- Teodoro, Manzano, Senate bets in rare group sortie (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Villar protests tax on campaign spending (The Philippine Star)
- Palace sees junat if polls collapse (The Philippine Star)
- Noynoy: I never blamed FM kids for my pa's slay (The Philippine Star)
- Mindanao prayoridad ng Bangon (Pilipino Star Ngayon)
- Legarda worried over possible poll fraud (Abante-Tonite)
- Villar vows more OFW protection (Journal Online)
- Jeep ni Erap back on the toad, eyes 15M votes (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Election rules on posters Offenders all, Comelec says of major candidates (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- 'I won't take part in ouster moves' (The Philippine Star)
March 20, 2010
Election 2010 News - March 20, 2010
Teodoro, Manzano, Senate bets in rare group sortie
By TJ Burgonio (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100320-259774/Teodoro-Manzano-Senate-bets-in-rare-group-sortie
MANILA, Philippines—Administration standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro, his running mate Edu Manzano, and senatorial candidates Silvestre Bello III and Raul Lambino Friday appeared together in a rare group sortie in Valenzuela City.
Teodoro, Bello and Lambino each gave a pep talk during an uproarious student forum at the Our Lady of Fatima University campus in Valenzuela City. Manzano caught up with them at the tail-end at the forum.
“We’re halfway there already. I guess this is a sign that we’re here for the long haul. We’ve committed to the party; we’ve committed to the people. Gibo and and I said we’ll finish this election,” Manzano later said in an interview as he waved at the crowd from the back of a truck during a motorcade from the campus to the city interiors.
Grumblings about funds
Their rare appearance together came on the heels of grumblings in Manzano’s camp and among the senatorial candidates about Lakas Kampi-CMD funds not trickling down to their level.
Since the Feb. 9 kick-off of the campaign, Teodoro, Manzano and the six senatorial candidates have mostly barnstormed Metro Manila and the countryside on their own.
Teodoro, Manzano and some of the senatorial candidates also barnstormed Butuan City in Agusan del Norte last Thursday, and had dinner with President Macapagal-Arroyo at the birthday celebration of Rep. Jose Aquino II.
Lambino conceded that campaigning alone has its advantages, like covering more areas to campaign for the presidential team, but has a big downside to it: the perception that “we’re disunited.”
Teodoro said the public would see more of them campaigning together once the campaign period for local officials kicks off March 26, but said the senatorial candidates would be campaigning in two teams to cover more ground.
Not awash in funds
“Our schedules jibed today. But when local campaign kicks in, we will be campaigning together. The senators will still have two teams,” he told reporters after the forum.
But the issue of funds will not simply go away.
“There is fund, but that’s a precious and limited resource. We’re not awash in funds. We should use this judiciously,” said Teodoro, who claimed he had received funds from the party.
The forum at the Fatima University was generally boisterous, with female students shrieking at the sight of TV personality Jolo Revilla and jostling for the chance to give him a buss, and more so, at Manzano who came in last at around 11:30 a.m.
The young Revilla campaigned for his father, reelectionist Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and so did Patrick Guico for his father, Mayor Ramon Guico of Binalonan, Pangasinan. The party’s two other senatorial candidates are Sen. Lito Lapid and broadcaster Rey Langit.
MANILA, Philippines—Administration standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro, his running mate Edu Manzano, and senatorial candidates Silvestre Bello III and Raul Lambino Friday appeared together in a rare group sortie in Valenzuela City.
Teodoro, Bello and Lambino each gave a pep talk during an uproarious student forum at the Our Lady of Fatima University campus in Valenzuela City. Manzano caught up with them at the tail-end at the forum.
“We’re halfway there already. I guess this is a sign that we’re here for the long haul. We’ve committed to the party; we’ve committed to the people. Gibo and and I said we’ll finish this election,” Manzano later said in an interview as he waved at the crowd from the back of a truck during a motorcade from the campus to the city interiors.
Grumblings about funds
Their rare appearance together came on the heels of grumblings in Manzano’s camp and among the senatorial candidates about Lakas Kampi-CMD funds not trickling down to their level.
Since the Feb. 9 kick-off of the campaign, Teodoro, Manzano and the six senatorial candidates have mostly barnstormed Metro Manila and the countryside on their own.
Teodoro, Manzano and some of the senatorial candidates also barnstormed Butuan City in Agusan del Norte last Thursday, and had dinner with President Macapagal-Arroyo at the birthday celebration of Rep. Jose Aquino II.
Lambino conceded that campaigning alone has its advantages, like covering more areas to campaign for the presidential team, but has a big downside to it: the perception that “we’re disunited.”
Teodoro said the public would see more of them campaigning together once the campaign period for local officials kicks off March 26, but said the senatorial candidates would be campaigning in two teams to cover more ground.
Not awash in funds
“Our schedules jibed today. But when local campaign kicks in, we will be campaigning together. The senators will still have two teams,” he told reporters after the forum.
But the issue of funds will not simply go away.
“There is fund, but that’s a precious and limited resource. We’re not awash in funds. We should use this judiciously,” said Teodoro, who claimed he had received funds from the party.
The forum at the Fatima University was generally boisterous, with female students shrieking at the sight of TV personality Jolo Revilla and jostling for the chance to give him a buss, and more so, at Manzano who came in last at around 11:30 a.m.
The young Revilla campaigned for his father, reelectionist Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and so did Patrick Guico for his father, Mayor Ramon Guico of Binalonan, Pangasinan. The party’s two other senatorial candidates are Sen. Lito Lapid and broadcaster Rey Langit.
Villar protests tax on campaign spending
By Marvin Sy (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=559633&publicationSubCategoryId=63
SAGAY CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., who reportedly has spent the most in the ongoing campaign, is protesting the government’s tax collection on campaign spending.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which is carrying out the collection of the tax, has indicated that it would most likely miss its target collection of P1.2 billion for this May’s elections.
Villar said he could not see how the BIR can talk about missing its target when the basis for the collection of the campaign tax is questionable.
“The truth is, I don’t know how they can make this compulsory when we did not have this before,” Villar said in Filipino.
The BIR issued Revenue Regulation 8-09 last year which proposes a five-percent withholding tax on the campaign expenses of candidates running in the May elections.
The campaign tax is not imposed on the contributors, donors or candidates but on the suppliers who rendered services or products for the campaign.
The BIR also requires all political candidates to register with the BIR as withholding agents.
Villar could very well be the biggest campaign spender but he has stated that he has violated no laws.
“What basis are they using in setting their target when this was not present in the past elections? We have to first ensure that what they are doing is legal,” Villar said.
However, in spite of his position against the tax, Villar said that he has no intention of violating any laws.
“We will pay the taxes but we want to make it clear that we are protesting this. What we want is a clear interpretation of the law,” Villar said.
Meanwhile, Villar paid a visit to influential pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City last Thursday to seek his “blessings” and forgiveness for failing to show up at the “Sukatan 2010” presidential forum that Quiboloy hosted last March 9.
“I am happy and full,” Villar told reporters after his dinner meeting with Quiboloy, leader of the religious group the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Villar said he made an error of judgment for not showing up at Quiboloy’s forum.
Quiboloy, for his part, said he accepted Villar’s apology.
“Manny was able to explain his side and even went to the extent of flying just to see me,” Quiboloy said. – With Edith Regalado
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=559633&publicationSubCategoryId=63
SAGAY CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., who reportedly has spent the most in the ongoing campaign, is protesting the government’s tax collection on campaign spending.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which is carrying out the collection of the tax, has indicated that it would most likely miss its target collection of P1.2 billion for this May’s elections.
Villar said he could not see how the BIR can talk about missing its target when the basis for the collection of the campaign tax is questionable.
“The truth is, I don’t know how they can make this compulsory when we did not have this before,” Villar said in Filipino.
The BIR issued Revenue Regulation 8-09 last year which proposes a five-percent withholding tax on the campaign expenses of candidates running in the May elections.
The campaign tax is not imposed on the contributors, donors or candidates but on the suppliers who rendered services or products for the campaign.
The BIR also requires all political candidates to register with the BIR as withholding agents.
Villar could very well be the biggest campaign spender but he has stated that he has violated no laws.
“What basis are they using in setting their target when this was not present in the past elections? We have to first ensure that what they are doing is legal,” Villar said.
However, in spite of his position against the tax, Villar said that he has no intention of violating any laws.
“We will pay the taxes but we want to make it clear that we are protesting this. What we want is a clear interpretation of the law,” Villar said.
Meanwhile, Villar paid a visit to influential pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City last Thursday to seek his “blessings” and forgiveness for failing to show up at the “Sukatan 2010” presidential forum that Quiboloy hosted last March 9.
“I am happy and full,” Villar told reporters after his dinner meeting with Quiboloy, leader of the religious group the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Villar said he made an error of judgment for not showing up at Quiboloy’s forum.
Quiboloy, for his part, said he accepted Villar’s apology.
“Manny was able to explain his side and even went to the extent of flying just to see me,” Quiboloy said. – With Edith Regalado
Palace sees junta if polls collapse
By Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=559626
MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday assured the public there would be no failure of elections this May but warned of a possible military takeover in the ensuing chaos arising from such an event.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas said President Arroyo is definitely stepping down on June 30 and arrangements were already laid out for a peaceful turnover to the next chief executive.
Planas made the statement amid talks of a possible failure of the country’s first nationwide automated elections allegedly being orchestrated by the administration to prolong Mrs. Arroyo’s stay in power, starting with the appointment of her trusted generals to top posts in the military.
Planas noted that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile issued a similar warning of a possible military junta taking over in the event of political turmoil arising from a failure to install a new president by June 30.
“It’s possible that the military would take over. That’s possible as military juntas have taken over in several countries in Southeast Asia,” Planas told a news briefing.
When asked whether the President is prepared to remain in office while waiting for the new president to be proclaimed, Planas said: “Let’s look at the Constitution.”
“It’s not the President who will say: ‘I want to remain here.’ It’s the situation and the Constitution that will dictate what will happen,” Planas said but did not elaborate.
Planas, however, stressed the possibility of a failure of elections occurring is extremely remote.
She said the public should not confuse delays or failures in the transmission or canvassing of voting results as failure of elections.
Once the votes are cast, the elections have successfully occurred, Planas said.
Even in past elections where votes were counted manually, Planas said the declaration of failure of elections was only limited to certain areas or polling precincts.
Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo, for his part, said there has never been a general declaration of a failure of elections in the country’s political history.
“Even with the manual counting of votes. Now there will be automated counting in most precincts, with no more than 30 percent manual count in a worst case scenario, Hence, there is nil chance of failure,” Saludo said, citing the argument of election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.
Even in the face of ceaseless arguments that the May 10 elections is likely to fail, Saludo assured this would not happen.
“Our elections have never failed. Neither will the 2010 polls, even if all our votes are counted by hand,” Saludo said.
Malacañang earlier called on the public to support the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure the successful holding of peaceful and honest polls on May 10.
Critics had warned the power crisis in Mindanao is only the dry run of the plan to stage a failure of elections.
The opposition Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada said Malacañang is exerting all efforts to allow Mrs. Arroyo to stay in power.
“And now that its end is near, the whole country is witnessing how this administration appears to be using every trick in the book to extend its hold on power even when our people are clearly eager to replace it through the ballot,” PMP spokesman Ralph Calinisan said.
Opposition Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Delfin Bangit would be forced to retain Mrs. Arroyo in power if a failure of election is declared on May 10 where no president and vice president are proclaimed.
Rodriguez said no one among her constitutional successors could serve as head of state since the terms of Vice President Noli de Castro, Senate President Enrile and Speaker Prospero Nograles will all lapse on June 30 along with Mrs. Arroyo.
For his part, Bangit said he would not go beyond his oath of providing security in case a failure of election occurs in May.
Bangit also appealed to critics to spare the military from political intrigues.
“I already made my statement. I won’t repeat it anymore. I have my oath and it will be to protect and to support the Constitution, nothing more, nothing less...I will not go beyond my oath,” he said.
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, Jr. said the military has no intention of taking over the government in the event that no president is proclaimed or to lengthen President Arroyo’s stay in power.
“Our mandate is to provide security. In case there is a failure of elections, our mandate is very clear. We will come in to maintain peace and order. That’s all,” Brawner said.
Brawner said the AFP would only come in to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) restore order if a failure of elections is declared.
Brawner said such intervention by the military would ensure the constitutional provisions on succession would be upheld. - With Alexis Romero, Jose Rodel Clapano
MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday assured the public there would be no failure of elections this May but warned of a possible military takeover in the ensuing chaos arising from such an event.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas said President Arroyo is definitely stepping down on June 30 and arrangements were already laid out for a peaceful turnover to the next chief executive.
Planas made the statement amid talks of a possible failure of the country’s first nationwide automated elections allegedly being orchestrated by the administration to prolong Mrs. Arroyo’s stay in power, starting with the appointment of her trusted generals to top posts in the military.
Planas noted that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile issued a similar warning of a possible military junta taking over in the event of political turmoil arising from a failure to install a new president by June 30.
“It’s possible that the military would take over. That’s possible as military juntas have taken over in several countries in Southeast Asia,” Planas told a news briefing.
When asked whether the President is prepared to remain in office while waiting for the new president to be proclaimed, Planas said: “Let’s look at the Constitution.”
“It’s not the President who will say: ‘I want to remain here.’ It’s the situation and the Constitution that will dictate what will happen,” Planas said but did not elaborate.
Planas, however, stressed the possibility of a failure of elections occurring is extremely remote.
She said the public should not confuse delays or failures in the transmission or canvassing of voting results as failure of elections.
Once the votes are cast, the elections have successfully occurred, Planas said.
Even in past elections where votes were counted manually, Planas said the declaration of failure of elections was only limited to certain areas or polling precincts.
Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo, for his part, said there has never been a general declaration of a failure of elections in the country’s political history.
“Even with the manual counting of votes. Now there will be automated counting in most precincts, with no more than 30 percent manual count in a worst case scenario, Hence, there is nil chance of failure,” Saludo said, citing the argument of election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.
Even in the face of ceaseless arguments that the May 10 elections is likely to fail, Saludo assured this would not happen.
“Our elections have never failed. Neither will the 2010 polls, even if all our votes are counted by hand,” Saludo said.
Malacañang earlier called on the public to support the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure the successful holding of peaceful and honest polls on May 10.
Critics had warned the power crisis in Mindanao is only the dry run of the plan to stage a failure of elections.
The opposition Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada said Malacañang is exerting all efforts to allow Mrs. Arroyo to stay in power.
“And now that its end is near, the whole country is witnessing how this administration appears to be using every trick in the book to extend its hold on power even when our people are clearly eager to replace it through the ballot,” PMP spokesman Ralph Calinisan said.
Opposition Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Delfin Bangit would be forced to retain Mrs. Arroyo in power if a failure of election is declared on May 10 where no president and vice president are proclaimed.
Rodriguez said no one among her constitutional successors could serve as head of state since the terms of Vice President Noli de Castro, Senate President Enrile and Speaker Prospero Nograles will all lapse on June 30 along with Mrs. Arroyo.
For his part, Bangit said he would not go beyond his oath of providing security in case a failure of election occurs in May.
Bangit also appealed to critics to spare the military from political intrigues.
“I already made my statement. I won’t repeat it anymore. I have my oath and it will be to protect and to support the Constitution, nothing more, nothing less...I will not go beyond my oath,” he said.
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, Jr. said the military has no intention of taking over the government in the event that no president is proclaimed or to lengthen President Arroyo’s stay in power.
“Our mandate is to provide security. In case there is a failure of elections, our mandate is very clear. We will come in to maintain peace and order. That’s all,” Brawner said.
Brawner said the AFP would only come in to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) restore order if a failure of elections is declared.
Brawner said such intervention by the military would ensure the constitutional provisions on succession would be upheld. - With Alexis Romero, Jose Rodel Clapano
Noynoy: I never blamed FM kids for my pa's slay
By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=559462&publicationSubCategoryId=67
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – The children of the late President Ferdinand Marcos had nothing to do with the August 1983 assassination of Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said here Thursday.
Upon his arrival at the airport, he told reporters in a chance interview that he never blamed Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his older sister Imee for what happened to his father, who was the archrival of the deposed president during martial law.
Aquino recalled having said 12 years ago that he did not consider Imee, Irene or Bongbong in his father’s assassination.
“Sabihin na nating pare-pareho kaming nabiktima ng pagkakataon noong mga panahon na iyon (Let’s just say that we were all victims of circumstances in those times),” he said.
In a previous sortie in Dumaguete City, Aquino said he considers the case closed, even as he opposed the pardon given to the convicted soldiers.
“Pero yung sa akin, di tayo namemersonal (In my case, I hold no personal grudges),” he said.
Aquino recalled that when Imee was one of his colleagues in the opposition bloc at the House of Representatives, she helped him implement a hybrid rice program for his constituents in Tarlac. Bongbong took over Imee’s post in 2007.
Aquino, his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas, his sister popular talk show host Kris Aquino and her basketball player-husband James Yap received a warm welcome in this province, and even paid a courtesy call to Ilocos Norte Gov. Michael Marcos-Keon.
Aquino said he is confident that he can get the support of Ilocos Norte voters amid reports that he ranks second among favored presidential bets here. – With Jun Elias
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – The children of the late President Ferdinand Marcos had nothing to do with the August 1983 assassination of Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said here Thursday.
Upon his arrival at the airport, he told reporters in a chance interview that he never blamed Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his older sister Imee for what happened to his father, who was the archrival of the deposed president during martial law.
Aquino recalled having said 12 years ago that he did not consider Imee, Irene or Bongbong in his father’s assassination.
“Sabihin na nating pare-pareho kaming nabiktima ng pagkakataon noong mga panahon na iyon (Let’s just say that we were all victims of circumstances in those times),” he said.
In a previous sortie in Dumaguete City, Aquino said he considers the case closed, even as he opposed the pardon given to the convicted soldiers.
“Pero yung sa akin, di tayo namemersonal (In my case, I hold no personal grudges),” he said.
Aquino recalled that when Imee was one of his colleagues in the opposition bloc at the House of Representatives, she helped him implement a hybrid rice program for his constituents in Tarlac. Bongbong took over Imee’s post in 2007.
Aquino, his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas, his sister popular talk show host Kris Aquino and her basketball player-husband James Yap received a warm welcome in this province, and even paid a courtesy call to Ilocos Norte Gov. Michael Marcos-Keon.
Aquino said he is confident that he can get the support of Ilocos Norte voters amid reports that he ranks second among favored presidential bets here. – With Jun Elias
Mindanao prayoridad ng Bangon
mula sa Pilipino Star Ngayon
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=559551&publicationSubCategoryId=92
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – “Nais kong malaman ni’yo na nangunguna sa mga prayoridad ng partidong Bangon Pilipinas ang Mindanao. Ang pangarap namin para sa mapayapa at progresibong Mindanao ay suportado ng isang plataporma de gobyerno na hindi lang basta angkop sa pangangailangan ng ating mamamayan sa rehiyon kundi mahalaga rin sa kabuuang kaunlaran ng ating bansa.”
Ito ang inihayag ni Bangon Pilipinas standard bearer Bro. Eddie Villanueva nang magtalumpati siya sa harap ng libu-libo niyang tagasuporta sa Plaza Pershing sa lunsod na ito noong gabi ng Miyerkules.
Sabi ni Villanueva, kung mahahalal siya, makakamit ng mamamayan ng Mindanao ang nararapat para sa kanila pero hindi nila natatamasa.
Sinabi naman ni Bangon Pilipinas National Campaign Manager Atty. Lyndon Cana na kabilang sa plano nila ang pagpapatuloy ng prosesong pangkapayapaan sa Mindanao at paninindigan na hindi dapat magkahati-hati ang rehiyong ito. Ikokonsidera rin ang plebesito o constitutional convention para ipaubaya sa mamamayan ang desisyon kung pederalismo ang solusyon sa problema sa Mindanao.
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – “Nais kong malaman ni’yo na nangunguna sa mga prayoridad ng partidong Bangon Pilipinas ang Mindanao. Ang pangarap namin para sa mapayapa at progresibong Mindanao ay suportado ng isang plataporma de gobyerno na hindi lang basta angkop sa pangangailangan ng ating mamamayan sa rehiyon kundi mahalaga rin sa kabuuang kaunlaran ng ating bansa.”
Ito ang inihayag ni Bangon Pilipinas standard bearer Bro. Eddie Villanueva nang magtalumpati siya sa harap ng libu-libo niyang tagasuporta sa Plaza Pershing sa lunsod na ito noong gabi ng Miyerkules.
Sabi ni Villanueva, kung mahahalal siya, makakamit ng mamamayan ng Mindanao ang nararapat para sa kanila pero hindi nila natatamasa.
Sinabi naman ni Bangon Pilipinas National Campaign Manager Atty. Lyndon Cana na kabilang sa plano nila ang pagpapatuloy ng prosesong pangkapayapaan sa Mindanao at paninindigan na hindi dapat magkahati-hati ang rehiyong ito. Ikokonsidera rin ang plebesito o constitutional convention para ipaubaya sa mamamayan ang desisyon kung pederalismo ang solusyon sa problema sa Mindanao.
Legarda worried over possible poll fraud
By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=559640&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - With the first poll automation this May, vice-presidential candidate Loren Legarda (NP-NPC) expressed fears yesterday over possible poll fraud.
During The STAR’s vice presidential series, Legarda admitted that it would be a big challenge for her and the Nacionalista Party, led by running mate Sen. Manuel Villar, to protect their votes.
Legarda, who decried poll fraud in the 2004 elections, noted the contrast in the manual and automated elections, making it hard to detect poll manipulations in May.
“I can’t use the lessons learned in 2004 now because it’s computerized. One cannot imagine how to fight the fraud in computerized elections,” she said.
She called for vigilance to help protect their votes and ensure the victory of the entire NP slate in the elections.
“The challenge is that the preparedness in vigilance and guarding your votes is different in 2004 when it was still manual voting. So I don’t know how to guard my votes, I let my people in the party and Manny to help protect our votes together,” she said.
Legarda, who has gone through four national elections as senator and then vice president in 2004 and this year, noted that election now is “more expensive because my rivals have more resources than I do.”
She noted that her main rival, Sen. Manuel Roxas II, has spent a billion pesos in political advertisements for the past two years when he started gearing up for the presidency.
She said she decided to run for vice-president because she thinks she can do more to help the Filipino people.
“Why am I running for vice? At 50, there is not much more I would want in life. God has been good to me. While I have made mistakes, I also had triumphs. While I had many sad moments, I also had many blessings. I believe I can do much as vice-president for now and help my president.”
She said she would still continue her United Nations assignment for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation even if she becomes vice-president.
Defending Villar
MANILA, Philippines - With the first poll automation this May, vice-presidential candidate Loren Legarda (NP-NPC) expressed fears yesterday over possible poll fraud.
During The STAR’s vice presidential series, Legarda admitted that it would be a big challenge for her and the Nacionalista Party, led by running mate Sen. Manuel Villar, to protect their votes.
Legarda, who decried poll fraud in the 2004 elections, noted the contrast in the manual and automated elections, making it hard to detect poll manipulations in May.
“I can’t use the lessons learned in 2004 now because it’s computerized. One cannot imagine how to fight the fraud in computerized elections,” she said.
She called for vigilance to help protect their votes and ensure the victory of the entire NP slate in the elections.
“The challenge is that the preparedness in vigilance and guarding your votes is different in 2004 when it was still manual voting. So I don’t know how to guard my votes, I let my people in the party and Manny to help protect our votes together,” she said.
Legarda, who has gone through four national elections as senator and then vice president in 2004 and this year, noted that election now is “more expensive because my rivals have more resources than I do.”
She noted that her main rival, Sen. Manuel Roxas II, has spent a billion pesos in political advertisements for the past two years when he started gearing up for the presidency.
She said she decided to run for vice-president because she thinks she can do more to help the Filipino people.
“Why am I running for vice? At 50, there is not much more I would want in life. God has been good to me. While I have made mistakes, I also had triumphs. While I had many sad moments, I also had many blessings. I believe I can do much as vice-president for now and help my president.”
She said she would still continue her United Nations assignment for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation even if she becomes vice-president.
Defending Villar
Shrugging off criticisms of her sudden decision to run with Villar, Legarda said she was left with no running mate when Sen. Francis Escudero suddenly dropped from the presidential race. Legarda and Escudero were being groomed then by the Nationalist People’s Coalition as running mates.
“In 1995, I did not know Manny Villar from Adam, yet I choose him as one of the 10 most admired Filipinos of that year. I admired him from a distance because I read about him in a foreign magazine as the brown taipan,” she said, recalling her stint with “Inside Story,” a public affairs program with ABS-CBN.
She said Villar’s rag to riches story got her interested even then.
Believing that Villar would win the elections, Legarda defended her vote against Villar during a coup in the Senate in the November 2007.
“I am the 14th person that Manny approached to get my vote for the Senate President. And I told him I committed my vote for Nene (Pimentel), he is also a good man and a colleague,” she explained.
“When you don’t vote for a colleague, it does not mean you don’t like him or you hate him. That’s the dynamics in the Senate, you don’t always vote together.”
“It’s not an ouster, but as I said, when you vote for another colleague, it does not mean he is your enemy. We don’t take things personally.”
On Erap
In her role in the impeachment move against former President Joseph Estrada, Legarda said she would have wanted that the process led to a fair judgment.
“On hindsight now, the process should have commenced. We should have allowed the defense to present its case and there should have been a verdict so there was a fair judgment and a fair court,” she said.
Villar vows more OFW protection
by Raul Beltran (Journal Online)
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/5535-villar-vows-more-ofw-protection.html
SENATOR MANUEL Villar Jr., known for having assisted a countless number of distressed overseas Filipino workers, yesterday vowed to devote more resources for the protection of their rights.
Villar, standard-bearer of the Nacionalista Party in the May 10 presidential elections, said abuses and acts of injustice continue to be perpetuated against OFWs, majority of them in the Middle East.
“I have heard first-hand terrible stories, litanies of physical abuse, maltreatment, rape, unfair labor practices, sufferings that our countrymen go through in search of a better life,” the former Senate president said.
Villar issued the statement on the 15th death anniversary of Flor Contemplacion, an OFW from San Pablo City who was executed in Singapore on April 17, 1995 for the murder of Delia Maga, a fellow Filipina worker, and a four-year Singaporean child under the latter’s care.
Her execution strained relations between the Philippines and Singapore, which are both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Earlier media reports said two Filipino witnesses claimed just before the execution that the father of the Singaporean child framed Contemplacion for the murders.
The same reports said the two Filipinos also alleged that the father killed Maga in rage after finding his son to have accidentally drowned.
The reports said the child was an epileptic who was alleged to have an attack while in the bath tub of which Maga was not aware of.
“Flor Contemplacion’s story should have been an eye-opener both for those who choose to work overseas of the risks associated with working in a foreign land and, more importantly, for the government to be more vigilant and responsive to the needs of our OFWs. Unfortunately, things have gone from bad to worse,” Villar said.
The NP presidential bet said another OFW, Jakatia Pawa of Zamboanga del Norte, is also facing execution in Kuwait, accused of killing the 22-year-old daughter of her employer.
He said Pawa, 33, is a mother of two children and has a degree in banking and finance.
“But she opted to work as a domestic helper in Kuwait so she could better provide for her family. Working abroad should not be the end solution to our poverty problem. The social costs are too high and taking their toll on our social structure,” Villar said.
“If given the chance to lead this country, I will ensure that government agencies -- such as POEA, OWWA and our consulates abroad -- will all be up to the task of providing the necessary assistance to advance the rights and welfare of our OFWs,” Villar added.
SENATOR MANUEL Villar Jr., known for having assisted a countless number of distressed overseas Filipino workers, yesterday vowed to devote more resources for the protection of their rights.
Villar, standard-bearer of the Nacionalista Party in the May 10 presidential elections, said abuses and acts of injustice continue to be perpetuated against OFWs, majority of them in the Middle East.
“I have heard first-hand terrible stories, litanies of physical abuse, maltreatment, rape, unfair labor practices, sufferings that our countrymen go through in search of a better life,” the former Senate president said.
Villar issued the statement on the 15th death anniversary of Flor Contemplacion, an OFW from San Pablo City who was executed in Singapore on April 17, 1995 for the murder of Delia Maga, a fellow Filipina worker, and a four-year Singaporean child under the latter’s care.
Her execution strained relations between the Philippines and Singapore, which are both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Earlier media reports said two Filipino witnesses claimed just before the execution that the father of the Singaporean child framed Contemplacion for the murders.
The same reports said the two Filipinos also alleged that the father killed Maga in rage after finding his son to have accidentally drowned.
The reports said the child was an epileptic who was alleged to have an attack while in the bath tub of which Maga was not aware of.
“Flor Contemplacion’s story should have been an eye-opener both for those who choose to work overseas of the risks associated with working in a foreign land and, more importantly, for the government to be more vigilant and responsive to the needs of our OFWs. Unfortunately, things have gone from bad to worse,” Villar said.
The NP presidential bet said another OFW, Jakatia Pawa of Zamboanga del Norte, is also facing execution in Kuwait, accused of killing the 22-year-old daughter of her employer.
He said Pawa, 33, is a mother of two children and has a degree in banking and finance.
“But she opted to work as a domestic helper in Kuwait so she could better provide for her family. Working abroad should not be the end solution to our poverty problem. The social costs are too high and taking their toll on our social structure,” Villar said.
“If given the chance to lead this country, I will ensure that government agencies -- such as POEA, OWWA and our consulates abroad -- will all be up to the task of providing the necessary assistance to advance the rights and welfare of our OFWs,” Villar added.
Jeep ni Erap back on the road, eyes 15M votes
By Norman Bordadora (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
“President Estrada’s survey ratings are at 18 percent now but we will make sure that this is at least 30 percent by end of April,” Jeep chair Horacio “Boy” Morales said.
“If he won by 11 million votes in 1998, this time we will deliver at least 15 million votes,” he added.
Morales is a longtime leader of the Estrada’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and was the former President’s secretary of agrarian reform during his short-lived administration.
Estrada described Jeep ni Erap as a nationwide group of small and middle-income businessmen that have volunteered to help deliver the votes in May.
Jeep, during the Estrada administration, stood for justice, economy, environment and peace, areas that the former actor pledged would be given top priority.
There are now two volunteer groups helping Estrada at the community-level campaign, both named after public utility vehicles used by poor folk. They are Traysikel ni Erap and the re-launched Jeep ni Erap.
In an earlier interview, PMP vice president Cagayan De Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the Jeep Ni Erap and Traysikel Ni Erap campaigns would involve a network of volunteers that could grow to around seven million supporters.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100320-259775/Jeep-ni-Erap-back-on-the-road-eyes-15M-votes
MANILA, Philippines—With former president Joseph Estrada still lagging behind two presidential candidates, the group that helped him win in 1998 has vowed to give Estrada an extra push that will translate to a bigger winning margin in his comeback bid.
Members of the Jeep ni Erap, the group that the Estrada camp credits as “greatly responsible for the 1998 victory,” held a kickoff rally Friday at the Club Filipino in Estrada’s home city of San Juan.
MANILA, Philippines—With former president Joseph Estrada still lagging behind two presidential candidates, the group that helped him win in 1998 has vowed to give Estrada an extra push that will translate to a bigger winning margin in his comeback bid.
Members of the Jeep ni Erap, the group that the Estrada camp credits as “greatly responsible for the 1998 victory,” held a kickoff rally Friday at the Club Filipino in Estrada’s home city of San Juan.
“President Estrada’s survey ratings are at 18 percent now but we will make sure that this is at least 30 percent by end of April,” Jeep chair Horacio “Boy” Morales said.
“If he won by 11 million votes in 1998, this time we will deliver at least 15 million votes,” he added.
Morales is a longtime leader of the Estrada’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and was the former President’s secretary of agrarian reform during his short-lived administration.
Estrada described Jeep ni Erap as a nationwide group of small and middle-income businessmen that have volunteered to help deliver the votes in May.
Jeep, during the Estrada administration, stood for justice, economy, environment and peace, areas that the former actor pledged would be given top priority.
There are now two volunteer groups helping Estrada at the community-level campaign, both named after public utility vehicles used by poor folk. They are Traysikel ni Erap and the re-launched Jeep ni Erap.
In an earlier interview, PMP vice president Cagayan De Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the Jeep Ni Erap and Traysikel Ni Erap campaigns would involve a network of volunteers that could grow to around seven million supporters.
Election rules on posters Offenders all, Comelec says of major candidates
By Kristine L. Alave (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100320-259769/Election-rules-on-posters
MANILA, Philippines—Equal offenders all.
This was how the Commission on Elections described candidates for national office when it comes to following the law as their political advertisements continue to litter the streets of Metro Manila.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Friday said the poll body has found that several presidential, vice-presidential and senatorial candidates have posters and streamers in violation of size limits in the Fair Elections Law.
“We recently went on a drive across the city and we took pictures. It seems that it is widespread and commonplace. It’s not limited to a particular candidate or block. Everyone is equally in violation, it would seem,” Jimenez said.
The rule says that posters should not exceed 2 feet by 3 feet while streamers should be no more than 3 feet by 8 feet.
Oversized
Jimenez said many of the streamers and posters they found during their inspection violated these size limits. Many were also out of place and were posted in public infrastructures.
Jimenez said compliance with the poster regulations has been “dismal.” Candidates do not own up to the violations and blame their supporters for putting up the posters.
But the Comelec will not accept this alibi, he said.
“They must be reminded that according to the implementing rules of RA 9006, a candidate will also be held liable for the violations committed by his supporter,” he said.
Jimenez identified the offending streamers as those of presidential candidates Sen. Noynoy Aquino (Roxas Blvd. cor Vito Cruz); Gilbert Teodoro (Edsa Southbound); Joseph Estrada and Jejomar Binay (Edsa North Ave., Philam); Sen. Richard Gordon; and Sen. Manuel Villar (Edsa cor. Reliance St.).
The rest belonged to vice-presidential candidate Bayani Fernando (Edsa Cubao, and Shell North Luzon Tollway, Burol Balagtas, Bulacan); senatorial candidates Sen. Lito Lapid (Edsa cor. Reliance St.) JV Bautista (Edsa near Nepa Q-Mart) and Rey Langit (in front of the MMDA office near Edsa Guadalupe).
Three days to comply
Jimenez said the Comelec has also received reports that these candidates have been littering the provinces with their propaganda materials.
The candidates have three days from receiving notice to remove the offending materials.
Those found guilty of an election offense face imprisonment up to six years, disqualification from public and government office, and revocation of the right to vote.
Early this week, the Comelec notified Gordon, Fernando and Bangon Pilipinas presidential bet Bro. Eddie Villanueva about removing their giant billboards on South Luzon Expressway, Edsa and Quiapo, Manila, respectively.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100320-259769/Election-rules-on-posters
MANILA, Philippines—Equal offenders all.
This was how the Commission on Elections described candidates for national office when it comes to following the law as their political advertisements continue to litter the streets of Metro Manila.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Friday said the poll body has found that several presidential, vice-presidential and senatorial candidates have posters and streamers in violation of size limits in the Fair Elections Law.
“We recently went on a drive across the city and we took pictures. It seems that it is widespread and commonplace. It’s not limited to a particular candidate or block. Everyone is equally in violation, it would seem,” Jimenez said.
The rule says that posters should not exceed 2 feet by 3 feet while streamers should be no more than 3 feet by 8 feet.
Oversized
Jimenez said many of the streamers and posters they found during their inspection violated these size limits. Many were also out of place and were posted in public infrastructures.
Jimenez said compliance with the poster regulations has been “dismal.” Candidates do not own up to the violations and blame their supporters for putting up the posters.
But the Comelec will not accept this alibi, he said.
“They must be reminded that according to the implementing rules of RA 9006, a candidate will also be held liable for the violations committed by his supporter,” he said.
Jimenez identified the offending streamers as those of presidential candidates Sen. Noynoy Aquino (Roxas Blvd. cor Vito Cruz); Gilbert Teodoro (Edsa Southbound); Joseph Estrada and Jejomar Binay (Edsa North Ave., Philam); Sen. Richard Gordon; and Sen. Manuel Villar (Edsa cor. Reliance St.).
The rest belonged to vice-presidential candidate Bayani Fernando (Edsa Cubao, and Shell North Luzon Tollway, Burol Balagtas, Bulacan); senatorial candidates Sen. Lito Lapid (Edsa cor. Reliance St.) JV Bautista (Edsa near Nepa Q-Mart) and Rey Langit (in front of the MMDA office near Edsa Guadalupe).
Three days to comply
Jimenez said the Comelec has also received reports that these candidates have been littering the provinces with their propaganda materials.
The candidates have three days from receiving notice to remove the offending materials.
Those found guilty of an election offense face imprisonment up to six years, disqualification from public and government office, and revocation of the right to vote.
Early this week, the Comelec notified Gordon, Fernando and Bangon Pilipinas presidential bet Bro. Eddie Villanueva about removing their giant billboards on South Luzon Expressway, Edsa and Quiapo, Manila, respectively.
'I won't take part in ouster moves'
By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=559628&publicationSubCategoryId=63
Philippines - Vice presidential candidate Sen. Loren Legarda vowed yesterday that if elected, she would not take part in any move to oust the next president.
“I will never be part of any coup, impeachment, anything that will disrupt the democratic processes and smooth governance of our country. Our country has been on a political roller coaster, which has been a setback in our development for decades and we are now the laggards of Asia,” said Legarda, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and a guest candidate of the Nacionalista Party headed by presidential bet Sen. Manny Villar.
Legarda told the The STAR editors during the newspaper’s vice-presidential series that the vice-president should remain loyal to the president.
She said the country had not moved forward since Mrs. Arroyo became president as a result of the EDSA People Power II.
Legarda expressed support for bloc voting so the people could elect a president and president from one party to avoid any conflict in platforms and governance.
Legarda also pledged her commitment to be a good, supportive and collaborative vice president to Villar if they win in the May 10 elections.
Legarda lamented that the nine years of the Arroyo administration has failed because the President has been “trying to survive a presidency.”
“I think that is largely because of our destructive, counter productive politics. I think we should start unifying our people instead of being so divisive. That is perhaps because governance has failed and much entrenched corruption has not been stemmed. I think it has even worsened and that’s very unfortunate,” said Legarda.
“The nine years have not really served the interests of the poorest of the poor whose lives have even worsened, because when you assumed office not from an election but through succession, maybe that’s the challenge, the Herculean task that Mrs. Arroyo had to overcome,” Legarda added.
Legarda, however, does not believe that President Arroyo had destroyed the institutions of government.
“I believe that the institutions will always be there. I don’t think a president who has not been successful in his or her term can destroy the institutions,” she said, adding that it’s up to the next leaders to rebuild the trust in these institutions.
It was at this point that Legarda reiterated the need for the people to choose the next leaders, who do not thrive in the politics of hate and those who do not rely on the famous last names of their parents.
Although she did not name names, she was obviously referring to the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas II.
Cabinet post for vice president
Legarda said she believes that her president (referring to Villar) knows her capabilities and that she can shine in whatever position would be assigned to her.
Legarda said she could handle any Cabinet post as she cited her vast background in leading various committees at the Senate.
“My president will use me where I am suited,” she said.
Legarda said that she would be a collaborative and supportive vice-president.
Loren hits Mar
Legarda also took potshots at her rival, Sen. Mar Roxas II, whom she lambasted for not being true to his political advertisements.
She also turned the tables on Roxas, whose camp has been attacking the NP, particularly Villar, for spending too much for political advertisements.
Roxas’ political ads are “fake,” adding that his decision to slide down from president to vice president was a good exit plan because he failed to get high ratings in his presidential bid, she said.
“It (sliding down) was not a sacrifice, it was an exit plan. His single digit (rating) did not go up,” she said.
Legarda said Roxas had spent almost a billion pesos in the past three years since he started his campaign for the presidency.
She said her rival had done all the stunts from riding a pedicab while wearing leather shoes, to crying in noontime shows and yet his single digit rating did not go up.
“So it’s not a sacrifice as they made it appear, it’s a good exit plan. He has even Noynoy to thank that he is now running for vice-president,” Legarda said.
Loren’s lovelife
She said the “state of her love life” is like “El Niño” where there is drought.
Legarda also brushed aside rumors linking her to older men, including fellow Sen. Edgardo Angara.
“I can categorically say straight. No senator of the Philippines has ever courted me in the past 12 years since 1998 to 2010,” she said.
“You know Ed (Angara) is such a kind, selfless (colleague). Angara is the president of the LDP (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino) and in 2004, he put FPJ (actor Fernando Poe Jr.) and me together,” Legarda explained. “If elder men admire me or younger men, colleagues from Senate or whatever, that’s just it.”
She added she is not attracted to men without brains. “I am not attracted to hunks, I am not attracted to overly handsome men who have nothing between their ears. I admire men who are good human beings, who are humanitarians and kind to people,” Legarda added.
Legarda said she does not like glamorous men. “I get attracted to intellect,” Legarda said, but added that she, however, has a “waistline requirement.”
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=559628&publicationSubCategoryId=63
Philippines - Vice presidential candidate Sen. Loren Legarda vowed yesterday that if elected, she would not take part in any move to oust the next president.
“I will never be part of any coup, impeachment, anything that will disrupt the democratic processes and smooth governance of our country. Our country has been on a political roller coaster, which has been a setback in our development for decades and we are now the laggards of Asia,” said Legarda, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and a guest candidate of the Nacionalista Party headed by presidential bet Sen. Manny Villar.
Legarda told the The STAR editors during the newspaper’s vice-presidential series that the vice-president should remain loyal to the president.
She said the country had not moved forward since Mrs. Arroyo became president as a result of the EDSA People Power II.
Legarda expressed support for bloc voting so the people could elect a president and president from one party to avoid any conflict in platforms and governance.
Legarda also pledged her commitment to be a good, supportive and collaborative vice president to Villar if they win in the May 10 elections.
Legarda lamented that the nine years of the Arroyo administration has failed because the President has been “trying to survive a presidency.”
“I think that is largely because of our destructive, counter productive politics. I think we should start unifying our people instead of being so divisive. That is perhaps because governance has failed and much entrenched corruption has not been stemmed. I think it has even worsened and that’s very unfortunate,” said Legarda.
“The nine years have not really served the interests of the poorest of the poor whose lives have even worsened, because when you assumed office not from an election but through succession, maybe that’s the challenge, the Herculean task that Mrs. Arroyo had to overcome,” Legarda added.
Legarda, however, does not believe that President Arroyo had destroyed the institutions of government.
“I believe that the institutions will always be there. I don’t think a president who has not been successful in his or her term can destroy the institutions,” she said, adding that it’s up to the next leaders to rebuild the trust in these institutions.
It was at this point that Legarda reiterated the need for the people to choose the next leaders, who do not thrive in the politics of hate and those who do not rely on the famous last names of their parents.
Although she did not name names, she was obviously referring to the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas II.
Cabinet post for vice president
Legarda said she believes that her president (referring to Villar) knows her capabilities and that she can shine in whatever position would be assigned to her.
Legarda said she could handle any Cabinet post as she cited her vast background in leading various committees at the Senate.
“My president will use me where I am suited,” she said.
Legarda said that she would be a collaborative and supportive vice-president.
Loren hits Mar
Legarda also took potshots at her rival, Sen. Mar Roxas II, whom she lambasted for not being true to his political advertisements.
She also turned the tables on Roxas, whose camp has been attacking the NP, particularly Villar, for spending too much for political advertisements.
Roxas’ political ads are “fake,” adding that his decision to slide down from president to vice president was a good exit plan because he failed to get high ratings in his presidential bid, she said.
“It (sliding down) was not a sacrifice, it was an exit plan. His single digit (rating) did not go up,” she said.
Legarda said Roxas had spent almost a billion pesos in the past three years since he started his campaign for the presidency.
She said her rival had done all the stunts from riding a pedicab while wearing leather shoes, to crying in noontime shows and yet his single digit rating did not go up.
“So it’s not a sacrifice as they made it appear, it’s a good exit plan. He has even Noynoy to thank that he is now running for vice-president,” Legarda said.
Loren’s lovelife
She said the “state of her love life” is like “El Niño” where there is drought.
Legarda also brushed aside rumors linking her to older men, including fellow Sen. Edgardo Angara.
“I can categorically say straight. No senator of the Philippines has ever courted me in the past 12 years since 1998 to 2010,” she said.
“You know Ed (Angara) is such a kind, selfless (colleague). Angara is the president of the LDP (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino) and in 2004, he put FPJ (actor Fernando Poe Jr.) and me together,” Legarda explained. “If elder men admire me or younger men, colleagues from Senate or whatever, that’s just it.”
She added she is not attracted to men without brains. “I am not attracted to hunks, I am not attracted to overly handsome men who have nothing between their ears. I admire men who are good human beings, who are humanitarians and kind to people,” Legarda added.
Legarda said she does not like glamorous men. “I get attracted to intellect,” Legarda said, but added that she, however, has a “waistline requirement.”
March 19, 2010
Why I Can’t Trust Noynoy and his Liberal Party...
By Jojo Robles
“It is important to note that both Cory Aquino and her son Noynoy supported the embattled President Arroyo right after the wiretapping stories broke. Cory urged Filipinos not to use extra-judicial means to remove their Chief Executive, while Noynoy (a Tarlac congressman at the time) voted in the House to prevent the playing of the wiretapped conversations.”
If Noynoy Aquino weren’t so blinded by hate (or so callowly exploiting what he feels is the mother lode of hatred that will make him president, take your pick), he would also call for the creation of a government commission to look into the festering problem that is Hacienda Luisita, if he wins. But wait, there was already a commission formed to do that six years ago – and still nothing has happened.
Only, as that recent excellent series on the troubled sugar plantation written by Stephanie Dychiu on the GMA Network Web site (www.gmanews.tv) pointed out, the work of the Luisita task force was apparently swept aside by the “Hello, Garci” wiretapping scandal in early 2005. The headline-hogging reports of President Arroyo directly calling an elections commissioner to secure votes for her election a year earlier elbowed out the previous big story of the November 2004 Luisita massacre, wherein soldiers and police opened fire on striking workers at the Cojuangco-Aquino plantation.
It is important to note that both Cory Aquino and her son Noynoy supported the embattled President Arroyo right after the wiretapping stories broke. Cory urged Filipinos not to use extra-judicial means to remove their Chief Executive, while Noynoy (a Tarlac congressman at the time) voted in the House to prevent the playing of the wiretapped conversations.
Yet, soon after the Department of Agrarian Reform’s Luisita task force completed its investigation and following a meeting in Malacañang between Cory and President Arroyo, the former President publicly called for the resignation of her successor in office. Amid rumors of a shouting match between the two women leaders that had nothing to do with the “Garci” tapes and everything to do with the task force’s report, according to Dychiu’s sources, Cory, Noynoy and even Kris (all of whom supported President Arroyo’s 2004 campaign against actor Fernando Poe Jr.), joined the anti-Arroyo opposition.
Election 2010 News - March 19, 2010
- Foreign business give Gibo hgh marks (The Manila Times)
- Pursue paece talks -- Bongbong (Journal)
- Bongbong vows justice in Ilocos killings (The Philippine Star)
- Palace mocks LP's 'vision' (The Manila Times)
- NP won't let Noynoy get away on Luisita (Malaya)
- Ibasura na ang EVAT -- Binay (Abante-Tonite)
- Roxas, Binay, Legarda Splurge millions on ads (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism - Malaya)
- Ilocano welcome awes Aquino (Cebu Daily Newsr)
- 4 presidential bets unite vs new CJ appointment (Manila Bulletin)
- KUMPLETOS RECADOS NA!...sa failure of elections (Abante)
- Army chief: There's no Oplan 'August Moon' (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Voters told: Know your precinct, list bets before voting (Inquirer.net)
- Comelec to host live chat with RP bets (The Philippine Star)
Foreign businessmen give Gibo high marks
by JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA Reporter (The Manila Times)
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/13654-foreign-businessmen-give-gibo-high-marksGilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, the candidate for president of the administration party in the May 10 elections, would make a good president, according to foreign business executives in the country.
Peter Wallace, the chief executive officer of Wallace Business Forum QRT, on Thursday led the expatriates in citing Teodoro’s sound appreciation of the business setting and climate in the Philippines.
Besides, Wallace said, they find “reassuring” the platform of government of the standard-bearer of Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).
“He [Teodoro] obviously understands the issues very well,” he added.
Teodoro, a former Defense secretary, during a forum held at Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City (Metro Manila), talked about his platform and his plans to safeguard the nation and its business community if he is voted as successor to President Gloria Arroyo.
The forum tackled corruption in the government, threats to internal security and proposals on economic development, among other issues.
“I don’t think there was any thing that he said that we would disagree [with],” Wallace said. He gave Teodoro a grade of 7 or 8 out of 10 for the presidential candidate’s grasp of the concerns of business movers, both local and foreign.
Pursue peace talks — Bongbong
by Jester Manalastas (Journal)
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/5453-pursue-peace-talks--bongbong.html ILOCOS Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. urged the government to resume peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army.
He said the government should prevent further disorder and bloodshed that may be launched by the rebels on May 10.
Marcos, a senatorial candidate of the Nacionalista Party, said the bloody encounters between the military and the NPA could have been prevented had the peace talks pushed through.
“It’s only saddening that there’s a possibility that the upcoming elections will not be peaceful as it should be as we expect violence to get worse,” Marcos said.
He noted that the military and the police cannot focus on dismantling private armies and warring politicians because they also have to go after the communist rebels.
“The people are not only afraid of the private armies but also of the NPA. If only the peace talks ensued, we won’t be worrying like this,” Marcos said
Bongbong vows justice in Ilocos killings
by Cheeko Ruiz (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=559172&publicationSubCategoryId=67
MANILA, Philippines - Nacionalista Party senatorial candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos yesterday vowed to pursue justice for various politically-related killings in Ilocos Norte, particularly in the town of Dingras.
Marcos Jr., son of former President Ferdinand Marcos, told The STAR that investigations are underway which could shed light on recent murders in the province which prompted various groups to ask the Commission on Elections to declare Dingras a hot spot this coming elections.
Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative board president Lorenzo “Rey” Ruiz was gunned down in September 2009 while barangay chairwoman and NP councilor bet in Dingras Joan Cañete was slain last December.
Ruiz’s murder was said to be related to his re-election bid as head of INEC while Cañete was part of a five-vehicle convoy of the opposition party in Dingras that was riddled with bullets from unknown gunmen last December.
Before the two successive ambush, there was also a slay attempt against Joeffrey Saguid, the Nacionalista Party mayoralty bet in Dingras.
“The cases are making progress. We hope to pinpoint the mastermind of the killings soon,” Marcos said.
MANILA, Philippines - Nacionalista Party senatorial candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos yesterday vowed to pursue justice for various politically-related killings in Ilocos Norte, particularly in the town of Dingras.
Marcos Jr., son of former President Ferdinand Marcos, told The STAR that investigations are underway which could shed light on recent murders in the province which prompted various groups to ask the Commission on Elections to declare Dingras a hot spot this coming elections.
Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative board president Lorenzo “Rey” Ruiz was gunned down in September 2009 while barangay chairwoman and NP councilor bet in Dingras Joan Cañete was slain last December.
Ruiz’s murder was said to be related to his re-election bid as head of INEC while Cañete was part of a five-vehicle convoy of the opposition party in Dingras that was riddled with bullets from unknown gunmen last December.
Before the two successive ambush, there was also a slay attempt against Joeffrey Saguid, the Nacionalista Party mayoralty bet in Dingras.
“The cases are making progress. We hope to pinpoint the mastermind of the killings soon,” Marcos said.
Palace mocks LP’s ‘vision’
Noynoy an island unto himself, says spokesman
by ANGELO S. SAMONTE Reporter (The Manila Times)
by ANGELO S. SAMONTE Reporter (The Manila Times)
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/13653-palace-mocks-lps-vision
Voters should guard against the supposed vision of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd when they choose the country’s next president in the May 10 elections, Malacañang said on Thursday.
“Even Sen. Aquino has stooped to claiming that the Arroyo government is worse than [that of] Marcos, whom he claims at least did not try to hide behind legalities. The senator’s anger at legalities and technicalities that get in the way of what seems to be the only brand of acceptable justice to him—his own—is a quality of his that our voters should ponder,” deputy spokesman Gary Olivar said.
President Gloria Arroyo “[did] not win all her battles in the past, but she has never gainsaid due process or legitimate authority when properly applied by other government entities even at her expense,” he added.
At the same time, Olivar said that it should be an eye-opener for the people the denunciation by the opposition and the Makati Business Club of a recent Supreme Court ruling saying that President Arroyo can appoint the next chief justice.
These critics, among them former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, the Malacañang spokesman added, think of themselves as better judge of the issue, which Olivar said was a thought most unfortunate.
On Wednesday, Aquino, the Liberal Party standard-bearer, took another swipe at the President, accusing her of using the governance style of late former President Ferdinand Marcos as her “template.”
Unlike the Arroyo administration, he said, Marcos had at least legal cover for his actions.
Aquino noted that under the watch of Mrs. Arroyo, several controversies, including the “Hello, Garci” scandal, the P728-million fertilizer fund scam and the botched $330-million national broadband network deal, remain unresolved. The “Hello, Garci” scandal linked the President to alleged poll cheating in the 2004 elections, which she eventually won over opposition standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr.
Voters should guard against the supposed vision of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd when they choose the country’s next president in the May 10 elections, Malacañang said on Thursday.
“Even Sen. Aquino has stooped to claiming that the Arroyo government is worse than [that of] Marcos, whom he claims at least did not try to hide behind legalities. The senator’s anger at legalities and technicalities that get in the way of what seems to be the only brand of acceptable justice to him—his own—is a quality of his that our voters should ponder,” deputy spokesman Gary Olivar said.
President Gloria Arroyo “[did] not win all her battles in the past, but she has never gainsaid due process or legitimate authority when properly applied by other government entities even at her expense,” he added.
At the same time, Olivar said that it should be an eye-opener for the people the denunciation by the opposition and the Makati Business Club of a recent Supreme Court ruling saying that President Arroyo can appoint the next chief justice.
These critics, among them former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, the Malacañang spokesman added, think of themselves as better judge of the issue, which Olivar said was a thought most unfortunate.
On Wednesday, Aquino, the Liberal Party standard-bearer, took another swipe at the President, accusing her of using the governance style of late former President Ferdinand Marcos as her “template.”
Unlike the Arroyo administration, he said, Marcos had at least legal cover for his actions.
Aquino noted that under the watch of Mrs. Arroyo, several controversies, including the “Hello, Garci” scandal, the P728-million fertilizer fund scam and the botched $330-million national broadband network deal, remain unresolved. The “Hello, Garci” scandal linked the President to alleged poll cheating in the 2004 elections, which she eventually won over opposition standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr.
NP won’t let Noynoy get away on Luisita
from Malaya
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03192010/news10.htmlTHE Nacionalista Party yesterday said Liberal Party presidential bet Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has shown his "callousness and insensitivity" towards the poor for saying that his family on the maternal side – the Cojuangcos -- is the oppressed party in the Hacienda Luisita land dispute.
"Aquino family oppressed? Tell it to the Hacienda farmers," NP spokesman and senatorial bet Adel Tamano said.
Aquino, in a campaign sortie in Catarman, Samar Wednesday, said his family has been unduly put at a disadvantage by parties out to distort the facts about the Hacienda Luisita issue to derail his presidential bid. He said his opponents have been using the Hacienda Luisita issue as a political issue.
The New York Times on Sunday quoted Aquino’s cousin Fernando Cojuangco as saying the family has no intention to part with Hacienda Luisita, contrary to Aquino’s promise to distribute the sugar estate to farmers within five years of his presidency.
Tamano said Aquino should face the families of the 13 farmers who died in the Mendiola massacre, as well as the heirs of the seven farmers who were killed in the Hacienda Luisita massacre. This is not to mention about 15 farmers who were killed in Lupao, a day after Mendiola Massacre, on suspicion that they were communist rebels.
Aside from them, 74 farmers were injured in Mendiola and 121 in Luisita.
Ibasura na ang EVAT -- Binay
from Abante-Tonite
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/mar1910/news_story6.htmOras na para palayain ang masa mula sa tanikala ng hindi makatarungang pagbubuwis.
Ang posisyong ito ang pinanindigan ni United Opposition (UNO) vice presidential candidate Jejomar C. Binay na muling nanawagan para tuluyang ibasura ang Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) partikular sa langis at kuryente.
Binanggit ni Binay ang mga datos mula sa Department of Energy (DOE), Family Income Expenditures Survey (FIES) at International Monetary Fund (IMF) na nagpapakita na noong 2008, ang transport sector at ordinaryong tahanan na gumagamit ng kerosene at liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) ang kumargo sa may P18 bilyon o P30 bilyong kita sa EVAT ng gobyerno, na taliwas sa ibinabando ng gobyerno na tanging ang mga mayayaman ang dapat bumalikat ng malaking bulto ng EVAT.
Binanggit din ni Binay ang DOE estimate na nagsasaad na piso bawat unit ang increase sa diesel price ang nagpataas ng generation cost ng kuryente gaya ng sumusunod: Luzon, P0.0002; Visayas, P0.0015; Mindanao, P0.0002; at ang buong Pilipinas, P0.0004.
Ipinaliwanag ni Binay na ang P1 per unit increase sa bunker price ay nagbibigay ng mataas na generation costs tulad sa: Luzon, P0.0002; Visayas, P0.0198; Mindanao, P0.0659 at buong Pilipinas, P0.0161.
“EVAT is an unnecessary tax that needs to be reviewed and scrapped to give relief to the suffering Filipino working class. Raise their wages. Give them a fighting chance against oppressive taxes,” ani Binay.
“Major oil players have raised pump prices anew, this time without notice. The latest in the series of oil price hikes has brought diesel prices to P33.25 to P35.80 per liter while gasoline is now retailed at P42.70 to P45 to a liter. Kerosene is now prices at P41.15 to P47.50,” dagdag pa ng vice presidentiable.
Aniya, ang tumataas na gastusin sa langis at enerhiya ay nagpapataas din sa presyo ng mga bilihin at lalong nagpapahirap sa milyun-milyong magsasaka at manggagawa sa buong bansa.
Dahil dito, kailangan lamang aniyang alisin na ang EVAT. “We should scrap EVAT. Government has other means to earn revenues to plug the deficit caused by its fiscal management. It only has to intensify its tax collection as well as anti-smuggling efforts in order to plug revenue leakages. Government should not burden the poor with taxes,” ani Binay.
Binanggit ni Binay ang mga datos mula sa Department of Energy (DOE), Family Income Expenditures Survey (FIES) at International Monetary Fund (IMF) na nagpapakita na noong 2008, ang transport sector at ordinaryong tahanan na gumagamit ng kerosene at liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) ang kumargo sa may P18 bilyon o P30 bilyong kita sa EVAT ng gobyerno, na taliwas sa ibinabando ng gobyerno na tanging ang mga mayayaman ang dapat bumalikat ng malaking bulto ng EVAT.
Binanggit din ni Binay ang DOE estimate na nagsasaad na piso bawat unit ang increase sa diesel price ang nagpataas ng generation cost ng kuryente gaya ng sumusunod: Luzon, P0.0002; Visayas, P0.0015; Mindanao, P0.0002; at ang buong Pilipinas, P0.0004.
Ipinaliwanag ni Binay na ang P1 per unit increase sa bunker price ay nagbibigay ng mataas na generation costs tulad sa: Luzon, P0.0002; Visayas, P0.0198; Mindanao, P0.0659 at buong Pilipinas, P0.0161.
“EVAT is an unnecessary tax that needs to be reviewed and scrapped to give relief to the suffering Filipino working class. Raise their wages. Give them a fighting chance against oppressive taxes,” ani Binay.
“Major oil players have raised pump prices anew, this time without notice. The latest in the series of oil price hikes has brought diesel prices to P33.25 to P35.80 per liter while gasoline is now retailed at P42.70 to P45 to a liter. Kerosene is now prices at P41.15 to P47.50,” dagdag pa ng vice presidentiable.
Aniya, ang tumataas na gastusin sa langis at enerhiya ay nagpapataas din sa presyo ng mga bilihin at lalong nagpapahirap sa milyun-milyong magsasaka at manggagawa sa buong bansa.
Dahil dito, kailangan lamang aniyang alisin na ang EVAT. “We should scrap EVAT. Government has other means to earn revenues to plug the deficit caused by its fiscal management. It only has to intensify its tax collection as well as anti-smuggling efforts in order to plug revenue leakages. Government should not burden the poor with taxes,” ani Binay.
Roxas, Binay, Legarda splurge millions on ads
It’s air war for vice prez bets, too
by CHE DE LOS REYES (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism - Malaya)
by CHE DE LOS REYES (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism - Malaya)
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03192010/news8.html
IT’S AN air war for now for the candidates for president; it’s an air war for their running mates, too.
Just like their parties’ standard bearers, the leading candidates for vice president have poured in hundreds of millions of pesos on political advertisements on television.
The official campaign period started only last February 9, but from November 2009 to February 8, 2010, four candidates for vice president -- Liberal Party’s Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas III, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino’s Jejomar ‘Jojo’ Binay, Nacionalista Party’s Loren Legarda, and Bagumbayan Party’s Bayani Fernando -- had already incurred a total of P561.5 million in advertising values for television, radio, and print ads.
Minus discounts of up to 47 percent granted by media agencies at the time, the net indicative spending on these candidates’ political ads amount to P294,417,894.
In the first month of the 90-day campaign period, or when campaign finance laws also started to take effect, the four showed more tempered spending, as did their running mates.
From February 9 to March 8, 2010, the combined spending on political ads of the four candidates and Bangon Pilipinas’s Perfecto Yasay Jr. amounted to only P167,814,890, according to published rate cards of media agencies.
Minus discounts allowed by the Commission on Elections (at the rate of 30, 20, and 10 percent for TV, radio, and print, respectively), the combined indicative cost of these candidates’ political ads during the 28-day period amounted to only P144,327,68.
Some candidates, however, may now be counting on dividends from their early investments in political commercials.
IT’S AN air war for now for the candidates for president; it’s an air war for their running mates, too.
Just like their parties’ standard bearers, the leading candidates for vice president have poured in hundreds of millions of pesos on political advertisements on television.
The official campaign period started only last February 9, but from November 2009 to February 8, 2010, four candidates for vice president -- Liberal Party’s Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas III, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino’s Jejomar ‘Jojo’ Binay, Nacionalista Party’s Loren Legarda, and Bagumbayan Party’s Bayani Fernando -- had already incurred a total of P561.5 million in advertising values for television, radio, and print ads.
Minus discounts of up to 47 percent granted by media agencies at the time, the net indicative spending on these candidates’ political ads amount to P294,417,894.
In the first month of the 90-day campaign period, or when campaign finance laws also started to take effect, the four showed more tempered spending, as did their running mates.
From February 9 to March 8, 2010, the combined spending on political ads of the four candidates and Bangon Pilipinas’s Perfecto Yasay Jr. amounted to only P167,814,890, according to published rate cards of media agencies.
Minus discounts allowed by the Commission on Elections (at the rate of 30, 20, and 10 percent for TV, radio, and print, respectively), the combined indicative cost of these candidates’ political ads during the 28-day period amounted to only P144,327,68.
Some candidates, however, may now be counting on dividends from their early investments in political commercials.
Ilocano welcome awes Aquinos
by Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. (Cebu Daily News)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100319-259576/Ilocano-welcome-awes-AquinosLAOAG CITY—It was the first time Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III set foot in the province of his parents’ arch-nemesis, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and the welcome overwhelmed him.
It helped that Aquino had come with his younger celebrity sister Kris and her husband, basketball star James Yap.
But the welcoming mob at the Laoag City International Airport was totally unexpected with the locals jostling for pictures, autographs or just a glance at the famous siblings.
It also helped that the welcome was led by Ilocos Norte Gov. Michael Keon, a nephew of Marcos, who said that the much vaunted “Solid North” was now a thing of the past with the province’s 350,000 voters expected to go for four presidential candidates—Manny Villar, Gilbert Teodoro, Joseph Estrada and Aquino.
Cousin vs cousin
“With a much younger voting population, the voters are more discerning and discriminating,” said Keon who is running for reelection under the Liberal Party, Nacionalista Party and Lakas-Kampi-CMD against his cousin, Imee Marcos, daughter of the late dictator.
Kris said she was so nervous about the welcome they might get from the people in Marcos country that she prayed the rosary twice to seek “divine intervention” before deciding to join her brother’s sortie.
“I prayed to my mom that I won’t say any word that would court the Ilocanos’ ire,” she said.
4 presidential bets unite vs new CJ appointment
by ROY C. MABSA (Manila Bulletin)
http://mb.com.ph/articles/248396/4-presidential-bets-unite-vs-appointment-new-cjFor the first time, four bitter rivals for the presidency in the May, 2010 automated elections see eye-to-eye as they all cautioned President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from appointing a new Chief Justice, citing “delicadeza” and possible conflict of interest.
The reactions of the presidential contenders came after the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the right of President Arroyo to appoint the next Chief Justice. Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer
Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III warned that President Arroyo may be cited for conflict of interest as she herself may be facing various cases that may reach the High Court when she steps down from her post.
“Let us look at it from the idea of a conflict of interest because the incumbent President may herself face several cases (before the SC),” Aquino said in reference to possible charges that may emanate when the President ends her term on June 30, 2010.
From the legal view, Aquino noted, the new ruling effectively reverses a previous SC decision prohibiting the President from appointing members of the judiciary two month immediately before a scheduled presidential election.
He pointed out that the Supreme Court, then led by Chief Justice Andres Narvasa, ruled during that time that the outgoing President “is neither required to make appointments to the courts nor allowed to do so.”
The reactions of the presidential contenders came after the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the right of President Arroyo to appoint the next Chief Justice. Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer
Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III warned that President Arroyo may be cited for conflict of interest as she herself may be facing various cases that may reach the High Court when she steps down from her post.
“Let us look at it from the idea of a conflict of interest because the incumbent President may herself face several cases (before the SC),” Aquino said in reference to possible charges that may emanate when the President ends her term on June 30, 2010.
From the legal view, Aquino noted, the new ruling effectively reverses a previous SC decision prohibiting the President from appointing members of the judiciary two month immediately before a scheduled presidential election.
He pointed out that the Supreme Court, then led by Chief Justice Andres Narvasa, ruled during that time that the outgoing President “is neither required to make appointments to the courts nor allowed to do so.”
KUMPLETOS RECADOS NA! ... sa failure of elections
nina DINDO MATINING, REY MARFIL, TINA MENDOZA, ROSE MIRANDA, JUN TADIOS at BOYET JADULCO (Abante)
http://abante.com.ph/issue/mar1910/news01.htmKumpleto na ang mga sangkap at lantad na rin ang mga senyales ng ‘failure of elections’ at pananatili ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa poder ng kapangyarihan dahil hindi ito mapapalitan sa Mayo 10 ng taong ito.
Ito ang pananaw ni Gabriela partylist Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan matapos bigyan ng Korte Suprema si Arroyo ng kapangyarihan na mag-appoint ng susunod na Chief Justice ng Korte Suprema ng bansa.
Ayon kay Ilagan, dahil sa desisyon ng Supreme Court, nakumpleto na umano ang lahat ng elemento sa pinangangambahang failure of election sa Mayo.
“It’s already complete. We’re just waiting the announcement of failure of election,” ani Ilagan sa panayam kahapon.
Ilan pa aniya sa mga ‘recado’ ng napipintong “failure of elections” ay ang pagtalaga ni Arroyo kay Gen. Delfin Bangit bilang bagong chief of staff ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Kasama na rin nito ang palpak o walang kasiguruhang automated election ang pagpasok ng mga pekeng partylist sa darating na halalan.
“Habang ang lahat ay naka-focus sa election, pinapwesto naman ni President Arroyo. Ang susunod niya ay ang maging Prime Minister siya,” diin pa ni Ilagan.
Naniniwala naman si Anakpawis partylist Rep. Joel Maglunsod na sakaling magkagulo sa darating na eleksyon, tiyak umanong ang magiging unang kakampi ni Pangulong Arroyo ay ang Korte Suprema.
“Mukhang patungo tayo d’yan, kung magkakagulo o kaya ay may question about election results, no doubt ang SC ang unang kakampi ni President Arroyo,” pahayag ni Maglunsod.
Army chief: There’s no Oplan ‘August Moon’
by Jonas Cabiles Soltes, Inquirer Southern Luzon (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100319-259540/Army-chief-Theres-no-Oplan-August-MoonCAMP ELIAS ANGELES, PILI, Camarines Sur—Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu Thursday dismissed speculation that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was mobilizing loyal generals under a military operation called “August Moon” to extend her term.
“There is no such thing as Oplan August Moon,” said the newly appointed Army chief of Ms Arroyo’s purported plan to put members of his Philippine Military Academy Class of 1978 in key military and police positions to keep her in office.
“We do not talk about it in the camps. In fact, I was shocked when the issue came out,” Mapagu said during a visit here to award medals of merit and promote soldiers for outstanding duty in the counterinsurgency campaign in the Bicol region.
The appointments of Mapagu and that of Gen. Delfin Bangit as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have drawn criticism amid concern about preparations for the country’s first automated balloting on May 10 and the possibility of a failure of elections.
What’s there to question?
The two generals belong to PMA Class of 1978, which adopted Ms Arroyo as an honorary member. Another classmate, Rear Adm. Feliciano Angue, was likewise recently named chief of the National Capital Region Command.
Their promotions were made just before the constitutional ban on presidential appointments took effect on March 10 to last until the end of Ms Arroyo’s term in June.
Comelec building up cases against erring candidates
from Business Mirror
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23183:comelec-building-up-cases-against-erring-candidates&catid=26:nation&Itemid=63THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is building up cases against erring candidates seen to be violating Comelec restrictions on campaigning for the May 10 national and local elections, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez disclosed on Thursday.
Appearing at the Kapihan sa Senado media forum, Jimenez said the poll body, for a start, has dispatched teams to go after violators of the common poster rule.
“Actually, we are sending off teams of people to take photographs and videos of various violation of the common poster rule,” he said. “Then we will submit these records to our law department so that our lawyers can evaluate and take legal action. We do not single out candidates,” he hastened to add.
Jimenez pointed out that the so-called common poster areas have been identified by local elections officers and a list of these places where candidates can put up their campaign posters legitimately have been provided to the bets and the local governments “so that everyone in that area would know.”
Jimenez told reporters that the poll body is also enlisting the support of concerned citizens in the case buildup by asking residents to provide the Comelec proof of campaign violations in their areas, including photographs or video recordings using cellular-phones.
He admitted that the Comelec is still “trying to fill in the gaps of the case building” against poll campaign violators, but added that the lack of manpower in the poll body is “not an obstacle.”
“It is not an insurmountable problem. Certainly, especially with the rise of cell-phone cameras, we are not the only ones monitoring this [campaign violations] anymore. The public is very aware. Magrereklamo ang publiko, tatawag lang ’yan. Before, they did not have the means to provide evidence, but now, people with cell-phone cameras can send to us,” Jimenez said. In fact we are encouraging them to send us pictures at eid@comelec.gov.ph This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can e-mail your pictures to us,” he added. B. Fernandez
Voters told: Know your precinct, list bets before voting
by Anna Valmero (INQUIRER.net)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100319-259584/Voters-told-Know-your-precinct-list-bets-before-voting
MANILA, Philippines—An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged voters to know their clustered precincts and prepare a list of their candidates ahead of the May automated polls to prevent delays and long queues.
“We encourage our voters to know their clustered polling precincts and have a list of their preferred candidates with their corresponding numbers so they can finish voting early on May 10 and avoid long lines, especially during the time near the close of polls at 6p.m.,” said Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.
Voters can inquire now about their clustered polling precinct with the Election Officer or Election Assistant at the Comelec office of their municipality, city or district where they are registered, said the poll official.
On Election Day, voters can proceed to help desks of the accredited citizen's arm Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to be stationed in all polling places nationwide. Comelec partnered with PPCRV for the conduct of the May 10 polls.
By April, voters would receive their voter information sheet (VIS) in a form of a sample ballot, which would contain the voter's name, clustered precinct and name of the polling place or school. The VIS is an exact replica of the official ballot to be filled up by voters, containing the list of national and local candidates minus the security features.
“Voters can use the VIS or sample ballots that would be mailed by mid-April to practice shading the ovals as a means of voting. The filled-up sample ballot is the only “kodigo” or list of candidates that Comelec will allow to be carried by the voter inside the polling precinct, nothing else,” said Larrazabal.
MANILA, Philippines—An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged voters to know their clustered precincts and prepare a list of their candidates ahead of the May automated polls to prevent delays and long queues.
“We encourage our voters to know their clustered polling precincts and have a list of their preferred candidates with their corresponding numbers so they can finish voting early on May 10 and avoid long lines, especially during the time near the close of polls at 6p.m.,” said Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.
Voters can inquire now about their clustered polling precinct with the Election Officer or Election Assistant at the Comelec office of their municipality, city or district where they are registered, said the poll official.
On Election Day, voters can proceed to help desks of the accredited citizen's arm Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to be stationed in all polling places nationwide. Comelec partnered with PPCRV for the conduct of the May 10 polls.
By April, voters would receive their voter information sheet (VIS) in a form of a sample ballot, which would contain the voter's name, clustered precinct and name of the polling place or school. The VIS is an exact replica of the official ballot to be filled up by voters, containing the list of national and local candidates minus the security features.
“Voters can use the VIS or sample ballots that would be mailed by mid-April to practice shading the ovals as a means of voting. The filled-up sample ballot is the only “kodigo” or list of candidates that Comelec will allow to be carried by the voter inside the polling precinct, nothing else,” said Larrazabal.
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