Trends in trending

As if on cue, spokesman for the administration’s senatorial ticket have begun whining about “trending” following quick counts by the two giant TV networks, GMA and ABS-CBN, where Genuine Opposition bets took early leads.

Funny, but in 2004, when President Arroyo was leading in the quick count for the presidential polls, it was Fernando Poe Jr. and pals complaining about trending, and the Gloria spokesmen were on the defensive.Here’s a sample of the exchange (Manila Standard, May 12, 2004)

FPJ CAMP: “We are leading in the counting, but this truth is not coming out in media reports,” Poe said. “I appeal to the media to be fair, and report only truth for the interest of the public.”

GLORIA CAMP: Malacañang in turn advised the opposition to closely watch the official tabulation and canvass of votes in the presidential and senatorial elections instead of prematurely complaining about trending or rigging of results.

FPJ CAMP: The corruption is total in that “a large sector of the mainstream media has all but become Ms. Arroyo’s political spinmaster and mouthpieces,” [Francisco Tatad] charged. He added that the “undisguised trending” of the early election returns “was to condition the mind of the public to accept an unearned Arroyo victory.”

GLORIA CAMP: Defensor asked Poe to desist from attacking the National Movement for Free Elections and other organizations involved in the quick count and accusing them of trending the outcome in favor of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Is crying “Trending!” for sore losers? (Did FPJ really lose?)