Confusion and Poor Coordination Hindered Alyansa Campaign Success
During the recent election season, several pro-administration local officials found themselves struggling due to poor coordination and unclear messaging from the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that this confusion left many campaigners uncertain about the slate’s direction and strategy.
One prominent local leader from Iloilo, who is also a House Deputy Majority Leader, shared her bewildering experience. She explained, “Sa totoo lang, ako bilang isang probinsyansa, nalito rin kami. Kasi hindi ko alam, ano ba talaga,12-0 ba? 11-0 ba? 10-0 ba?” This translates to her uncertainty about whether the campaign aimed for a full 12-0 sweep or something less.
She expressed gratitude toward some campaign heads who made efforts to clarify the situation, saying, “Of course, I’m grateful to Congressman Toby Tiangco because whenever I called him, he always answered and explained the complicated situations within Alyansa.” Tiangco was responsible for leading the 90-day campaign for the administration-backed ticket.
Missing Political Machinery in Alyansa Campaign
However, the campaign lacked the usual political machinery that typically supports administration candidates. According to the source, “In my many election experiences, the administration usually has a built-in political machinery; incumbent governors and mayors get involved and are contacted for campaign efforts.” This time, many local officials reported they were not called or coordinated with, despite the existing machinery being available.
The source added, “Yes, Alyansa was busy with the campaign, but the political machinery was there and we could have been called, coordinated with, and given directions.” This missing link led to isolated efforts and guesswork among campaigners.
An example was Iloilo City’s mayor, who repeatedly sought guidance during the campaign period. “Mayor Jerry Treñas kept calling me, asking, ‘What’s happening? What’s the status?'” the official recounted. Yet, the response was often, “Hindi ko rin alam eh,” showing the lack of clear information reaching the grassroots.
Unclear Messaging Weakened Voter Connection
Aside from coordination issues, the Alyansa campaign struggled to communicate its platform effectively to voters. The official recounted, “Whenever I went around barangays and towns and shouted, ‘Vote for Alyansa,’ the people would ask, ‘What is Alyansa?'” This highlighted how the campaign’s message failed to reach the grassroots level clearly.
She compared this with opposition candidates who had a more specific and relatable message. “That’s why those candidates resonated with people—they understood and communicated their platform clearly,” she said, referring to successful Liberal Party candidates who won Senate seats.
Many voters asked campaigners, “What is Alyansa’s platform, what do we gain if we vote for them?” Unfortunately, explanations varied because campaign workers did not receive consistent directives. “We kept explaining, but each explanation varied. It’s because we never received clear directives on what to say,” she explained.
Lessons From the Alyansa Campaign Experience
The official was careful not to place blame but stressed the need for honest reflection. “Let’s call a spade a spade. Talagang maraming confusion sa baba,” she said, acknowledging the grassroots confusion that hampered the campaign.
She also noted that while this kind of disorganization might have happened before, it was a critical factor in the campaign’s underperformance. The lack of clear communication and coordination left many local officials and voters unsure about the slate’s goals and benefits.
In conclusion, the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas campaign demonstrated that strong political machinery and clear messaging are essential for electoral success. Without these, even well-intentioned efforts can falter amid confusion and mixed signals.
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