- Gibo: I won't stop till I'm no.1 by Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)
- Teodoro on family feud: Am for people, not hurt of one man by Fe Zamora (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Foreigners welcome to observe May polls by Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star)
- NP bet says electricity situation not 'desperate' from Philippine Daily Inquirer
- 38% of Pinoys to vote for candidates favoring Reproductive Health bill - SWS survey by Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)
- LP, NP: Don't divert funds Arroyo: It's up to LGUs how to use money by TJ Burgonio (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- As Nograles goes to SC; Comelec retreats, pledges 'zombies' purge from The Daily Tribune
March 13, 2010
Election 2010 News - March 13, 2010
Gibo: I won't stop till I'm No. 1
By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=557518&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - Though still trailing in the surveys, administration presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro yesterday vowed to work harder and attain the top spot in the coming weeks ahead of Election Day.
“I’ll not stop till I’m number one,” Teodoro declared before the 2010 National Convention of the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB).
Teodoro made the remark in reply to the latest surveys showing his significant gains in the mostly four-cornered presidential fight.
He said the survey results do not necessarily mean the leading candidate is already the winner.
Teodoro urged voters to focus on the qualifications and capability of the candidate, instead of popularity.
He said local support would definitely spell the difference on Election Day and overturn the results of the surveys.
Teodoro is looking forward to campaigning at the grassroots level when the local campaign period kicks off on March 26.
He said his chances are greater once the campaign period for local candidates kicks off to start the local machinery of the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD that would translate to 25 percent more votes.
MANILA, Philippines - Though still trailing in the surveys, administration presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro yesterday vowed to work harder and attain the top spot in the coming weeks ahead of Election Day.
“I’ll not stop till I’m number one,” Teodoro declared before the 2010 National Convention of the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB).
Teodoro made the remark in reply to the latest surveys showing his significant gains in the mostly four-cornered presidential fight.
He said the survey results do not necessarily mean the leading candidate is already the winner.
Teodoro urged voters to focus on the qualifications and capability of the candidate, instead of popularity.
He said local support would definitely spell the difference on Election Day and overturn the results of the surveys.
Teodoro is looking forward to campaigning at the grassroots level when the local campaign period kicks off on March 26.
He said his chances are greater once the campaign period for local candidates kicks off to start the local machinery of the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD that would translate to 25 percent more votes.
Teodoro on family feud: Am for people, not hurt of one man
By Fe Zamora (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines—Family feuds may be a hallmark of Philippine politics, but according to administration standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, his own feud with the family of his uncle, industrialist and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) founder Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, should have no place in the current presidential race.
“We are talking about the country, not one family, not the hurt feelings of one person ... And for the good of the people, I’d go for the Filipino people than the hurt feelings of a family,” Teodoro Friday told reporters on the sidelines of the Chamber of Thrift Banks’ national convention at the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati City.
Teodoro was reacting to a statement made by his first cousin Lisa Cojuangco Cruz, a daughter of Danding’s, that the family was “hurt” when Teodoro abandoned the NPC and joined the administration without a formal goodbye.
“It does not have any effect on the life of Juan de la Cruz, or in my platform of government. [It should not be an issue in a] presidential election, and I’m not going down to that level,” he added.
‘Anybody but Gibo’
Teodoro, a former defense secretary and also a former representative of Tarlac, is the only son of Mercedes Cojuangco-Teodoro, a sister of Danding’s.
Foreigners welcome to observe May polls
By Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star)
MACTAN, Cebu , Philippines – President Arroyo encouraged last Thursday foreign observers to come to the country and monitor the May 10 elections as she vowed that her greatest legacy would be ensuring honest and orderly polls.
Mrs. Arroyo told the meeting here of the Philippine Councilors League that “there is no more important legacy than to leave the nation with free and fair elections and a smooth transition to a new government.
“To protect the integrity of the vote and the election results, we encourage and welcome independent outside election observers to verify that elections are indeed free, clean and open and the results valid, free from any political interference,” the President said.
She said Filipinos deserve to have confidence “that their votes count and that our democracy works.”
“It is important to have independent verification, to give the people the confidence that the election works and the transition to a new government comes in smoothly,” she said.
She said: “For myself, I will be staying out of the election process. I will trust the Commission on Elections to ensure the new voting machines work, the votes are protected and counted and the results are delivered in rapid manner to the satisfaction of voters.”
NP bet says electricity situation not ‘desperate’
from Philippine Daily Inquirer
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20100312-258286/NP-bet-says-electricity-situation-not--desperate
A SENATORIAL CANdidate of the Nacionalista Party said solutions are available to the shortage in electricity that Mindanao was suffering.
In a statement sent to the Inquirer on Thursday, Ramon Mitra III, NP senatorial candidate and former director of the then Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC), said the government should not act as if it was desperate in finding solutions to the power shortage.
“Nothing is in the desperate level and there are solutions waiting to be implemented,” he said in the statement.
“But the key word is implementation despite the time required for the solutions to take effect,” Mitra said. “The key is to implement them now, today, not a moment longer.”
He said the power problem would take time to solve.
“But it needs guts and political will to even talk about the details of the problems and the even more important details of the possible solutions which we have been waiting to be executed,” Mitra added.
A SENATORIAL CANdidate of the Nacionalista Party said solutions are available to the shortage in electricity that Mindanao was suffering.
In a statement sent to the Inquirer on Thursday, Ramon Mitra III, NP senatorial candidate and former director of the then Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC), said the government should not act as if it was desperate in finding solutions to the power shortage.
“Nothing is in the desperate level and there are solutions waiting to be implemented,” he said in the statement.
“But the key word is implementation despite the time required for the solutions to take effect,” Mitra said. “The key is to implement them now, today, not a moment longer.”
He said the power problem would take time to solve.
“But it needs guts and political will to even talk about the details of the problems and the even more important details of the possible solutions which we have been waiting to be executed,” Mitra added.
38% of Pinoys to vote for candidates favoring Reproductive Health bill - SWS survey
By Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=557513&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - Most Filipino voters will support candidates who favor the Reproductive Health (RH) bill in the May 10 elections, a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.
The SWS survey, conducted from Jan. 21 to 24, indicated that 38 percent of registered voters will vote for candidates who favor the RH bill and only six percent will vote for those who oppose it.
The rest of the respondents say it will not affect their vote (20 percent) or they are not aware of the bill (35 percent).
The survey also showed that 68 percent of respondents favor giving couples access to all legal means of family planning from public health services, while 52 percent find natural family planning methods to be “almost always effective” or “effective most of the time.”
The special SWS January 2010 survey module on reproductive health, sponsored by the Forum for Family Planning and Development, used face-to-face interviews of 2,100 registered voters, divided into random samples of 300 in Metro Manila and 600 each in balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The proportions of those who will vote for pro-RH Bill candidates were 43 percent in Metro Manila, 40 percent in balance Luzon, 36 percent in Mindanao, and 34 percent in the Visayas.
The support is the same in different socioeconomic classes: 39 percent in class ABC, 38 percent in class D, and 37 percent in class E.
MANILA, Philippines - Most Filipino voters will support candidates who favor the Reproductive Health (RH) bill in the May 10 elections, a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.
The SWS survey, conducted from Jan. 21 to 24, indicated that 38 percent of registered voters will vote for candidates who favor the RH bill and only six percent will vote for those who oppose it.
The rest of the respondents say it will not affect their vote (20 percent) or they are not aware of the bill (35 percent).
The survey also showed that 68 percent of respondents favor giving couples access to all legal means of family planning from public health services, while 52 percent find natural family planning methods to be “almost always effective” or “effective most of the time.”
The special SWS January 2010 survey module on reproductive health, sponsored by the Forum for Family Planning and Development, used face-to-face interviews of 2,100 registered voters, divided into random samples of 300 in Metro Manila and 600 each in balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The proportions of those who will vote for pro-RH Bill candidates were 43 percent in Metro Manila, 40 percent in balance Luzon, 36 percent in Mindanao, and 34 percent in the Visayas.
The support is the same in different socioeconomic classes: 39 percent in class ABC, 38 percent in class D, and 37 percent in class E.
LP, NP: Don’t divert funds Arroyo: It’s up to LGUs how to use money
By TJ Burgonio (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100313-258335/LP-NP-Dont-divert-funds
MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday said it will be left to the discretion of local officials where the funds freed by her declaration of a state of calamity in Mindanao are to be spent amid warnings from politicians that they could become a source of corruption.
The local government units (LGUs) can spend the 5 percent of their budgets earmarked for calamities “where they choose because they have local autonomy,” Ms Arroyo told reporters in Mactan, Cebu, late Thursday.
Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Noynoy Aquino said there should be a strict monitoring of the funds, noting how “this government has shown its propensity to divert funds for political purposes.”
Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential candidate Manuel Villar warned the administration against selective releases and disbursement of funds to “politicians and favored candidates of the administration.
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100313-258335/LP-NP-Dont-divert-funds
MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday said it will be left to the discretion of local officials where the funds freed by her declaration of a state of calamity in Mindanao are to be spent amid warnings from politicians that they could become a source of corruption.
The local government units (LGUs) can spend the 5 percent of their budgets earmarked for calamities “where they choose because they have local autonomy,” Ms Arroyo told reporters in Mactan, Cebu, late Thursday.
Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Noynoy Aquino said there should be a strict monitoring of the funds, noting how “this government has shown its propensity to divert funds for political purposes.”
Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential candidate Manuel Villar warned the administration against selective releases and disbursement of funds to “politicians and favored candidates of the administration.
As Nograles goes to SC ; Comelec retreats, pledges ‘zombies’ purge
from The Daily Tribune
Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100313hed1.html
With the threat of a possible order from the Supreme Court for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to immediately purge the voters registration list containing double, multiple and dead voters that media have termed as “zombie” voters, following Speaker Prospero Nograles’ filing of a mandamus against the poll body, the Comelec yesterday hastily came up with Resolution 8791, resolving to “abate the other registration records of voters found to have double or multiple registration records as listed by the IT; direct the Board of Election inspectors not to allow these voters to vote in their respective precincts in the May 10, 2010 elections; delete the registration records of the voters in the next Election Registration Board (ERB) hearings; direct the Education and Information Department (EID) of the Commission on Elections to cause the publication of this Resolution in two daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines, and give it the widest dissemination; and direct the Election and Barangay Affairs Department in coordination with the ITD to implement this Resolution.
Asked by the Tribune to comment on the latest resolution, which appears to be the poll body’s reaction to his mandamus filed yesterday, Nograles, in a brief telephone interview said he is “giving the Commissioners the benefit of the doubt” in getting the zombie registrants delisted, but that his petition to the high court stays.
With the threat of a possible order from the Supreme Court for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to immediately purge the voters registration list containing double, multiple and dead voters that media have termed as “zombie” voters, following Speaker Prospero Nograles’ filing of a mandamus against the poll body, the Comelec yesterday hastily came up with Resolution 8791, resolving to “abate the other registration records of voters found to have double or multiple registration records as listed by the IT; direct the Board of Election inspectors not to allow these voters to vote in their respective precincts in the May 10, 2010 elections; delete the registration records of the voters in the next Election Registration Board (ERB) hearings; direct the Education and Information Department (EID) of the Commission on Elections to cause the publication of this Resolution in two daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines, and give it the widest dissemination; and direct the Election and Barangay Affairs Department in coordination with the ITD to implement this Resolution.
Asked by the Tribune to comment on the latest resolution, which appears to be the poll body’s reaction to his mandamus filed yesterday, Nograles, in a brief telephone interview said he is “giving the Commissioners the benefit of the doubt” in getting the zombie registrants delisted, but that his petition to the high court stays.
March 12, 2010
Election 2010 News - March 12, 2010
- Gibo Rating up (Malaya)
- If Noynoy has Kris, I have Pacman -- Villar by Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)
- Villar vows to provide jobs to 2010 graduates by Raul S. Beltran (Journal)
- (Journal)
- Bongbong warns of civil war by Ryan Ponce Pacpaco (Journal)
- Proliferation candidates feared to confuse voters by Jose Katigbak, STAR Washington Bureau (The Philippine Star)
- Poll cheating could trigger civil war by Jomar Canlas Reporter James Konstantin Galvez and Ruben D. Manahan (The Manila Times)
Gibo rating up
by Jester M. Manalastas (Journal)
LAKAS-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro got an impressive rating of 24 percent in an independent survey conducted by the Campaign and Images on March 7.
Teodoro was the second choice among presidential bets by the 5,000 respondents surveyed nationwide.
His spokesman Mike Toledo said they are elated over the survey results.
“He is (at) double digit (percentage levels of preference) now. He will continue to surge. We believe the local machinery will provide another 10 to 15 percent,” Toledo said.
The survey, conducted on a larger survey sample three times more than the usual 1,500 individuals, asked the respondents who among the 10 presidential candidates do they think is capable of governing the presidency.
Sen. Manny Villar topped the survey with 31 percent followed by Teodoro, 24 percent, with Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and former President Joseph Estrada placing third and fourth at 20 percent and 13 percent, respectively.
If Noynoy has Kris, I have Pacman – Villar
by Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=557141&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. is ready to pit boxing champion Manny Pacquiao against showbiz personality Kris Aquino and her husband, basketball star James Yap.
Upon learning that Kris and James joined the Liberal Party (LP) sorties in Zamboanga City Wednesday, Villar said Pacquiao vowed to campaign with him after his fight with Joshua Clottey in Texas on March 13.
MANILA, Philippines - Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. is ready to pit boxing champion Manny Pacquiao against showbiz personality Kris Aquino and her husband, basketball star James Yap.
Upon learning that Kris and James joined the Liberal Party (LP) sorties in Zamboanga City Wednesday, Villar said Pacquiao vowed to campaign with him after his fight with Joshua Clottey in Texas on March 13.
Villar said he is unfazed by Yap’s and Kris’s decision to join the campaign of her brother, LP standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III.
In a videotaped message, Pacquiao, NP candidate for representative in the lone district of Sarangani, has urged Filipinos to elect Villar president on May 10.
The taped message was first played during the political-entertainment rally hosted by television host Willie Revillame during the NP grand rally in Mandaue City in cebu last month.
Revillame, ace comedian Dolphy and singer Sarah Geronimo have endorsed Villar’s presidential bid.
Villar vows to provide jobs to 2010 graduates
by Raul S. Beltran (Journal)
Link:http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/4933-villar-vows-to-provide-jobs-to-2010-graduates.html
NACIONALISTA Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar Jr. yesterday vowed to focus on how to provide jobs to the thousands of college and university students who will graduate this year, a problem that he said should be a concern for the next president.
Villar noted that nearly half a million graduates will seek to join the labor force and their failure to find jobs will contribute to the growing unemployment in the country.
The causes of unemployment problem are deep-seated. We need to tackle this problem at the roots in order to arrive at a long-term solution. For starters, I want to focus on how graduates of Class 2010 can land jobs so they would not join the ranks of unemployed,” said Villar.
Aside from the perennial problem of lack of jobs, Villar said new graduates also complain about unfair practices in hiring and recruitment procedures in both public and private sectors.
“We need to level the playing field for all graduates. There should be no discrimination in the hiring process. Everyone should be given equal opportunities regardless of schools or other factors. The way I see it, even honor graduates find it hard to get jobs,” he said.
Bongbong warns of civil war by Ryan Ponce Pacpaco
from Journal
THE son of the late President Ferdinand Marcos yesterday warned of a civil war should massive cheating in the coming polls happen and the real winner in the presidential race will not be declared.
Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., a senatorial candidate of the Nacionalista Party (NP), said the people should be vigilant in ensuring that the real choice of the people would lead the country after June 30.
Marcos issued the warning amid speculations that the recent appointment of Gen. Delfin Bangit as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is connected to the purported massive election fraud scheme being readied by the administration.
The opposition lawmaker said the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police and the AFP itself must ensure that the next president will be the real choice of the majority of Filipinos.
“It’s going to be chaos if voting in the May elections will be marred by widespread fraud. If in previous elections we saw only demonstrations and rallies, this time around, civil war could erupt,” Marcos warned.
He said the people will not allow a repeat of the massive cheating during the 2004 presidential election which the late opposition standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr. lost to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Proliferation of candidates feared to confuse voters
By Jose Katigbak, STAR Washington Bureau (The Philippine Star)
WASHINGTON - The good news for me is I received my overseas absentee ballot papers today from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and I can vote for the first time ever. The bad news is I have to wade through a long list of candidates for president, vice president, senators and party-list groups.
At least I have between now and May 10 to go through the list with a fine tooth comb and acquaint myself with the candidates, especially the party-list groups, before mailing in my vote. As an absentee voter I also do not have to worry about provincial and local candidates.
Pity the poor voters across the Philippines who haven’t yet made up their minds before stepping into a polling booth on voting day itself. They may be in for a shock.
There are 10 candidates for president, eight for vice president, 61 candidates for 12 senatorial slots and 187 party-list aspirants for one slot. Plus there are an innumerable number of provincial and local candidates to choose from.
Poll cheating could trigger civil war
By Jomar Canlas Reporter James Konstantin Galvez and Ruben D. Manahan 4th (The Manila Times)
Link:http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/13185-poll-cheating-could-trigger-civil-war
Link:http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/13185-poll-cheating-could-trigger-civil-war
Civil war could erupt if massive cheating would mark the May 10 elections.
The warning was made on Thursday by the only son a former president in reaction to allegations that the recent appointment of a new military chief by President Gloria Arroyo was part of the administration’s plans to cheat in the polls less than three months away.
“It’s going to be chaos if voting in the May elections will be marred by widespread fraud. If in previous elections we saw only demonstrations and rallies, this time around civil war could erupt,” Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of Ilocos Norte said.
One of the three children of Ferdinand Marcos, whose strongman rule was ended by a popular revolt in 1986, Bongbong called on the Commission on Elections, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure that the next president will be the real choice of the majority of Filipinos.
The May 10 balloting will pick the successor to the President, whose nine-year stay in the presidency ends on June 30.
March 11, 2010
Election 2010 News - March 11, 2010
- Bongbong vows to represent LGUs in Senate (The Philippine Star)
- Sotto to amend law on mediamen if elected (The Philippine Star)
- Presidential hopefuls offer solutions to Mindanao woes (Manila Bulletin)
- Business jittery that failure of election real risk (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Remulla: Jamby seeking LP favors (Journal)
- Aquino, Villar apoligize for Davao forum no-show (Malaya)
- Slow printing of 50M ballots triggers alarm (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Bongbong vows to represent LGUs in Senate from The Philippine Star
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=556739&publicationSubCategoryId=67
SURIGAO DEL SUR, Philippines – Senatorial candidate Bongbong Marcos of the Nacionalista Party (NP) vowed to fully represent local government units (LGUs) in Congress if he is elected in the coming national elections.
“I will be the voice of the LGUs,” he said before an assembly of mayors and political leaders at the residence of Gov. Vicente Pimentel Jr. in Tandag City.
Marcos and the other NP candidates headed by presidential candidate Sen. Manny Villar were in the middle of their series of sorties in Mindanao.
The Ilocos Norte congressman knows well the pressing problems of local executives in funding their projects for their local communities.
“The local government is often neglected by the national leadership in terms of supporting the needs of its constituents,” said Marcos, who also served as governor of his province for three terms.
He called on the local leaders of this southern province to unite and combat the negligence of the national leadership to address basic problems in their localities.
“It’s very important for you to have a collective stand because the national government will only hear your problems if you have strong representation,” he said.
“I will be the voice of the LGUs,” he said before an assembly of mayors and political leaders at the residence of Gov. Vicente Pimentel Jr. in Tandag City.
Marcos and the other NP candidates headed by presidential candidate Sen. Manny Villar were in the middle of their series of sorties in Mindanao.
The Ilocos Norte congressman knows well the pressing problems of local executives in funding their projects for their local communities.
“The local government is often neglected by the national leadership in terms of supporting the needs of its constituents,” said Marcos, who also served as governor of his province for three terms.
He called on the local leaders of this southern province to unite and combat the negligence of the national leadership to address basic problems in their localities.
“It’s very important for you to have a collective stand because the national government will only hear your problems if you have strong representation,” he said.
Sotto to amend law on mediamen if elected
by Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=556759&publicationSubCategoryId=65MANILA, Philippines - Because the old one only covers print media practitioners, Nationalist People’s Coalition senatorial candidate Vicente Sotto III is planning to amend the law which protects newsmen from revealing their sources.
He said RA 53 which was authored in 1946 by his grandfather, then senator Vicente Yap Sotto, only protects mediamen from newspapers and magazines. “My grandfather authored the law to protect the print media. After more than five decades it needs to be amended to include all other forms of media used in the present time,” Sotto III said yesterday.
“The amendment should also cover and protect all local publications and networks (print, broadcast and online) not necessarily by of nationwide circulation or reach,” he said.
RA 53, otherwise known as the “Sotto Law” is an act to exempt the publisher, editor or reporter of any publication from revealing the source of published news or information obtained in confidence.
“The publisher, editor or duly accredited reporter of any newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news report or information appearing in said publication which is related in confidence to such publisher, editor or reporter, unless the court or a House or Committee of Congress finds that such revelation is demanded in the interest of the State,” Section 1 of the law declares.
Sotto III, who is doing well in the surveys among senatorial candidates of the May 2010 national polls, said it would be an honor that he can amend the law authored by his own grandfather.
“This is history in the making in the entire legislative records in the Philippines,” he noted, adding that RA 53 was the first law authored by his grandfather who was a former journalist in Cebu. Sotto founded the newspaper dubbed “Ang Suga,” the first newspaper in the Cebuano vernacular with the first issue printed on June 16, 1901.
Presidential hopefuls offer solutions to Mindanao woes
by SARAH JANE R. HILOMENhttp://mb.com.ph/articles/247100/presidential-hopefuls-offer-solutions-mindanao-woes
DAVAO CITY — Presidential aspirants positioned their proposed solutions to the different problems that are beleaguering Mindanao during last Tuesday’s presidential forum held at the covered court of Ateneo De Davao University.
The forum dubbed as Panaghisgut-hisgut 2010 Mindanao Presidential Forum sponsored by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated, Southern Mindanao Tourism Council, Mindanao Business Council and ADDU was attended by the presidential candidates except Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Sen. Manny Villar.
The candidates discussed the peace problem, energy crisis, mining and other issues plaguing Mindanao.
The dry spell in the country has not only affected farmers’ crops but has also resulted in the reduction of power supply in the largely hydro-powered island. The candidates were asked what they would do to solve the current power shortage.
Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon and former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro both called for exploring the possibility of utilizing nuclear power to boost the power needs of Mindanao.
Gordon said nuclear power is already being used by the neighboring Asian countries so there is no reason why the Philippines should not also do the same.
DAVAO CITY — Presidential aspirants positioned their proposed solutions to the different problems that are beleaguering Mindanao during last Tuesday’s presidential forum held at the covered court of Ateneo De Davao University.
The forum dubbed as Panaghisgut-hisgut 2010 Mindanao Presidential Forum sponsored by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated, Southern Mindanao Tourism Council, Mindanao Business Council and ADDU was attended by the presidential candidates except Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Sen. Manny Villar.
The candidates discussed the peace problem, energy crisis, mining and other issues plaguing Mindanao.
The dry spell in the country has not only affected farmers’ crops but has also resulted in the reduction of power supply in the largely hydro-powered island. The candidates were asked what they would do to solve the current power shortage.
Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon and former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro both called for exploring the possibility of utilizing nuclear power to boost the power needs of Mindanao.
Gordon said nuclear power is already being used by the neighboring Asian countries so there is no reason why the Philippines should not also do the same.
Business jittery that failure of election real risk
by Doris Dumlao (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100311-257936/Business-jittery-that-failure-of-election-real-riskMANILA, Philippines—The possibility amid recent power outages of the first national computerized elections failing to produce a president, whether real or imagined, is sending chills to the financial community.
In an economic briefing Wednesday, Roland Avante, Sterling Bank Asia treasurer, said that foreign analysts were apprehensive that if the results of the May 10 balloting were “tainted, it can create political instability.”
The treasury veteran and former president of the Money Market Association of the Philippines warned that this could affect the performance of the economy and potentially push away investors, many of whom had stayed away for years.
Avante said jitters were rising that a failure of elections was a real risk.
“To a lot of Filipinos, maybe 80 percent haven’t thought there will be failure of elections and that goes back even to the discussion of why the appointment of a new Justice Secretary is important and why it is important at this particular point in time,” he said.
If the elections would be sabotaged, Avante said “all the gains that the country has made in the last few years can all go to waste.”
Remulla: Jamby seeking LP favors
by Raul S. Beltran (Journal)
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/4876-remulla-jamby-seeking-lp-favors.html NACIONALISTA Party senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla yesterday accused independent presidential bet Jamby Madrigal of seeking a Cabinet position should Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III if he wins in the May elections in exchange for a continuing mudslinging against NP standard-bearer Manuel Villar Jr.
Remulla, also the NP spokesman, described Madrigal as “suicide bomber in yellow, who is not in the (presidential) campaign but as a mouthpiece of the Liberal Party.”
Remulla’s comment was in reaction to Madrigal’s claims that she was offered P1 billion to stop her from filing corruption charges against the former Senate president.
The former Cavite congressman maintained that Madrigal, whose ratings “have stayed in the dumps,” has no chance of winning the presidential race.
“She continues to plod on because her agenda is different: to be an attack dog of our opponents. She has practically rewritten the book on dirty campaigning,” he said.
Remulla also challenged Madrigal to answer the questions on “her unique brand of campaigning.”
Aquino, Villar apologize for Davao forum no-show
by JP LOPEZ (Malaya)
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03112010/news4.htmlKABACAN, Cotabato – Nacionalista Party standard bearer Manuel Villar yesterday apologized to religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for his failure to attend the presidential forum Tuesday in Davao City.
The forum, organized by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ which was founded by Quiboloy, featured presidential bets former President Joseph Estrada, Gilberto Teodoro, Richard Gordon, Jamby Madrigal, Nicanor Perlas and Eddie Villanueva.
Aside from Villar, Liberal Party’s Benigno Aquino III also failed to attend the forum.
Aquino, in letter to Quiboloy, claimed he was advised by his doctor to skip traveling by air for two days due to a nasal ailment.
Villar was reported to have stayed at a nearby hotel in Davao City for the duration of the forum.
"Humihingi kami ng paumanhin subalit grabe talaga ang demand ng kampanya at nakita ninyo naman na kulang na kulang ang oras sa pag-ikot. Talagang hirap na hirap ang mga kandidato at talagang malakas ang pressure considering na dalawang buwan nalang ang nalalabi sa kampanya," Villar said in an interview after he arrived at the University of Southern Mindanao in this town.
Slow printing of 50M ballots triggers alarm
by Kristine L. Alave (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100310-257935/Slow-printing-of-50M-ballots-triggers-alarm
MANILA, Philippines—Yet another glitch in the May 10 automated elections looms.
The National Printing Office (NPO) is unlikely to produce the required 50 million ballots for the elections and may have to acquire more machines to do the job, or print 15 million ballots for manual polling for the shortfall, officials said Wednesday.
In an urgent memorandum dated March 1 to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) project management office, Esmeralda Amora-Ladra, head of the poll body’s printing committee, said that the four NPO machines were not operating at maximum capacity.
The daily output is disappointing, leading her to suggest that the Comelec should prepare contingency measures, including the printing of ballots for manual elections.
The memorandum, made available to the Inquirer, noted that as of March 1, some 7.9 million ballots for the electronic balloting had been printed. Of the number, 5.3 million were accepted as “good ballots,” while the rest have yet to be checked.
“Granting that 7,878,480 (printed minus quarantined ballots) are all good ballots, we still have to print a total of 42,845,254 for a period of 54 days. This means, we should be able to have a daily production of 793,430,629, more or less, per day from four printers, which is impossible!” the memorandum read.
MANILA, Philippines—Yet another glitch in the May 10 automated elections looms.
The National Printing Office (NPO) is unlikely to produce the required 50 million ballots for the elections and may have to acquire more machines to do the job, or print 15 million ballots for manual polling for the shortfall, officials said Wednesday.
In an urgent memorandum dated March 1 to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) project management office, Esmeralda Amora-Ladra, head of the poll body’s printing committee, said that the four NPO machines were not operating at maximum capacity.
The daily output is disappointing, leading her to suggest that the Comelec should prepare contingency measures, including the printing of ballots for manual elections.
The memorandum, made available to the Inquirer, noted that as of March 1, some 7.9 million ballots for the electronic balloting had been printed. Of the number, 5.3 million were accepted as “good ballots,” while the rest have yet to be checked.
“Granting that 7,878,480 (printed minus quarantined ballots) are all good ballots, we still have to print a total of 42,845,254 for a period of 54 days. This means, we should be able to have a daily production of 793,430,629, more or less, per day from four printers, which is impossible!” the memorandum read.
March 10, 2010
Election 2010 News - March 10, 2010
- WHAT EXPERTS SAY; When a tie is not really a tie (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Noynoy, Villar statistically tied in SWS poll (The Philippine Star)
- Gibo still confident he'll make it in May polls (Sun Star Davao)
- Bong, Jinggoy, Miriam still up (The Philippine Star)
- Villar: Why pay when they're running with me? (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Estrada eyes steady hike in survey ratings for May win (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Noynoy, Manny are no-shows; pastor fumes (Malaya)
- Bangit: 'Trust me, I'll keep AFP politics-free' (Malaya)
WHAT EXPERTS SAY When a tie is not really a tie
from Philippine Daily Inquirer
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100310-257739/When-a-tie-is-not-really-a-tieMANILA, Philippines—“When our report comes out, you will see that we just say it’s a 2-point lead and we’re not calling it a tie. Now the reason I say that is because if it could be a zero lead, it could also be a 4-point lead. It could really range to as high as four. But we’re not saying that. It seems to me that the neutral thing to do is to call it as two, because that’s where it is centered. And if you go to emphasize the tie, you’re really leaning on one side,” Mahar Mangahas, president of Social Weather Stations, says in an interview on ANC.
“I’m saying it’s a statistical tie, but it’s also a statistical 4-point lead. You’re biased if you only go to the low side, not also to the high side. You have to look at everything. Let’s not insist on saying that it’s zero, because it can also be four. To me, that’s the error. Analysts are rushing to say that finally, it’s a tie. It’s not yet a tie.”
Margin of error
“This is not the first time that Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar have come to a “statistical tie.” In the Jan. 22-26 Pulse Asia survey, both were “tied” if the margin of error was factored in,” says Ana Maria Tabunda, Pulse Asia chief research fellow.
Noynoy, Villar statistically tied in SWS poll
by Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=556549&publicationSubCategoryId=63 MANILA, Philippines - If the elections were held last month, either Liberal Party’s (LP) Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III or his closest rival Nacionalista Party’s (NP) Sen. Manuel Villar would win the presidency, a latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed yesterday.
Aquino and Villar were “statistically tied” at first place in the SWS presidential survey conducted from Feb. 24 to 28.
The survey, commissioned by BusinessWorld, showed that Aquino continued to set the pace with 36 percent, closely followed by Villar with 34 percent.
Applying the margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points, Aquino’s rating may be the same as Villar’s, the SWS said.
The survey used face-to-face interviews of 2,100 registered voters nationwide.
Aquino’s rating dropped in four geographical areas: seven points in the balance of Luzon, six in Mindanao, five in the Visayas, and three in Metro Manila.
Villar, meanwhile, lost six percentage points in Metro Manila, two in balance Luzon, and one in Mindanao, but rose by five points in the Visayas.
By area, the SWS said Aquino remained ahead in Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao, while Villar was leading in balance Luzon.
SWS said their lost votes appear to have gone to the third- and fourth-ranked candidates: former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), whose score improved by two points to 15 percent, and administration bet Gilbert Teodoro of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, who also gained two points to six percent.
Gibo still confident he'll make it in May polls
by Jade C. Zaldivar (Sun Star Davao)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/gibo-still-confident-hell-make-it-may-polls
DESPITE coming in third on recent national surveys, former defense secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro Jr., presidential bet of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, said "anything can happen in 60 days" before the elections.
Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) with the marketing research firm Campaigns and Image, recently released their survey results which has broken the pattern of previous surveys.
The survey said, Senator Manuel “Manny” Villar of the Nacionalista Party (NP) is ahead of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party (LP), but Teodoro has overtaken former President Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) to come in 3rd place.
Teodoro in an interview Tuesday said he does not rely on surveys and expects more change in the remaining days before the polls.
DESPITE coming in third on recent national surveys, former defense secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro Jr., presidential bet of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, said "anything can happen in 60 days" before the elections.
Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) with the marketing research firm Campaigns and Image, recently released their survey results which has broken the pattern of previous surveys.
The survey said, Senator Manuel “Manny” Villar of the Nacionalista Party (NP) is ahead of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party (LP), but Teodoro has overtaken former President Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) to come in 3rd place.
Teodoro in an interview Tuesday said he does not rely on surveys and expects more change in the remaining days before the polls.
Bong, Jinggoy, Miriam still up
by Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=556547&publicationSubCategoryId=63MANILA, Philippines - Re-electionist senators Bong Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada and Miriam Defensor-Santiago were statistically tied at first place in the latest senatorial survey by Pulse Asia.
Pulse Asia said 14 candidates have a statistical chance of winning Senate seats if the elections were held during the Feb. 21 to 25 survey period.
The non-commissioned survey showed Revilla getting 53.6 percent of votes, which translates to a statistical ranking of 1st to 3rd place. He is in a statistical tie with Estrada, who got 52.6 percent of the votes.
Santiago received 49.4 percent of votes, which places her anywhere from 1st to 5th.
Another re-electionist, Sen. Pia Cayetano, who received 45.4 percent, ranks 3rd to 6th.
Cayetano shared the same statistical ranking as former Senate president Franklin Drilon with 45 percent.
In sixth place is Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (43.8 percent) with a statistical ranking of 4th to 6th.
Other senatorial candidates who have a statistical chance of winning were former senator Tito Sotto with 33.2 percent, former senator and former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general Ralph Recto (33.1 percent), former senator Serge Osmeña (29.1 percent), Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos (28.2 percent).
Pulse Asia said 14 candidates have a statistical chance of winning Senate seats if the elections were held during the Feb. 21 to 25 survey period.
The non-commissioned survey showed Revilla getting 53.6 percent of votes, which translates to a statistical ranking of 1st to 3rd place. He is in a statistical tie with Estrada, who got 52.6 percent of the votes.
Santiago received 49.4 percent of votes, which places her anywhere from 1st to 5th.
Another re-electionist, Sen. Pia Cayetano, who received 45.4 percent, ranks 3rd to 6th.
Cayetano shared the same statistical ranking as former Senate president Franklin Drilon with 45 percent.
In sixth place is Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (43.8 percent) with a statistical ranking of 4th to 6th.
Other senatorial candidates who have a statistical chance of winning were former senator Tito Sotto with 33.2 percent, former senator and former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general Ralph Recto (33.1 percent), former senator Serge Osmeña (29.1 percent), Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos (28.2 percent).
Villar: Why pay when they’re running with me?
by Michael Lim Ubac (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
DAVAO CITY—Why pay them when their friends are with us?
That, in effect, was what the Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer, Sen. Manny Villar, said Tuesday as he denied television reports quoting the military as claiming he was among the politicians who had paid campaign fees to the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
“I haven’t paid any (rebel group),” Villar said at a press conference here. “Why should I still pay when they are already with us—they are our friends.”
Lest he be misconstrued, Villar explained he was referring to his alliance with Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza. Both militant party-list lawmakers are running for the Senate as NP guest candidates.
P5-B campaign fees
“Let’s clarify that we are with Bayan Muna or Makabayan (coalition). We are not (allied) with whoever is violating the law—they are not with us,” he said, referring to the NPA rebels.
“Those who are with us belong to the group within the system of government that also fights for human rights and the welfare of the poor,” Villar added.
That, in effect, was what the Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer, Sen. Manny Villar, said Tuesday as he denied television reports quoting the military as claiming he was among the politicians who had paid campaign fees to the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
“I haven’t paid any (rebel group),” Villar said at a press conference here. “Why should I still pay when they are already with us—they are our friends.”
Lest he be misconstrued, Villar explained he was referring to his alliance with Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza. Both militant party-list lawmakers are running for the Senate as NP guest candidates.
P5-B campaign fees
“Let’s clarify that we are with Bayan Muna or Makabayan (coalition). We are not (allied) with whoever is violating the law—they are not with us,” he said, referring to the NPA rebels.
“Those who are with us belong to the group within the system of government that also fights for human rights and the welfare of the poor,” Villar added.
Estrada eyes steady hike in survey ratings for May win
by Norman Bordadora (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines—Deposed president Joseph Estrada has expressed elation over his continued favorable showing in the nationwide election surveys of the Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia.
A few days after Pulse Asia’s survey had Estrada gaining six percentage points in its late February survey, SWS reported in its Business World-commissioned survey that Estrada gained two percentage points from his previous rating in the same SWS survey.
Told that his performance in the SWS survey was not as good as his showing in Pulse Asia’s poll, Estrada said: “Whose numbers went down?”
Estrada was apparently referring to front-runners Senator Benigno Aquino III and Senator Manuel Villar, who both lost points while maintaining their first and second place positions in the SWS surveys.
The pollsters said Estrada and fourth place administration candidate Gilberto Teodoro gained from Aquino and Villar's loss.
The former Chief Executive, who’s running for another term in Malacañang after he was forced out of office in 2001, said that if his numbers would continue to go up, he could win come May.
“Tapos na sila (It’d be over for them),” Estrada said.
MANILA, Philippines—Deposed president Joseph Estrada has expressed elation over his continued favorable showing in the nationwide election surveys of the Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia.
A few days after Pulse Asia’s survey had Estrada gaining six percentage points in its late February survey, SWS reported in its Business World-commissioned survey that Estrada gained two percentage points from his previous rating in the same SWS survey.
Told that his performance in the SWS survey was not as good as his showing in Pulse Asia’s poll, Estrada said: “Whose numbers went down?”
Estrada was apparently referring to front-runners Senator Benigno Aquino III and Senator Manuel Villar, who both lost points while maintaining their first and second place positions in the SWS surveys.
The pollsters said Estrada and fourth place administration candidate Gilberto Teodoro gained from Aquino and Villar's loss.
The former Chief Executive, who’s running for another term in Malacañang after he was forced out of office in 2001, said that if his numbers would continue to go up, he could win come May.
“Tapos na sila (It’d be over for them),” Estrada said.
Noynoy, Manny are no-shows; pastor fumes
by JP LOPEZ (Malaya)
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03102010/news5.htmlDAVAO CITY – THE two leading contenders for the presidency based on surveys snubbed a presidential forum sponsored by Kingdom of Jesus Christ headed by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Quiboloy scoffed at Liberal Party presidential bet Benigno Aquino III for reneging on his commitment to attend the forum.
Quiboloy said he was disappointed since it was Aquino who chose the date for the forum.
Quiboloy said the forum was originally scheduled on Feb. 11 but because Aquino was not available at that time, he said he asked Aquino to choose the date.
In his e-mail to Quiboloy, Aquino said doctors advised him to prevent any travel by any craft for at least two days because he was suffering from barosinusitis.
"As previously arranged, I already marked and prioritized this event in my schedule and I’m eagerly looking forward to meeting you personally," Aquino in the letter read by Quiboloy before the start of the forum.
"However much as I’d like to participate in the said forum, I deeply regret to inform you that I have been advised by my physicians to provisionally defer any flights due to barosinusitis. My doctors have advised me to provisionally avoid any travel by aircraft for at least two consecutive days because any atmospheric or barometric pressure will only aggravate my present condition," Aquino further said.
Barosinusitis or baratrauma of the paranasal sinusitis, as defined by a medical dictionary, "is a risk factor for anyone exposed to ambient pressure changes."
But Quiboloy appeared dissatisfied with Aquino’s explanation.
Bangit: ‘Trust me, I’ll keep AFP politics-free’
by VICTOR REYES (Malaya)
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03102010/news6.htmlINCOMING Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit vowed that he will not be a party to any cheating in the May national elections and the military establishment will remain insulated from any political activity during his term.
AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner quoted Bangit in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday as saying that he will not allow himself to be used by any interest groups in the polls.
Bangit is the 11th AFP chief to be appointed by President Arroyo since she assumed office in January 2001. He will take over the top AFP post today in rites to be presided by the President in Camp Aguinaldo.
His projected appointment was met with a lot of calls for the extension instead of retiring AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado, and his actual appointment with fears of poll cheating, failure of elections and military takeover.
President Arroyo announced Bangit’s appointment last Tuesday.
Bangit is a member of the Philippine Military Academy class 1978 that has adopted the President as an honorary member. He is described by many as "fiercely loyal" to the President.
March 9, 2010
Election 2010 News - March 9, 2010
- Peace talks with NPA, MILF should be constitutional' (The Philippine Star)
- Bongbong warns Comelec of CIA meddling in polls (The Manila Times)
- LP cries foul over Annabelle's swipe (Manila Bulletin)
- Santiago blames low ratings on married name (INQUIRER.net)
- Aquino leads Villar by a hair (Manila Standard Today)
- Legarda trails front-running Roxas by 9% (Manila Standard Today)
- 'It's better late than never' - Binay (The Daily Tribune)
- Fernando: No regrets dismantling illegal vendors' stall (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- 'Energy crisis just artificial' (The Philippine Star)
- Absentee voting registration extended (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- NCRPO to Metro voters: Monitor bets with too many bodyguards (The Philippine Star)
- ELEKSYON SASABIT KAY BANGIT? (Abante)
- 24 election-related violent incidents reported since January - PNP (INQUIRER.net)
'Peace talks with NPA, MILF should be constitutional'
by Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=556324&publicationSubCategoryId=63MANILA, Philippines - Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said yesterday that any government peace efforts with the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) should be within the framework of the Constitution.
Teodoro, the defense chief prior to his candidacy, said peace talks with the rebel groups, especially the NPA, should not be done at the national level but should be left to local peace councils.
“In view of the localized leadership structures of the NPA insurgents, it would be best for the government to initiate separate peace negotiations with the respective leaders of rebel forces in the specific localities where they thrive,” the administration bet said in a radio interview yesterday.
While giving emphasis on the peace efforts, Teodoro said that there should be a sustainable campaign to put an end to both insurgencies, which includes beefing up the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Bongbong warns Comelec of CIA meddling in polls
by JOMAR CANLAS Reporter (The Manila Times)
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/12993-bongbong-warns-comelec-of-cia-meddling-in-pollsRep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of Ilocos Norte on Monday warned the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against the possibility of agents of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) coming to the Philippines to monitor the May 10 elections disguised as legitimate foreign poll observers.
Bongbong, the only son late former strongman President Ferdinand Marcos, asked the Comelec to strengthen accreditation procedures for foreign observers, especially those arriving from the United States, as they may be CIA agents.
“The Comelec should thoroughly examine the credentials and backgrounds of all foreign observers, particularly the Americans, to ensure that they are not CIA operatives,” he said.
Bongbong, a senatorial candidate of the Nacionalista Party in the May balloting, also underscored the need for Comelec Chairman Jose Melo to come up with guidelines on foreign observers so that they may know their limitations and their duties in the elections less than three months away.
“Once we discover that there are foreign observers who are actually CIA members, we must immediately send them out of the country,” he said.
Marcos also warned that the policy of intervention by the United States is noticeable during presidential elections because the Americans want to make sure that their interests in the country are always protected.
“We should remain vigilant. We must not allow the US to intervene in our elections. Each of our votes is sacred. The real voice of the Filipino people must be heard during the elections,” he explained.
Bongbong argued that the CIA has a long history of spying in countries like the Philippines where the US wants to maintain its influence and protect its interests.
LP cries foul over Annabelle's swipe
by KRIS BAYOS (Manila Bulletin)
http://mb.com.ph/articles/246844/lp-cries-foul-over-annabelles-swipe-kriThe Liberal Party cried foul Monday after actress Annabelle Rama took a swipe at the presidential bid of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III by alleging that Aquino’s sister, TV host Kris Aquino-Yap, harshly treated her daughter Ruffa Gutierrez during their Sunday talk show.
Liberal Party campaign manager and former education secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said it is unfair for Senator Aquino to be dragged into the controversies involving his youngest sister, especially when he is not involved in the show to begin with.
It was reported that Rama was behind her daughter’s walking out of Kris’ longtime show “The Buzz” last Sunday. Rama said she pulled Ruffa out of the show because of Kris’ alleged hostile treatment of her daughter.
Describing Kris as arrogant, Rama appealed to the public not to vote for the 50-year-old lawmaker from Tarlac, claiming that Kris can become more arrogant if her brother gets elected as president.
Santiago blames low ratings on married name
by Maila Ager (INQUIRER.net)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100308-257426/Santiago-blames-low-ratings-on-married-nameMANILA, Philippines – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is very much in the race this May election. But people might not find her in the list of senatorial candidates if they will look for “Santiago” come election day.
The re-electionist senator’s name is listed instead as Defensor-Santiago in the special paper ballot that the Commission on Election (Comelec) will use in the country’s first-ever full automated election.
Saying that other married female candidates might find themselves in the same predicament, Santiago urged the Comelec to educate voters on the use of maiden names of married candidates like her.
Santiago lamented that her lower ranking in the recent senatorial survey of Pulse Asia could be because people are looking for her surname, not her maiden name.
Aquino leads Villar by a hair
from Manila Standard Today
SENATORS Benigno Aquino III and Manuel Villar Jr. remained locked in a statistical tie, 34 percent to 32 percent, in Manila Standard’s latest nationwide survey, in contrast to a Pulse Asia poll that showed Aquino pulling ahead.
The Manila Standard survey, conducted between Feb. 20 and 26, asked 2,500 registered voters to cast their ballots for the positions of president, vice president and senators in a way that simulated actual voting in the coming automated elections in May.
By contrast, a Feb. 21 to 25 survey by Pulse Asia of 1,800 respondents showed Aquino ahead, and by 36 percent to 29 percent.
The Standard’s February poll showed that the race for the presidency continued to be tight, with Aquino and Villar losing 2 percentage points each from the January survey, said Standard resident pollster Pedro Laylo Jr.
News of a Senate censure of Villar for his alleged role in irregularities in the C-5 road expansion project did not seem to affect their respective standings.
Legarda trails front-running Roxas by 9%
from Manila Standard Today
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/march/8/news2.isx&d=2010/march/8LIBERAL Party candidate Senator Manuel Roxas II continued to lead the vice presidential race, beating out his closest rival, Senator Loren Legarda, by 39 percent to 30 percent in the latest Manila Standard poll.
The survey, conducted between Feb. 20 and 26, asked 2,500 registered voters to cast their ballots for the positions of President, vice president and senators in a way that simulated actual voting in the coming automated elections in May.
The February results for vice president showed the same pattern as January’s, said Manila Standard resident pollster Pedro Laylo Jr.
Former Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay received 15 percent, while former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando and administration candidate Edu Manzano both had 4 percent.
Some 6 percent of the respondents were undecided.
Data by major areas somewhat reflected the same voting pattern as that of the presidential race. Roxas had big leads in Metro Manila, South Luzon and the Visayas. Roxas and Legarda were tied in North and Central Luzon.
‘It’s better late than never’ — Binay
ON ADMISSION OF GOVT’S FAILURE TO ADDRESS POVERTY
from The Daily Tribune
from The Daily Tribune
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20100309nat1.html
United Opposition (UNO) vice presidential candidate Jejomar Binay yesterday said there was nothing new in the admission of Presidential Economic Adviser Joey Salceda that government failed to address mass poverty in the last nine years. But then again, he said it is better late than never.
“Governor Salceda only confirmed what the Filipino people have known all along. Their lives are worse off now than they were nine years ago. But still, it is a consolation that somebody from Mrs. Arroyo’s inner circle has spoken up and admitted what we have been saying and what the people have been going through under the Arroyo administration,” Binay said.
He said Malacañang’s economic policies, particularly the value added tax, may have provided revenue for the administration, but it has been a burden to ordinary Filipinos who ended up paying more for basic needs.
Based on the figures of the National Statistical Coordination Board, the number of five-member households living on P1,200 monthly rose to 27.6 million in 2006 compared to 25.47 million in 2001. The incidence of hunger also nearly doubled from 11.4 percent in 2000 to 20.3 percent in 2009.
Binay said while the administration boasts of increases in the country’s gross domestic product by 4.4 percent, reportedly the highest among all presidents since 1966, the administration failed to make taxes work for the ordinary Filipino.
United Opposition (UNO) vice presidential candidate Jejomar Binay yesterday said there was nothing new in the admission of Presidential Economic Adviser Joey Salceda that government failed to address mass poverty in the last nine years. But then again, he said it is better late than never.
“Governor Salceda only confirmed what the Filipino people have known all along. Their lives are worse off now than they were nine years ago. But still, it is a consolation that somebody from Mrs. Arroyo’s inner circle has spoken up and admitted what we have been saying and what the people have been going through under the Arroyo administration,” Binay said.
He said Malacañang’s economic policies, particularly the value added tax, may have provided revenue for the administration, but it has been a burden to ordinary Filipinos who ended up paying more for basic needs.
Based on the figures of the National Statistical Coordination Board, the number of five-member households living on P1,200 monthly rose to 27.6 million in 2006 compared to 25.47 million in 2001. The incidence of hunger also nearly doubled from 11.4 percent in 2000 to 20.3 percent in 2009.
Binay said while the administration boasts of increases in the country’s gross domestic product by 4.4 percent, reportedly the highest among all presidents since 1966, the administration failed to make taxes work for the ordinary Filipino.
Fernando: No regrets dismantling illegal vendors’ stalls
by Cathy C. Yamsuan (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100308-257424/Fernando-No-regrets-dismantling-illegal-vendors-stalls
MANILA, Philippines -- Thanks, but no thanks.
Bayani Fernando will not miss the votes of illegal vendors whose stalls he ordered demolished when he was still chair of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
In fact, the Bagumbayan vice presidential bet said he would repeat the deed if required by the next administration.
“It’s okay if they don’t vote for me,” he said in Filipino in a live interview at a morning talk show on Monday.
“And in case I win, I would not hesitate to do it again in case it’s necessary,” he added.
“I did what I had to do; I am not scared of losing your votes. Leaders need to be strong and be able to defend their decisions. It’s like a father who should not be scared of displeasing his son for the sake of doing what’s right,” Fernando said.
Fernando insisted it was the responsibility of the MMDA to demolish illegal stalls constructed along sidewalks of public markets in Metro Manila.
MANILA, Philippines -- Thanks, but no thanks.
Bayani Fernando will not miss the votes of illegal vendors whose stalls he ordered demolished when he was still chair of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
In fact, the Bagumbayan vice presidential bet said he would repeat the deed if required by the next administration.
“It’s okay if they don’t vote for me,” he said in Filipino in a live interview at a morning talk show on Monday.
“And in case I win, I would not hesitate to do it again in case it’s necessary,” he added.
“I did what I had to do; I am not scared of losing your votes. Leaders need to be strong and be able to defend their decisions. It’s like a father who should not be scared of displeasing his son for the sake of doing what’s right,” Fernando said.
Fernando insisted it was the responsibility of the MMDA to demolish illegal stalls constructed along sidewalks of public markets in Metro Manila.
'Energy crisis just artificial'
from The Philippine Star
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=556312&publicationSubCategoryId=63 MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Richard Gordon said the power crisis in Mindanao is artificial and may be part of a sinister plot, and demanded an explanation from the Arroyo administration.
“They should explain why there is a power shortage. From what I have heard – and I have just been to Mindanao – the water level in Lanao lake is normal. They just opened up a power plant in Cebu and they will open up a couple more. I don’t know what they are talking about,” Gordon, Bagumbayan party presidential candidate, told editors and reporters of The STAR yesterday.
“They have a lot of explaining to do.”
Gordon said a shortage of power is a threat to national security, hence the need for the government to be transparent.
“It is artificial, I agree. That is why I want it explained. If this is not artificial, she should explain. Her administration must explain, so must her candidate,” he said, apparently referring to administration bet Gilbert Teodoro Jr., former defense secretary.
“When you have no power, it becomes a security issue eventually,” he said.
Gordon also said frequent power interruptions don’t only cause inconvenience but also drive away investors.
Absentee voting registration extended
by Leila Salaverria (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100308-257443/Absentee-voting-registration-extendedMANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has decided to extend the registration deadline for local absentee voters because of the dismal turnout.
The deadline has been moved back one week to March 15 in the hope that more voters would avail themselves of the opportunity to cast their votes early, said Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.
Under the law, those who qualify for local absentee voting are government officials and employees, including members of the military and the police, who, on election day, may be assigned to places other than where they are registered, thus losing their chance to vote.
Those registered for absentee voting can cast their ballots between April 24 and 26.
Absentee voters, however, can only vote for president, vice president, senators and party-list representative.
Larrazabal said only 6,000 people had registered so far compared to 2007 when some 40,000 voters registered.
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