2007年VOA标准英语-Philippine Election Sees Reversal of Fortune fo

By Douglas Bakshian
Manila
19 May 2007

International boxing champion Manny Pacquiao can deliver a knockout in the ring, but in the Philippine political arena¹ the super featherweight appears headed for a loss.  Preliminary returns from national elections show that being a celebrity², once a sure vote getter in the Philippines, is no longer enough to win over the public. Douglas Bakshian reports from Manila.

Manny Pacquiao in this April 14, 2007 file photo

Unofficial returns show Manny Pacquiao losing by almost a two-to-one margin³ in South Cotabato province to incumbent⁴ representative Darlene Custodio, who is from an established political family.

Pacquiao, popularly known as "Pacman," is a folk hero in the Philippines and his candidacy for a congressional seat in Monday's election was seen as a good test of popularity versus⁵ substance.
 
Several other celebrity candidates also appear to be losing.  Exit polls show actors Cesar Montano and Richard Gomez will not likely be among the 12 winning senators. In the race for mayor of Makati, the capital's financial district, incumbent Jejomar Binay has defeated Senator Lito Lapid, a former movie star.
 
Ramon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms says the message for candidates is clear.

"Pure or simple popularity will not any more be a big factor," he said.  "It will still be an important factor in the sense that it will help your candidacy, but you cannot run any more on just popularity."

The role of actors in Philippine politics got a big boost in 1998, when former action star Joseph Estrada was elected president with the largest margin in the country's history. His victory was seen as a revolt by common citizens against the political and economic elite⁶ who run the country.

But President Estrada was forced out of office by a popular rebellion, and he is now awaiting a court verdict on corruption⁷ charges.
 
Casiple says this experience took away much of the glitter of stars in office.

"The change started during President Estrada's time when his government was basically seen by the people as one of the worst in terms of governance," he said.  "And in fact it precipitated⁸ what we call now, the EDSA people power two."

The original people power movement threw out dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Analysts⁹ say the spirit of people power is still alive but voters have become cynical¹⁰, because the recent leaders they put in power failed to carry out promised economic and social reforms.

Casiple says there is growing maturity¹¹ among Filipinos in assessing candidates.

"If you are talking platform and program, it is not on that level. But if you are talking distinguishing between sheer popularity and the voters' perception of their capability¹² for office, then I think the voters are mature enough now," he added.

There is one prominent actor-turned-politician who appears to be doing well in the recent vote, but she has accomplishments¹³ in office as well as on the screen. Vilma Santos completed three terms as a town mayor and was known for making improvements in public health, education, infrastructure¹⁴ and the economy. She now appears headed for a win as the governor of Batangas province.

1 arena   

n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台

参考例句：

• She entered the political arena at the age of 25. 她25岁进入政界。
• He had not an adequate arena for the exercise of his talents.他没有充分发挥其才能的场所。

2 celebrity   

n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望

参考例句：

• Tom found himself something of a celebrity. 汤姆意识到自己已小有名气了。
• He haunted famous men, hoping to get celebrity for himself. 他常和名人在一起, 希望借此使自己获得名气。

3 margin   

n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘

参考例句：

• We allowed a margin of 20 minutes in catching the train.我们有20分钟的余地赶火车。
• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。

4 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

5 versus   

prep.以…为对手，对；与…相比之下

参考例句：

• The big match tonight is England versus Spain.今晚的大赛是英格兰对西班牙。
• The most exciting game was Harvard versus Yale.最富紧张刺激的球赛是哈佛队对耶鲁队。

6 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

7 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

8 precipitated   

v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀

参考例句：

• His resignation precipitated a leadership crisis. 他的辞职立即引发了领导层的危机。
• He lost his footing and was precipitated to the ground. 他失足摔倒在地上。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

10 cynical   

adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的

参考例句：

• The enormous difficulty makes him cynical about the feasibility of the idea.由于困难很大，他对这个主意是否可行持怀疑态度。
• He was cynical that any good could come of democracy.他不相信民主会带来什么好处。

11 maturity   

n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期

参考例句：

• These plants ought to reach maturity after five years.这些植物五年后就该长成了。
• This is the period at which the body attains maturity.这是身体发育成熟的时期。

12 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

13 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

14 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。