European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 2, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                High Philippi pint lady Imelda r. Mam and or hat band p Ferdlnand mama. Marcos political Cool in question Byset Mydans new York times w Ith presidential elections Days away filipino and foreign analysis agree president Ferdinand e. Marcos has run int problems unforeseen when he called the election three months ago. This is not to say they think Marcos will lose. But whatever the outcome of the election on feb. 7, Marcos appears to be paying a political Price in terms of loss of prestige. There is even a growing feeling among filipinos that Marcos whose political acumen was once thought to be faultless made a mistake when he called the elections. However his admirers still have Faith that the ultimate outcome will vindicate his reputation for tactical farsightedness. Among other things he appears to be still contending with his political rival Benigno s. Aquino jr., who was assassinated in 1983. Although Aquino s widow Corazon is opposing Marcos in the election it is the spirit of her slain husband As much As any political program on which she has based her Appeal that has been attracting Large crowds. In Catling for my elections 16 months before his term was due to expire in 1967, Marcos has set in motion series of events that has succeeded in uniting the opposition groups. According to reports from Washington there is a hew consensus in the Reagan administration that Marcos s departure from office would be in the Best interests of the Philippines if it is to fend off a communist insurrection. Other reports from Washington that army records do not support Marcos s Contention of having played a key guerrilla role during the japanese occupation in world War ii have put him on the political defensive. Us week try roman cathode Church whose voice carries authority in the Philippines issued a pastoral letter whose careful language seemed to indicate that the Church was sympathetic to Aquino s Campaign positions. The letter issued by the Catholic Bishops conference said the Church had detected signs of fraud and violence similar to the pattern of past elections. Much of the document was couched in the terms being used by the political  pastoral Tetter was to be read at nine masses and May partly offset Aquino s Lack of equal Access to radio television and newspapers. Church support May give Aquino a much needed organizational base acting As a counterbalance to the president s Superior political organization. Aquino has said that the tide of National will is with her and that a Marcos Victory would be a stolen Victory. She has said that if she loses she will organize protest demonstrations. Marcos has left his options open saying at one Point that he May declare martial Law and Call off the vote if violence Breaks out. Any cancellation of the election or distortion of its outcome would most Likely be seen As a defeat for Marcos an act of a Man unwilling to accept the voice of the electorate. Marcos is viewed with something like Awe in the Philippines As the cannies politician in the land a Man who has easily kept his opponents at Bay for 20 years. Even Aquino Calls him the most Brilliant  but some politicians Are intrigued by the notion that Marcos has been making mistakes the greatest of which May have been the calling of the election itself. He says he called the vote to Lay to rest growing questions about his popular mandate. Other analysts say he did so to slip out from under american pressure for changes in his pm Letec. A a another Factor May be that he hoped by announcing an election to Dull the Impact of the acquittal of 26 people accused of involvement in the murder of Aquino. Throughout his career Aquino was the Only person who could upset Marcos s political coolness said a filipino journalist. A the two men were the brightest Young politicians in the Mld-1960 a and Aquino was seen As the most Likely successor to Marcos when his second and final term of presidency was to end in 1973. Marcos declared martial Law and jailed Aquino in 1972. In 1981 he allowed him to travel to the United. States for heart surgery. Both moves which were seen As. Attempts to silence his opponent Only succeeded in giving Aquino new platforms for his Prifte ferns. It was Aquino s death that set off the National crisis leading ultimately to the calling of this  the first part of the Campaign Marcos attacked the memory of his former rival saying that he was 8,1, founder of the communist party. In unable to rid himself of the Aquino ghost the president tried a new tack last week. Insisting that he was Aquino so Friend and implying that it is in fact he Marcos who Wal carry on the Aquino legacy. " mudslinging and by John Hail United press International t he no holds barred philippine election Campaign Between Ferdinand Marcos an Corazon Aquino is sinking into an ooze of mud slinging and sexist  the feb. 7 election nears. The candidates have demonstrated sexual attitudes every bit As divergent As their political views. The embattled Marcos. 68. Fired the first Salvo in one Early in the Campaign when he said he was embarrassed to run against a woman and that his father had taught him never to argue with a  in an address to a largely female audience Las month he again attacked his 52-year-old opponent for having the nerve to run for the presidency when she knows nothing about running the  timid women should t Challenge Ronen Vii lectured. They should be intelligent but they4 keep it to themselves or limit their teachings to f  Aquino reacted immediately with a �.,accusing Marcos of seeing women As sex i _., in what is probably the Only selfless act of i career an ailing and disabled Marcos said he work to confine women to a strictly sexual role Campaign statement said. Aquino followed up by questioning Marcos to and daring him to stand up like a woman a her in a Campaign debate a Challenge Marcos ii chosen to ignore saying he would rather have pleasant conversation with her. \ ,. I the political Battle of the sexes splashed of Jujj Page 14 the stars and stripes