A problematic exercise
ELECTION UNCERTAINTIES DOMINATE NEWS THEMES IN PRINT
The CMFR Monitor of Media Coverage of the 2010 Elections
Discourse Analysis: Print
(For the period February 28 -March 13, 2010)
Scope
For the print media coverage of the fourth and fifth week of the 2010 elections, the Center for
Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) monitored the front pages of the Manila Bulletin,
the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and The Philippine Star from February 28 to March 13. In a major
indication of how problematic the elections are regarded, the uncertainties surrounding the
exercise dominated the major themes of print reporting.
CMFR looked at the news reports on the presidential, vice-presidential, senatorial, and partylist elections. Reports on the elections in general, such as the country’s preparedness to
undertake its first nationwide automated polls in May and election rules, were also included in
the monitor. As in the first CMFR discourse analysis, reports exclusively about local elections
were not.
Number of front-page reports
Many reports discussed several categories of election news. One report, for example, discussed
not only issues involving the candidates for President, but also those that had to do with the
vice-presidential and senatorial aspirants.
Compared with the first three weeks of the the national campaign, and relative to the total
number of news reports, there was a slight increase in the amount of coverage of the elections
on the front pages of the three newspapers in the fourth and fifth weeks (173 out of 388
articles/items, or 44.59 percent of the total). In the first three weeks of the national campaign,
there were 200 reports/items out of a total of 478 (41.84 percent). News about the elections,
especially about the presidential candidates and possible problems in conducting the
automated polls in May, continued to dominate the front pages of the three newspapers.
Particularly notable in the coverage was the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s in-depth “Think Issues”
series which discussed issues that the candidates—and the public—should be addressing and
remembering this coming elections. The series, which appeared on the Inquirer’s front page,
flagged some of the country’s biggest problems, among them corruption, poverty, lack of
agrarian development, and problems in the agrarian, urban land, ancestral land, and fisheries
reform programs of the government.
The inside pages are not covered by the CMFR monitor. But it should be noted that there were
reports on the elections and the candidates in the inside pages, including special sections, of
the newspapers monitored. A March 1 special section of the Inquirer on the elections included
discussions on possible problems such as voter disenfranchisement and infographics on how to
vote on election day. The Inquirer’s “Talk of the Town” last March 7 also provided readers with
the candidates’ stands on population. In its “Vote 2010” special section, the Star not only
provided basic information about the presidential candidates but also their positions on various
issues.
There were also numerous reports about the candidates in the lifestyle and entertainment
sections, among them Star columnist Ricky Lo’s feature on presidential candidate Joseph
Estrada last March 1. There were also numerous reports in the entertainment pages about
Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, whose campaign has been dragged into controversies, among
them that involving his sister Kris and another actress.
From Feb. 28 to March 13, the Star had the most front page news reports (154), followed by
the Inquirer (127) and the Bulletin (107). More than half of the front-page articles/items about
the elections in all three papers were on the presidential elections (102 out of 173 or 58.96
percent). Stories about the elections in general, such as the possibility of power outages that
may imperil the automated polls and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s midnight
appointments, were in second place at 71 reports, or 41.04 percent of 173.
As in the first three weeks of the national campaign, reports about the vice-presidential (51 or
29.48 percent) and senatorial (46 or 26.59 percent) campaigns were few. Coverage of the partylist elections was also scant, at 14 reports (8.09 percent).
Placement
Most election-related reports were published below the fold (104 or 60.12 percent). Thirtyseven (21.39 percent) were above the fold, while 32 (18.50 percent) were banner or lead
stories in the the three papers.
Subjects
As in the first three weeks of the national campaign, the Nacionalista Party’s Manuel “Manny”
Villar Jr. and the Liberal Party’s Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III were the most covered
presidential candidates. Villar was a subject in 51 reports, and figured in various issues during
the period such as his religious and celebrity endorsements, his supposedly lavish campaign
spending, his high survey rankings, and the C-5 road extension project controversy.
Aquino was the subject of 49 reports. His high survey ratings, religious and celebrity
endorsements, and reactions to various controversies such as Hacienda Luisita made him the
second most covered presidential candidate.
Administration candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro was the third most covered candidate (he
was the subject of 35 reports), closely followed by former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada (31
reports).
Other presidential candidates were far less covered: Richard Gordon was the subject of 18
reports; Ma. Ana Consuelo Madrigal, 12; Eduardo “Eddie” Villanueva, 10. John Carlos “ De los
Reyes, Nicanor Perlas , and Vetellano Acosta, who was disqualified by the Commission on
Elections during the period, were the subjects of nine reports.
Among the three papers, the Inquirer reported the most about the presidential candidates (98
times) followed by the Star (86). The Bulletin was a far third (49 times).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
8
Presidential candidates
(Reports may have more than one subject)
Villar, Manuel Jr. "Manny" Bamba (NP)
Aquino, Benigno Simeon III "Noynoy" Cojuangco
(LP)
Teodoro, Gilberto Jr. "Gibo" Cojuangco (LakasKampi)
Estrada Ejercito, Joseph "Erap" Marcelo (PMP)
Gordon, Richard "Dick" (B.Bayan-VNP)
Madrigal, Ma. Ana Consuelo "Jamby" AS (Ind)
Villanueva, Eduardo "Bro. Eddie" Cruz (BP)
Acosta, Vetellano "Dodong" Seinez (KBL)
De los Reyes, John Carlos "JC" Gordon (AKP)
Perlas, Jesus Nicanor "Nick" Pineda (Ind)
Total per paper
Bulletin Inquirer Star
Total
11
10
24
20
16
19
51
49
8
11
16
35
9
3
2
2
1
1
2
49
11
8
7
5
4
4
4
98
11
7
3
3
4
4
3
86
31
18
12
10
9
9
9
As in the first three weeks of the campaign, coverage of the vice-presidential candidates
focused on their support for, or reaction to the controversies, involving their standard bearers.
Among the vice-presidential candidates, it was clear that only Loren Legarda (26 reports) and
Manuel “Mar” Roxas (21)—also the frontrunners in various surveys—were being given
consistent coverage.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
Vice-presidential candidates
(Reports may have more than one subject)
Legarda, Loren "Loren" Bautista (NPC)
Roxas, Manuel "Mar" Araneta (LP)
Binay, Jejomar "Jojo" Cabauatan (PDP-Laban)
Fernando, Bayani "BF" Flores (B.Bayan-VNP)
Manzano, Eduardo "Edu" Barrios (LakasKampi)
Sonza, Jose "Jay Sonza" Yumang (KBL)
Chipeco, Dominador Jr. "Jun" Fuentecilla
(AKP)
Yasay, Perfecto "Kidlat" Rivas (BP)
Total per paper
Bulletin Inquirer Star
Total
8
5
2
1
16
8
7
3
5
3
10
9
4
3
2
26
21
9
8
6
2
2
3
2
5
4
2
32
2
35
4
Coverage of the senatorial elections during the period monitored, as in the first period, still
focused on the most well-known candidates and incumbent senators. Juan Ponce Enrile still led
the coverage with 10 reports. He was followed by Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, Jinggoy Estrada,
and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., with six reports each. Others received five reports or
less.
Up to this period, coverage of the senatorial elections still focused on the candidates’ reactions
to various controversies as well as issues involving their standard bearers (presidential
candidates). There was scant focus on the senatorial candidates’ positions on development or
policy issues, despite the fact that these issues impact heavily on legislation, and that that there
are 61 candidates vying for 12 senatorial slots.
But one report about a relatively unknown senatorial candidate was a feature article in the
Inquirer last Feb. 28 on Alex Lacson (“‘12 Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help’ Alex Lacson win
Senate seat”).
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Senatorial candidates
(Reports may have more than one subject)
Enrile, Juan Ponce "JPE" (PMP)
De Venecia, Jose III "Joey" Perez
Estrada, Jinggoy Ejercito (PMP)
Marcos,
Ferdinand
Jr.
"Bongbong"
Romualdez (NP)
Drilon, Franklin "Frank" Magtunao (LP)
Remulla, Gilbert Cesar Catibayan (NP)
Sotto, Vicente III "Tito" Castelo (NPC)
Bello, Silvestre III "Bebot" Hernando (LakasKampi)
Cayetano, Pilar Juliana "Pia" Schramm (NP)
Lambino, Raul Loyola (Lakas-Kampi)
Lapid, Manuel "Lito" Mercado (Lakas-Kampi)
Maza, Liza "Liza Maza ng Gabriela" Largoza
(Ind)
Pimentel, Gwendolyn "Gwen" de la Llana
(PDP Laban)
Biazon, Rozzano Rufino "Ruffy" Bunoan (LP)
Bong Revilla, Ramon. Jr. "Kap" Bautista
(Lakas-Kampi)
Defensor Santiago, Miriam Palma (PRP)
Guingona, Teofisto III "TG" de lara (LP)
Langit, Rey Magat (Lakas-Kampi)
Ocampo, Saturnino "Satur" Cunanan (Bayan
Muna)
Plaza, Rodolfo "Ompong" Galido (NPC)
Recto, Ralph Gonzalez (LP)
Total per paper
Bulletin Inquirer Star
Total
3
2
1
1
3
1
3
1
4
3
2
4
10
6
6
6
1
1
1
2
1
3
4
1
1
5
5
5
4
2
2
2
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
4
4
4
1
1
2
4
1
2
2
1
3
3
2
1
2
1
2
3
3
3
3
1
1
31
1
2
1
20
2
2
40
3
3
Far more disturbing was the negligible coverage of the party-list elections, given serious
concerns on whether all the 187 party-list groups accredited by the Comelec as well as some of
their nominees actually represent “marginalized” sectors. Compared with the first period,
coverage of the party-list elections showed no improvement, with 14 reports out of 173 (8.09
percent). In the first three weeks of the campaign, only 15 out of 200 reports (7.5 percent)
reported on the party-list groups and issues.
It seems hardly necessary to point out that in the context of claims that some of the mostcovered party-list groups and candidates are administration or opposition fronts, the press
(including the newspapers monitored) should have be more aggressively covering the party-list
elections. For some reason, however, the press seems to be balking at providing the public
further information on the party list system, including its core reason for being (to broaden
representation in law-making, which both the Constitution and the Party List Act [RA 7941]
assume without stating it, is skewed in favor of the rich and powerful, thus making a mockery of
the country’s claims to democracy).
Substantial information and discussion is needed on the purpose of RA 7941, and on whether
the COMELEC-accredited groups meet the law’s intent. Another urgent issue the media have
not addressed is the selection process in a party-list group’s choice of nominees.
1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK) led in the coverage of party-list elections. The group
became the top party-list subject because one of its nominees is energy secretary and Arroyo
associate Angelo Reyes.
1
2
3
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
Party-list candidates
(Reports may have more than one subject)
1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK)
Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment through
Action Cooperation and Harmony towards
Educational Reforms (A TEACHER)
Gabriela Womens Party (GABRIELA)
Bayan Muna (BAYAN MUNA)
Abakada Guro (ABAKADA)
Ang Galing Pinoy (AG)
LPG Marketers Association, Inc. (LPGMA)
Trade Union Congress Party (TUCP)
Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines,
Inc. (AGAP)
Akbayan! Citizen's Action Party (AKBAYAN)
Free Workers (FFW)
Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)
Total per paper
Bulletin Inquirer Star
1
1
1
7
4
8
4
1
1
1
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
7
Total
1
7
1
1
1
15
Themes
Many reports did not just focus on only one theme. Common were reports, for example, that
were on several themes at once, such as “campaign finances”, “development/policy issues”,
and “poll automation”.
The major problems that have emerged in the 2010 elections dominated the print coverage
(114 times). During the monitor period, among the leading election issues/problems that
occupied the broadsheets were: the possible power crisis and its effect on the polls, to the
extent of leading to a failure of the automated elections in May; the granting of emergency
powers to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to address the power shortage in Mindanao and concerns
over emergency funds given to local government units; questions over Arroyo’s last-minute
appointments in the military and the executive branch; concerns on whether Arroyo can
appoint the next Supreme Court justice chief; and the Supreme Court’s ruling that appointed
officials running in this year’s elections must resign.
The second most covered theme was Arroyo’s rumored plans to sabotage/subvert the
elections or to hold on to power even after her presidential term ends in 2010 (39 reports).
Development/policy issues were the subject of 35 reports, but this did not mean substantial
coverage. More often than not, the stories only reported the positions/views of the candidates
on issues such as agriculture, corruption, or poverty without providing background or
explanation.
One exception was a March 6 Inquirer report which looked into Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s stand on
nuclear energy as a way of addressing the country’s energy concerns. (“Teodoro: Time for RP to
go nuke but not Bataan plant”)
Most Reported Development/Policy issues
Bulletin Inquirer Star
Agriculture
Energy
Peace and order
Agrarian Reform
Education
Infrastructure
Nuclear energy
Taxes
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Charter change
6
2
2
2
4
5
7
3
3
4
4
4
3
3
Total per
issue
10
7
7
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
Death penalty
Economy
Freedom of Information Act
Governance
Power crisis
Reproductive health
Right of reply bill
Total per paper
Most Reported Other Issues
3
3
2
10
2
1
1
11
3
1
2
3
52
Bulletin Inquirer Star
Power crisis
18
Political partisanship of government
institutions
El Niño Phenomenon
3
Energy
Election fraud
1
Emergency powers
Hello Garci
Political endorsement
3
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Arroyo, Gloria's emergency powers
Blackouts
C-5 road extension project controversy
Celebrity endorsement
1
Midnight appointments
1
Narcopolitics
1
Supreme Court ruling on appointed officials 1
running
Bangit, Delfin's appointment
Debate/Forum
Edsa People Power 1
No-election scenario
Teodoro-Cojuangco feud
Villar's alleged bribery attempts
Total per paper
29
9
7
18
4
7
10
5
5
5
2
4
4
4
4
2
3
1
2
3
2
3
52
1
3
2
3
1
3
1
66
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Total
issue
45
11
10
10
6
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
per
Photos and artwork
The Inquirer had the most election-related photos (53), followed by the Star (20) and the
Bulletin (eight).
Among the candidates, Estrada had the most photos during the monitor period (10), followed
by Aquino and Teodoro (nine photos each).
Photos of candidates
Bulletin
Presidential
Estrada Ejercito, Joseph "Erap" Marcelo (PMP)
4
Aquino, Benigno Simeon III "Noynoy" Cojuangco 1
(LP)
Teodoro, Gilberto Jr. "Gibo" Cojuangco (Lakas- 1
Kampi)
Inquirer Star
Total
4
7
2
1
10
9
5
3
9
Villar, Manuel Jr. "Manny" Bamba (NP)
Gordon, Richard "Dick" (B.Bayan-VNP)
Madrigal, Ma. Ana Consuelo "Jamby" AS (Ind)
De los Reyes, John Carlos "JC" Gordon (AKP)
Perlas, Jesus Nicanor "Nick" Pineda (Ind)
Villanueva, Eduardo "Bro. Eddie" Cruz (BP)
Acosta, Vetellano "Dodong" Seinez (KBL)
Vice-Presidential
Binay, Jejomar "Jojo" Cabauatan (PDP-Laban)
Manzano, Eduardo "Edu" Barrios (Lakas-Kampi)
Legarda, Loren "Loren" Bautista (NPC)
Roxas, Manuel "Mar" Araneta (LP)
1
7
3
5
2
2
2
Presidential
Aquino, Benigno Simeon III "Noynoy" Cojuangco (LP)
Villar, Manuel Jr. "Manny" Bamba (NP)
Estrada Ejercito, Joseph "Erap" Marcelo (PMP)
Madrigal, Ma. Ana Consuelo "Jamby" AS (Ind)
Perlas, Jesus Nicanor "Nick" Pineda (Ind)
Senatorial
Marcos, Ferdinand Jr. "Bongbong" Romualdez (NP)
Sotto, Tito
3
1
1
1
Senatorial
Sotto, Vicente III "Tito" Castelo (NPC)
Estrada, Jinggoy Ejercito (PMP)
Lacson, Alexander "Pinoy" Ledesma (LP)
Lim, Danilo "General Danny" dela Puz (Ind)
Caricatures of candidates
8
6
5
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
Bulletin
Inquirer Star
Total
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Sources
Villar was not the only most-covered presidential candidate; he was also the most cited source
(26). Aquino was second (19 times), followed by Estrada (14).
Presidential candidates as sources
(Reports may have more than one source)
Villar, Manuel Jr. "Manny" Bamba (NP)
Aquino, Benigno Simeon III "Noynoy" Cojuangco (LP)
Estrada Ejercito, Joseph "Erap" Marcelo (PMP)
Teodoro, Gilberto Jr. "Gibo" Cojuangco (LakasKampi)
Gordon, Richard "Dick" (B.Bayan-VNP)
Madrigal, Ma. Ana Consuelo "Jamby" AS (Ind)
Acosta, Vetellano "Dodong" Seinez (KBL)
De los Reyes, John Carlos "JC" Gordon (AKP)
Perlas, Jesus Nicanor "Nick" Pineda (Ind)
Villanueva, Eduardo "Bro. Eddie" Cruz (BP)
Total per paper
Bulletin
Inquirer Star
Total
7
1
4
1
10
9
3
3
9
9
7
7
26
19
14
11
5
3
1
4
13
1
35
9
3
2
1
1
1
Vice-presidential candidates as sources
(Reports may have more than one source)
Legarda, Loren "Loren" Bautista (NPC)
Roxas, Manuel "Mar" Araneta (LP)
Binay, Jejomar "Jojo" Cabauatan (PDP-Laban)
Sonza, Jose "Jay Sonza" Yumang (KBL)
Manzano, Eduardo "Edu" Barrios (Lakas-Kampi)
Total per paper
Bulletin
Inquirer Star
Total
6
2
1
5
2
1
1
5
5
1
1
16
9
3
2
1
9
12
1
10
Senatorial candidates as sources
Bulletin Inquirer
(Reports may have more than one source)
Remulla, Gilbert Cesar Catibayan (NP)
5
De Venecia, Jose III "Joey" Perez
1
1
Sotto, Vicente III "Tito" Castelo (NPC)
3
Bello, Silvestre III "Bebot" Hernando 2
(Lakas-Kampi)
Enrile, Juan Ponce "JPE" (PMP)
2
Lambino, Raul Loyola (Lakas-Kampi)
Drilon, Franklin "Frank" Magtunao (LP)
Estrada, Jinggoy Ejercito (PMP)
2
Langit, Rey Magat (Lakas-Kampi)
Marcos, Ferdinand Jr. "Bongbong"
Romualdez (NP)
Plaza, Rodolfo "Ompong" Galido (NPC)
Recto, Ralph Gonzalez (LP)
1
1
1
1
39
Star
Total
4
2
1
1
9
4
4
3
1
3
2
2
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
Biazon, Rozzano Rufino "Ruffy" Bunoan
(LP)
Bong Revilla, Ramon. Jr. "Kap" Bautista 1
(Lakas-Kampi)
Cayetano, Pilar Juliana "Pia" Schramm (NP) 1
Guingona, Teofisto III "TG" de lara (LP)
Lacson, Alexander "Pinoy" Ledesma (LP)
Lim, Danilo "General Danny" dela Puz (Ind)
Lozada, Jose Apolinario Jr. "Jun" Leconia
(PMP)
Maza, Liza "Liza Maza ng Gabriela" Largoza
(Ind)
Mitra, Ramon "Mon-mon" Blanco (NP)
Ocampo, Saturnino "Satur" Cunanan
(Bayan Muna)
Ople, Susan "Toots" Vasquez (NP)
Querubin, Ariel "Marines" Oliva (NP)
Tamano, Adel Abbas (NP)
Tatad, Francisco "Kit" Sarmiento (GAD)
Total per paper
5
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
28
19
Party-list groups and candidates were least cited in the period monitored.
Party-list candidates as sources
(Reports may have more than one source)
Gabriela Womens Party (GABRIELA)
Trade Union Congress Party (TUCP)
Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines,
Inc. (AGAP)
LPG Marketers Association, Inc. (LPGMA)
Ang Galing Pinoy (AG)
Total per paper
Bulletin Inquirer Star
2
1
2
1
1
4
1
3
Total
3
2
1
1
1
1
Background
More than half of the reports during the period did not provide sufficient background (92 out of
173 or 53.18 percent). Less than half gave background information (75 or 43.35 percent). Some
items that were independent of other reports/items on the front page (such as “stand-alone”
photos) did not have space for background information. Thus, background information on those
items were marked “N/A” (not applicable). There were such six items during the period
monitored (3.47 percent).
One exceptional report that provided background information was a March 13 Inquirer sidebar
which provided a historical account of the political feud between the Aquinos and Cojuangcos.
Aquino and Teodoro, who are both eyeing the presidency, are second cousins.
Slant
Some reports contained more than one slant for or against a candidate, institution, or group.
The study included all stories/items for or against any of the candidates, groups, or institutions.
It is thus possible that a report may have been slanted for someone/something and at the same
time slanted against another candidate, group, or institution.
The coverage during the period was overwhelmingly neutral (167 reports or 95.98 percent).
Seven were considered slanted (4.02 percent). This included a Bulletin report which, while
mostly neutral, had a part slanted against Arroyo.
Among those considered slanted was a March 3 Inquirer article that was biased against
Hacienda Luisita farmers (“Noynoy’s sisters also want out of Luisita”). The article relied only on
Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz and Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Aquino-Abelleda’s statements on
the Hacienda Luisita controversy.
Worth noting is the Bulletin’s tendency to publish one-source stories. While most of its reports
were generally neutral, the Bulletin’s frequent use of stories based on one source (a candidate
for example) suggests a reliance on press releases sourced from this or that candidate’s camp.
This practice of the paper was already evident during the 2007 senatorial and party-list
elections.
Positive slant (Candidates)
Aquino, Benigno Simeon III "Noynoy" Cojuangco (LP)
Teodoro, Gilberto Jr. "Gibo" Cojuangco (Lakas-Kampi)
Bulletin
Inquirer Star
1
1
1
Total
2
1
Negative slant (Candidates)
Villar, Manuel Jr. "Manny" Bamba (NP)
Bulletin
Inquirer Star
2
1
Total
3