Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Aquino III’s lead in opinion polls has “significantly dropped” to single-digit levels while Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilberto Teodoro Jr. surged to a double-digit mark for the first time since entering the race, according to results of the first survey taken after the Dec. 1 deadline for candidates to file
their certificates of candidacy (COCs).
A poll conducted by the Issues and Advocacy Center (The Center) from Dec. 2 to 6 showed Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party (NP) cut Aquino’s lead to seven points by improving to 24 percent.
“Aquino’s 31 percent rating was described as a ‘stationary dive’ in the Center’s tracking survey but he continues to lead in the super regions – National Capital Region (36 percent), Luzon (31 percent), Visayas (26 percent) and Mindanao (33 percent),” according to Ed Malay, director of the Center.
Malay said the Center interviewed 1,200 respondents pro-rated to the number of voters in the 2007 midterm polls with a margin of error of plus-minus 2.8 percent and a confidence level of 95 percent.
“The other significant movements were Teodoro’s climb to 10 percent on the strength of his bold decisions on the Maguindanao massacre and his impressive showing in two presidential debates, and former President Joseph Estrada’s 19 percent as he bounced back from last October’s survey,” he said.
“Sen. Dick (Richard) Gordon also began to make his presence felt with eight percent.”
Malay said Teodoro benefited from the positive reviews that he has been generating from the public debates among the presidential aspirants, as well as his handling of the Maguindanao massacre even when he was no longer defense secretary.
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Both Nonynoy Aquino and Gibo Teodoro showed their wits and readiness to answer outstanding issues and character questions. Sen. Dick Gordon has also been getting some attention on his political platform. The race is still a long way and I hope that more fora and similar discussions will be available for the public. This will definitely give the voting public a better perspective of the 2010 presidential candidates.
JonQBX
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Comelec vows to act swiftly on Erap case
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will immediately resolve the issue springing from the candidacy of former President Joseph Estrada and will decide whether or not it is lawful to allow the ousted leader to run in next year’s polls.
“Dahil napaka-importante ng case ni former president Erap, it is certain na it would be resolved by the commission as soon as possible,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a phone interview.
The Comelec official said they are expecting Estrada’s candidacy to be challenged before the Supreme Court.
“We want to give the SC more time to tackle it… The sooner it is out of the Comelec’s hands, the sooner the SC will have time to resolve it,” Jimenez said. Lawyer Evillo Pormento of Parañaque City filed a disqualification case against Estrada over the weekend, saying it is a “direct and clear violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, particularly Article VII Section 4.”
In the three-page petition, Pormento said Estrada’s candidacy could set a bad precedent of allowing former presidents to run for a second time.
Pormento maintained that the act violates the constitutional provision that prescribes a full six-year term for a president without the benefit of re-election.
“The filing of respondent’s Certificate of Candidacy as presidential candidate is in direct and clear violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, particularly Article VII Section 4, 2nd sentence, which states: The president shall not be eligible for any re-election,” Pormento said.
The lawyer wants Estrada to be declared a nuisance candidate and excluded from the official list of candidates printed in the 2010 ballots.
“To allow respondent to run as presidential candidate in the coming 2010 presidential election and to admit his CoC will become a bad precedent because other former presidents of this country would follow suit by also filing their CoC in future presidential elections.
“It will also defeat the wisdom behind the creation of the aforementioned Constitutional provision which prescribes a one full six-year term of the president without the benefit of re-election,” the petitioner said.
Supporters of Estrada stressed that only incumbent presidents are ineligible for re-election, adding that the former president was also unable to complete his term when he was ousted in 2001.
Earlier, lawyer Oliver Lozano also filed a disqualification case against Estrada but it was dismissed by the Comelec.
Presidential political adviser Prospero Pichay, Jr. for his part said Estrada can run next year as he disclaimed reports that Malacanang is behind the new disqualification case against the opposition leader.
“Why should it be blamed on the administration or Malacañang? We have nothing to do with that,” Pichay said.
“Time and again, and even before I became the political adviser, I am of the belief that former president Estrada can run and there is no reason he will not be able to run,” he added.
Pichay said Pormento is not in any way connected with Malacanang or the Arroyo administration.
“Kaya nga I want to dispel speculations that the administration is behind the filing of the disqualification of former president Estrada. I would like to dispel the speculations that Malacanang is behind the disqualification case against former president Estrada,” Pichay stressed.
According to Pichay, only President Arroyo, who is the incumbent president, is ineligible to run for re-election next year.
“Maliwanag ang nasa Saligang Batas na the president cannot run for reelection and the president refers to the incumbent,” Pichay said.
source: The Manila Bulletin (mb.com.ph)
“Dahil napaka-importante ng case ni former president Erap, it is certain na it would be resolved by the commission as soon as possible,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a phone interview.
The Comelec official said they are expecting Estrada’s candidacy to be challenged before the Supreme Court.
“We want to give the SC more time to tackle it… The sooner it is out of the Comelec’s hands, the sooner the SC will have time to resolve it,” Jimenez said. Lawyer Evillo Pormento of Parañaque City filed a disqualification case against Estrada over the weekend, saying it is a “direct and clear violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, particularly Article VII Section 4.”
In the three-page petition, Pormento said Estrada’s candidacy could set a bad precedent of allowing former presidents to run for a second time.
Pormento maintained that the act violates the constitutional provision that prescribes a full six-year term for a president without the benefit of re-election.
“The filing of respondent’s Certificate of Candidacy as presidential candidate is in direct and clear violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, particularly Article VII Section 4, 2nd sentence, which states: The president shall not be eligible for any re-election,” Pormento said.
The lawyer wants Estrada to be declared a nuisance candidate and excluded from the official list of candidates printed in the 2010 ballots.
“To allow respondent to run as presidential candidate in the coming 2010 presidential election and to admit his CoC will become a bad precedent because other former presidents of this country would follow suit by also filing their CoC in future presidential elections.
“It will also defeat the wisdom behind the creation of the aforementioned Constitutional provision which prescribes a one full six-year term of the president without the benefit of re-election,” the petitioner said.
Supporters of Estrada stressed that only incumbent presidents are ineligible for re-election, adding that the former president was also unable to complete his term when he was ousted in 2001.
Earlier, lawyer Oliver Lozano also filed a disqualification case against Estrada but it was dismissed by the Comelec.
Presidential political adviser Prospero Pichay, Jr. for his part said Estrada can run next year as he disclaimed reports that Malacanang is behind the new disqualification case against the opposition leader.
“Why should it be blamed on the administration or Malacañang? We have nothing to do with that,” Pichay said.
“Time and again, and even before I became the political adviser, I am of the belief that former president Estrada can run and there is no reason he will not be able to run,” he added.
Pichay said Pormento is not in any way connected with Malacanang or the Arroyo administration.
“Kaya nga I want to dispel speculations that the administration is behind the filing of the disqualification of former president Estrada. I would like to dispel the speculations that Malacanang is behind the disqualification case against former president Estrada,” Pichay stressed.
According to Pichay, only President Arroyo, who is the incumbent president, is ineligible to run for re-election next year.
“Maliwanag ang nasa Saligang Batas na the president cannot run for reelection and the president refers to the incumbent,” Pichay said.
source: The Manila Bulletin (mb.com.ph)
4 bets shine in ANC's Harapan: analysts
Four presidential candidates gave strong performances at ANC's "Harapan: The Presidential Forum" on Wednesday, according to several political and media analysts.
Among the experts' favorites were Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino Jr., Sen. Richard "Dick" Gordon, former Defense Sec. Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr., and former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.
Imaging expert Emily Abrera said Aquino, Teodoro, and Gordon made the most sense and "didn't waffle" when they answered questions on morality, as well as their views on political dynasties, population control, insurgency, and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's bid for a congressional seat.
Abrera said the candidates also appeared cool and collected, probably because they had prepared well for the forum.
"Regardless of the quality of their responses, Noynoy, Gibo, Gordon, and even Estrada - as witty as his answers were-- directly answered the questions," said polling firm Pulse Asia President Ronald D. Holmes.
The forum, held a day after the deadline of filing for certificates of candidacy, was held in partnership with Manila Bulletin, the Philippine Star, the University of Santo Tomas, and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).
"Harapan" is part of a series of election-related forums and debates held by ABS-CBN in the run up to the 2010 polls. Other presidential candidates who joined the forum were Nicanor Perlas, JC de los Reyes, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva.
Improvements
Many of the top-ranked candidates at the forum showed improved performances compared to their previous showings at forums or informal surveys.
Marites Vitug, managing director ABS-CBN's news website, abs-cbnNEWS.com, noted that Aquino was more composed than his prior appearances on live forums. "It's hard to rank, but... tonight was a good showing by Aquino and Teodoro and Gordon," she added.
Holmes said Teodoro was more specific about his plans for issues like the Ampatuan town massacre or how to dismantle political dynasties. "But that's part of the platform of any candidate. Some came better prepared than others," he said.
Based on an unscientific poll conducted by abs-cbnNEWS.com for the forum, Teodoro enjoyed a jump in voter preference based on perceived credibility.
Asked whom they thought sounded credible at the forum, 42% of 1,499 voters chose Aquino, followed closely by Teodoro at 37%, Villanueva at 9%, and Gordon at 8%. Aquino has dominated recent national surveys, while Teodoro ranked only 2% in voter preference.
The political analysts said viewers may have been excited by "fresh faces" in the presidential race, and impressed by Aquino, Teodoro, and Gordon's clear and concise speeches.
Atty. Howard Calleja of the PPCRV, however, cautioned voters not to base their preferences on good speech delivery or looks alone.
"You would see who is the best speaker [in this forum]. But is that what we really need for the presidency? In addition to delivering your message, I would also look at the track record of these candidates," he said.
Flip-flopping, consistency
Vitug saw some candidates waver on their stand on certain issues, while others remained consistent with theirs.
"On the issue of the RH Bill, Gibo and Noynoy backtracked. Teodoro flip-flopped because he said before that the state had a role in promoting reproductive health education in the country. Noynoy went a bit soft this time, although he said the state would promote responsible parenthood," she said.
She added that Teodoro and Aquino were specific about their plans for peace and order, while Gordon was "weak" when it came to security issues.
Estrada, Vitug said, made inconsistent statements on ridding the country of warlords.
Though Estrada pledged at the forum that he would not tolerate warlords in the area, he had tried to secure supplemental budgets for civilian auxiliary units for the military--the same units used by warlords for their private armies--during his presidency.
Vitug said that Teodoro has been consistent on his stance to defeat political dynasties by strengthening political parties. Aquino was not so direct with his answer, but had signed the committee report on the Anti-Political Dynasty Act.
"Maybe in that way, they're consistent, but Noynoy was less [so] on the dynasty issue," Vitug said.
With character questions, she said, all the presidential candidates "came out as saints." Estrada, a reported womanizer and gambler, was asked about his vices and replied that his only vice was "to serve the poor."
Aquino, meanwhile, was asked whether he had ever been dishonest. The senator answered that he had lied to his parents about what time he would be coming home, among other "white lies."
Political butterflies?
Vitug also pointed out that many of the candidates had shifted political parties or alliances throughout their career. Teodoro left the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) and joined the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party in July.
Estrada had run under various parties including the Grand Alliance for Democracy, and now the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.
Gordon, meanwhile, was with the administration coalition in 2004, but is now running under Bagumbayan with former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando as his running mate.
Candidates who were consistent with their party affiliations so far are Aquino (who has been a member of the Liberal Party since he ran in 1998), de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), and Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas).
Holmes, however, said political affiliation registers low with voters when they consider whom to vote for. "I suppose it also depends on the nature of the change [in party affiliation]. Some opposition candidates who joined the administration after the 2007 elections, well, their careers suffered," he said.
A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that 21% of voters look for integrity ("hindi kurakot" or not corrupt) followed by 14% who said they wanted a president who has experience or is capable of accomplishing things ("may nagawa na o may magagawa").
Holmes said it was the first time that a presidential candidate's character ranked first in election surveys, superseding qualities like "helpfulness" and "track record" in their May and August 2009 surveys.
He added that these qualities that voters look for often reflect the themes posed by presidential candidates in their infomercials.
'No-shows lose chance to swing votes'
Notably absent from the forum was Sen. Manuel "Manny" Villar Jr., who has been ranking 2nd in recent election surveys.
Villar canceled a few hours before the forum started, reportedly saying he had an important business meeting.
Speculations surfaced that Villar was playing safe, after he refused to attend several election-related forums this year. Critics noted he was following the adage, "No talk, no mistake."
"For the audiences of the debate, [his absence] would not have influenced them for or against him," Holmes said. "If Villar did a good showing tonight, he would have gotten a good percentage [of votes]."
Abrera said Villar "missed an opportunity to project himself" and gave two opponents a chance to project themselves better. Vitug agreed, saying she would have wanted to "get to know Villar more."
According to an October 2009 survey by Pulse Asia, only 4% of Filipino voters are still undecided about whom to vote for in May 2010.
Of the 96% who stated that they already have a preferred candidate, more than half (54%) said there is little or no possibility that they will change their mind between October this year and election day next year, Holmes said.
The survey found that 20% of respondents said there is a "big possibility" they will change their vote, while 26% could not say whether they will or will not change their vote.
The top reasons given by voters for a change in voting preference are: if their candidate backs out from the race, and if another candidate puts forward a better program or platform. Sixty eight percent of voters also said the media will influence their voting preference.
"[The debate] was an opportunity to present their stance on many issues. I am sure their decisions will be influenced by these TV debates," Holmes added.
Though forums like ANC's "Harapan" may help voters decide on who to vote for, Calleja insisted it is still up to voters to decide whether they will be swayed by what they see on television.
source: ABS-CBNnews.com
---------------------
Re-posting this analysis on the recently held Presidential Forum, Harapan hoping that it could provide us with better perspective on our choice in the 2010 Presidentail Election.
Among the experts' favorites were Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino Jr., Sen. Richard "Dick" Gordon, former Defense Sec. Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr., and former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.
Imaging expert Emily Abrera said Aquino, Teodoro, and Gordon made the most sense and "didn't waffle" when they answered questions on morality, as well as their views on political dynasties, population control, insurgency, and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's bid for a congressional seat.
Abrera said the candidates also appeared cool and collected, probably because they had prepared well for the forum.
"Regardless of the quality of their responses, Noynoy, Gibo, Gordon, and even Estrada - as witty as his answers were-- directly answered the questions," said polling firm Pulse Asia President Ronald D. Holmes.
The forum, held a day after the deadline of filing for certificates of candidacy, was held in partnership with Manila Bulletin, the Philippine Star, the University of Santo Tomas, and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).
"Harapan" is part of a series of election-related forums and debates held by ABS-CBN in the run up to the 2010 polls. Other presidential candidates who joined the forum were Nicanor Perlas, JC de los Reyes, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva.
Improvements
Many of the top-ranked candidates at the forum showed improved performances compared to their previous showings at forums or informal surveys.
Marites Vitug, managing director ABS-CBN's news website, abs-cbnNEWS.com, noted that Aquino was more composed than his prior appearances on live forums. "It's hard to rank, but... tonight was a good showing by Aquino and Teodoro and Gordon," she added.
Holmes said Teodoro was more specific about his plans for issues like the Ampatuan town massacre or how to dismantle political dynasties. "But that's part of the platform of any candidate. Some came better prepared than others," he said.
Based on an unscientific poll conducted by abs-cbnNEWS.com for the forum, Teodoro enjoyed a jump in voter preference based on perceived credibility.
Asked whom they thought sounded credible at the forum, 42% of 1,499 voters chose Aquino, followed closely by Teodoro at 37%, Villanueva at 9%, and Gordon at 8%. Aquino has dominated recent national surveys, while Teodoro ranked only 2% in voter preference.
The political analysts said viewers may have been excited by "fresh faces" in the presidential race, and impressed by Aquino, Teodoro, and Gordon's clear and concise speeches.
Atty. Howard Calleja of the PPCRV, however, cautioned voters not to base their preferences on good speech delivery or looks alone.
"You would see who is the best speaker [in this forum]. But is that what we really need for the presidency? In addition to delivering your message, I would also look at the track record of these candidates," he said.
Flip-flopping, consistency
Vitug saw some candidates waver on their stand on certain issues, while others remained consistent with theirs.
"On the issue of the RH Bill, Gibo and Noynoy backtracked. Teodoro flip-flopped because he said before that the state had a role in promoting reproductive health education in the country. Noynoy went a bit soft this time, although he said the state would promote responsible parenthood," she said.
She added that Teodoro and Aquino were specific about their plans for peace and order, while Gordon was "weak" when it came to security issues.
Estrada, Vitug said, made inconsistent statements on ridding the country of warlords.
Though Estrada pledged at the forum that he would not tolerate warlords in the area, he had tried to secure supplemental budgets for civilian auxiliary units for the military--the same units used by warlords for their private armies--during his presidency.
Vitug said that Teodoro has been consistent on his stance to defeat political dynasties by strengthening political parties. Aquino was not so direct with his answer, but had signed the committee report on the Anti-Political Dynasty Act.
"Maybe in that way, they're consistent, but Noynoy was less [so] on the dynasty issue," Vitug said.
With character questions, she said, all the presidential candidates "came out as saints." Estrada, a reported womanizer and gambler, was asked about his vices and replied that his only vice was "to serve the poor."
Aquino, meanwhile, was asked whether he had ever been dishonest. The senator answered that he had lied to his parents about what time he would be coming home, among other "white lies."
Political butterflies?
Vitug also pointed out that many of the candidates had shifted political parties or alliances throughout their career. Teodoro left the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) and joined the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party in July.
Estrada had run under various parties including the Grand Alliance for Democracy, and now the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.
Gordon, meanwhile, was with the administration coalition in 2004, but is now running under Bagumbayan with former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando as his running mate.
Candidates who were consistent with their party affiliations so far are Aquino (who has been a member of the Liberal Party since he ran in 1998), de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), and Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas).
Holmes, however, said political affiliation registers low with voters when they consider whom to vote for. "I suppose it also depends on the nature of the change [in party affiliation]. Some opposition candidates who joined the administration after the 2007 elections, well, their careers suffered," he said.
A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that 21% of voters look for integrity ("hindi kurakot" or not corrupt) followed by 14% who said they wanted a president who has experience or is capable of accomplishing things ("may nagawa na o may magagawa").
Holmes said it was the first time that a presidential candidate's character ranked first in election surveys, superseding qualities like "helpfulness" and "track record" in their May and August 2009 surveys.
He added that these qualities that voters look for often reflect the themes posed by presidential candidates in their infomercials.
'No-shows lose chance to swing votes'
Notably absent from the forum was Sen. Manuel "Manny" Villar Jr., who has been ranking 2nd in recent election surveys.
Villar canceled a few hours before the forum started, reportedly saying he had an important business meeting.
Speculations surfaced that Villar was playing safe, after he refused to attend several election-related forums this year. Critics noted he was following the adage, "No talk, no mistake."
"For the audiences of the debate, [his absence] would not have influenced them for or against him," Holmes said. "If Villar did a good showing tonight, he would have gotten a good percentage [of votes]."
Abrera said Villar "missed an opportunity to project himself" and gave two opponents a chance to project themselves better. Vitug agreed, saying she would have wanted to "get to know Villar more."
According to an October 2009 survey by Pulse Asia, only 4% of Filipino voters are still undecided about whom to vote for in May 2010.
Of the 96% who stated that they already have a preferred candidate, more than half (54%) said there is little or no possibility that they will change their mind between October this year and election day next year, Holmes said.
The survey found that 20% of respondents said there is a "big possibility" they will change their vote, while 26% could not say whether they will or will not change their vote.
The top reasons given by voters for a change in voting preference are: if their candidate backs out from the race, and if another candidate puts forward a better program or platform. Sixty eight percent of voters also said the media will influence their voting preference.
"[The debate] was an opportunity to present their stance on many issues. I am sure their decisions will be influenced by these TV debates," Holmes added.
Though forums like ANC's "Harapan" may help voters decide on who to vote for, Calleja insisted it is still up to voters to decide whether they will be swayed by what they see on television.
source: ABS-CBNnews.com
---------------------
Re-posting this analysis on the recently held Presidential Forum, Harapan hoping that it could provide us with better perspective on our choice in the 2010 Presidentail Election.
7 presidential hopefuls grilled on character at forum
Presidential hopefuls were grilled about their character during last Wednesday’s forum, with mostly students in the audience looking for the leader they could trust.
Former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. declared he would not become a puppet of President Arroyo, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III swore he had never lied or cheated in his public life, while former President Joseph Estrada said he knew how to respect and face the law even if it caused his detention.
Other presidential bets Sen. Richard Gordon, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, religious leader Eddie Villanueva and Olongapo City Councilor John Carlos delos Reyes also said they would be different from the current administration during the forum at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila.
Teodoro, the administration’s presidential bet, said he would not turn his back on Mrs. Arroyo but would make sure he would not be “dictated upon” even if the current president would still be a political force as a member of the House of Representatives.
The President has decided to run for Pampanga representative in the 2010 elections.
Teodoro is believed to be suffering from the low popularity of the President despite his qualifications to become president.
He said that he would “do what is right” once elected.
“When your are the president you should do what is right,” he said during the forum.
Teodoro said he would not be “dictated upon” and would try to become a “healing president.”
Aquino said he had never lied or cheated since he became Tarlac representative in 1998. He was elected senator in 2007.
“It may sound self serving but I have an inability to lie. If people are lying to me, I would rather spend my time elsewhere conversing with other people,” Aquino said.
Aquino believed that people would go for the ones who would not be part of the current system of cheating and corruption.
Aquino, who carries the legacy of his parents in fighting for democracy and good government, said one could not change the system if he would be part of it.
Estrada said that he is already in his “twilight years” and would simply want to repay the people with good public service.
He said he could be considered “more experienced” than his opponents in the 2010 presidential race. “I’m probably not the oldest here, but I have the most experience,” the 72-year-old Estrada said.
The seven presidential candidates also vowed to crush warlords nationwide, after the country experienced the worst election-related violence in recent memory when 57 people were killed in the Nov. 23 Maguindanao massacre.
Estrada (Partido ng Masang Pilipino), Aquino (Liberal Party), Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Gordon (Bagumbayan Party), Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas), Perlas, and Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran) agreed that private armed groups and warlords should be dismantled.
Estrada meanwhile said the present administration does not have the strength and political will to implement the law and go after the private army involved in the Maguindanao massacre.
Teodoro said the police and military should be strengthened to have the capability to dismantle private armies.
Villanueva said private armies have no place in a civilized society and vowed to seize all the guns being kept by private armies.
Aquino and Gordon agreed that the Arroyo administration should have acted quickly to arrest all the suspects in the Maguindanao massacre.
Among those killed were the wife of Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu of Buluan, Maguindanao and two of his sisters, two female lawyers and 30 journalists who covered the supposed filing of certificate of candidacy of the vice mayor, who will run for governor of Maguindanao and challenge a scion of the Ampatuan clan.
The Mangudadatus have blamed the Ampatuans for the massacre, specifically pointing to Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao as one of the leaders of 100 armed men who abducted Mangudadatu’s supporters.
Aquino said the accused and suspected policemen should have been immediately arrested, disarmed, and confined to quarters.
Delos Reyes said one sure way of crushing warlords and private armies would be to declare a total gun ban across the nation. He also stressed that the creation of private armies is prohibited by the Constitution.
Perlas, for his part, linked the presence of private armies to the presence of poverty, especially in Mindanao.
He proposed that in order to wean people away from the quick cash offered by warlords to join private armies, a sound government livelihood program should be established.
Gibo wants bets to forge peace covenant
Teodoro said election-related violence could be avoided if national candidates and all stakeholders in next year’s elections would forge a covenant of peace and cooperation.
He said politics should be conducted on a higher level and based on issues and political platforms and not with the usual guns, gold and goons.
As Lakas-Kampi-CMD president, Teodoro immediately expelled from the party the Ampatuan political clan that was implicated in the massacre.
“All those who will play a crucial role in the elections should respect and deal peacefully with other key players in the electoral process, including journalists, teachers, electoral watchdog groups, watchers and voters all over the country,” the former defense secretary said.
Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, Teodoro’s spokesperson, said the covenant could be hammered out and signed under the auspices of the Moral Force Movement (MFM) of Chief Justice Reynato Puno and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PCRV) led by Ambassador Henrietta de Villa “to shift the focus of the election to a campaign of ideas and platform of government.”
“This election means so much for a nation in transition. We should take every step to ensure that violence does not influence the ballot. A national covenant of peace and cooperation, to be signed by all stakeholders, is a giant step in that direction,” Magsaysay added.
Magsaysay said Teodoro has reiterated his call for the exercise of free expression and respect for a free press.
source: PhilStar.com
--------------
I appreciate the effort of ABS-CBN and GMA for allowing the nation to see the 2010 presidential candidates answer the controversial questions and important issues that surround the Philippine government and the political arena. Character questions are also welcome as the viewers can validate from themselves the credibility and integrity of the candidates. It is also interesting to note that the fora are done in the local language, Filipino, for the benefit of the voting public.
JonQBX
Former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. declared he would not become a puppet of President Arroyo, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III swore he had never lied or cheated in his public life, while former President Joseph Estrada said he knew how to respect and face the law even if it caused his detention.
Other presidential bets Sen. Richard Gordon, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, religious leader Eddie Villanueva and Olongapo City Councilor John Carlos delos Reyes also said they would be different from the current administration during the forum at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila.
Teodoro, the administration’s presidential bet, said he would not turn his back on Mrs. Arroyo but would make sure he would not be “dictated upon” even if the current president would still be a political force as a member of the House of Representatives.
The President has decided to run for Pampanga representative in the 2010 elections.
Teodoro is believed to be suffering from the low popularity of the President despite his qualifications to become president.
He said that he would “do what is right” once elected.
“When your are the president you should do what is right,” he said during the forum.
Teodoro said he would not be “dictated upon” and would try to become a “healing president.”
Aquino said he had never lied or cheated since he became Tarlac representative in 1998. He was elected senator in 2007.
“It may sound self serving but I have an inability to lie. If people are lying to me, I would rather spend my time elsewhere conversing with other people,” Aquino said.
Aquino believed that people would go for the ones who would not be part of the current system of cheating and corruption.
Aquino, who carries the legacy of his parents in fighting for democracy and good government, said one could not change the system if he would be part of it.
Estrada said that he is already in his “twilight years” and would simply want to repay the people with good public service.
He said he could be considered “more experienced” than his opponents in the 2010 presidential race. “I’m probably not the oldest here, but I have the most experience,” the 72-year-old Estrada said.
The seven presidential candidates also vowed to crush warlords nationwide, after the country experienced the worst election-related violence in recent memory when 57 people were killed in the Nov. 23 Maguindanao massacre.
Estrada (Partido ng Masang Pilipino), Aquino (Liberal Party), Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Gordon (Bagumbayan Party), Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas), Perlas, and Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran) agreed that private armed groups and warlords should be dismantled.
Estrada meanwhile said the present administration does not have the strength and political will to implement the law and go after the private army involved in the Maguindanao massacre.
Teodoro said the police and military should be strengthened to have the capability to dismantle private armies.
Villanueva said private armies have no place in a civilized society and vowed to seize all the guns being kept by private armies.
Aquino and Gordon agreed that the Arroyo administration should have acted quickly to arrest all the suspects in the Maguindanao massacre.
Among those killed were the wife of Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu of Buluan, Maguindanao and two of his sisters, two female lawyers and 30 journalists who covered the supposed filing of certificate of candidacy of the vice mayor, who will run for governor of Maguindanao and challenge a scion of the Ampatuan clan.
The Mangudadatus have blamed the Ampatuans for the massacre, specifically pointing to Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao as one of the leaders of 100 armed men who abducted Mangudadatu’s supporters.
Aquino said the accused and suspected policemen should have been immediately arrested, disarmed, and confined to quarters.
Delos Reyes said one sure way of crushing warlords and private armies would be to declare a total gun ban across the nation. He also stressed that the creation of private armies is prohibited by the Constitution.
Perlas, for his part, linked the presence of private armies to the presence of poverty, especially in Mindanao.
He proposed that in order to wean people away from the quick cash offered by warlords to join private armies, a sound government livelihood program should be established.
Gibo wants bets to forge peace covenant
Teodoro said election-related violence could be avoided if national candidates and all stakeholders in next year’s elections would forge a covenant of peace and cooperation.
He said politics should be conducted on a higher level and based on issues and political platforms and not with the usual guns, gold and goons.
As Lakas-Kampi-CMD president, Teodoro immediately expelled from the party the Ampatuan political clan that was implicated in the massacre.
“All those who will play a crucial role in the elections should respect and deal peacefully with other key players in the electoral process, including journalists, teachers, electoral watchdog groups, watchers and voters all over the country,” the former defense secretary said.
Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, Teodoro’s spokesperson, said the covenant could be hammered out and signed under the auspices of the Moral Force Movement (MFM) of Chief Justice Reynato Puno and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PCRV) led by Ambassador Henrietta de Villa “to shift the focus of the election to a campaign of ideas and platform of government.”
“This election means so much for a nation in transition. We should take every step to ensure that violence does not influence the ballot. A national covenant of peace and cooperation, to be signed by all stakeholders, is a giant step in that direction,” Magsaysay added.
Magsaysay said Teodoro has reiterated his call for the exercise of free expression and respect for a free press.
source: PhilStar.com
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I appreciate the effort of ABS-CBN and GMA for allowing the nation to see the 2010 presidential candidates answer the controversial questions and important issues that surround the Philippine government and the political arena. Character questions are also welcome as the viewers can validate from themselves the credibility and integrity of the candidates. It is also interesting to note that the fora are done in the local language, Filipino, for the benefit of the voting public.
JonQBX
Friday, December 4, 2009
Enrile, Miriam, Joker: Let Arroyo ‘make history’
Three senators on Thursday said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should be allowed to run in the May 2010 polls and "make history."
In separate interviews by GMA News, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Joker Arroyo said Mrs. Arroyo’s fate should be left to the Supreme Court and the people.
"Instead of asking the President to resign, we should be a little more considerate because she is raising a constitutional issue to be resolved by the Supreme Court for the benefit of the country, otherwise, it will be hanging on [our] heads," Enrile said.
He added: "I don’t think we should deprive the country of a President, anim na buwan na lang. Let the SC decide on the issue regarding the position that the President wishes to run for Congress."
The Senate chief admitted that as a lawyer, he has doubts on the legality of Mrs. Arroyo’s plans, but said he was glad she filed her certificate of candidacy so that the matter can be tackled by the High Tribunal if someone questions it.
He believed that the President is not qualified for any reelection, "meaning any position."
"I think it is good that this matter will be brought to the SC, this will also be part of the discussion with regards to the issue [of former President Joseph Estrada running] even if he did not complete his term," Enrile said.
Enrile is running for reelection under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) headed by former President Joseph Estrada.
Source: GMAnews.tv
In separate interviews by GMA News, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Joker Arroyo said Mrs. Arroyo’s fate should be left to the Supreme Court and the people.
"Instead of asking the President to resign, we should be a little more considerate because she is raising a constitutional issue to be resolved by the Supreme Court for the benefit of the country, otherwise, it will be hanging on [our] heads," Enrile said.
He added: "I don’t think we should deprive the country of a President, anim na buwan na lang. Let the SC decide on the issue regarding the position that the President wishes to run for Congress."
The Senate chief admitted that as a lawyer, he has doubts on the legality of Mrs. Arroyo’s plans, but said he was glad she filed her certificate of candidacy so that the matter can be tackled by the High Tribunal if someone questions it.
He believed that the President is not qualified for any reelection, "meaning any position."
"I think it is good that this matter will be brought to the SC, this will also be part of the discussion with regards to the issue [of former President Joseph Estrada running] even if he did not complete his term," Enrile said.
Enrile is running for reelection under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) headed by former President Joseph Estrada.
Source: GMAnews.tv
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
2 Lakas-Kampi women slug it out in Bataan
BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Two women members of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party will slug it out for the first congressional district in Bataan, a position that is expected to be contested immediately between the two contending candidates if “who is who.”
Ms. Gila Garcia, daughter of incumbent and reelectionist Governor Enrique “Tet” Garcia, was officially endorsed by then Lakas-Kampi president Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Lakas-Kampi Secretary General Gabriel Claudio, to be the party’s official candidate for Bataan’s First District.
Ms. Garcia challenges incumbent and reelectionist Rep. Minia Roman who is also a Lakas-Kampi member.
But Atty. Elmo Doque, Comelec provincial supervisor here, said that this is in violation of the Sections 6 and 7 of Comelec Resolution No. 8692 since, he said, only one candidate should be nominated by a political party to run in one position.
Citing the Comelec resolution, Atty. Doque said: “No political party should be allowed to nominate more than the number of persons required to be voted for in an election post…” which means that only one candidate is allowed to be nominated for the same position.
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source: The Manila Bulletin
Ms. Gila Garcia, daughter of incumbent and reelectionist Governor Enrique “Tet” Garcia, was officially endorsed by then Lakas-Kampi president Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Lakas-Kampi Secretary General Gabriel Claudio, to be the party’s official candidate for Bataan’s First District.
Ms. Garcia challenges incumbent and reelectionist Rep. Minia Roman who is also a Lakas-Kampi member.
But Atty. Elmo Doque, Comelec provincial supervisor here, said that this is in violation of the Sections 6 and 7 of Comelec Resolution No. 8692 since, he said, only one candidate should be nominated by a political party to run in one position.
Citing the Comelec resolution, Atty. Doque said: “No political party should be allowed to nominate more than the number of persons required to be voted for in an election post…” which means that only one candidate is allowed to be nominated for the same position.
--------------
source: The Manila Bulletin
Gordon, Fernando announce tandem in 2010 polls
Here come the "transformers."
That's how Senator Richard Gordon and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Bayani Fernando want to be called as they officially announced Tuesday their tandem for the May 2010 presidential elections.
"You can call us the transformers. We are here to transform the nation," Gordon said at a news conference held at the Senate press office in Pasay City.
Gordon and Fernando were accompanied by their respective wives, former Olongapo Mayor Kate Gordon and Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando.
The two are to file their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila later in the day.
Gordon and Bayani will be running under the former's Bagumbayan Party which was accredited by the Comelec as a political party two months ago.
Gordon said they will not be fielding any senatorial candidates "because [they] are willing to work with everybody."
"Pareho kami ng values, pareho ng vision (We share the same values, we share the same vision)," the senator added, referring to his tandem with Fernando, who earlier sought to be the standard bearer of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD but lost the nomination to former Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Fernando said it was him who tried to convince Gordon to be his running mate although it was the latter who eventually convinced the former to run as vice president.
Gordon said he agreed to team up with Fernando because he witnessed how the latter transformed Marikina City the same way that he transformed Olongapo City.
"BF is a great mayor of Marikina, may character talaga. We are the most experienced, we have the vision, we have the ability to transform the nation. We are the national executives of the country. We are the mayors of the Philippines," he said. - Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMANews.TV
That's how Senator Richard Gordon and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Bayani Fernando want to be called as they officially announced Tuesday their tandem for the May 2010 presidential elections.
"You can call us the transformers. We are here to transform the nation," Gordon said at a news conference held at the Senate press office in Pasay City.
Gordon and Fernando were accompanied by their respective wives, former Olongapo Mayor Kate Gordon and Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando.
The two are to file their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila later in the day.
Gordon and Bayani will be running under the former's Bagumbayan Party which was accredited by the Comelec as a political party two months ago.
Gordon said they will not be fielding any senatorial candidates "because [they] are willing to work with everybody."
"Pareho kami ng values, pareho ng vision (We share the same values, we share the same vision)," the senator added, referring to his tandem with Fernando, who earlier sought to be the standard bearer of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD but lost the nomination to former Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Fernando said it was him who tried to convince Gordon to be his running mate although it was the latter who eventually convinced the former to run as vice president.
Gordon said he agreed to team up with Fernando because he witnessed how the latter transformed Marikina City the same way that he transformed Olongapo City.
"BF is a great mayor of Marikina, may character talaga. We are the most experienced, we have the vision, we have the ability to transform the nation. We are the national executives of the country. We are the mayors of the Philippines," he said. - Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMANews.TV
LP will challenge Arroyo in Pampanga
Liberal Party chairman Franklin Drilon said that their party is keen on putting up a challenge to President Arroyo's bid to Congress. Although, the former Senate President could not name who will they be fielding in, he quoted:
“Si Governor Ed Panlilio ang namamahala. Nung nag-usap kami kahapon… may susuportahan na kandidato," Drilon told newsmen at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Manila after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator under the LP ticket.
Earlier news reports said Panlilio was encouraging President Arroyo’s older half-sister Cielo Macapagal-Salgado, a former vice governor of the province, to run against her sibling.
“Si Governor Ed Panlilio ang namamahala. Nung nag-usap kami kahapon… may susuportahan na kandidato," Drilon told newsmen at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Manila after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator under the LP ticket.
Earlier news reports said Panlilio was encouraging President Arroyo’s older half-sister Cielo Macapagal-Salgado, a former vice governor of the province, to run against her sibling.
Jamby files CoC for president
Senator Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal on Tuesday filed her certificate of candidacy (CoC) for president "out of the dictates of my conscience."
Madrigal, who is running as an independent, said that her candidacy is not a matter of personal or political ambition. "As history has proven again and again, the safe and easy way is not always the right way."
Madrigal will be running without a vice president or senatorial slate. This, according to her, "allows all like-minded candidates and people to unite under a shared and genuine progressive vision and platform of government, based on principled politics.”
She is the second serious presidential aspirant to file without a running mate nor a senatorial slate. Days earlier, environmental activist Nicanor Perlas filed for president solo, too.
Madrigal said her candidacy will do justice to the martyrdom of her grandfather, Jose Abad Santos.
Madrigal takes pride in the fact that she is not a candidate of established political parties or big businessmen.
Madrigal said that, if elected, she will "favor only the Filipino people."
"To improve the people's lives, we must invest in them directly and not through intermediaries. Dapat bigyang puhunan ang bawat Pilipino," she said.
Madrigal, scion of one of the richest families in the country, was a presidential adviser during the time of President Joseph Estrada. At the time, she was able to work with Vice President Gloria Arroyo at the social welfare department.
After Estrada’s ouster in 2001, Madrigal ran for senator under Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino but lost. She tried again in 2004 and won, landing 4th in the race, a feat for somebody who previously lost.
Madrigal has taken an oppositionist stance for most of her term in the Senate, pushing investigations into alleged corruption of people in the Palace and even her fellow senators.
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source: ABS-CBNnews.com
Madrigal, who is running as an independent, said that her candidacy is not a matter of personal or political ambition. "As history has proven again and again, the safe and easy way is not always the right way."
Madrigal will be running without a vice president or senatorial slate. This, according to her, "allows all like-minded candidates and people to unite under a shared and genuine progressive vision and platform of government, based on principled politics.”
She is the second serious presidential aspirant to file without a running mate nor a senatorial slate. Days earlier, environmental activist Nicanor Perlas filed for president solo, too.
Madrigal said her candidacy will do justice to the martyrdom of her grandfather, Jose Abad Santos.
Madrigal takes pride in the fact that she is not a candidate of established political parties or big businessmen.
Madrigal said that, if elected, she will "favor only the Filipino people."
"To improve the people's lives, we must invest in them directly and not through intermediaries. Dapat bigyang puhunan ang bawat Pilipino," she said.
Madrigal, scion of one of the richest families in the country, was a presidential adviser during the time of President Joseph Estrada. At the time, she was able to work with Vice President Gloria Arroyo at the social welfare department.
After Estrada’s ouster in 2001, Madrigal ran for senator under Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino but lost. She tried again in 2004 and won, landing 4th in the race, a feat for somebody who previously lost.
Madrigal has taken an oppositionist stance for most of her term in the Senate, pushing investigations into alleged corruption of people in the Palace and even her fellow senators.
-------------
source: ABS-CBNnews.com
Gibo files COC, fields only 4 Senate bets
Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert 'Gibo' Teodro and running mate Edu Manzano beat the deadline for filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) Tueday, bringing with them the shortest senatorial slate for the 2010 polls.
Lakas has a 4-man senatorial slate consisting of re-electionists Lito Lapid, Ramon Revilla Jr., broadcaster Rey Langit, and league of mayors’ president Pangasinan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr..
Only Guico, a cousin of President Arroyo, filed with Teodoro and Manzano.
Lapid and Langit filed their COCs Friday and Monday, respectively, although Langit still accompanied Teodoro and Manzano to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Revilla, who’s listed as a guest candidate of the opposition Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino, also filed his COC Tuesday, later than his Lakas party mates.
Despite its fewer “senatoriables,” Teodoro said that the party offers “balanced reform” and “concrete platforms.”
----------------
source : ABS-CBNnews.com
Lakas has a 4-man senatorial slate consisting of re-electionists Lito Lapid, Ramon Revilla Jr., broadcaster Rey Langit, and league of mayors’ president Pangasinan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr..
Only Guico, a cousin of President Arroyo, filed with Teodoro and Manzano.
Lapid and Langit filed their COCs Friday and Monday, respectively, although Langit still accompanied Teodoro and Manzano to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Revilla, who’s listed as a guest candidate of the opposition Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino, also filed his COC Tuesday, later than his Lakas party mates.
Despite its fewer “senatoriables,” Teodoro said that the party offers “balanced reform” and “concrete platforms.”
----------------
source : ABS-CBNnews.com
GMA formalizes bid for Congress
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo filed on Tuesday her certificate of candidacy (CoC) for congresswoman of the second district of Pampanga despite criticisms on propriety of her seeking another elective post.
The president personally filed her COC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in San Fernando City, Pampanga at around 10:30 a.m.
This was contrary to earlier reports that a representative would be filing Mrs. Arroyo’s COC on her behalf.
The president was joined by First Gentleman Jose Miguel T. Arroyo and her son Juan Miguel M. Arroyo, who currently occupies the post she is running for.
The younger Mr. Arroyo still has a term as congressman but decided to give way to his mother.
The filing of COC was preceded by a mass at the San Agustin Parish Church in Lubao town, after which she addressed a crowd made up of residents from 159 barangays of the second district and local officials to formally announce her bid.
Mrs. Arroyo’s announcement of her intention to run for congresswoman in her hometown of Pampanga has elicited criticisms regarding the propriety of her plan, with some saying the president will only use it to remain in power while others were concerned that the resources of the presidency will only be used for her campaign.
Malacanang came to her defense, with Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde saying the criticisms have always been around ever since Mrs. Arroyo took the helm.
“Criticisms come from the people who have always been criticizing her regardless of what she does so there really is nothing new,” Mr. Remonde told reporters after Mrs. Arroyo addressed her constituents.
“Our president is young and healthy and it was a good decision for her to run for Congress,” he added.
As to accusations that it was greedy for the president to seek for an elective post after holding the highest position in the country, he said Mrs. Arroyo’s move is “an act of humility” for deciding to run for a lower post.
He also slammed past presidents --without alluding to anyone specific -- saying: “What are the other presidents who stepped down from their posts doing? They did not run [for elective posts] but they have always been behind destabilization attempts.”
Mr. Remonde also said that claims that Mrs. Arroyo is running for Congress to eventually become House Speaker and later on assume the position of prime minister if the charter change pushes through is speculative.
He also reiterated that Mrs. Arroyo will spend less time campaigning as her duty as president remains on top of her priorities.
Mrs. Arroyo steps down from office on June 30 to give way for the new president who will be elected on May 10.
A former vice-president, Mrs. Arroyo took over the presidency in 2001 after the ouster of Joseph E. Estrada in a popular revolt. She ran for a full term in 2004, taking back a promise not to extend her stay in Malacañang, but was saddled with allegations that she cheated.
The president personally filed her COC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in San Fernando City, Pampanga at around 10:30 a.m.
This was contrary to earlier reports that a representative would be filing Mrs. Arroyo’s COC on her behalf.
The president was joined by First Gentleman Jose Miguel T. Arroyo and her son Juan Miguel M. Arroyo, who currently occupies the post she is running for.
The younger Mr. Arroyo still has a term as congressman but decided to give way to his mother.
The filing of COC was preceded by a mass at the San Agustin Parish Church in Lubao town, after which she addressed a crowd made up of residents from 159 barangays of the second district and local officials to formally announce her bid.
Mrs. Arroyo’s announcement of her intention to run for congresswoman in her hometown of Pampanga has elicited criticisms regarding the propriety of her plan, with some saying the president will only use it to remain in power while others were concerned that the resources of the presidency will only be used for her campaign.
Malacanang came to her defense, with Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde saying the criticisms have always been around ever since Mrs. Arroyo took the helm.
“Criticisms come from the people who have always been criticizing her regardless of what she does so there really is nothing new,” Mr. Remonde told reporters after Mrs. Arroyo addressed her constituents.
“Our president is young and healthy and it was a good decision for her to run for Congress,” he added.
As to accusations that it was greedy for the president to seek for an elective post after holding the highest position in the country, he said Mrs. Arroyo’s move is “an act of humility” for deciding to run for a lower post.
He also slammed past presidents --without alluding to anyone specific -- saying: “What are the other presidents who stepped down from their posts doing? They did not run [for elective posts] but they have always been behind destabilization attempts.”
Mr. Remonde also said that claims that Mrs. Arroyo is running for Congress to eventually become House Speaker and later on assume the position of prime minister if the charter change pushes through is speculative.
He also reiterated that Mrs. Arroyo will spend less time campaigning as her duty as president remains on top of her priorities.
Mrs. Arroyo steps down from office on June 30 to give way for the new president who will be elected on May 10.
A former vice-president, Mrs. Arroyo took over the presidency in 2001 after the ouster of Joseph E. Estrada in a popular revolt. She ran for a full term in 2004, taking back a promise not to extend her stay in Malacañang, but was saddled with allegations that she cheated.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Erap embarks on last performance of his life
Seeking vindication after his ouster from the presidency and conviction for plunder, Joseph Estrada asked Filipinos yesterday to give him a second chance.
“This is the last performance of my life and I will not fail you,” the former president told a cheering crowd in Tondo, Manila, where he announced his plan to run in the 2010 elections, with Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay as his running mate.
Expecting legal challenges to his bid, Estrada said the voice of the people is the voice of God, and voters should be the final judge.
He also announced his tentative senatorial slate: his son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr., ZTE scandal whistle-blower Joey de Venecia, detained rebel leader Danny Lim, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Ompong Plaza. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is a guest candidate.
At his presidential inaugural in 1998, Estrada, a former movie star, had promised to deliver “the greatest performance of my life.” He was ousted less than halfway into his term and replaced by his vice president and constitutional successor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
With Binay, Estrada said, he could rest assured that his vice president would not be plotting behind his back to bring him down.
Estrada said Binay could help turn the country into another Makati, a city where the masses receive heavy social protection protection including free education, health care and even free admission in moviehouses for senior citizens.
In his speech, Estrada decried that he had been unjustly detained for six years and isolated from his family and supporters.
“I have followed the law and I have already forgotten all the lies and charges leveled against me. But you did not leave me,” he said referring to his supporters.
He said it’s his mission to deliver the country from poverty and culture of corruption under the Arroyo administration.
“This administration forgot about education. The budget for education did not even reach half of the country’s debt. We have P2 trillion debts at present and this will rise to P4 trillion by 2010,” he said.
“I took care of Mindanao to make it a food basket, but this administration, through the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain almost gave it up,” Estrada said.
He also vowed to be tougher in dealing with secessionists and terrorists in Mindanao.
“Mindanao will not progress if we will not finish all these kinds of terrorism. Corruption in government is rampant,” he said.
He said that under his administration, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF lost its camps in Mindanao.
He also took a swipe at the “elitists” whom he accused of having conspired to have him removed.
“Vox populi, vox dei. The voice of the people is the voice of God. But the elitists are not listening to voice of the people that is why we are here now,” he said. “Are we better off today than in 2001?”
Rivals are expected to challenge his candidacy before the Supreme Court and invoke a constitutional ban on a second term for any president.
source: Philstar.com
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An ex-president booted out through People Power due to various allegations of corruption and issues on morality will be running again for presidency .....only in the Philippines. Are there legal limitations on Erap's move?
JonQBX
“This is the last performance of my life and I will not fail you,” the former president told a cheering crowd in Tondo, Manila, where he announced his plan to run in the 2010 elections, with Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay as his running mate.
Expecting legal challenges to his bid, Estrada said the voice of the people is the voice of God, and voters should be the final judge.
He also announced his tentative senatorial slate: his son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr., ZTE scandal whistle-blower Joey de Venecia, detained rebel leader Danny Lim, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Ompong Plaza. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is a guest candidate.
At his presidential inaugural in 1998, Estrada, a former movie star, had promised to deliver “the greatest performance of my life.” He was ousted less than halfway into his term and replaced by his vice president and constitutional successor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
With Binay, Estrada said, he could rest assured that his vice president would not be plotting behind his back to bring him down.
Estrada said Binay could help turn the country into another Makati, a city where the masses receive heavy social protection protection including free education, health care and even free admission in moviehouses for senior citizens.
In his speech, Estrada decried that he had been unjustly detained for six years and isolated from his family and supporters.
“I have followed the law and I have already forgotten all the lies and charges leveled against me. But you did not leave me,” he said referring to his supporters.
He said it’s his mission to deliver the country from poverty and culture of corruption under the Arroyo administration.
“This administration forgot about education. The budget for education did not even reach half of the country’s debt. We have P2 trillion debts at present and this will rise to P4 trillion by 2010,” he said.
“I took care of Mindanao to make it a food basket, but this administration, through the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain almost gave it up,” Estrada said.
He also vowed to be tougher in dealing with secessionists and terrorists in Mindanao.
“Mindanao will not progress if we will not finish all these kinds of terrorism. Corruption in government is rampant,” he said.
He said that under his administration, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF lost its camps in Mindanao.
He also took a swipe at the “elitists” whom he accused of having conspired to have him removed.
“Vox populi, vox dei. The voice of the people is the voice of God. But the elitists are not listening to voice of the people that is why we are here now,” he said. “Are we better off today than in 2001?”
Rivals are expected to challenge his candidacy before the Supreme Court and invoke a constitutional ban on a second term for any president.
source: Philstar.com
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An ex-president booted out through People Power due to various allegations of corruption and issues on morality will be running again for presidency .....only in the Philippines. Are there legal limitations on Erap's move?
JonQBX
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Escudero has decided but defers announcement
Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has come to a decision about the 2010 presidential elections but deferred his announcement this Monday in deference to the victims of typhoon “Pepeng.”
Escudero, who turned 40 last Saturday, was supposed to announce his intention at noon at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.
As early as Saturday night, however, Escudero’s office issued an advisory that he would hold a press conference at the Senate at 1:00 p.m. Monday to clarify the matter.
Escudero said he would not make any political announcement because this was not the right time to talk politics while many were suffering from the disaster brought about by tropical storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.”.
"No, because this isn’t the right time to talk about politics, politick, and talk about personal ambition or dreams for the country,” he said in an interview over ABS-CBN's morning show "Umagang Kay Ganda."
But asked whether or not he would run for president in 2010, the senator said in jest, "Sa kanto muna pansamantala [It’s in the corner in the meantime]."
"May desisyon at pasya na kami, ako. Pero hindi ito ang tamang panahon para pag- usapan yan [We have decided, I. But this isn’t the right time to talk about it]. Eyes on the ball muna siguro tayo, doon sa kalamidad, doon sa pagtulong na dapat gawin [Perhaps, it should be eyes on the ball first, on the calamity, on the kind of help that we should give]," he said.
He refused to say if that decision included a complete senatorial slate, saying he will leave that issue to his group, the Nationalist People's Coalition.
"Hindi ako magsasalita para sa NPC. Bitbit ko ang sarili kong katawan kaugnay sa pagdesisyon matapos akong pumalo ng 40. Ang pagdesisyon ng partido susunod matapos yan [I will not speak for the NPC. I have decided only for myself after I reached 40. The decision of the party comes next]," he pointed out.
Escudero was sure of one thing though and that was the party's full support to whoever it would decide to endorse as its standard-bearer in 2010.
The senator called on other presidential aspirants to defer any political announcement at this point and instead focus on the problem at hand.
source: Inquirer.net
Escudero, who turned 40 last Saturday, was supposed to announce his intention at noon at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.
As early as Saturday night, however, Escudero’s office issued an advisory that he would hold a press conference at the Senate at 1:00 p.m. Monday to clarify the matter.
Escudero said he would not make any political announcement because this was not the right time to talk politics while many were suffering from the disaster brought about by tropical storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.”.
"No, because this isn’t the right time to talk about politics, politick, and talk about personal ambition or dreams for the country,” he said in an interview over ABS-CBN's morning show "Umagang Kay Ganda."
But asked whether or not he would run for president in 2010, the senator said in jest, "Sa kanto muna pansamantala [It’s in the corner in the meantime]."
"May desisyon at pasya na kami, ako. Pero hindi ito ang tamang panahon para pag- usapan yan [We have decided, I. But this isn’t the right time to talk about it]. Eyes on the ball muna siguro tayo, doon sa kalamidad, doon sa pagtulong na dapat gawin [Perhaps, it should be eyes on the ball first, on the calamity, on the kind of help that we should give]," he said.
He refused to say if that decision included a complete senatorial slate, saying he will leave that issue to his group, the Nationalist People's Coalition.
"Hindi ako magsasalita para sa NPC. Bitbit ko ang sarili kong katawan kaugnay sa pagdesisyon matapos akong pumalo ng 40. Ang pagdesisyon ng partido susunod matapos yan [I will not speak for the NPC. I have decided only for myself after I reached 40. The decision of the party comes next]," he pointed out.
Escudero was sure of one thing though and that was the party's full support to whoever it would decide to endorse as its standard-bearer in 2010.
The senator called on other presidential aspirants to defer any political announcement at this point and instead focus on the problem at hand.
source: Inquirer.net
Friday, October 2, 2009
New tips for high-tech polls
Keeping it simple for voters is one of the big challenges of poll automation for the May 2010 election.
Tips include classic advice like “bring a codigo” of the names of your favorite candidates.
Then there are new reminders that many worry will confuse or unnerve first-time users of a computer, especially those in remote, rural communities:
“Fully shade the oval in the ballot.”
“Don't over-vote. This may invalidate the contest.”
This and other challenges were highlighted yesterday in a live demonstration of an electronic vote counting machine by managers of Smartmatic-TIM held in Cebu City.
Voting is “quick and simple”, with “100% accuracy” said Miguel Avila, presentation and demonstration manager Smartmatic-TIM,the multi-national service provider hired by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to supply hardware, software and to set up an automated election process from balloting to canvassing in all 80,000 precincts in the country on May 10, 2010.
But if people are unfamiliar with the new steps or give in to external forces of vote-buying, fraud or bullying, the high-tech process , will be frustrated.
“Voters must be prepared,” said Avila.
“We need the the vigilance, cooperation, coordination and support of the citizens to guarantee the success of this project.”
He and Smartmatic-TEC regions manager Bonifacio Belen spoke in the forum “The Big Change: How to Count and Protect Votes with Poll Automation” at the Marcelo B. Fernan Cebu Press Center, one of the activities of 2009 Cebu Press Freedom Week.
With legal problems out of the way, the Comelec and implementors of poll automation are realizing that the race to prepare for the first automated Philippine elections will need a lot of public briefings and voter's education in their already tight schedule of less than eight months.
source : Inquirer.Net
Tips include classic advice like “bring a codigo” of the names of your favorite candidates.
Then there are new reminders that many worry will confuse or unnerve first-time users of a computer, especially those in remote, rural communities:
“Fully shade the oval in the ballot.”
“Don't over-vote. This may invalidate the contest.”
This and other challenges were highlighted yesterday in a live demonstration of an electronic vote counting machine by managers of Smartmatic-TIM held in Cebu City.
Voting is “quick and simple”, with “100% accuracy” said Miguel Avila, presentation and demonstration manager Smartmatic-TIM,the multi-national service provider hired by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to supply hardware, software and to set up an automated election process from balloting to canvassing in all 80,000 precincts in the country on May 10, 2010.
But if people are unfamiliar with the new steps or give in to external forces of vote-buying, fraud or bullying, the high-tech process , will be frustrated.
“Voters must be prepared,” said Avila.
“We need the the vigilance, cooperation, coordination and support of the citizens to guarantee the success of this project.”
He and Smartmatic-TEC regions manager Bonifacio Belen spoke in the forum “The Big Change: How to Count and Protect Votes with Poll Automation” at the Marcelo B. Fernan Cebu Press Center, one of the activities of 2009 Cebu Press Freedom Week.
With legal problems out of the way, the Comelec and implementors of poll automation are realizing that the race to prepare for the first automated Philippine elections will need a lot of public briefings and voter's education in their already tight schedule of less than eight months.
source : Inquirer.Net
Name Recall, The Folly in Philippine Elections
posted by Benjie Oliveros for bulatlat.com
What’s in a name? A lot, if we are talking about Philippine politics and elections. That is why candidates do commercials, ‘infomercials’, post their faces in billboards, posters and streamers, sing, dance, and do just about anything just to make the public remember their name.
It has always been an advantage if one is from a political family. Sen. Noynoy Aquino is hoping to ride on the goodwill of his parents, Cory and Ninoy, to get himself elected to Malacañang, so is his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas who also comes from a political family. Others like Sen. Manny Villar is spending on commercials to make his name stick to the public’s consciousness. Insidious are the candidates from the administration party like Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro and Local Government Sec. Ronaldo Puno, and also MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, who have been making use of their positions in government, as well as the national coffers, to make themselves visible.
This contest for name recall has been underpinning the personality politics that prevail in national elections, supported, of course, by guns, goons, and gold of political warlords, and massive fraud in the canvassing of votes. The sad thing is that the contest for name recall is not based on solid platforms and accomplishments but by sheer popularity, thus the engagement of showbiz personalities in politics. Indeed, the divide between politics and showbiz is very thin.
read more in bulatlat.com
----------------
The Filipino voters has to be educated. Media should take the bigger role in providing objective to the public the credentials of these candidates to guide them in choosing their future leaders. The 2010 Presidential election is, once again, a big test to the Filipino electorate.
JonQBX
What’s in a name? A lot, if we are talking about Philippine politics and elections. That is why candidates do commercials, ‘infomercials’, post their faces in billboards, posters and streamers, sing, dance, and do just about anything just to make the public remember their name.
It has always been an advantage if one is from a political family. Sen. Noynoy Aquino is hoping to ride on the goodwill of his parents, Cory and Ninoy, to get himself elected to Malacañang, so is his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas who also comes from a political family. Others like Sen. Manny Villar is spending on commercials to make his name stick to the public’s consciousness. Insidious are the candidates from the administration party like Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro and Local Government Sec. Ronaldo Puno, and also MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, who have been making use of their positions in government, as well as the national coffers, to make themselves visible.
This contest for name recall has been underpinning the personality politics that prevail in national elections, supported, of course, by guns, goons, and gold of political warlords, and massive fraud in the canvassing of votes. The sad thing is that the contest for name recall is not based on solid platforms and accomplishments but by sheer popularity, thus the engagement of showbiz personalities in politics. Indeed, the divide between politics and showbiz is very thin.
read more in bulatlat.com
----------------
The Filipino voters has to be educated. Media should take the bigger role in providing objective to the public the credentials of these candidates to guide them in choosing their future leaders. The 2010 Presidential election is, once again, a big test to the Filipino electorate.
JonQBX
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Erap won't back out of presidential bid—Jinggoy
Former president Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada will not back out from the presidential race, dashing hopes that there will be a common opposition candidate for the 2010 elections.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada told reporters that his father will stand pat on his plans to join the presidential derby, sending signals that alleged fresh attempts between his father and another opposition contender, Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino, to unify the opposition have gone kaput.
Aquino and the former president had a dialogue brokered by former trade secretary Jose ‘Titoy’ Pardo, a cabinet member under Estrada’s short-lived administration. One of those present at the meeting was Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.
Both presidential wannabes chose to keep mum on the outcome of the meeting, though the younger Estrada said that the two presidential contenders will issue a joint statement soon to show a unified stand against election fraud and the administration.
Sen. Estrada stressed, however, that there will be no expected declaration on a single opposition contender.
Telltale signs
Senate president and noted Estrada ally Juan Ponce Enrile, says the sitdown was doomed from the very start if its aim is to unify the opposition.
Enrile, chairman emeritus of Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), said that Estrada is poised to join the race. “Erap has already stated in Pangasinan that he is 99.9 percent sure of running,” he said.
The older Estrada remains a force to reckon with, staying put at 2nd place in recent presidential surveys.
Estrada rose to the number 2 position in the latest Pulse Asia presidential poll last August with a rating of 19 percent, meaning around one of five Filipinos preferred him to be Arroyo's successor. Estrada at that time trailed behind Nacionalista Party's Manuel Villar, who topped the poll with 25 percent.
Aquino, who joined the presidential race after the death of his mother—former President Corazon Aquino—in early August renewed the much-vaunted yellow fever among Filipinos, was not yet considered as contender for the presidency in any of the previous polls.
However, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in early September among vote-rich areas in Luzon placed Aquino at the lead among presidential aspirants.
In the SWS survey, Aquino was favored by almost 50 percent of respondents from Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Region 3 and Region 4A, an area that covers an estimated 40 percent of registered voters.
Estrada came in second with 13 percent in a virtual tie with Villar, Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and vice president Noli de Castro.
The new survey dashed the plans of erstwhile presidential aspirant Manuel Roxas, who decided to back out of the presidential race and back Aquino instead as standard bearer of the Liberal Party for the May 2010 polls.
Enrile said that these are all indicators that no one will withdraw from the race.
source: ABS-CBNnews.com
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada told reporters that his father will stand pat on his plans to join the presidential derby, sending signals that alleged fresh attempts between his father and another opposition contender, Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino, to unify the opposition have gone kaput.
Aquino and the former president had a dialogue brokered by former trade secretary Jose ‘Titoy’ Pardo, a cabinet member under Estrada’s short-lived administration. One of those present at the meeting was Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.
Both presidential wannabes chose to keep mum on the outcome of the meeting, though the younger Estrada said that the two presidential contenders will issue a joint statement soon to show a unified stand against election fraud and the administration.
Sen. Estrada stressed, however, that there will be no expected declaration on a single opposition contender.
Telltale signs
Senate president and noted Estrada ally Juan Ponce Enrile, says the sitdown was doomed from the very start if its aim is to unify the opposition.
Enrile, chairman emeritus of Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), said that Estrada is poised to join the race. “Erap has already stated in Pangasinan that he is 99.9 percent sure of running,” he said.
The older Estrada remains a force to reckon with, staying put at 2nd place in recent presidential surveys.
Estrada rose to the number 2 position in the latest Pulse Asia presidential poll last August with a rating of 19 percent, meaning around one of five Filipinos preferred him to be Arroyo's successor. Estrada at that time trailed behind Nacionalista Party's Manuel Villar, who topped the poll with 25 percent.
Aquino, who joined the presidential race after the death of his mother—former President Corazon Aquino—in early August renewed the much-vaunted yellow fever among Filipinos, was not yet considered as contender for the presidency in any of the previous polls.
However, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in early September among vote-rich areas in Luzon placed Aquino at the lead among presidential aspirants.
In the SWS survey, Aquino was favored by almost 50 percent of respondents from Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Region 3 and Region 4A, an area that covers an estimated 40 percent of registered voters.
Estrada came in second with 13 percent in a virtual tie with Villar, Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and vice president Noli de Castro.
The new survey dashed the plans of erstwhile presidential aspirant Manuel Roxas, who decided to back out of the presidential race and back Aquino instead as standard bearer of the Liberal Party for the May 2010 polls.
Enrile said that these are all indicators that no one will withdraw from the race.
source: ABS-CBNnews.com
Legarda mulls against running in 2010
After seeing the destruction caused by tropical storm "Ondoy," Senator Loren Legarda is now thinking of not joining the 2010 elections.
Legarda is said to be eyeing either the presidential or vice presidential post next year.
"Maybe it would be better not to be a candidate, right? Maybe it’s better not to run and whatever you will spend, just use this for humanitarian help. Maybe it’s better not to run,” she told reporters in Filipino at the Senate on Monday.
"Hindi talaga [Really]. You realize, I think that politics and campaigning gets in the way of governance. Nagiging balakid ang pangangampanya sa maayos na pamamalakad ng ating pamahalaan at pagtulong sa mahirap e [Campaigning has become an obstacle to the systematic administration of our government and in helping the poor]," she said.
Instead of campaigning and spending money for advertisements and other campaign materials, Legarda said she would rather help those in need.
And one does not have to be in power, she said, to help the poor.
"I don't need to be famous anymore because I'm already famous. I don't need to prove anything anymore...because really, what I wan to do is humanitarian help," she said.
Legarda said it was "unconscionable" for politicians like her to campaign while many people, like the victims of "Ondoy," were crying for help.
"You known in such a poor country that is disaster-stricken, it's so unconscionable to be spending so much on campaign and politics," she further said.
source: Inquirer.net
Legarda is said to be eyeing either the presidential or vice presidential post next year.
"Maybe it would be better not to be a candidate, right? Maybe it’s better not to run and whatever you will spend, just use this for humanitarian help. Maybe it’s better not to run,” she told reporters in Filipino at the Senate on Monday.
"Hindi talaga [Really]. You realize, I think that politics and campaigning gets in the way of governance. Nagiging balakid ang pangangampanya sa maayos na pamamalakad ng ating pamahalaan at pagtulong sa mahirap e [Campaigning has become an obstacle to the systematic administration of our government and in helping the poor]," she said.
Instead of campaigning and spending money for advertisements and other campaign materials, Legarda said she would rather help those in need.
And one does not have to be in power, she said, to help the poor.
"I don't need to be famous anymore because I'm already famous. I don't need to prove anything anymore...because really, what I wan to do is humanitarian help," she said.
Legarda said it was "unconscionable" for politicians like her to campaign while many people, like the victims of "Ondoy," were crying for help.
"You known in such a poor country that is disaster-stricken, it's so unconscionable to be spending so much on campaign and politics," she further said.
source: Inquirer.net
Aquino, Estrada meet over 2010 polls
The meeting between former president Joseph Estrada and Senator Benigno “Noynoy’ Aquino III finally pushed through Sunday night in an attempt to come up with a common candidate in the 2010 presidential race as the “best scenario.”
Aquino said the meeting, held in an undisclosed house in Metro Manila, was also attended by his sisters – Ballsy, Pinky and Kris, and Estrada’s son, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and the host, whom he did not also identify.
There was discussion on the issue of who should give up their presidential bid but the senator refused to elaborate.
Aquino has formally declared his presidential bid while the former leader publicly expressed his desire to return to power.
“That’s a detail that I’m not at liberty to discuss,” Aquino said, describing the atmosphere of the meeting as a “very, very light,” and “very productive.”
He admitted, however, that there was initial discussion of having common candidates in all slots.
“Yung best case scenario siyempre magkaroon kayo ng [The best case scenario of course is for you to have] common candidate in all slots,” he said. “Mag yu-unite nga kami to one candidate, may mag gi-give way as a best scenario [We will unite with one candidate, someone will give way as a best scenario].”
Uniting the opposition, Aquino said, was “not that essential” as he expressed confidence that the opposition would win the presidency next year even if it would field four candidates.
Other potential candidates from the opposition aside from Aquino and Estrada were Senators Manny Villar and Francis “Chiz’ Escudero.
“Yung [The] emphasis on the opposition uniting is not that essential. 80-20 e. Eighty ang [for the] opposition, 20 kay [for] GMA [President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] at its best. And 20 are not sure come election time so mag-divide into 4 yung 80, 20 pa rin yun di ba [so even if the opposition is divided into four, the 80 will still be 20, right]?” he pointed out.
“[So those who are saying that the opposition is not united], will not triumph? I don’t think so. That’s just the wishful thinking of the administration,” he further said.
In that meeting, Aquino said he and the former leader had a “meeting of minds” on activities we have in common that we should be fostering” like the automation and pooling of resources to prevent a possible no-election scenario.
He said they also re-affirmed that they both belonged with the opposition group.
source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Aquino said the meeting, held in an undisclosed house in Metro Manila, was also attended by his sisters – Ballsy, Pinky and Kris, and Estrada’s son, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and the host, whom he did not also identify.
There was discussion on the issue of who should give up their presidential bid but the senator refused to elaborate.
Aquino has formally declared his presidential bid while the former leader publicly expressed his desire to return to power.
“That’s a detail that I’m not at liberty to discuss,” Aquino said, describing the atmosphere of the meeting as a “very, very light,” and “very productive.”
He admitted, however, that there was initial discussion of having common candidates in all slots.
“Yung best case scenario siyempre magkaroon kayo ng [The best case scenario of course is for you to have] common candidate in all slots,” he said. “Mag yu-unite nga kami to one candidate, may mag gi-give way as a best scenario [We will unite with one candidate, someone will give way as a best scenario].”
Uniting the opposition, Aquino said, was “not that essential” as he expressed confidence that the opposition would win the presidency next year even if it would field four candidates.
Other potential candidates from the opposition aside from Aquino and Estrada were Senators Manny Villar and Francis “Chiz’ Escudero.
“Yung [The] emphasis on the opposition uniting is not that essential. 80-20 e. Eighty ang [for the] opposition, 20 kay [for] GMA [President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] at its best. And 20 are not sure come election time so mag-divide into 4 yung 80, 20 pa rin yun di ba [so even if the opposition is divided into four, the 80 will still be 20, right]?” he pointed out.
“[So those who are saying that the opposition is not united], will not triumph? I don’t think so. That’s just the wishful thinking of the administration,” he further said.
In that meeting, Aquino said he and the former leader had a “meeting of minds” on activities we have in common that we should be fostering” like the automation and pooling of resources to prevent a possible no-election scenario.
He said they also re-affirmed that they both belonged with the opposition group.
source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Comelec division ordered to resolve Lakas-Kampi merger issue soonest
As the deadline draws near for political party conventions to select candidates for the 2010 polls, Commission on Elections chairman Jose Melo ordered a poll body division Thursday to resolve soonest the row involving the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.
In a radio interview, Melo said the hearings on the merged party are already finished and it is up to the division handling the case to come out with a resolution.
“Alam ninyo, 'di ako nakikialam sa trabaho ng division. Sabi ko sa kanila medyo bilis-bilisan nila ang action. Mukhang natapos na ang hearing, ilalabas na lamang ang decision nila (You know, I do not interfere in the work of the Comelec’s divisions. But I have ordered the one handling the case to speed up its work and come up with its decision soon)," he said in an interview on dzXL radio.
Founders of Lakas, including former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., had questioned the party’s merging with President Gloria Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).
De Venecia is even seeking to nullify the merger.
Source: GMANews.tv
---------------------
It's funny to see our leaders who are vowing to unite us, can't even get their own group united. I'm really in favor of two-party system.
JonQBX
In a radio interview, Melo said the hearings on the merged party are already finished and it is up to the division handling the case to come out with a resolution.
“Alam ninyo, 'di ako nakikialam sa trabaho ng division. Sabi ko sa kanila medyo bilis-bilisan nila ang action. Mukhang natapos na ang hearing, ilalabas na lamang ang decision nila (You know, I do not interfere in the work of the Comelec’s divisions. But I have ordered the one handling the case to speed up its work and come up with its decision soon)," he said in an interview on dzXL radio.
Founders of Lakas, including former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., had questioned the party’s merging with President Gloria Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).
De Venecia is even seeking to nullify the merger.
Source: GMANews.tv
---------------------
It's funny to see our leaders who are vowing to unite us, can't even get their own group united. I'm really in favor of two-party system.
JonQBX
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
2010 bets invited to a "job interview"
Human resource management experts yesterday invited all presidential candidates to a “job interview” to allow the people to decide who among them is the most competent to be the country’s next president.
The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), with 1,800 member companies, challenged the presidential candidates to come for a job interview to determine who among them is most qualified candidate.
Among those invited were Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Loren Legarda and Richard Gordon.
PMAP also invited Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando and Bangon Pilipinas candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva to a dialogue on Sept. 25 at the Sofitel Hotel.
“The Philippines needs an outstanding leader because 23 years after EDSA (people power revolution), we have not significantly solved the twin problems of poverty and corruption,” PMAP president Grace Zata said.
“We need to look at their individual capacities based on their track record and experiences, beyond motherhood statements of helping the poor and alleviating poverty,” she said.
Zata said the presidential candidates should undergo rigorous evaluation just like any job applicant to determine their qualifications and capacity.
“How much more the president of this country who has to steer the entire nation to overcome the challenges of poverty and underdevelopment?” Zata asked.
Zata said Isabela Governor Grace Padaca and former senator Franklin Drilon would be the PMAP’s guests to speak on the kind of leadership required to solve poverty and corruption.
“The voting public deserves to be correctly informed about the competencies of the candidates seeking their precious votes,” Zata said.
PMAP said the good candidate must be able to play the roles of “navigator and captain of the ship,” a servant-leader with a genuinely caring heart and work ethic to achieve the goals of government, a guardian of the national wealth and resources, and a captivator to inspire unity, trust and optimism among the people.
Zata added a good candidate should be a “mobilizer of concerned government and non-government and private sectors to achieve objectives and build consensus.”
PMAP had interviewed past presidents and other officials from the executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as representatives from the media to identify critical incidents that the president must successfully deal with in order to lead the country.
source: PhilStar.com
***************
This is indeed a welcome initiative by this group of experts. If this will be well participated by the 2010 candidates, it will surely provide the voting public a better perspective on each candidate's advocacies, aspirations and depth of their passion to serve their countrymen.
JonQBX
The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), with 1,800 member companies, challenged the presidential candidates to come for a job interview to determine who among them is most qualified candidate.
Among those invited were Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Loren Legarda and Richard Gordon.
PMAP also invited Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando and Bangon Pilipinas candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva to a dialogue on Sept. 25 at the Sofitel Hotel.
“The Philippines needs an outstanding leader because 23 years after EDSA (people power revolution), we have not significantly solved the twin problems of poverty and corruption,” PMAP president Grace Zata said.
“We need to look at their individual capacities based on their track record and experiences, beyond motherhood statements of helping the poor and alleviating poverty,” she said.
Zata said the presidential candidates should undergo rigorous evaluation just like any job applicant to determine their qualifications and capacity.
“How much more the president of this country who has to steer the entire nation to overcome the challenges of poverty and underdevelopment?” Zata asked.
Zata said Isabela Governor Grace Padaca and former senator Franklin Drilon would be the PMAP’s guests to speak on the kind of leadership required to solve poverty and corruption.
“The voting public deserves to be correctly informed about the competencies of the candidates seeking their precious votes,” Zata said.
PMAP said the good candidate must be able to play the roles of “navigator and captain of the ship,” a servant-leader with a genuinely caring heart and work ethic to achieve the goals of government, a guardian of the national wealth and resources, and a captivator to inspire unity, trust and optimism among the people.
Zata added a good candidate should be a “mobilizer of concerned government and non-government and private sectors to achieve objectives and build consensus.”
PMAP had interviewed past presidents and other officials from the executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as representatives from the media to identify critical incidents that the president must successfully deal with in order to lead the country.
source: PhilStar.com
***************
This is indeed a welcome initiative by this group of experts. If this will be well participated by the 2010 candidates, it will surely provide the voting public a better perspective on each candidate's advocacies, aspirations and depth of their passion to serve their countrymen.
JonQBX
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Noynoy on cousin: He has more hair
Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is ready to slug it out with his cousin, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, in next year’s presidential race, conceding that Teodoro already has a two-point edge over him – more hair and a wife.
Teodoro was chosen yesterday as the standard bearer in 2010 of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.
Aquino and Teodoro are second cousins, their mothers Corazon and Mercedes being first cousins in the Cojuangco family. Mercedes is the youngest sister of business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.
Aquino, standard bearer of the Liberal Party, said Teodoro was “a worthy opponent” that would “mount a campaign with decency and honor.”
“I wish him well,” Aquino said, even as he admitted that he was not really close to Teodoro.
source: PhilStar.com
Teodoro was chosen yesterday as the standard bearer in 2010 of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.
Aquino and Teodoro are second cousins, their mothers Corazon and Mercedes being first cousins in the Cojuangco family. Mercedes is the youngest sister of business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.
Aquino, standard bearer of the Liberal Party, said Teodoro was “a worthy opponent” that would “mount a campaign with decency and honor.”
“I wish him well,” Aquino said, even as he admitted that he was not really close to Teodoro.
source: PhilStar.com
Noynoy plan to give Hacienda Luisita hailed
The plan of Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III to convince his family to relinquish control over the 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac is “a step to the right direction”, and if the Cojuangco-Aquino clan will support him, more so will the Liberal Party, a party official said.
Former Education Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, the party’s campaign manager, said Sunday that Aquino’s bold statement Saturday during his visit to a squatters’ colony in Quezon City is a positive development that will address public qualms about his fairness and independence.
Earlier, a group advocating farmers’ rights dared the only son of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and martyred Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. to scrap the October 30 ultimatum set by his family for some 500 families in Hacienda Luisita to leave the vast sugar plantation.
Members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno challenged the senator to prove his promise of a “working democracy” by “giving land to those who till it” and “ordering the military to stop harassing the farmers.”
“This is a positive development that paves the way to resolve certain controversial issues being thrown against Senator Aquino. It is certainly a step in the right direction that is still subject to the approval of his family.
“If the family rallies behind his stand, more so will his party mates,” Abad told the Manila Bulletin.
source: The Manila Bulletin
Former Education Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, the party’s campaign manager, said Sunday that Aquino’s bold statement Saturday during his visit to a squatters’ colony in Quezon City is a positive development that will address public qualms about his fairness and independence.
Earlier, a group advocating farmers’ rights dared the only son of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and martyred Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. to scrap the October 30 ultimatum set by his family for some 500 families in Hacienda Luisita to leave the vast sugar plantation.
Members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno challenged the senator to prove his promise of a “working democracy” by “giving land to those who till it” and “ordering the military to stop harassing the farmers.”
“This is a positive development that paves the way to resolve certain controversial issues being thrown against Senator Aquino. It is certainly a step in the right direction that is still subject to the approval of his family.
“If the family rallies behind his stand, more so will his party mates,” Abad told the Manila Bulletin.
source: The Manila Bulletin
FVR no-show at Lakas-KAMPI meeting
Former President Fidel V. Ramos was a no-show at the historic selection of Teodoro as the administration’s official standard bearer in next year’s elections.
Ramos, who has opposed the merger of Lakas and Kampi due to lack of consultations among party members, did not attend the crucial meeting of the party’s national executive committee held in EDSA Shangrila Hotel.
Heeding a legal advice coming from Speaker Prospero Nograles, the party made clear that the candidacies of Teodoro and Puno remain unofficial and will be subjected to ratification by a national convention by the party “in accordance with law.”
Prior to the election, Nograles reminded the body of a Supreme Court ruling against premature announcement of official candidates.
“Subject to ratification, by a national convention to be called by the Party in accordance with law, the candidate fo Lakas-Kampi-CMD for the 2010 presidential election, as endorsed by the Party’s National Executive Committee is the Honorable Gilbert C. Teodoro,” party secretary general and presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio declared.
Ramos, who has opposed the merger of Lakas and Kampi due to lack of consultations among party members, did not attend the crucial meeting of the party’s national executive committee held in EDSA Shangrila Hotel.
Heeding a legal advice coming from Speaker Prospero Nograles, the party made clear that the candidacies of Teodoro and Puno remain unofficial and will be subjected to ratification by a national convention by the party “in accordance with law.”
Prior to the election, Nograles reminded the body of a Supreme Court ruling against premature announcement of official candidates.
“Subject to ratification, by a national convention to be called by the Party in accordance with law, the candidate fo Lakas-Kampi-CMD for the 2010 presidential election, as endorsed by the Party’s National Executive Committee is the Honorable Gilbert C. Teodoro,” party secretary general and presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio declared.
It's Gibo Teodoro over Bayani
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., 45, was selected on yesterday to be the standard bearer of the ruling Lakas-Kampi (Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino)-CMD party, setting the stage for an underdog's uphill climb against more popular and better known opponents.
Teodoro won by a landslide against Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando, who walked out of the party?s national executive committee meeting after his motion to defer the voting was rejected.
Lakas stalwart Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. claims his selection was done by ?an illegitimate group.?
Brickbats also started to train on Teodoro, who is at the lower rung in surveys among presidential aspirants, way behind his cousin, Sen. Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III, who had become the front-runner just days after he announced his own candidacy under the Liberal Party last week.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Baraquel-Hontiveros recalled allegations of election fraud in 2004 that implicated the military and President Arroyo.
?Teodoro as president may be bad news for Philippine sovereignty,? the leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said, referring to his advocacy of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.
Teodoro won by a landslide against Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando, who walked out of the party?s national executive committee meeting after his motion to defer the voting was rejected.
Lakas stalwart Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. claims his selection was done by ?an illegitimate group.?
Brickbats also started to train on Teodoro, who is at the lower rung in surveys among presidential aspirants, way behind his cousin, Sen. Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III, who had become the front-runner just days after he announced his own candidacy under the Liberal Party last week.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Baraquel-Hontiveros recalled allegations of election fraud in 2004 that implicated the military and President Arroyo.
?Teodoro as president may be bad news for Philippine sovereignty,? the leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said, referring to his advocacy of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Noynoy Aquino tops new poll survey
Latest opinion polls put the son of former Philippines President Corazon Aquino ahead of other candidates for the country's 2010 presidential elections.
The first survey to include Benigno Aquino's name, was conducted several days before he announced his candidature.
It found 50 percent of respondents said they would vote for him for President.
Senator Manuel Villar, and former President Joseph Estrada followed Aquino with 14 percent, and 13 percent.
Current Vice President Manuel "Noli" de Castro got 7 percent.
The first survey to include Benigno Aquino's name, was conducted several days before he announced his candidature.
It found 50 percent of respondents said they would vote for him for President.
Senator Manuel Villar, and former President Joseph Estrada followed Aquino with 14 percent, and 13 percent.
Current Vice President Manuel "Noli" de Castro got 7 percent.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Ermita: Noli no longer on Lakas-Kampi radar
Vice President Noli de Castro, one of the frontrunners in surveys of presidential aspirants for the 2010 elections, is no longer on the “radar screen” of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD in its search for a standard-bearer, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita disclosed yesterday.
Ermita, president of the party, said there has been “an unexpected groundswell from local executives… unanimously supporting one of our aspirants, (Defense) Secretary (Gilbert) Teodoro.”
Ermita, however, clarified that the party is not yet discounting the bid of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando to be the administration’s presidential candidate.
Lakas-Kampi-CMD has given aspirants wanting to be the administration standard-bearer until Sept. 15 to join the party’s selection process.
The deadline is apparently aimed at De Castro who has remained an independent. Fernando and Teodoro are already party members and have signified their intention to run for president.
source: PhilStar.com
Ermita, president of the party, said there has been “an unexpected groundswell from local executives… unanimously supporting one of our aspirants, (Defense) Secretary (Gilbert) Teodoro.”
Ermita, however, clarified that the party is not yet discounting the bid of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando to be the administration’s presidential candidate.
Lakas-Kampi-CMD has given aspirants wanting to be the administration standard-bearer until Sept. 15 to join the party’s selection process.
The deadline is apparently aimed at De Castro who has remained an independent. Fernando and Teodoro are already party members and have signified their intention to run for president.
source: PhilStar.com
NPC fielding complete slate for 2010 polls - Sotto
he Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) is in the process of forming a complete line-up from president down to the local officials for the upcoming 2010 elections, Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Vicente Sotto III said Friday.
In an interview with Senate reporters after the hearing of the DDB’s proposed budget, Sotto said he is included in the list of prospective senatorial candidates of the party founded by business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco in the early 1990s.
"What I can confirm is that the NPC is forming a complete line up from president, to the Senate and local officials in all districts, provinces, municipalities and cities," Sotto said.
Aside from him, Sotto said the other senatorial candidates being considered by the party are Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, former senator Sergio Osmeña III, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano and Grace Poe, daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr.
Sotto said he will most likely try his luck again in the senatorial race should the party finally chooses him to be one of its candidates. "I leave it to the party, ayokong pangunahan ang partido, hindi ko pwedeng pangunahan ang liderato ng NPC. I’m an NPC member, I will have to follow the party line."
He added that the party will have an announcement on September 23.
"I suppose it would be an announcement of the things agreed [to] by the party, more or less that would be the meat of the announcement. If there are other things to be announced, it is the NPC leadership that should do it," Sotto said without elaborating.
source: GMAnews.tv
In an interview with Senate reporters after the hearing of the DDB’s proposed budget, Sotto said he is included in the list of prospective senatorial candidates of the party founded by business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco in the early 1990s.
"What I can confirm is that the NPC is forming a complete line up from president, to the Senate and local officials in all districts, provinces, municipalities and cities," Sotto said.
Aside from him, Sotto said the other senatorial candidates being considered by the party are Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, former senator Sergio Osmeña III, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano and Grace Poe, daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr.
Sotto said he will most likely try his luck again in the senatorial race should the party finally chooses him to be one of its candidates. "I leave it to the party, ayokong pangunahan ang partido, hindi ko pwedeng pangunahan ang liderato ng NPC. I’m an NPC member, I will have to follow the party line."
He added that the party will have an announcement on September 23.
"I suppose it would be an announcement of the things agreed [to] by the party, more or less that would be the meat of the announcement. If there are other things to be announced, it is the NPC leadership that should do it," Sotto said without elaborating.
source: GMAnews.tv
Administration to adopt Villar?
Is the Arroyo administration serious in considering the adoption of Manny Villar as their presidential bet?
The administration party has denied a report that it will adopt Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. as its standard-bearer in the 2010 elections.
Radio dzBB’s Aileen Intia on Friday quoted Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio as saying that the report was baseless because only a bonafide member of the party could become Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s presidential candidate.
Claudio, Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary-general, reportedly said that nobody in the party had been authorized to negotiate with or extend support for Nacionalista Party president Villar, who consistently tops surveys on probable presidential candidates.
He also denied about the result of an August 20 straw vote among members of the party’s national executive committee that favored a presidential aspirant from the opposition.
But Intia said that Claudio admitted that the panel had conducted an informal survey on the party’s choice for a possible standard-bearer, the result of which was submitted to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last August 26 in front of the members of the committee. He said the party’s official choice would be known on September 16.
source: GMAnews.tv
The administration party has denied a report that it will adopt Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. as its standard-bearer in the 2010 elections.
Radio dzBB’s Aileen Intia on Friday quoted Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio as saying that the report was baseless because only a bonafide member of the party could become Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s presidential candidate.
Claudio, Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary-general, reportedly said that nobody in the party had been authorized to negotiate with or extend support for Nacionalista Party president Villar, who consistently tops surveys on probable presidential candidates.
He also denied about the result of an August 20 straw vote among members of the party’s national executive committee that favored a presidential aspirant from the opposition.
But Intia said that Claudio admitted that the panel had conducted an informal survey on the party’s choice for a possible standard-bearer, the result of which was submitted to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last August 26 in front of the members of the committee. He said the party’s official choice would be known on September 16.
source: GMAnews.tv
Friday, September 11, 2009
The politics of Noynoy Aquino
Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III has become the third member of his immediate family to be thrust into the vortex of what a sociologist calls periodic episodes of “romanticism" in Philippine politics and history.
But the real burden of the senator and now presidential aspirant is not just proving his sincerity and integrity. He also has to declare what he stands for, and on his own merits and in his words, convince a public awash in goodwill for the Aquinos that he is a worthy son to his parents, and a worthy candidate to the highest post in the country.
And then after he has accomplished that, Aquino will have to sustain the interest of a public that is notorious for being fickle-minded and having a short memory.
It’s a formidable task for someone who political strategist and Aquino family friend Reli German says has been seen by most people as “a political lightweight, (with) his transformation not yet sufficiently remarkable."
But since Noynoy Aquino has heeded the public clamor for him to run for president, observers like sociologist Randy David say the surprise 2010 presidential candidate now needs to ask himself, “Am I the one? If I take on that mandate, what will I do? What do I stand for?"
"He’s been a politician for more than a decade, unlike his mom who had hardly any preparations," says David, with a hint of impatience.“ He is almost 50 years old, he has been in that realm vicariously, he should have certain ideas. Tell us what these are."
According to David, “the spontaneity, the idealism, the romanticism in politics, the romanticism of hope" is the power that seems to be firing up the Noynoy Aquino for president movement.
“It’s a very powerful movement that is responsible for all sudden historical surges," he says, but the downside is “it also does not have very long shelf life."
source: GMAnews.tv
But the real burden of the senator and now presidential aspirant is not just proving his sincerity and integrity. He also has to declare what he stands for, and on his own merits and in his words, convince a public awash in goodwill for the Aquinos that he is a worthy son to his parents, and a worthy candidate to the highest post in the country.
And then after he has accomplished that, Aquino will have to sustain the interest of a public that is notorious for being fickle-minded and having a short memory.
It’s a formidable task for someone who political strategist and Aquino family friend Reli German says has been seen by most people as “a political lightweight, (with) his transformation not yet sufficiently remarkable."
But since Noynoy Aquino has heeded the public clamor for him to run for president, observers like sociologist Randy David say the surprise 2010 presidential candidate now needs to ask himself, “Am I the one? If I take on that mandate, what will I do? What do I stand for?"
"He’s been a politician for more than a decade, unlike his mom who had hardly any preparations," says David, with a hint of impatience.“ He is almost 50 years old, he has been in that realm vicariously, he should have certain ideas. Tell us what these are."
According to David, “the spontaneity, the idealism, the romanticism in politics, the romanticism of hope" is the power that seems to be firing up the Noynoy Aquino for president movement.
“It’s a very powerful movement that is responsible for all sudden historical surges," he says, but the downside is “it also does not have very long shelf life."
source: GMAnews.tv
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Poll Automation Bidding -- A Satire
Read this satirical story by Alan Robles on GMAnews.tv which I found very amusing but with a pinch of reality in the state of our current society. Please read on:
When it comes to the struggle to automate and modernize elections, only the best technological solutions were considered.
Official: Hello! Some critics have said that we in the government aren't serious about modernizing our election system, and that we're just wasting the public's money. We resent such accusations. That's why right now, to show you how transparent we are, we will show you video of some of the cutting-edge proposals that we considered for poll automation. Let's show the first bidder.
Bidder No. 1: I have here a schematic for an automated integrated dynamic ballot protection system.
Official: Please explain what this means.
Bidder No. 1: My system uses a sophisticated isomer-fuelled nanotech biometric system that will scan the voter's eyes, fingerprints and face, then compare those datapoints with a robust database, looking for positive ID confirmation.
Official: And if there's no confirmation?
Bidder No. 1: The voter will be locked out of the system.
Official: And then?
Bidder No. 1: An alarm will go off...
Official: An alarm?
Bidder No. 1: Steel doors will slam shut...
Official: What?
Bidder No. 1: Then all the ballot boxes in the precinct will fly together and transform into a 25-foot battle robot that will smash and destroy the alien lifeform!
Official: Er, can you call security? Guard?
Bidder No. 1: And the robot will also fire anti-aircraft missiles to shoot down flying voters!
(Security guards drag raving, screaming bidder away)
Bidder No. 1 (while guards try to cover his mouth): They will feel the wrath of Megatron!
Official: OK, let's get on with this. Bidder number two, how do you propose to automate our elections?
Bidder No. 2: We have done a careful analysis of previous elections. We have identified the key processes and applied technological solutions to each one. Our goal is to make things easier for everybody.
Official: How?
Bidder No. 2: Well, for example, see these electronic slot machines we plan to put in each precinct?
Official: They look like US voting machines.
Bidder No. 2: No, they ARE slot machines. After the voters cast their ballots by pulling the right lever for the corresponding candidate, the machine immediately dispenses the cash they were promised by the candidate. We estimate that this will automate the process of vote buying.
Official: Er, that's interesting...
Bidder No. 2: And take a look at our proposed communications net. It's a frequency-hopping voice scrambler digital link! If a Certain Someone should ever, hypothetically, want to order an election fraud witness kidnapped and tortured, that person can give the order with perfect communications security!
Official: Ahem, cough cough, er, maybe we can move on to the next bidder...
Bidder No. 2: And we've also designed an Artificial Intelligence asset management program that will keep a private jet fueled and ready to fly anytime an official has to suddenly flee the
country!
Official: Thank you! Goodbye! Now let's consider the next bidder. What's your proposal? I don't see any diagrams or models.
Bidder No. 3: I represent a company that was just incorporated last night.
Official: Oh really?
Bidder No. 3: Our partners include people with no technical experience, our friends, their cousins, and a labandera with strange powers. And we have no paid-up capital, but we expect to be paid billions in advance.
Official: So what's so special and high-tech about your plan?
Bidder No. 3: We call it “The Automated Payout and 40 per cent Commission Project."
Official: You know, I like that. It sounds like a technological solution we can discuss!
Bidder No. 3: Shall we play golf?
The two go off happily in a swirly, pink cottony cloud of fantasy, because as we all know, things like this just don't happen in real life.
When it comes to the struggle to automate and modernize elections, only the best technological solutions were considered.
Official: Hello! Some critics have said that we in the government aren't serious about modernizing our election system, and that we're just wasting the public's money. We resent such accusations. That's why right now, to show you how transparent we are, we will show you video of some of the cutting-edge proposals that we considered for poll automation. Let's show the first bidder.
Bidder No. 1: I have here a schematic for an automated integrated dynamic ballot protection system.
Official: Please explain what this means.
Bidder No. 1: My system uses a sophisticated isomer-fuelled nanotech biometric system that will scan the voter's eyes, fingerprints and face, then compare those datapoints with a robust database, looking for positive ID confirmation.
Official: And if there's no confirmation?
Bidder No. 1: The voter will be locked out of the system.
Official: And then?
Bidder No. 1: An alarm will go off...
Official: An alarm?
Bidder No. 1: Steel doors will slam shut...
Official: What?
Bidder No. 1: Then all the ballot boxes in the precinct will fly together and transform into a 25-foot battle robot that will smash and destroy the alien lifeform!
Official: Er, can you call security? Guard?
Bidder No. 1: And the robot will also fire anti-aircraft missiles to shoot down flying voters!
(Security guards drag raving, screaming bidder away)
Bidder No. 1 (while guards try to cover his mouth): They will feel the wrath of Megatron!
Official: OK, let's get on with this. Bidder number two, how do you propose to automate our elections?
Bidder No. 2: We have done a careful analysis of previous elections. We have identified the key processes and applied technological solutions to each one. Our goal is to make things easier for everybody.
Official: How?
Bidder No. 2: Well, for example, see these electronic slot machines we plan to put in each precinct?
Official: They look like US voting machines.
Bidder No. 2: No, they ARE slot machines. After the voters cast their ballots by pulling the right lever for the corresponding candidate, the machine immediately dispenses the cash they were promised by the candidate. We estimate that this will automate the process of vote buying.
Official: Er, that's interesting...
Bidder No. 2: And take a look at our proposed communications net. It's a frequency-hopping voice scrambler digital link! If a Certain Someone should ever, hypothetically, want to order an election fraud witness kidnapped and tortured, that person can give the order with perfect communications security!
Official: Ahem, cough cough, er, maybe we can move on to the next bidder...
Bidder No. 2: And we've also designed an Artificial Intelligence asset management program that will keep a private jet fueled and ready to fly anytime an official has to suddenly flee the
country!
Official: Thank you! Goodbye! Now let's consider the next bidder. What's your proposal? I don't see any diagrams or models.
Bidder No. 3: I represent a company that was just incorporated last night.
Official: Oh really?
Bidder No. 3: Our partners include people with no technical experience, our friends, their cousins, and a labandera with strange powers. And we have no paid-up capital, but we expect to be paid billions in advance.
Official: So what's so special and high-tech about your plan?
Bidder No. 3: We call it “The Automated Payout and 40 per cent Commission Project."
Official: You know, I like that. It sounds like a technological solution we can discuss!
Bidder No. 3: Shall we play golf?
The two go off happily in a swirly, pink cottony cloud of fantasy, because as we all know, things like this just don't happen in real life.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Noli seeking own discernment
Vice President Noli de Castro has joined the ranks of politicians and religious leaders seeking “discernment” in deciding whether to run for president in the 2010 elections.
De Castro has been playing coy in announcing his presidential bid.
Yesterday, Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said De Castro, who remains undecided on whether to seek the presidency and join the administration party, is "doing his own discernment."
"We’re hoping before the first half of this month that there would be a clear resolution of what would be the decision of Vice President Noli de Castro," Claudio told a morning news show at government-run NBN.
He said De Castro is "doing his own careful consideration of the entire situation and we’re giving him time."
De Castro is still among those topping the surveys for favored presidential candidates but in a recent Pulse Asia survey, he dropped to third spot.
De Castro was reportedly approached by President Arroyo to consider running under the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
Claudio said De Castro is assured of the administration’s support if he joins the ruling party and of "a good margin or good chances of victory."
He said the Vice President has "good instincts and exquisite timing" that have served him well in his political career.
De Castro’s reluctance to run can also be considered an advantage, he added.
"I do not contemplate or I do not see the probability of Vice President ‘Kabayan’ running under any political party or group," Claudio said, referring to De Castro’s moniker.
source: PhilStar.com
De Castro has been playing coy in announcing his presidential bid.
Yesterday, Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said De Castro, who remains undecided on whether to seek the presidency and join the administration party, is "doing his own discernment."
"We’re hoping before the first half of this month that there would be a clear resolution of what would be the decision of Vice President Noli de Castro," Claudio told a morning news show at government-run NBN.
He said De Castro is "doing his own careful consideration of the entire situation and we’re giving him time."
De Castro is still among those topping the surveys for favored presidential candidates but in a recent Pulse Asia survey, he dropped to third spot.
De Castro was reportedly approached by President Arroyo to consider running under the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
Claudio said De Castro is assured of the administration’s support if he joins the ruling party and of "a good margin or good chances of victory."
He said the Vice President has "good instincts and exquisite timing" that have served him well in his political career.
De Castro’s reluctance to run can also be considered an advantage, he added.
"I do not contemplate or I do not see the probability of Vice President ‘Kabayan’ running under any political party or group," Claudio said, referring to De Castro’s moniker.
source: PhilStar.com
Ping goes for Noynoy; urges Erap to drop presidential bid
Former President Joseph Estrada should drop his presidential bid if he really wants to unify the political opposition, Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Thursday.
In the same breath, Lacson hinted support for the possible presidential candidacy of Sen. Benigo "Noynoy" Aquino III, who has chosen to undergo a spiritual retreat first before finally deciding on his plans for the 2010 polls.
"If integrity is one of the standards, Senator Noynoy would definitely pass my book," Lacson told reporters.
He added that he doesn't believe the only son of the late former President Corazon Aquino and slain Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. would abuse his power to enrich himself once he is in office.
"Si Noynoy, isa lang masasabi ko, at least sigurado tayo di mangungurakot. Kung si Noynoy nga at siya palarin medyo more or less kampante tayo [na] di siya magnanakaw (With Noynoy, at least we are sure that he is not corrupt)," he said.
Lacson made the statement even as Aquino has yet to announce his political plans for next year. Aquino on Wednesday said he would go on a "retreat" first before announcing if he would accept calls for him to run for president.
Lacson however clarified that he is not categorically saying that Aquino has his all-out support. Asked on who would he support next year, he said, "Sa ngayon wala pa. Di natin alam kung sino magfa-file (No one, so far. I don't have an idea who will file for candidacy)."
Lacson meanwhile said Estrada should abandon his renewed quest for the presidency and instead initiate the unification move among the ranks of the opposition.
"Ang influence niya di matatawaran. Kung siya mismo magsalita na magsama-sama tayo, aatras ako, mangunguna ako, kung puwedeng sundan ninyo ako, palagay ko mas lalakas ang [na] panawagan magkakaroon ng isang opposition candidate," he said.
(His influence is unquestionable. If he will lead the unification move, then the opposition is likely to end up with just one standard bearer next year.)
He added that as the leader of the opposition, it is only prudent for Estrada to take charge in unifying the group.
source: inquirer.net
In the same breath, Lacson hinted support for the possible presidential candidacy of Sen. Benigo "Noynoy" Aquino III, who has chosen to undergo a spiritual retreat first before finally deciding on his plans for the 2010 polls.
"If integrity is one of the standards, Senator Noynoy would definitely pass my book," Lacson told reporters.
He added that he doesn't believe the only son of the late former President Corazon Aquino and slain Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. would abuse his power to enrich himself once he is in office.
"Si Noynoy, isa lang masasabi ko, at least sigurado tayo di mangungurakot. Kung si Noynoy nga at siya palarin medyo more or less kampante tayo [na] di siya magnanakaw (With Noynoy, at least we are sure that he is not corrupt)," he said.
Lacson made the statement even as Aquino has yet to announce his political plans for next year. Aquino on Wednesday said he would go on a "retreat" first before announcing if he would accept calls for him to run for president.
Lacson however clarified that he is not categorically saying that Aquino has his all-out support. Asked on who would he support next year, he said, "Sa ngayon wala pa. Di natin alam kung sino magfa-file (No one, so far. I don't have an idea who will file for candidacy)."
Lacson meanwhile said Estrada should abandon his renewed quest for the presidency and instead initiate the unification move among the ranks of the opposition.
"Ang influence niya di matatawaran. Kung siya mismo magsalita na magsama-sama tayo, aatras ako, mangunguna ako, kung puwedeng sundan ninyo ako, palagay ko mas lalakas ang [na] panawagan magkakaroon ng isang opposition candidate," he said.
(His influence is unquestionable. If he will lead the unification move, then the opposition is likely to end up with just one standard bearer next year.)
He added that as the leader of the opposition, it is only prudent for Estrada to take charge in unifying the group.
source: inquirer.net
Comelec vows Electronic Transmission in 2010
In an article in www.inquirer.net, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and telecom industry stakeholders are working on plans to ensure electronic transmission of election results from 80,000 precincts nationwide in next year's polls. Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) member Renato Garcia said telcos vowed to ensure nationwide network coverage by creating a multi-platform contingency plan so that all election results from clustered precincts nationwide are transmitted to canvassing and consolidation centers from the municipal to national levels.
They added that, "In the automated elections, the transmission stage is priority," said Garcia. "We have to ensure all polling precincts, especially in the provinces can transmit their results immediately after close of polls to speed up the canvassing and prevent tampering of votes."
Telcos are public entities that can be "deputized" by Comelec to help ensure successful automation, according to Garcia, who also sits as commissioner in the Commission on Information and Communications Technology.
Garcia disclosed the poll body is working on a contingency plan to enable precincts in areas with limited network coverage to transmit results to the four Comelec national servers designated for the Senate, House of Representatives, Comelec national board of canvassers and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
The contingency plan will focus on four areas: use of high power transmission or realignment of sectoral antennas, use of high-gain antennas, use of emerging technologies such as SMS or text messaging,
WiMax, WiFi and two-way radio, to transmit results to neighboring cell sites and the use of mobile satellite.
Comelec plans to tap all existing technology platforms to deliver the election results from precinct count optical scan machines (PCOS) to national servers.
Each computerized election result would have an approximate size of 50 kilobytes or comparable to one multimedia messaging service sent via mobile phone, and requires only a few seconds to transmit, Garcia said.
Present in Thursday's meeting at the Comelec headquarters in Manila were representatives from telecom firms Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, PLDT, Digitel, Eastern Telecoms and Mabuhay Satellite.
Also represented were the National Telecommunications Commission, Telecommunications Office, Philippine
Association of Private Telco Companies, Federation of International Cable TV Association and Philippine Cable TV Association.
In the editorial of Manila Times, it absolutely true that the Constitution must be amended. Changes must be made to streamline our government system, reinforce the rule of law and remove provisions that deter our national development. Provisions must be added or removed to make it difficult for officials in all the branches of government to commit abuses and corrupt practices, neglect their duties, fail to do their work, and lie to the people with impunity. There are hundreds of others things that must be done with the 1987 Constitution to make it a more effective fundamental law.
The public outcry against HR 1109 made the House leadership freeze HR 1109 in their chamber’s rules committee. But it could be made to slither into life like an ugly snake. It was passed by a massive majority, don’t forget.
sources: inquirer.net
manilatimes.net
They added that, "In the automated elections, the transmission stage is priority," said Garcia. "We have to ensure all polling precincts, especially in the provinces can transmit their results immediately after close of polls to speed up the canvassing and prevent tampering of votes."
Telcos are public entities that can be "deputized" by Comelec to help ensure successful automation, according to Garcia, who also sits as commissioner in the Commission on Information and Communications Technology.
Garcia disclosed the poll body is working on a contingency plan to enable precincts in areas with limited network coverage to transmit results to the four Comelec national servers designated for the Senate, House of Representatives, Comelec national board of canvassers and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
The contingency plan will focus on four areas: use of high power transmission or realignment of sectoral antennas, use of high-gain antennas, use of emerging technologies such as SMS or text messaging,
WiMax, WiFi and two-way radio, to transmit results to neighboring cell sites and the use of mobile satellite.
Comelec plans to tap all existing technology platforms to deliver the election results from precinct count optical scan machines (PCOS) to national servers.
Each computerized election result would have an approximate size of 50 kilobytes or comparable to one multimedia messaging service sent via mobile phone, and requires only a few seconds to transmit, Garcia said.
Present in Thursday's meeting at the Comelec headquarters in Manila were representatives from telecom firms Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, PLDT, Digitel, Eastern Telecoms and Mabuhay Satellite.
Also represented were the National Telecommunications Commission, Telecommunications Office, Philippine
Association of Private Telco Companies, Federation of International Cable TV Association and Philippine Cable TV Association.
In the editorial of Manila Times, it absolutely true that the Constitution must be amended. Changes must be made to streamline our government system, reinforce the rule of law and remove provisions that deter our national development. Provisions must be added or removed to make it difficult for officials in all the branches of government to commit abuses and corrupt practices, neglect their duties, fail to do their work, and lie to the people with impunity. There are hundreds of others things that must be done with the 1987 Constitution to make it a more effective fundamental law.
To serve their own ambitions and corrupt ends, unscrupulous, self-serving, and corrupt politicians have made it their project to amend the Constitution by hook or by crook. On June 2, the House majority shamelessly rammed through House Resolution 1109 which would convene Congress to convert itself into a Constituent Assembly (which is how our Constitution calls that body made up of the House and the Senate to deliberate on and vote on amendments to the Constitution to be submitted to the people in a referendum).
But the Constituent Assembly envisioned by the House leadership and majority who passed HR 1109 is one in which members of the House and the Senate would vote jointly—not separately. That would of course nullify the principle that the Congress is bicameral. The overwhelming House majority that comprises four-fifths of the chamber would always outvote all the 23 senators plus the House opposition members.
HR 1109 would then allow a Constituent Assembly to be convened with or without the participation of the senators, who have vowed to reject the whole thing.
The public outcry against HR 1109 made the House leadership freeze HR 1109 in their chamber’s rules committee. But it could be made to slither into life like an ugly snake. It was passed by a massive majority, don’t forget.
sources: inquirer.net
manilatimes.net
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Palace unfazed by Noynoy
While conceding that the Liberal Party has become a formidable organization with the imminent presidential bid of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said there is no guarantee that popularity and pedigree would convert to actual votes.
Ermita, president of the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, said Wednesday the “Cory magic” may work well for the young Aquino but it was “premature” to declare that such phenomenon will ensure his victory in the presidential elections next year.
“It’s one to convert popularity into votes and the popularity now doesn’t mean popularity at the time when the people start going to the precincts to vote. Things can easily change.
Popularity is a big thing but let’s see how this will be transmitted to actual votes,” he said.
The administration party also said it is certain that it could match or even surpass the possible tandem of Aquino and Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II in the 2010 national elections.
Ermita said the ruling party is set to reveal its official standard bearer this month.
“The administration is confident that whatever be the (LP) tandem, it will be able to match it with the candidates that it will field,” he said, adding that the party’s victory will be enhanced by the continuing disunity within the opposition forces.
source: mb.com.ph
Ermita, president of the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, said Wednesday the “Cory magic” may work well for the young Aquino but it was “premature” to declare that such phenomenon will ensure his victory in the presidential elections next year.
“It’s one to convert popularity into votes and the popularity now doesn’t mean popularity at the time when the people start going to the precincts to vote. Things can easily change.
Popularity is a big thing but let’s see how this will be transmitted to actual votes,” he said.
The administration party also said it is certain that it could match or even surpass the possible tandem of Aquino and Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II in the 2010 national elections.
Ermita said the ruling party is set to reveal its official standard bearer this month.
“The administration is confident that whatever be the (LP) tandem, it will be able to match it with the candidates that it will field,” he said, adding that the party’s victory will be enhanced by the continuing disunity within the opposition forces.
source: mb.com.ph
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Panlilio gives way to Aquino in 2010 Presidential Election
Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio is poised to throw his support behind the presidential candidacy of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and is just preparing to consult with his supporters to finalize his political plans in 2010.
Panlilio, also a presidential aspirant, said on Wednesday he would give up his plans for higher office and support Aquino should the senator announce his bid for the presidency in the May 2010 elections.
"I will probably support Noynoy, pending a consultation I have to do with my supporters," he said.
Panlilio said he was not feeling any public clamor for him to run for higher office.
He said that at the moment, he would like to focus his attention on the recount of votes for the 2007 Pampanga gubernatorial race which he won over former Board Member Lilia Pineda.
source: inquirer.net
Panlilio, also a presidential aspirant, said on Wednesday he would give up his plans for higher office and support Aquino should the senator announce his bid for the presidency in the May 2010 elections.
"I will probably support Noynoy, pending a consultation I have to do with my supporters," he said.
Panlilio said he was not feeling any public clamor for him to run for higher office.
He said that at the moment, he would like to focus his attention on the recount of votes for the 2007 Pampanga gubernatorial race which he won over former Board Member Lilia Pineda.
source: inquirer.net
"Country First Before Self" -- Mar Roxas
Last Tuesday, in a jam-packed crowd at Club Filipino, Liberal Party presidentiable Sen. Mar Roxas announced that he is giving way to Sen. Noynoy Aquino's bid in 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections.
“Noy has made it clear to me that he wants to carry the torch of leadership. The parting of our beloved President Cory has reawakened a passion among us,” Roxas said, reading from a prepared statement.
“I see this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dreams: Good will win over evil,” said Roxas, who as early as April had mounted a spirited campaign for the presidency by launching a series of “infomercials.”
“Noynoy and I want to make a difference, but we also know that we need to unite to achieve what we want,” he said.
Noynoy Aquino told reporters, "Give this day to Mar", as he is expected to hold a press conference today on this development. Opposition party leaders welcomed Roxas' move and commended the senator for "sacrificing his dream for the country".
“Noy has made it clear to me that he wants to carry the torch of leadership. The parting of our beloved President Cory has reawakened a passion among us,” Roxas said, reading from a prepared statement.
“I see this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dreams: Good will win over evil,” said Roxas, who as early as April had mounted a spirited campaign for the presidency by launching a series of “infomercials.”
“Noynoy and I want to make a difference, but we also know that we need to unite to achieve what we want,” he said.
Noynoy Aquino told reporters, "Give this day to Mar", as he is expected to hold a press conference today on this development. Opposition party leaders welcomed Roxas' move and commended the senator for "sacrificing his dream for the country".
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Aquino-Roxas tandem in 2010 Elections Spurns Reactions
In an article made by The Manila Times, Malacanang is optimistic that the Aquino-Roxas tandem can be easily beaten in the coming presidential elections. The article says:
The tandem has also stirs reaction from within the Liberal party as the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported in today's headline,
The outpouring of public sentiment over the death of former President Corazon Aquino and the consequent clamor for her son, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, to run for higher office may have added luster to the Liberal Party.
But it has placed Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas, until Cory Aquino’s death early this month the acknowledged presidential standard-bearer of the LP, in a somewhat awkward position.
While Roxas has to protect his front-runner status in the party’s presidential stakes, he cannot do so too strongly as to alienate the pro-Aquino forces in the LP who, if truth be told, would prefer Noynoy to be the party’s standard-bearer.
Typically, Roxas on Saturday said he was as determined as ever to run for President in 2010. But in the next breath, he said he would submit himself to the party’s selection process governing the choice of the party standard-bearer.
"There is no turning back for me. I want to make big changes in our country and the presidency is the only vantage point at which that can be done," Roxas said in a statement.
But in later phone and radio interviews, Roxas explained that what he meant was that the party would soon start its selection process for the presidential standard-bearer and he would submit to it.
Calls for Noynoy to run for either president or vice president have mounted since his mother’s death, and party officials said the selection process has hardly started while they wait for Noynoy to make up his mind.
Some party officials, like former Senate President Jovito Salonga, the LP chair emeritus, have suggested a Roxas-Aquino team-up for 2010.
But there are other equally strong voices clamoring for an Aquino-Roxas pairing.
The race has barely started and surely more are expected from all directions.
The administration on Friday said that it was intrigued by the possibility of Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd running on the same ticket in the presidential elections in 2010.
But the Palace, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde added, was confident of beating that dream tandem in the presidential and vice presidential races.
“Of course, Noynoy for president and Mar Roxas for vice president, or vice versa, is a very interesting tandem,” he said during a media briefing.
But the Press Secretary added that Aquino’s decision was a matter that concerns the Liberal Party. The administration party is the Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats, which is eyeing Vice President Noli de Castro as its presidential candidate.
But even the Palace appears to be cognizant of the so-called Cory Magic, referring to the sympathy votes that Sen. Aquino may get because of the recent death of his mother—former President Corazon Aquino.
Remonde said that Senator Aquino has inherited the “great legacy of leadership” bequeathed by his mother and father, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. Ninoy’s assassination in 1983 triggered protests that culminated in the 1986 People Power revolt that ousted then-President Ferdinand Marcos.
Despite the seeming popularity of an Aquino-Roxas ticket, Remonde said the administration remained confident about winning the elections next year.
“Regardless the political configuration of various groupings, the administration has its own strategy, but I’m not in a position to really speak up or elaborate considering that I am not very much involved in the political aspect of this administration,” he added.The tandem has also stirs reaction from within the Liberal party as the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported in today's headline,
The outpouring of public sentiment over the death of former President Corazon Aquino and the consequent clamor for her son, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, to run for higher office may have added luster to the Liberal Party.
But it has placed Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas, until Cory Aquino’s death early this month the acknowledged presidential standard-bearer of the LP, in a somewhat awkward position.
While Roxas has to protect his front-runner status in the party’s presidential stakes, he cannot do so too strongly as to alienate the pro-Aquino forces in the LP who, if truth be told, would prefer Noynoy to be the party’s standard-bearer.
Typically, Roxas on Saturday said he was as determined as ever to run for President in 2010. But in the next breath, he said he would submit himself to the party’s selection process governing the choice of the party standard-bearer.
"There is no turning back for me. I want to make big changes in our country and the presidency is the only vantage point at which that can be done," Roxas said in a statement.
But in later phone and radio interviews, Roxas explained that what he meant was that the party would soon start its selection process for the presidential standard-bearer and he would submit to it.
Calls for Noynoy to run for either president or vice president have mounted since his mother’s death, and party officials said the selection process has hardly started while they wait for Noynoy to make up his mind.
Some party officials, like former Senate President Jovito Salonga, the LP chair emeritus, have suggested a Roxas-Aquino team-up for 2010.
But there are other equally strong voices clamoring for an Aquino-Roxas pairing.
The race has barely started and surely more are expected from all directions.
Villanueva to join 2010 presidential derby
Religious leaders are starting to show up in the presidential candidate list. Bro. Eddie Villanueva has formally announced his intentions in running in 2010 presidential elections. Below is an article in today's Philippines Star.
******************************
By Dino Maragay (philstar.com) Updated August 21, 2009 02:27 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Spiritual leader Eddie Villanueva has formally announced his bid to run in the May 2010 presidential elections.
Villanueva made the declaration today (Aug. 21) in front of supporters and members of the Bangon Pilipinas Party at a gathering at the Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan.
The evangelist and his group trooped to the historic church this morning also to commemorate the 26th death anniversary of former opposition leader and Sen. Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr.
Villanueva, head of the Jesus is Lord Church, previously ran and lost in the 2004 presidential elections.
******************************
By Dino Maragay (philstar.com) Updated August 21, 2009 02:27 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Spiritual leader Eddie Villanueva has formally announced his bid to run in the May 2010 presidential elections.
Villanueva made the declaration today (Aug. 21) in front of supporters and members of the Bangon Pilipinas Party at a gathering at the Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan.
The evangelist and his group trooped to the historic church this morning also to commemorate the 26th death anniversary of former opposition leader and Sen. Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr.
Villanueva, head of the Jesus is Lord Church, previously ran and lost in the 2004 presidential elections.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sabungeros eye party-list seats
By Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) Updated August 18, 2009 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - A group of cockfighting aficionados is among the more than 200 organizations seeking accreditation with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to run in the 2010 party-list polls.
In a four-page petition, the Alyansa ng Sabungero claimed that their sector – composed of kristo, asentista, kasador, sentenciador, mananari, largador, matchmaker, takilyador and backyard breeder – is marginalized and, therefore, needs to be represented in Congress.
“(We) lead a hand-to-mouth existence... earning only if the tahor (we) work for wins and earns,” the petition noted.
The group listed a certain Nid Anima as its president and has office at Huelva street, Camella Townhouse in Sucat, Parañaque.
Cockfighting is one of the favorite pastimes of Filipinos. Some of the popular politicians in the country are known and avid sabungeros, like former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, former Tarlac congressman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco who is now Philippine Olympic Committee president, Rizal ex-governor Casimiro Ynares, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and presidential adviser on revenue enhancement Narciso “Jun” Santiago Jr., husband of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
Even boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is an avid sabungero. Pacquiao has announced plans to run for congressman in Sarangani province in 2010.
Yesterday was the deadline for the filing of accreditation for party-list groups.
As of 5 p.m., a total of 264 organizations have filed for accreditation, including Ang Ladlad which represents gays, lesbians, transgenders and bisexuals.
According to Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento, the poll body intends to screen all groups for their track records, constituency, previous projects, source funding and if they are truly marginalized.
Sarmiento added they would reject a party-list group if it is found to be funded by either the government or religious groups.
Comelec chairman Jose Melo said they hope to trim down to at least 50 the number of party-list groups that would participate in next year’s elections for the sake of voters and to streamline the ballots.
Asked why he thinks many groups wanted to run in the party-list elections, the poll chief claimed it is either because of the pork barrel given to congressional representatives and the “typical Filipino mentality” to form his own group when rejected by a group.
“We have to be strict. Otherwise, there would be a lot of names that need to be printed in the ballots,” Melo added.
The other party-list groups that filed for accreditation are All Rainbow Party, United Filipino Seafarers, Aabot, Alab ng Lahi, Partido Lakas ng Masa, Citizen Call for Action, Better Philippines, One Nation Empowered with Technology, Liwanag sa Bilangguan, OFWs, Alagaan Natin Ating Kalusugan, Grand Bohol and Balikatan.
------------
I'm just worried that in the future jueteng lords will also file their own party-list --- "Anak ng Jueteng".
Jon
MANILA, Philippines - A group of cockfighting aficionados is among the more than 200 organizations seeking accreditation with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to run in the 2010 party-list polls.
In a four-page petition, the Alyansa ng Sabungero claimed that their sector – composed of kristo, asentista, kasador, sentenciador, mananari, largador, matchmaker, takilyador and backyard breeder – is marginalized and, therefore, needs to be represented in Congress.
“(We) lead a hand-to-mouth existence... earning only if the tahor (we) work for wins and earns,” the petition noted.
The group listed a certain Nid Anima as its president and has office at Huelva street, Camella Townhouse in Sucat, Parañaque.
Cockfighting is one of the favorite pastimes of Filipinos. Some of the popular politicians in the country are known and avid sabungeros, like former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, former Tarlac congressman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco who is now Philippine Olympic Committee president, Rizal ex-governor Casimiro Ynares, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and presidential adviser on revenue enhancement Narciso “Jun” Santiago Jr., husband of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
Even boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is an avid sabungero. Pacquiao has announced plans to run for congressman in Sarangani province in 2010.
Yesterday was the deadline for the filing of accreditation for party-list groups.
As of 5 p.m., a total of 264 organizations have filed for accreditation, including Ang Ladlad which represents gays, lesbians, transgenders and bisexuals.
According to Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento, the poll body intends to screen all groups for their track records, constituency, previous projects, source funding and if they are truly marginalized.
Sarmiento added they would reject a party-list group if it is found to be funded by either the government or religious groups.
Comelec chairman Jose Melo said they hope to trim down to at least 50 the number of party-list groups that would participate in next year’s elections for the sake of voters and to streamline the ballots.
Asked why he thinks many groups wanted to run in the party-list elections, the poll chief claimed it is either because of the pork barrel given to congressional representatives and the “typical Filipino mentality” to form his own group when rejected by a group.
“We have to be strict. Otherwise, there would be a lot of names that need to be printed in the ballots,” Melo added.
The other party-list groups that filed for accreditation are All Rainbow Party, United Filipino Seafarers, Aabot, Alab ng Lahi, Partido Lakas ng Masa, Citizen Call for Action, Better Philippines, One Nation Empowered with Technology, Liwanag sa Bilangguan, OFWs, Alagaan Natin Ating Kalusugan, Grand Bohol and Balikatan.
------------
I'm just worried that in the future jueteng lords will also file their own party-list --- "Anak ng Jueteng".
Jon
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Let Noynoy grieve first, politics can come later - Mar
Let Noynoy grieve first, politics can come later - Mar
BACOLOD CITY , Philippines – Sen. Manuel Roxas II bared yesterday that his partymate in the Liberal Party, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, is still grieving and calls for him to seek a higher position should presently be set aside.
“Just give him time and space. He has just lost his mother. There will be time for politics,” said Roxas, who is LP’s presidential aspirant.
He said that as a friend of Senator Aquino, he tries to be available for him, whenever he wants someone to talk to.
Roxas said that Aquino is one of those being considered for the vice presidential post even before former President Corazon Aquino’s death. However, he stressed this is not the time to discuss these matters.
Television host Korina Sanchez, fiancée of Roxas, said that she also wants Aquino to hold a higher public office.
“They (Roxas and Aquino) are very much alike. They stand for what is right,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez, Roxas’ travel companion in provincial sorties nationwide, accompanied the senator to a meeting with supporters here yesterday.
They also visited the Central Market, where, Roxas said, they bought inexpensive fresh produce, alluding to criticisms hurled at President Arroyo about expensive dinners in her recent trip to United States.
It is obvious that Arroyo has become detached from the realities ordinary Filipinos face everyday, he said.
He also gave his support to the call of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to investigate the infomercials of government officials aired over national television.
If they are using public funds, they have to be held accountable, Roxas said.
With the huge turnout at the wake of the late President Aquino and now the public clamor for her son to run for higher office, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. thinks that Senator Aquino is qualified to run for president.
Pimentel said Senator Aquino would be a big threat to the candidacy of Roxas.
In a press conference, Pimentel said the senator and only son of President Aquino and former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. is “very qualified” to run because he has been in politics for some time.
“(He is) very qualified, he has been a congressman for many terms and now senator. Of course, I would assume he inherited the genes of his parents, that desire to serve the public,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel said it would still be up to the members of LP that are supporting Roxas to decide whether to accept Senator Aquino as the party’s standard-bearer or if Roxas would slide down and run for vice president.
“Of course, it remains to be seen what the reaction of the LP would be because he belongs to the LP. And if he runs for president against the wishes of Roxas, for example, the LP will now have three wings: the Atienza wing, Roxas wing, and Noynoy wing, but birds can fly only on two wings. I have not heard of a bird with three or more wings, so what I’m saying is that is a matter the LP would have to decide on their own, whether they really want to push Noynoy,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel said Noynoy has the advantage of the Aquino name and the fact that his mother died with the national adulation for her good person still intact. “So he can cash in on that and then of course there is also Kris (Aquino)… who is no amateur, for lack of better term, on selling products,” Pimentel said.
By Antonieta Lopez – With Christina Mendez
The Philippine Star
Updated August 15, 2009 12:00 AM
“Just give him time and space. He has just lost his mother. There will be time for politics,” said Roxas, who is LP’s presidential aspirant.
He said that as a friend of Senator Aquino, he tries to be available for him, whenever he wants someone to talk to.
Roxas said that Aquino is one of those being considered for the vice presidential post even before former President Corazon Aquino’s death. However, he stressed this is not the time to discuss these matters.
Television host Korina Sanchez, fiancée of Roxas, said that she also wants Aquino to hold a higher public office.
“They (Roxas and Aquino) are very much alike. They stand for what is right,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez, Roxas’ travel companion in provincial sorties nationwide, accompanied the senator to a meeting with supporters here yesterday.
They also visited the Central Market, where, Roxas said, they bought inexpensive fresh produce, alluding to criticisms hurled at President Arroyo about expensive dinners in her recent trip to United States.
It is obvious that Arroyo has become detached from the realities ordinary Filipinos face everyday, he said.
He also gave his support to the call of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to investigate the infomercials of government officials aired over national television.
If they are using public funds, they have to be held accountable, Roxas said.
With the huge turnout at the wake of the late President Aquino and now the public clamor for her son to run for higher office, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. thinks that Senator Aquino is qualified to run for president.
Pimentel said Senator Aquino would be a big threat to the candidacy of Roxas.
In a press conference, Pimentel said the senator and only son of President Aquino and former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. is “very qualified” to run because he has been in politics for some time.
“(He is) very qualified, he has been a congressman for many terms and now senator. Of course, I would assume he inherited the genes of his parents, that desire to serve the public,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel said it would still be up to the members of LP that are supporting Roxas to decide whether to accept Senator Aquino as the party’s standard-bearer or if Roxas would slide down and run for vice president.
“Of course, it remains to be seen what the reaction of the LP would be because he belongs to the LP. And if he runs for president against the wishes of Roxas, for example, the LP will now have three wings: the Atienza wing, Roxas wing, and Noynoy wing, but birds can fly only on two wings. I have not heard of a bird with three or more wings, so what I’m saying is that is a matter the LP would have to decide on their own, whether they really want to push Noynoy,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel said Noynoy has the advantage of the Aquino name and the fact that his mother died with the national adulation for her good person still intact. “So he can cash in on that and then of course there is also Kris (Aquino)… who is no amateur, for lack of better term, on selling products,” Pimentel said.
By Antonieta Lopez – With Christina Mendez
The Philippine Star
Updated August 15, 2009 12:00 AM
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Voter's Registration
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) en banc has released the calendar of activities and periods of prohibited acts in connection with the conduct of the May 10, 2010 national and local elections.
The COMELEC, in Resolution No. 8646, promulgated July 14, 2009; said the election period will run from January 10, 2010 until June 9, 2010. Prohibited during this period, the COMELEC added are the alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct; the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons in public places; suspension of local elective officials; and transfer of officers and employees in the civil service, etc.
The COMELEC pegged the campaign period for candidates for President, Vice-President, Senators and Party-List groups to February 9, 2010 until May 8, 2010.
Who Are Qualified to Register?
Any Filipino citizen, who is:
- a) At least eighteen (18) years of age on or before election day
- b) Has resided in the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place wherein he proposes to vote, for at least (6) months immediately preceding the election; and
- c) Is not otherwise disqualified by law, such as:
- Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment of not less than one (1) year;
- Any person adjudged by final adjudgement of having committed crimes such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearms laws and against national security;
- Insane or incompetent person as declared by competent authority.
Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial, city and municipal officials will start March 26, 2010 and will end May 8, 2010.
The COMELEC has also set August 17, 2009 as the last day for filing of petitions for registration of political parties and for parties, organizations and coalitions under the Party-List system of representation.
The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for all elective positions will run from November 20, 2009 until November 30, 2009. During the same period, registered party-list groups may also file manifestations of intent to participate in the party-list elections.
Casting of votes by overseas absentee voters (OAV) will start April 10, 2010 (Host country time) and will run until 3:00 PM of May 10, 2010 (Philippine Time).
Meanwhile, the country’s voters have from 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM to cast their votes on Election Day, May 10, 2010. ###
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