“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” (Ecc. 9:11, KJV)

Yet another survey result has come out — the latest and the ‘most comprehensive’ so they say. Naturally, every candidate wants to know how their recent ‘overhauls’ and ‘re-packagings’ (plus their best laid plans, of course) are playing out and consequently how these ‘changes’ are swaying voter sentiments (if at all).

It’s interesting to note that given the fact that no past pre-election poll has ever prophetically predicted the victory of a presidential candidate, it seems unavoidable for every other candidate (and even voter) to eagerly wait for the next ‘latest and greatest survey results’ and interpret the same as if it were gospel truth.

Surveys have become very powerful marketing tools that they have been branded as ‘game changers’ capable of conditioning minds and ultimately swaying public opinion in favor of whomever they ‘may’ anoint. Of course, there are reputable organizations whose “integrity is beyond question” and then there are those that were established overnight and claim to be as reliable if not better than their bigger counterparts. But just the same, we should try to see right through these organizations because in the heart of every business is profit generation.

These surveys whether commissioned or non-commissioned have become a staple in Philippine elections in the same way a Christmas feast seem incomplete without the much-commercialized ham. We can always do without it, but somehow, the table looks better with that cholesterol-rich pork on it.

It’s curious that whenever results come out, we can’t help but listen in, read, watch and sometimes even immerse ourselves in it until a newer one comes along. We’d engage ourselves in lengthy and passionate discussions until we’re blue in the face proclaiming “I knew it!” and “I told you so!”. Others pick petty fights that elevate to lifelong animosity. It’s terrible.

I can understand why candidates go gaga over these results and why they usually end up crafting their entire campaign strategy around it — they need the surveys. They need a baseline. They need to know how far along are they from their goals. They need to know what’s working and what’s not (whether theirs or their opponents’). If they’re doing great, they need these for validation. If they’re falling short of expectations, they need these to snap out of complacency.

Are surveys killing democracy?

But tell me honestly, do WE need these? Pulse Asia, SWS and the rest, tell us when a survey has been commissioned or not and if it is, who commissioned such. That seems fair and commendable. But doesn’t the whole thing spoil democracy? Alright, when it’s not commissioned, they say it’s being done as ‘public service’ and I’m pretty sure they mean well, but don’t you think it’s slowly killing our appetite for voting according to intellect and conscience?

Such pity for the candidates at the tail end of these surveys. They might end up losing whatever few loyal followers they have to these ‘front-runners’ all because these surveys kept on showing them at pitiful 1, 2 or 5% scores! Public service, really? Keep your results to yourselves and leave us, the electorate to discern for ourselves. Nobody needs to tell us what we think or who we think we’d like to vote for. That seems stupid isn’t it? — being told, “Hey, you guys, approximately 35% of you will likely vote for Noynoy as president!!!” and then a few weeks after, Hey, Manny and Noynoy are statistically tied! According to who? Us? Really? Oh, a relatively accurate statistical sampling of ‘us’? Well that’s what it is — a sampling, an approximation — a scientific guess at best.

Here’s the thing: We don’t need to know what WE think. Tell that to the Marines, or better yet to the candidates. They’re the ones who need that, not us. In a perfect world, it would be best to keep results private amongst candidates themselves and the survey organizations. That way, candidates can better strategize and surveys won’t ‘condition’ our minds into voting for the popular choice. That will be the ultimate public service you guys can give this country.

But this isn’t a perfect world. There are no such things as private or privileged information anymore.

Surveys as birthday presents

Sticking survey results on our faces is like showing us a checklist of possible choices for birthday presents for this country. You know you’re getting one in nine presents so you go asking every one (a sampling size, to be precise) of us. Some of us answer, some don’t, some still trick you into thinking you’re getting one instead of the other. But you know what, it spoils the fun — because guess what, we don’t even know yet which one to get you! And all your ‘surveying’ is influencing us to get you that one present that keeps topping your polls because it leads us to believe that that’s what you want! Is that good for you or for us? No one can tell. But is that good for democracy (not too mention good ‘ol fun)? Definitely not.

Surveys? So what?

Surveys don’t make victors. Destiny does. Sounds lame? It is. But thinking of it as such doesn’t change the intrinsic truth in that statement. If you ever doubted destiny and its inner workings before, think Erap. Point made.

It’s difficult to argue with destiny. It is a powerful entity, if you can call it that. Even the unsinkable Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ascribes to that (add that to a resolute belief in genetics and you get yourself a person all-too-absorbed in her own significance, even Adolf Hitler would turn in his grave).

I know what you’re thinking. Any mention of the word destiny brings up tarot cards and crystal balls. And perhaps you’re thinking a two-bladed sword with an ear-piercing swoosh sound is all it takes to carry on one’s destiny. But I’m not talking about “Lord of the Rings’ or “Harry Potter”-like destiny here. I’m talking about something closer to real life.

I am talking about destiny borne of the ballot. Media-frenzy — like most best laid plans will fizzle in the face of destiny. In the end, your ballot will dictate one person’s destiny. That is a power you hold. Don’t let hype and overrated surveys take that power away from you.

If you think Gordon is the most qualified, then go ahead and vote for him. If you think Bayani will make a good veep, then vote for him. You think a spiritual man is what we need? Then there’s Villanueva for you. Ignore the numbers, those are meant to discourage voters. Stay away from manipulators and their devices.

The road to political renewal is long and arduous, littered with ambiguous signs and walked by many swindlers day in and day out. But don’t it let keep you from doing what you should. Tune out from the deafening jingles. Distance yourself from deadening promises. And as the great Johnny Walker used to say, “Keep walking.”

And yes, I say screw the surveys.