of the administration standard bearers.

Responding to queries, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez said candidates were allowed to choose the names that will be included in the ballot.

But Kontra Daya branded the choice of “Daang Matuwid” as nicknames as a deception. It also called “on the people to reject any attempts by candidates and political parties to make a mockery of election  rules, which is what the LP is doing.”

“Kontra Daya acknowledges the efforts of our OFWs to bring to the public’s attention the developments related to the overseas absentee voting that started last April 9. The need to be vigilant becomes more urgent as the LP is resorting to deception to ensure the victory of its candidates,” it added.

Earlier, former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal questioned the use of “Daang Matuwid” as nicknames of the candidates as this is a campaign slogan and a program of government.

A March 15 mobile  survey of Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Bilang Pilipino showed that 59 percent of respondents agreed that “Daang Matuwid” is about clean and honest service of the government.

Fifty-five percent of the respondents in the same survey chose Roxas when asked who among the candidates are being promoted by Daang Matuwid.

Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz also blasted the Liberal Party’s use of their slogan “Daang Matuwid.” He said that it may do more harm than good for their candidates because instead of helping, it may alienate the voters further because of the controversies and alleged poor performance of the Aquino administration.     – With Evelyn Macairan