Oops! Gordon's office sends wrong press release

A case of second thoughts, or just a simple mistake? The office of presidential aspirant Sen. Richard Gordon on Wednesday morning released a strongly worded press statement against rival presidential bet Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III – only to withdraw it later on. The statement, released at about 10:43 a.m., was questioning the qualifications of Aquino to lead the nation. “Ano ang kakayahan ni Noynoy Aquino sa local government? Hindi pa siya nasubukan ni sa barangay captain. Even in legislature, ano ang batas na nagawa niya na nararamdaman na ng taong-bayan?" it read. (What are the abilities of Noynoy Aquino in local government? He has not been tested even as a village captain. Even in legislature, what law has he crafted that has already made an impact on the people?) It also scored the Liberal Party standard bearer for allegedly being too ambitious. “How many more chances do you want? You have had in your family a president, a vice president, four senators, congressmen, governors, lahat ng pwesto sa (all the government positions in) Tarlac, but how is Tarlac?" the press statement read. "It is not Facebook that matters here; it is not your face that matters. It is the book of accounts," it further read, referring to Aquino's noticeable presence in Internet-based social networks such as Facebook. "Cut above the rest" The statement also described the tandem of Gordon and former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando as “a cut above the rest." “A cut above the rest of the candidates with their formidable track records, Gordon and Fernando, have committed to make the nation great and make life better for Filipinos so they could find their futures here in their own land and not in foreign shores," it read. But some 15 minutes after the statement was emailed to journalists, Gordon’s staff sent another message withdrawing the press release, saying “a mistake" was made “in posting the message." Gordon’s correct press statement, his office said, was about the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) implementation of the total gun ban starting January 10. It was based on the statement Gordon made when he was a guest at a weekly news forum in Manila last Monday. Ely Maraon, Gordon's media relations officer, clarified to GMANews.TV that they did not withdraw the press release, saying there was just a “misunderstanding" among them. He did not elaborate. Desperate Aquino’s spokesperson, lawyer Edwin Lacierda, shrugged off Gordon’s withdrawn press statement, saying that the Aquino camp is more focused on how to change the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. “We just pray that he (Gordon) be enlightened," he told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. He said he was not surprised with the senator's statement that the Aquino family has had several opportunities to serve the country but failed to deliver. "Obviously, Gordon will say that. He will not appreciate the efforts of former President Corazon Aquino because he is a [President Ferdinand Sr.] Marcos and GMA [President Arroyo’s initials] ally," he said. He added that Gordon was just desperate for attention. - KBK/JV, GMANews.TV