Political news , opinions and views for 2010 Presidential election

January 23, 2010

Ban Namfrel

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from FRONTLINE by Ninez Cacho-Olivares (The Daily Tribune)
http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100123com2.html

National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) has been asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to be officially accredited as a poll watchdog for it to engage in a manual audit of the results of the automated polls.

Its former ally, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting headed by Ambassador Henrietta de Villa has officially posted its objections to Comelec on the accredition of Namfrel, on grounds that the task Namfrel seeks is a duplication of the PPCRV’s tasks.

Apparently, there is “bad blood” flowing between the two organizations.

Not too long ago, the Namfrel made De Villa its chairman but all to suddenly, she was out of Namfrel and just as suddenly, Joey Cuisia was named chairman to replace her.

Reports said that Namfrel officials asked De Villa to resign, with sources saying that they were getting uncomfortable with her as chairman, citing as reason, her close ties with the Comelec.

Yet they don’t seem to be uncomfortable with Cuisia as Namfrel chairman, despite the fact that Cuisia’s partisanship is much too evident. It became even more evident when a La Salle Alabang presidential forum, organized by Cuisia’s wife, Vicky, deliberately excluded Erap Estrada from the forum.

Figures that matter

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from Editorial (Philippine Daily Inquirer) Jan 23, 2010
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/editorial/view/20100122-248912/Figures-that-matter

MANILA, Philippines--Perhaps stung by the continuing plunge in President Macapagal-Arroyo’s public approval rating or, more likely, to give a boost to administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro’s foundering campaign for the presidency, the administration has flooded the mass media with ads touting its major accomplishments, particularly in the economic arena. The ads pointedly compare the achievements of the Arroyo administration with those of her three immediate predecessors—Presidents Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada—and unabashedly claim that Filipinos now enjoy “better lives.”

By themselves, the figures look impressive: more roads built, more jobs created, more barangays electrified, more classrooms built and textbooks distributed, even more cell phones sold to consumers. But they don’t provide a complete picture of where Filipinos are today. These ads either omit some key data or present other statistics in a way that would make the administration look better. For instance, the ads point out that average growth in the Gross Domestic Product from 2001 to 2008 averaged 4.86 percent, higher than the 3.3 percent growth under Aquino, 3.6 percent under Ramos and 4.7 percent under Estrada. But why was the dismal 0.7 percent GDP growth in 2009 left out in computing the average? Because 2009 was an abnormal year, since the world was in recession? But the Ramos years also saw the Asian financial crisis of 1997 gutting the Philippine economy, so why was that period not taken out in computing the average GDP growth during the Ramos administration? One reason for leaving out last year’s GDP growth was that its inclusion would have shrunk the yearly average to 4.3 percent, way below the 4.7 percent growth during Estrada’s two years in office.

Governors in Mindanao, Visayas unite to support Gibo

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by Jefferson Antiporda (The Manila Times) Jan 23, 2010
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/10143-governors-in-mindanao-visayas-unite-to-support-gibo

GOVERNORS from the vote-rich provinces in Visayas and Mindanao have banded together in a bid to boost the candidacy of Lakas-Kampi CMD presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro.

Eight governors headed by Gov. Migz Dominguez of Sarangani, also the administration coalition party president, have signed a manifesto vowing to work for the victory of Teodoro. The other governors are Gwen Garcia, Cebu; Sally Perez, Antique; Felipe Nava, Guimaras, Carlito Marquez, Aklan; Orlando Fua, Siquijor; Ben Evardone, Eastern Samar; Isidro Sayco, Negros Occidental and Eric Aumentado, Bohol.

The governors said they believe that Teodoro, with his intelligence, capability and skills, can make the country the best not only in Asia but also in world.

Thinking alike, they said their commitment is more important than any surveys results because they can transform their support into votes come election time.

They were referring to the recent survey results wherein Teodoro’s rating came out lower than that of the other presidential candidates.

Domingo said the surveys in many cases are misleading because the results favor the candidate that allegedly pay for them. He added that they have been pledging their support for Teodoro even before the latter was included in surveys.

Gov. Bong Carreon of Southern Leyte the governors and other local officials are like the ground generals in the campaign as they are the ones who will be working to help deliver the votes that will ensure Teodoro’s win in the presidential race.

Asked if their respective constituents would heed their call to pick Teodoro, Carreon said they are the incumbent local officials because the people trust them.

Dominguez averred, saying that loyalty and trust are part of Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s core values and vision. “We are willing to demonstrate [our loyalty] come hell or high water,” he said.

He stressed, “During our recently concluded executive committee meeting, we tabbed up all our controlled areas, and were pleased to find that 70 percent of the electoral positions up for grabs in the May 2010 elections are readily winnable by our party mates.”

Aumentado, for his part, said that 80 percent to 90 percent of the officials seeking a new term in office in their province are members of Lakas.

Noynoy trails Gibo in mock poll

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from Sun Star Cebu, Jan 23, 2010
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/noynoy-trails-gibo-mock-poll
 

FORMER defense secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. won nearly half of all the votes in a mock election conducted during a presidential aspirants’ forum hosted yesterday by leaders of Cebu’s influential business community.

In marked contrast to his survey ratings so far, Teodoro of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD won 456 of 960 votes (about 47.5 percent). He led by 160 votes over Liberal Party candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who gained 296 votes.

The four other presidential aspirants present each won fewer than 90 votes, or less than 10 percent of the mock election’s participants. They are Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar (88), Sen. Richard Gordon (45), evangelist Eddie Villanueva (29) and former president Joseph Estrada (19). Two voted for Nicanor Perlas, who was not in the forum.

Apparently, a handful of voters remained undecided.

Students from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business conducted the mock election from 3:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m. They collected majority of the votes while the candidates were onstage answering questions during the “Choices and Voices for 2010: An Encounter with the Presidentiables” forum held at the Cebu International Convention Center.

GMA allies nagparamdam na kay Erap

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by Bernard Taguinod (Abante-Tonite) Jan 23, 2010
http://abante-tonite.com/issue/jan2310/news_story7.htm

Ilang oras lamang matapos payagan ng Commission on Elections (Co­melec) na makatakbo sa presidential election si dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada, nagsimula nang magparamdam sa Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) ang mga natitirang kaalyado ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Ito ang kinumpirma ng isang kaalyado ni Estrada sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso na hindi na nagpabanggit ng pangalan kapalit ng impormasyong ito

“Pagkatapos payagan ng Comelec si Erap na tumakbo, nabuhayan ng loob ‘yung karamihan sa admi­nistration bloc na nagdadalawang isip na bumalik kay Erap. Nagtatawagan na sila ngayon,” pahayag ng mambabatas.

Nauna rito, ang ilang kaalyado ni Arroyo, hindi lamang sa Kamara ay lumipat na sa Nacionalista Party (NP) at Liberal Party (LP) habang ang natitira ay si Estrada umano ang gustong suportahan sa darating na halalan.

Hindi naman nagtaka si Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza kung maraming kaalyado ni Arroyo ang nais suportahan si Estrada dahil sa kanilang mga eksperyensa umano sa pag-iikot sa bansa, matindi pa rin umano ang hatak ng dating Pangulo sa taumbayan.

Binay hits Palace for canceling LRT-Cavite project

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from The Daily Tribune Jan 23, 2010

United Opposition (UNO) vice presidential candidate and Makati Mayor Jojo Binay yesterday said Malacañang’s decision to scrap a major rail project in Cavite is President Arroyo’s way of punishing local officials who have turned opposition.

“Clearly, it is an example of vindictive politics. But in punishing local officials, it is the people of Cavite who get hurt,” Binay said in explaining the repercussion of the abrupt cancellation of the project to extend the Light Rail Transit line to the province with a population of two million.

“Malacañang’s rule has always been for progress to take a backseat to politics. All projects are reviewed through the prism of politics. Hence, projects by Arroyo favorites get fast-tracked while the projects of those who oppose her get derailed,” he said.

Binay added the scuttling of the proposed 11.7- kilometer LRT line from Baclaran to Bacoor City in Cavite “on the petty reason that Gov. Ayong Maliksi is not with the administration is the kind of political retaliation that has been the trademark of the Arroyo regime.”

Lyceum mock poll shows Gordon most capable

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by David Cagahastian (Manila Bulletin)
http://mb.com.ph/articles/239817/lyceum-mock-poll-shows-gordon-most-capable

Senator Richard Gordon, standard-bearer of the Bagumbayan party, is the most capable among presidential aspirants in the 2010 elections, a poll from the Lyceum of the Philippines showed.

Gordon received the highest number of votes during a mock election that followed the Lyceum Presidential Forum last Wednesday which was attended by students from different universities, foreign diplomats and business leaders.

Gordon received 59 votes, followed by Gilbert Teodoro (23), Sen. Benigno Aquino III (20), Bro. Eddie Villanueva (17), Nicanor Perlas (10), Former President Joseph Estrada (9), Sen. Manny Villar (7), and Olongapo Councilor JC Delos Reyes (2).

MALACAÑANG says: ‘Noynoy’s no tax vow is empty promise’

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By Aytch S. de la Cruz (The Daily Tribune) Jan 23, 2010
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100123hed1.html
 

 
Look at his eyes instead of reading his lips. Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino will raise taxes, if he gets to Malacañang.

The Palace yesterday scored the Liberal Party presidential candidate over his vow made before businessmen at the Makati Business Club forum on the presidential candidates that he will not be imposing new taxes nor increase tax rates.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar yesterday intimated that which Aquino had pledged about not introducing new taxes nor increasing the tax rates are empty promises, as well as insinuate that one of the first things Aquino will be doing is to raise taxes, to fill up the deficit which is expected to run to some P270 to P300 billion next year.

Olivar pointed out that Aquino had aped former President George H. Bush who said during his acceptance of the Republican nomination for the presidency: “Read my lips. No new taxes,” as a way of courting more votes.

While Bush won his election and became president, Bush raised taxes in a bid to curb the  budget deficit.

43,000 flying voters found in ARMM, Calabarzon

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by Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) Jan 23, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=543079&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The automated election system that will be implemented in the May 2010 presidential elections has not stopped flying voters and multiple registrants.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday reported the discovery of 43,000 multiple registrants despite having computerized the voters’ list.


Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said the poll body found 43,000 voters from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon (Calabarzon) area who have intentionally registered twice or even thrice.

“If you will look at the pictures, some just changed their hairstyles or used different clothes while some made themselves look a little older. So I think the double or triple registrations were done deliberately,” Sarmiento pointed out.

He said the poll body identified the multiple registrants through the use of data capturing machines or biometrics, which store the voters’ thumbprints, signatures and pictures.

Estrada gets laughs, Teodoro, the ladies

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by Connie E. Fernandez (The Daily Inquirer - Cebu Daily News) Jan 23, 2010
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100123-248928/Estrada-gets-laughs-Teodoro-the-ladies

CEBU CITY— Deposed President Joseph Estrada elicited the most laughs. Sen. Benigno Aquino III surprised with his eloquence. Senators Manuel Villar and Richard Gordon trumpeted their track records. Former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro drew the most cheers from the women. And evangelist Eddie Villanueva said he was not beholden to anyone.

This was how six presidential candidates performed at a presidential forum, “Choices and Voices for 2010: An Encounter with the Presidentiables,” held Friday at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City.

The candidates tried to get on the good side of the Cebuanos, praising them for their fearlessness and entrepreneurial skills.

The Cebuanos responded with applause ranging from enthusiastic to polite.

Estrada elicited the most laughter when he asked moderator Bunny Pages that his “jingle” should not be taken out of his 3 minutes.

Estrada used up 1 minute and 30 seconds greeting the organizers and the sponsors. By the time he got around to answering the question, “Why should Cebuanos vote for you,” he had only 9 seconds left.

January 22, 2010

The presidency - can Gibo make it?

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from Opinion by Butch Del Castillo /Omerta (Business Mirror)http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/opinion/21211-the-presidencycan-gibo-make-it.html

Like campfire kindling that takes time to put ablaze on a cold and damp night, the Gilbert Teodoro-for-president movement is beginning to crackle. At least that’s what I hear more and more ordinary people are saying—never mind the self-serving claims of his campaign staff and political allies.

Can it be true that “Gibo,” despite his underdog—nay, dismal—showing in early popularity surveys conducted by the Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia, is the candidate who would, in the end, consign the presidential aspiration of his first cousin, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to the ash-heap of history? With three-and-a-half months left in the current campaign until Election Day, I say this is no longer a far-fetched notion.

I’m sure I’m not dreaming, and I’m not saying Teodoro will get my vote, but a groundswell of support for Gibo—at least in Metro Manila where the so-called intelligent vote may be found—seems to have sprung lately.

People who didn’t otherwise know a thing about this “bright, tall and handsome” young man before the election season began now seem totally enamored of him and absolutely sure he’s the only man who could lead the nation to the promised land. But fanatics are like that, you might say. Villar, Erap and Dick have their own “armies” of rabid supporters that are willing to brave the extra mile for their leader, so what else is new?

Afraid of Erap

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from FRONTLINE by Ninez Cacho-Olivarez (The Daily Tribune)
http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100122com2.html

It beats me why the civil socialites and their presidential candidate continue to stress that Erap Estrada’s being cleared by the poll body for his second presidential run is still not final, as this issue would still be elevated to the high court. At the same time, two political groups keep on spreading the rumor that Estrada is ready to withdraw from the race to endorse their candidates.

Fidel Ramos, commenting on Estrada being cleared by the poll body to run for the presidency, said Erap should hold the bubbly, since this is still a long process, as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decision can be overturned by the high court. So what is it to him?

Former Comelec chairman Christian Monsod quickly claimed that the Comelec erred in not disqualifying Estrada, as the constitutional ban against a reelection of a president is clear. Monsod is not the Comelec, nor the SC. He had his day in the Comelec, so why come up with his view?

But both are known to be anti-Estrada and supporting a different presidential candidate.

From victor to victim

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from CTALK by Cito Beltran (The Philippine Star) Jan 22, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=542790&publicationSubCategoryId=64

How fickle a man’s fortunes can be.

Not very long ago, Manny Villar was enjoying the momentary glory of being one of the top two contenders for the 2010 Presidential elections.

Within a week’s time however, Villar finds himself turned from Victor to Victim, thanks to what his people call “mga nag Hudas” or traitors. If last weeks’ glory had to do with surveys, this week’s torture apparently also has to do with surveys.

I am told that this week is suppose to be another “survey week” where a major survey company will be going through town to rate the Presidential candidates and would be senators.

The irony is that, the survey week has become public knowledge instead of confidential information. So all those being surveyed are now giving special performances for media consumption to improve their ratings or destroy someone else’s reputation and ratings.

I’m certain that the intensity of media hype and propaganda from all the candidates and political  parties would register on a Richter scale. Unfortunately most of the news and public affairs issues are merely acoustic fire but void of any real substance or truth.

Erap: LP, NP bets must face music

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Noynoy, Manny owe it to the people to tell the truth’
from The Daily Tribune
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100122hed1.html
 
Former President Joseph Estrada weighed in on the dual controversies hounding both Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and Nacionalista Party (NP) standard bearer Sen. Manuel Villar, advising both bets to face the charges frontally and answer the respective charges leveled against them.

Both presidential contenders have refused to answer the allegations of conflict of interest and overpricing of their properties in rights of way payments.

Villar stands accused of having committed an “unethical conduct as a senator of the Republic and has, by committing such violations, damaged the integrity of the Senate as an institution.”

The Senate committee of the whole (ScoW) resolution, signed by 12 senators which now enables the resolution to be deliberatedon and voted upon in plenary, also said that in the interest of fairness, public accountability and furtherance of the principle that public office is a public trust, the committee also recommended that the Senate “demand the return and restitution by Villar to the public coffers such amount of money or pecuniary advantage he has or his companies have illegally gained or obtained as a result of unlawful acts and improper and unethical conduct.”

The quoted figure was P6.22 billion as the amount to be returned by Villar and his companies.

Binay says nothing to celebrate about EDSA II

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from Philippine Star
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=542832&publicationSubCategoryId=63


MANILA, Philippines - There is nothing to celebrate about the so-called EDSA II that ousted former President Joseph Estrada in 2001, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay asserted yesterday.

Binay, Estrada’s vice presidential candidate under the United Opposition (UNO), lamented the country ended up worse when President Arroyo took over the presidency in the aftermath of EDSA II.

He said Mrs. Arroyo’s leadership following EDSA II only led to nine long years of plunder, wanton violations of human rights and widespread hunger and poverty.

“The country is far worse off today than it was when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo grabbed power nine years ago. Any government claim of economic growth since January 20, 2001 could be dismissed with a simple question: Are you better off today than you were nine years ago?” Binay said.

Binay maintained Estrada was illegally removed from office.

He said he has no regrets, even if he was vilified by EDSA II supporters in the early years of the Arroyo administration.

“I do not regret sticking to my principles and my belief that the Constitution needs to be upheld at all times, even if at that time it was an unpopular position to take. Love for the Constitution means never having to say you’re sorry,” Binay said.

He said that disregard for the Constitution was the reason why Mrs. Arroyo, when she came to power, “treated democratic institutions badly.”

He said it would be appropriate to call EDSA People Power 2 as “Plunder Power of the 2.”

“Under their rule, scams have become so frequent that one begins to get the impression that pulling them off is part of the job description of the President. What we have here are 33 consecutive quarters of economic growth, a claim that is doubtful, accompanied by 33 consecutive quarters of stealing, which, without doubt, happened,” Binay said. – Jose Rodel Clapano

Presidential debates matter

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from Filipino World View by Roberto P. Romulo (The Philippine Star) Jan 22, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=542667&publicationSubCategoryId=66

Public and media reaction to the Presidential Policy Forum organized by the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation at AIM last Jan. 14 has run the gamut from enthusiastic (how exciting to see the presidential candidates facing-off with one another), to supportive (how good of the Romulo Foundation and ANC to stage the event), to interesting (how revealing that Villar will visit Saudi Arabia first if elected), to disappointed (what a pity that Noynoy Aquino and Erap Estrada did not show up). Others criticized the question panel for not asking substantive questions.

I should also mention that there were some who said the forum was irrelevant and useless because the masses of voters (classes CDE) do not care about seeing the candidates debate.

If this were true, it would mean that the Filipino electorate does not care about the current campaign. Yet key indicators – survey responses, TV viewership and public comments – are telling us otherwise. Our people are keenly discussing the progress of the campaign and what the leading candidates are doing. Without a doubt voter turnout will be high in May.

I think this idea of voter indifference to debates is coming mainly from the camps of Noynoy and Erap who got roasted in the media and coffee shops for their non-appearance in the policy forum. Some said they were scared by the prospect of being questioned by experts on policy issues. Others commented that both can only function with prepared scripts. And most thought Noynoy is trying to sit on his lead in the surveys, afraid to take any risks in a face-off against presidential rivals.

January 21, 2010

Teodoro 'Best Bet' -- La Salle brother

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BY JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA Reporter 
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/10059-teodoro-best-bet-la-salle-brother

An eminent Lasallian educator advised Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. to focus his campaign on winning over young voters as he endorsed him as the best candidate for president.

In a letter addressed to Teodoro, Brother Rolando Dizon, said, “As I see and hear your name, I am increasingly convinced that you really are the best candidate for president.” Dizon is the former president of the De La Salle University system who retired late last year after being diagnosed with cancer.

Teodoro, an alumnus of De La Salle University, is the presidential candidate of the Lakas-Kampi CMD. After finishing pre-law at DLSU-Manila, he went on to law school at the University of the Philippines and later to Harvard University.

The letter to Teodoro was effusive with praise, said a statement from Lakas-Kampi on Wednesday. It added, “Dizon commended the 1989 Bar topnotcher’s moral uprightness and competence to lead the Philippines out of the present dire straits the nation is in.”

Dizon’s letter was read Friday night by Teodoro’s high school classmate, Ernest Maceda, at the Manila Polo Club during a gathering of former De La Salle and Xavier School classmates, businessmen and supporters. Teodoro is also a member of Xavier Class of 1981.

Amusing political jingles

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from Opinion by Nestor Mata (Malaya) Jan 21, 2010
http://www.malaya.com.ph/01212010/edmata.html

I HAVE been listening with fascination to the political campaign jingles of such leading would-be presidents like Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar.

Compared to that of Aquino’s jingle, I find that of Villar’s with such light-hearted tones that’s, oh, so musically pleasant one can easily sing along with those young boys and girls singing the song of Villar.

Indeed, if one with a musical ear were to listen to the song of Villar, one gets the impression that there’s a lot going on between the lyrical lines. Read on for a closer look.

" Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura? /

Nag-Pasko ka na ba sa gitna ng kalsada?/

Yan ang tanong naming,/ Tunay ka bang isa sa amin?

These lines tell you of Manny Villar’s roots in the slums of Tondo, where the poor and the destitute and the impoverished live. He spent most of his early life on the streets of Tondo. He’s the only presidential candidate that truly came from the ranks of the poor. The others can only claim to be pro-poor, but they’ve never lived it.

Senator Aquino’s dilemma

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from Counterpoint by Alvin Capino (Manila Standard Today)
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2010/january/20/alvincapino.isx&d=2010/january/20

Contract splitting is illegal because it is so prone to corruption, not to mention poor quality of work. It is thus puzzling that some Eastern Samar politicians have tried to do one for the province’s P500-million road project.

Estehanons have long clamored for a new road that will replace the dilapidated 20-km highway that traverses the Wright-Taft-Borongan-Guiuan part of the Pan Philippine national highway.

They were happy when no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself made a commitment to the people of Eastern Samar to provide the funds for the new concrete highway.

However, it seems that some Eastern Samar politicians have seen a lucrative opportunity in the implementation of the project. In what appears as a classic case of contract splitting, the contract for the P500-million highway which covers the national road from Wright to Guiuan, which should be just one road project, has been chopped into 12 packages or subcontracts.

What started as one P500-million road project in the proposed DPWH budget plan submitted to Congress last years ended up—reportedly because of some arm-twisting by a legislator—into a dozen components even if these covered interconnected sections of the national highway.

Gibo Teodoro

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from Virtual Reality by Tony Lopez (The Manila Times)
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/10029-gibo-teodoro

On Tuesday night, I was invited to a fund-raising dinner for Lakas-Kampi CMD presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro at the Manila Polo Club, the Makati dining hall and playground of the rich and famous. I was impressed. I couldn’t find a parking slot. Every available parking space was occupied by a late model limo or SUV. The affair was set at 6 p.m. I arrived at 7 p.m. Gibo showed up at 8 p.m. to the thunderous applause of the SRO crowd of more than 1,000 people.

Gibo came with his beauteous wife Nikki, 10-year-old son Jaime and mother Mercedes Cojuangco Teodoro. If Gibo trails behind three presidential candidates—Noynoy Aquino with 45 percent of the vote (per surveys), Manny Villar with 35 percent, and Joseph Estrada with 15 percent, you wouldn’t have noticed it.

Sporting a light green shirt, denim pants and brown loafers, Gibo had the look and confidence of a winner. He went to every table pumping hands and posing for photographs.

Then he delivered a brief but meaningful speech. “We have already won,” he declared to the wild applause of the audience.

Noynoy kin’s hacienda used dummy in quarrying activities

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by Charlie V. Manalo (The Daily Tribune) Jan 21, 2010
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100121hed3.html

Hacienda Luista Inc. (HLI) has sunk deeper in trouble after members of a House panel yesterday discovered that the corporation owned by the family of Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino committed another grave violation of the Mining Act when it used a dummy for its quarrying agreement with Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) project Japanese contractor Hazama.

At the resumption of hearing on the controversial road project, officials of HLI and Hazama told members of the House committee on oversight that they had no idea at all who Rolando Tongco is, whose name was used for the Special Permit to Extract or quarry, which was granted by the Tarlac provincial government.

Upon questioning by Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, HLI lawyer Tony Ligon and Hazama representative, Yoichi Inoue, admitted they had entered into a quarrying agreement allowing Hazama to extract aggregatees from the vast sugarland for use as filling materials for SCTEX. Both, however, denied knowing Tongco.

Comelec urged to fine Smartmatic for delays

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by Leila Salaverria (Philippine Daily Inquirer) Jan 21, 2010

MANILA, Philippines—Smartmatic, the consortium that won the contract to automate the May 2010 elections, should pay the Commission on Elections (Comelec) more than P7 million per day of delay in the delivery of the vote counting machines, a lawmaker insisted Wednesday.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the penalty should be imposed to make sure that Smartmatic would adhere to its agreement with the poll body.

Rodriguez, at a House committee hearing, pointed out that the P7.2 billion poll automation contract contained a provision stating that in cases of delay, a portion of the total amount, specifically one tenth of one percent, would be deducted for each day of delay from the amount due Smartmatic.

In this case, the schedule for the delivery of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines to be used in the voting has not been followed, Rodriguez said.

Disqualification cases vs Erap, GMA junked

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by Shiela Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) Jan 21, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=542552&publicationSubCategoryId=63
 
MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) finally allowed former President Joseph Estrada to pursue his presidential bid in the May 10 elections by junking all the disqualification cases filed against him yesterday.

The poll body also ruled President Arroyo is qualified to run for Congress, dismissing the disqualification petition against her for lack of merit.

The Comelec’s Second Division dismissed for “utter lack of merit” the separate petitions made by Evillo Pormento, Mary Lou Estrada and lawyer Elly Pamatong seeking the disqualification of Estrada by citing the constitutional prohibition against former presidents seeking reelection.

The Comelec said constitutional provision against former presidents seeking reelection does not apply to Estrada.

“Reelection means running for the same position as the one currently held and/or occupied,” the Comelec pointed out.

“So that when ‘re’ is used as a prefix of the word ‘election,’ the resulting world ‘reelection’ means ‘repetition’ or repeated election or ‘election again’ or ‘election again and again’, i.e. an election that immediately follows a preceding election or an election of an incumbent to the same office to which he was elected in the immediately preceding election.”

January 20, 2010

Comelec allows Erap to run for President in May 10 polls

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by Kimberly Jane Tan, (GMANews.TV ) Jan 20, 2010
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/182015/comelec-allows-erap-to-run-for-president-in-may-10-polls


(Updated 1:59 p.m.) The Commission on Elections on Wednesday allowed former President Joseph Estrada to run in this year's presidential elections.

"The better policy approach is to let the people decide who will be the next president. For on political questions, this Court may err but the sovereign people will not," the poll body’s Second Division said in a decision junking the petition filed against Estrada last December.

"The two petitions for disqualification separately filed by Evilio Pormento and Mary Lou Estrada against former President Joseph Estrada are both denied for utter lack of merit," the Comelec said.

Incidentally, the decision was promulgated on the same day Estrada was forced by a popular street uprising to step down nine years ago.

The Second Division likewise denied the petition of lawyer Elly Pamatong to cancel Estrada's certificate of candidacy, saying the plea had wasted the poll body's "precious time."

In seeking Estrada's disqualification, the petitioners cited Article VII, Section 4 of the Constitution which says: "The President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time."

Pamatong, who was present during the promulgation, was enraged by what he claimed were corrupt commissioners. He was cited in contempt and detained.

The report against Villar

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from Inside Congress by Efren L. Danao (The Manila Times)
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/9986-the-report-against-villar

The New Year’s Eve was gone about three weeks ago but fireworks are certain to erupt once the report of the Senate Committee of the While seeking to censure Sen. Manny Villar is debated on the floor. This is any day soon with the report getting the signatures of the required majority of 12 (or, should it be 13?).

The Senate hit the ground running when it resumed its regular session last Monday by approving 14 bills on third and final reading. Four of these are priority measures, led by the Expanded Senior Citizens Act and the amendment to the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, both sponsored by reelectionist Sen. Pia Cayetano.

However, the debate on the report of the Senate Committee of the Whole against Villar will inevitably lead to at least a session day’s delay in the consideration of other vital bills. I hope that Senate skippers JPE and Sen. Migz Zubiri can still steer these bills off rough waters in the remaining days of the Fourteenth Congress.
I am certain that there will be debates even on the number of votes needed to censure a senator, in this case Villar. If these were an ordinary piece of legislation, then the vote of majority of the senators present, there being a quorum, would suffice. But this is not an ordinary piece of legislation. Some say 12 would be sufficient because there are only 22 senators who could legally attend the session. Others contend it should be 13 because the Senate is supposed to be composed of 24 members. In the end, this debate will go down to a question of numbers.

Regarding Kris

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from Lowdown by Jojo Robles (Manila Standard Today)
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2010/january/19/jojorobles.isx&d=2010/january/19


Kris Aquino insists that what she does by herself should in no way be linked to the political fortunes of her brother. So, are we to assume, then, that anytime Kris mentions her brother in her various shows on the Lopez network, what she’s doing is not intended to boost the campaign of Noynoy Aquino in any way?

It works both ways, unfortunately, because that’s just fair. Kris Aquino cannot be identified with Noynoy only when she actively campaigns for him, or when everything is coming up roses in her long-running telenovela of a life.

Because she has decided to be Noynoy’s number one campaigner, she will have to realize that everything she does impacts on her brother. Especially because her brother doesn’t have a wife or children of his own, Kris must understand that she is more than just a sister to Noynoy, in the sense that the other presidential candidates also have siblings of their own.

Furthermore, it is foolish the make any sustainable distinction between Kris and Noynoy when the latter’s campaign hinges almost entirely on his family connections. We can no more disassociate Kris from Noynoy than we can say that nothing Ninoy or Cory did has any significance whatsoever on what their son, the current candidate, is doing now.

Interesting times

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from Theres The Rub by Conrado de Quiros (Philippine Daily Inquirer) Jan 20, 2010
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20100119-248287/Interesting-times

MANILA, Philippines--Social Weather Stations had a very interesting survey last week. If the elections this May failed, the citizens would very likely take to the streets and mount another People Power.

The proposition (quite awkwardly put) specifically was: “If the 2010 elections fail for any reason, e.g., malfunctioning of the counting machines, then People Power will probably happen already.” Some 49 percent agreed with it as against 22 percent who did not. Yet another proposition was: “The machines that will be used to count the votes in the 2010 election can easily be sabotaged in order to fake the election results.” The response was more varied. The majority in Metro Manila (56 percent) and Luzon (55 percent) said yes. The gap was closer in the Visayas, 37 percent saying yes and 27 percent saying no. It was the reverse in Mindanao where 41 percent thought the machines were tamper-proof against 27 who thought they were not.

Most respondents trusted the Comelec to safeguard the vote.

The survey firms up the belief that this time around the public won’t stand for massive cheating in the elections. I’ve heard that question debated many times these past few months, the cynical response being that since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has managed quite well over the years nipping an Edsa III in the bud, she will succeed—as presiding authority in the event of a failure of elections—in nipping yet another Edsa even if it’s no longer in the bud.

A self-destructing campaign

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from To the Point by Emil Jurado (Manila Standard Today)
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2010/january/19/emiljurado.isx&d=2010/january/19

There are obvious attempts on the part of Liberal Party standard-bearer Senator Benigno Aquino III to minimize the impact of the Kris Aquino-James Yap separation. Noynoy’s famous sister Kris allegedly confronted the rumored girlfriend of James and her mother at the doorstep of the latter’s house and berated them.


Some of Noynoy’s publicists and propagandists disguised as opinion writers are even now saying that after Kris left the conjugal home, public sympathy will now be for Kris, and consequently also for Noynoy. Santa Banana, I don’t know what kind of logic Noynoy’s supporters have.

* * *

It takes only one serious mistake to serve as a tipping point for or against a presidential candidate. And that tipping point that could make people believe that a candidate does not have competence, track record and experience we can believe in.

Recently, the Liberal Party’s standard bearer came out with a dangerous, arrogant, irresponsible and pathetic statement that if he is elected President, he would not recognize the Chief Justice appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

As we know, there is now a great debate on the appointment of the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno who will retire on May 17. Noynoy’s supporters claim that an appointment by Mrs. Arroyo would constitute a violation of the election ban. It would also be a “midnight appointment.”

Gordon backs OFW fund creation

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Senator Richard Gordon Tuesday proposed the creation of a provident fund for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to help them save and invest their money for their future without risk of losing it to mismanagement or corruption.

Gordon, who is running for president under the Bagumbayan party, said the government should help OFWs save and invest their money for their future needs when they no longer want to work abroad for better pay.

“We always say they (OFWs) are our heroes, but what kind of a future are we going to give back to them? Singapore has four and a half million people and they have a central provident fund of $30 billion. We have nine million Filipinos overseas that can participate in a provident fund,” Gordon said at the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation Presidential Policy Forum.

Gordon noted that only a small percentage of the nine million OFWs availed of voluntary coverage of the Social Security System (SSS).

“The formula here is to work, save and invest to prosper. We can have our people who are overseas contribute to a provident fund.
We would make sure that we have a large amount of savings that can be used to provide a future for them, build homes, provide insurance, provide education, and provide a retirement fund for them,” Gordon said.

He added that this kind of program would broaden the opportunities available for OFWs. He also said that the government should ensure that the provident fund would grow and would be free from corruption so that OFWs would feel secure about their future after years of working abroad.

Erap wins 1st case in Supreme Court

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by Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) Jan 20, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=542280&publicationSubCategoryId=63


MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday dismissed with finality a petition seeking the disqualification of former President Joseph Estrada from the presidential race in May.

During a full court session, the High Court denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution, Inc. (VPCI) on the SC decision handed down on Dec. 8 last year.

Lawyer Eligio Mallari, who represents VPCI, filed the appeal arguing that the decision on its petition was “premature.”

SC spokesperson and deputy court administrator Jose Midas Marquez said, however, that the SC found no substantial argument or issue raised in the motion for reconsideration.

In the motion, Mallari argued that Estrada is barred by Article VII Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution from again seeking the presidency in the May 10 elections.

Noynoy holds wide margin in latest Pulse Asia survey

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by ROMMEL C. LONTAYAO (The Manila Times) Jan 20, 2010


Less than five months before the elections, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd continued to lead other presidential candidates by a sizeable margin, pollster Pulse Asia reported Tuesday.

Aquino of the Liberal Party was favored by 45 percent of the respondents in the nationwide pre-elections survey by Pulse Asia.

Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr. of the rival Nacionalista Party received 23 percent, and former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada of the Partido ng Masamang Pilipino (PMP) got 19 percent of the respondents’ votes.

Aquino, Villar and Estrada all belong to parties allied with the opposition.

The administration candidate, former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi CMD, received 5 percent in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon and evangelist Brother Eddie Villanueva each received 1 percent.

The ranking of those candidates has been similar to that of previous surveys of presidential aspirants.

Binay: I won't grab power from next president

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by Jose Rodel Clapano (The Philippine Star) Jan 20, 2010

MANILA, Philippines - Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said Sunday night that the next president can sleep well if he is elected vice president.

“I will not grab power. I will be a partner of the president and I will support whatever he will do,” he said during GMA-7’s televised vice presidential debate. Binay is president of the United Opposition and running mate of former President Joseph Estrada.

Binay said he initially planned to run for president, but decided to slide down to vice president after Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III declared his presidential bid.

“I cannot run against Noynoy because I have big debt of gratitude to his mother, the late former President Cory Aquino. I would not have been in my place right now, had it not been for President Aquino,” he said.

Binay said as a member of the opposition, he cannot run against Estrada “because he is the leader of the opposition and I recognize his leadership. I cannot be a good leader if I cannot be a good follower.”

He said if he is elected vice president, he will work for the “true decentralization” of local government units (LGUs).

“What we have right now is not the real decentralization because the budget is still controlled by Malacañang. We must make decentralization a reality. Makati is an example of a working local government unit,” Binay said.

Binay said the city government of Makati, under his administration, has been a recipient of many awards because of its programs for the disabled.

He said the benefits the city government is giving to senior citizens – such as free entry to movie houses, P1,000 cash gift and cakes during their birthdays and P2,000 bonuses every year – are the same benefits given to persons with disabilities (PWDs). “Makati is the only LGU that is doing this,” Binay said.

Binay said he does not oppose people from prominent political clans running for public office so long as they are “competent, capable and highly qualified to lead. What is important is you are elected through a clean election.”

January 19, 2010

Political war in the Internet

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by Nestor Mata (Malaya) Jan 19, 2010
http://www.malaya.com.ph/01192010/edmata.html


THE POLITICAL propaganda war has found a new battlefield – The Internet.

Both camps of Manny Villar and Noynoy Aquino have been using it obviously aimed at young Filipino voters.

It’s quite a different ball game really. Not the usual quaggy atmosphere we experience during national elections, especially in the hotly-contested race to the presidency this coming May. You don’t see in the Websites the litter of propaganda detritus.

Remarkably, the Websites carry intelligent, apolitical comments about Aquino and Villar, the two would-be presidents now leading the pack of so-called "presidentiables" from persons ranging from alumni of the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University to a journalist-teacher.

So far, we have already reported on the sober political views of an Upsilonian from the State University as well as an Atenean from the Ateneo University.

The Atenean, by the way, appears to be a corporate man to judge by his thinking of the kind of president he would vote for, that is, one who the abilities of a corporate CEO. He has already distributed his article among Ateneo alumni groups.

Kin of presidential bets should behave, says party-list rep

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By Leila Salaverria (Philippine Daily Inquirer) Jan 19, 2010)

MANILA, Philippines—If there's a lesson to be learned from the whole drama surrounding television host and actress Kris Aquino's marriage, it is that candidates for president should tell their kin to behave, according to a party-list representative.

Kabataan Representative Raymond Palatino said all aspirants for public office should realize that it is not only them but their relatives who are in the public eye, and the line is thin, if not non-existent, between their private and public activities.

“This is a lesson for all politicians, especially those running during the elections that they should talk to their relatives and families that they should think twice about everything they would do. This is because any action, whether good or bad or right or wrong, would be associated with the candidate,” Palatino told reporters.

In the case of Aquino, whose brother Senator Benigno Aquino III is the standard bearer of the Liberal Party (LP), her confrontation with the woman who was constantly calling her husband was a public matter, according to Palatino.

He said that as an actress and the daughter of a former president, she should know that her activities would be associated with her relatives who are in politics.

A relative of Mayen Austria, the woman whom Aquino confronted, had indicated that they would not vote for the TV host's brother anymore because of what happened.

Palatino is allied with the left-leaning militants, whose two members are running under the Nacionalista Party.

But Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros, who is a senatorial candidate of Senator Aquino's LP, said the younger Aquino's privacy should be respected.

Hontiveros said people should not meddle in matters between spouses concerning their marriage, and politics not be mixed into the issue.

What should be the focus is the actual candidate's performance, she said.

“What is fair game is the attitude and track record of Aquino and the other presidentiables,” she told reporters.

Fernando: If elected, I have political will to enforce laws

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by Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star) Jan 19, 2010

MANILA, Philippines - Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando said Sunday that if he is elected as vice president, his “political will” to enforce the laws will be his main contribution to Philippine politics.

“If I win, that will be my part, that incumbent officials will have the courage (to do their job). They will say, look at Bayani, he did what he had to do, even if it will make some people angry,” he said in Filipino in response to a question by journalist Howie Severino during the vice presidential forum aired over GMA 7.

Fernando, who is running under the Bagumbayan party with Sen. Richard Gordon, said political will has now become a buzzword among many Filipinos, especially after his stint at the MMDA.

“I have accomplished what is important for this country – to enforce the laws, which is the true solution to our problems,” he said.

In answering another question by journalist Jessica Soho, Fernando denied he made money from his stint as MMDA chairman.

According to Fernando, while his family owns BF Metal Corp., which specializes in steel fabrication, the company did not engage in business with the MMDA.

He said he himself designed the footbridges and pink fences to save on cost. He said the fences were made at the MMDA metalworking shop, while other companies made the footbridges under contract.

“Not one kilo of the steel came from (BF Metal Corp.),” he said.

Fernando, during the forum, also repeated his earlier statement that should he fail to be elected in May, he will retire from politics. He said that his almost 40 years of service in the private and public sectors is more than enough.

When asked by Mike Enriquez, the forum host, why he chose to run as vice president when he had previously eyed the presidency, Fernando answered it was forced on him by the decision of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party when it did not choose him as its standard-bearer.

Fernando said when Lakas dropped him, he looked for other political parties to join and he found Gordon’s Bagumbayan.

Fernando also said he found a good partnership in Gordon, whom he said was the better and more experienced candidate for the presidency. He said he has 17 years of public service, while Gordon has 33.

“While we had the same start (as a local official) and style, experience is needed. There is no substitute for experience,” he said.

‘Erap’ party win seen in Region 8

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By RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT (Manila Bulletin) Jan 19, 2010

http://mb.com.ph/articles/239079/erap-party-win-seen-region-8

TACLOBAN CITY — The Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) Eastern Visayas Chapter is confident that it will have a good showing in Region 8 come the 2010 national elections.

Romualda “Nene” Amago, PMP Eastern Visayas regional chairman, told reporters in a press conference, that her party in Eastern Visayas is getting stronger and showing a good performance and attracting more adherents and supporters from the regional down to the barangay level.

Amago claimed that at present the candidates under her party have doubled compared to the 2007 elections. She disclosed that her party has candidates for the congressional, provincial down to municipal levels all over the region.

She added that with this present trend she is confident that the party of former President Joseph 'Erap' Estrada in Region 8 will push for the victory of the PMP candidates this coming May elections.

Maza, Marcos to join common NP sorties

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By Leila Salaverria (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100118-248076/Maza-Marcos-to-join-common-NP-sorties


MANILA, Philippines—Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos can look forward to spending more time together.

Maza on Monday said she and Marcos would be in one group of the Nacionalista Party senatorial candidates touring the country during the campaign period.

The NP divided its 12 senatorial candidates into two groups to maximize the exposure of the party's candidates. Maza would be in one group while Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo would be in another group of senatorial candidates.

Maza and Ocampo joined the NP and endorsed its top two bets, but have refused to support Marcos, whose inclusion in the party slate almost led to the two Bayan Muna representatives to reject the party.

The militants have been critical of the Marcoses, saying no member of the family have shown remorse for the wrongdoing committed during the regime of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Ocampo was among those thrown in prison and tortured when the elder Marcos imposed martial law.

Maza said she plans to simply avoid standing next to Marcos during the sorties.

“Of course, it would be difficult for me to raise his hand. I will make sure we will not be beside each other,” Maza said when asked how she would deal with being with Marcos on the same stage.

Marcos earlier said he hoped to have a “good working relationship” with the militants and was willing to be on the same stage with them.