Erap tied with Villar in latest Pulse Asia poll

By Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)
Link:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=571135&publicationSubCategoryId=63


MANILA, Philippines - With elections less than two weeks away, the tandem of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard-bearer former President Joseph Estrada and running mate Jejomar Binay surged to the number two spot.

Results of Pulse Asia’s latest pre-election survey showed that Estrada and Nacionalista Party (NP) bet Sen. Manuel Villar are now tied at second place with 20 percent each.

Binay, showing strong improvement, also overtook NP bet Sen. Loren Legarda for second place (28 percent versus 20 percent).

Pulse Asia said Binay gained nine percentage points in electoral support while Legarda’s score dropped from 23 percent in March to 20 percent in a survey conducted from April 23 to 25.

Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III is still dominating the race with 39 percent or four in 10 Filipino voters showing preference for him. Aquino is leading by 19 points over Villar and Estrada.

Gibo tops online survey; Erap second, Noynoy fourth

By Charlie V. Manalo (The Daily Tribune)
Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/

Debunking results from long suspected-tainted opinion polling firms, voters in an on-line survey picked administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro as top bet, deposed President Joseph Estrada a close second, while perennial survey frontrunner Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III landed a mere fourth place behind fierce rival, Sen. Manuel “Manny Villar Jr.

It was Teodoro’s third time in a week’s time to either come out No. 1 or No.2, having topped the online polls conducted by the Manila Bulletin newspaper. He also came in second in a separate survey done by Dutch finance giant ING.

This time in the BusinessWorld survey, Gibo picked up 26.50 percent of the 102,057 voters polled to top the poll; followed by Pwersa ng Masa’s Estrada with 25.77 percent.

Villar, of the Nacionalista Party, came in third place with 19.07 percent; while Aquino of the Liberal Party came in fourth place with 18.62 percent.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Bangon Pilipinas party was fifth with 2.52 percent, followed by Nicanor Perlas III (2.53 percent); John Carlos “JC” de los Reyes (1.90 percent); Jamby Madrigal (1.71 percent); and Richard Gordon (1.56 percent).

NO FREE PASS FOR PRE-CAMPAIGN ADS Top bets liable for breach of ethics; donors for taxes

By Malou Mangahas (Malaya) Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03232010/news4.html

THEY probably thought they got a free pass to flood television with political ads beyond the airtime and spending limits set in law, having run commercials before the 90-day campaign period could start last February 9.

But the top candidates for president and vice president, as well as those who donated and bankrolled their pre-campaign ads, had better think again, according to lawyers and officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

By the letter and spirit of anti-graft and tax laws, say the lawyers and tax officials, their pre-campaign period airing of political ads does not free the candidates and their donors of all liabilities.

By PCIJ’s calculations, the combined actual ad spending of six presidential candidates and four vice-presidential candidates from November 1, 2009 to February 8, 2010 comes up to P1.472 billion. By most standards, the amount is huge enough to compromise these candidates, most of whom are incumbent public officials.

The figure is also huge enough to shore up the tax collection drive of the BIR amid the country’s rising fiscal deficit -- if the candidates’ donors have paid taxes.

Just last week, BIR Commissioner Joel Tan-Torres said his agency has collected only P100 million from the five-percent withholding tax slapped on all political contributions and campaign expenditures of candidates during the campaign period.

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.

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.

Gordon, Villanueva: Why pick on us?

by Edson C. Tandoc Jr., Tina Santos (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100318-259328/Gordon-Villanueva-Why-pick-on-us

MANILA, Philippines—Bring it on.

Sen. Richard Gordon is not taking down his huge billboards on EDSA and on South Luzon Expressway despite an order from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for him to remove them.

“I will not dismantle it. I don’t own it. It does not belong to me,” Gordon, a presidential candidate of the Bagumbayan Party, said Wednesday when asked about the Comelec order.

Gordon, his running mate Bayani Fernando and presidential candidate Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas have billboards that exceed the mandated size, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said Wednesday.

The Fair Election Act specifies that the maximum size of posters should be 2 ft by 3 ft. For streamers announcing a public meeting, it’s 3 ft by 8 ft, which can be placed five days before the event and should be removed within 24 hours after the event.

Without his knowledge

Gordon said the two huge billboards that the Comelec referred to as oversized were donated by supporters and were put up without his knowledge.

Take down oversized billboards, Gordon told By Kristine L. Alave, Edson C. Tandoc Jr., Dona Pazzibugan Philippine Daily Inquirer

By Kristine L. Alave, Edson C. Tandoc Jr., Dona Pazzibugan (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100317-259153/Take-down-oversized-billboards-Gordon-told
 
MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has warned candidates Sen. Richard Gordon, his running mate Bayani Fernando and Bro. Eddie Villanueva to take down their campaign billboards that are oversized, lest they risk election charges.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez Tuesday said the poll agency had been monitoring the outdoor ads of the candidates and found billboards of Gordon, Fernando and Villanueva that exceeded the size mandated by law.

“The clock is ticking. They should remove the billboards forthwith, otherwise they risk sanctions for violating election laws,” Jimenez said.

He said the Comelec sent photos of the offending billboards to its law department, which would notify the candidates to take them down.

Jimenez said the Gordon and Fernando billboards were found along EDSA and the South Luzon Expressway.

Villanueva, on the other hand, had a giant banner near Quiapo Bridge in Manila.

Saving Gibo: Lagging numbers don’t faze Palace strategists

By Regina Bengco (Malaya)

Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/03152010/news3.html

MALACAÑANG yesterday said it is too early for administration presidential candidate Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. to throw in the towel especially since a recent survey conducted with the participation of the election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting showed him already climbing to second place early March.

"Hindi pa po tapos ang laban... it is certainly too early for anybody to say na dapat mag-give up ang administrasyon sa tsansa ng kanilang standard bearer," said Gary Olivar, deputy presidential spokesman.

Olivar said the Palace still believes that Teodoro is the most qualified of all the presidential candidates and hopes that Filipino voters would realize it in the end.

The tracking poll done by political research outfit The Campaigns & Image Group conducted with PPCRV, which was done in the week ending March 7, showed Manuel Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party) remaining on top with 31 percent of the 5,100 respondent-voters.

Teodoro followed with 24 percent, Benigno Aquino III (Liberal Party) with 20 percent, Joseph Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) with 13 percent, Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan) with 5 percent, and evangelist Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas) with 2 percent.

The survey was based on the question: "Who among the 10 presidential candidates do you think is capable of governing the Philippines and for whom will you be voting for the presidency?"

Teodoro on family feud: Am for people, not hurt of one man

By Fe Zamora (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100313-258342/Teodoro-on-family-feud-Am-for-people-not-hurt-of-one-man

MANILA, Philippines—Family feuds may be a hallmark of Philippine politics, but according to administration standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, his own feud with the family of his uncle, industrialist and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) founder Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, should have no place in the current presidential race.

“We are talking about the country, not one family, not the hurt feelings of one person ... And for the good of the people, I’d go for the Filipino people than the hurt feelings of a family,” Teodoro Friday told reporters on the sidelines of the Chamber of Thrift Banks’ national convention at the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati City.

Teodoro was reacting to a statement made by his first cousin Lisa Cojuangco Cruz, a daughter of Danding’s, that the family was “hurt” when Teodoro abandoned the NPC and joined the administration without a formal goodbye.

“It does not have any effect on the life of Juan de la Cruz, or in my platform of government. [It should not be an issue in a] presidential election, and I’m not going down to that level,” he added.

‘Anybody but Gibo’

Teodoro, a former defense secretary and also a former representative of Tarlac, is the only son of Mercedes Cojuangco-Teodoro, a sister of Danding’s.

Presidential hopefuls offer solutions to Mindanao woes

by SARAH JANE R. HILOMENhttp://mb.com.ph/articles/247100/presidential-hopefuls-offer-solutions-mindanao-woes

DAVAO CITY — Presidential aspirants positioned their proposed solutions to the different problems that are beleaguering Mindanao during last Tuesday’s presidential forum held at the covered court of Ateneo De Davao University.

The forum dubbed as Panaghisgut-hisgut 2010 Mindanao Presidential Forum sponsored by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated, Southern Mindanao Tourism Council, Mindanao Business Council and ADDU was attended by the presidential candidates except Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Sen. Manny Villar.

The candidates discussed the peace problem, energy crisis, mining and other issues plaguing Mindanao.

The dry spell in the country has not only affected farmers’ crops but has also resulted in the reduction of power supply in the largely hydro-powered island. The candidates were asked what they would do to solve the current power shortage.

Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon and former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro both called for exploring the possibility of utilizing nuclear power to boost the power needs of Mindanao.

Gordon said nuclear power is already being used by the neighboring Asian countries so there is no reason why the Philippines should not also do the same.

Aquino, Villar apologize for Davao forum no-show

by JP LOPEZ (Malaya)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/03112010/news4.html

KABACAN, Cotabato – Nacionalista Party standard bearer Manuel Villar yesterday apologized to religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for his failure to attend the presidential forum Tuesday in Davao City.

The forum, organized by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ which was founded by Quiboloy, featured presidential bets former President Joseph Estrada, Gilberto Teodoro, Richard Gordon, Jamby Madrigal, Nicanor Perlas and Eddie Villanueva.

Aside from Villar, Liberal Party’s Benigno Aquino III also failed to attend the forum.

Aquino, in letter to Quiboloy, claimed he was advised by his doctor to skip traveling by air for two days due to a nasal ailment.

Villar was reported to have stayed at a nearby hotel in Davao City for the duration of the forum.

"Humihingi kami ng paumanhin subalit grabe talaga ang demand ng kampanya at nakita ninyo naman na kulang na kulang ang oras sa pag-ikot. Talagang hirap na hirap ang mga kandidato at talagang malakas ang pressure considering na dalawang buwan nalang ang nalalabi sa kampanya," Villar said in an interview after he arrived at the University of Southern Mindanao in this town.

Noynoy, Manny are no-shows; pastor fumes

by JP LOPEZ (Malaya)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/03102010/news5.html

DAVAO CITY – THE two leading contenders for the presidency based on surveys snubbed a presidential forum sponsored by Kingdom of Jesus Christ headed by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Quiboloy scoffed at Liberal Party presidential bet Benigno Aquino III for reneging on his commitment to attend the forum.

Quiboloy said he was disappointed since it was Aquino who chose the date for the forum.

Quiboloy said the forum was originally scheduled on Feb. 11 but because Aquino was not available at that time, he said he asked Aquino to choose the date.

In his e-mail to Quiboloy, Aquino said doctors advised him to prevent any travel by any craft for at least two days because he was suffering from barosinusitis.

"As previously arranged, I already marked and prioritized this event in my schedule and I’m eagerly looking forward to meeting you personally," Aquino in the letter read by Quiboloy before the start of the forum.

"However much as I’d like to participate in the said forum, I deeply regret to inform you that I have been advised by my physicians to provisionally defer any flights due to barosinusitis. My doctors have advised me to provisionally avoid any travel by aircraft for at least two consecutive days because any atmospheric or barometric pressure will only aggravate my present condition," Aquino further said.

Barosinusitis or baratrauma of the paranasal sinusitis, as defined by a medical dictionary, "is a risk factor for anyone exposed to ambient pressure changes."

But Quiboloy appeared dissatisfied with Aquino’s explanation.

Aquino leads Villar by a hair

from Manila Standard Today

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/march/8/news1.isx&d=2010/march/8

 

SENATORS Benigno Aquino III and Manuel Villar Jr. remained locked in a statistical tie, 34 percent to 32 percent, in Manila Standard’s latest nationwide survey, in contrast to a Pulse Asia poll that showed Aquino pulling ahead.

The Manila Standard survey, conducted between Feb. 20 and 26, asked 2,500 registered voters to cast their ballots for the positions of president, vice president and senators in a way that simulated actual voting in the coming automated elections in May.

By contrast, a Feb. 21 to 25 survey by Pulse Asia of 1,800 respondents showed Aquino ahead, and by 36 percent to 29 percent.

The Standard’s February poll showed that the race for the presidency continued to be tight, with Aquino and Villar losing 2 percentage points each from the January survey, said Standard resident pollster Pedro Laylo Jr.

News of a Senate censure of Villar for his alleged role in irregularities in the C-5 road expansion project did not seem to affect their respective standings.

Hagedorn for Bro. Eddie

by People's Journal

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/4630-hagedorn-for-bro-eddie-.html

“MGA kababayan, ang susunod na presidente ng Pilipinas, Bro Eddie Villanueva!”

These were the words of Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn when he introduced Villanueva to his constituents during the televangelist’s visit over the weekend.

“Nasubukan na natin lahat. Bakit di naman natin subukan ang taong may takot sa Diyos? Siguradong di sya gagawa ng masama dahil di nya pwedeng suwayin ang itinuturo niya,” the city mayor said of Bangon Pilipinas Party standard bearer.

Villanueva who runs on a platform of “Anim na taon na walang korapsyon” wowed the crowd of more than 5,000 people at the Palawan Coliseum.

“Kung matino ang gobyerno, dapat sana’y naibigay sa Palawan ang P5B pondo kada taon. Mai-integrate ang sea transport, land transport, air transport. Dapat sana’y number one tourist destination na ang Palawan sa buong mundo,” he said.

Hagedorn’s faith in Villanueva is not without basis.

“Nung una po akong tumakbong mayor, pinagtatawanan ako ng ibang mga kakilala ko. Pano raw po ako mananalo sa kalaban kong kandidato na 27 taon nang naninilbihan sa Puerto Princesa? Pero nung ipinag-pray po ako ni Bro Eddie, sabi niya ako raw po ang mananalo. Siya lang po ang naniwala sa akin. At nanalo nga po ako!” Hagedorn said.

Papin joins Bro. Eddie’s party

by BENG ANSULA (Manila Bulletin)

http://mb.com.ph/articles/246322/papin-joins-bro-eddie-s-party

Singer Imelda Papin has linked up with Bro. Eddie Villanueva to run under the Bangon Pilipinas Party.

With only 67 days to go before the May elections last Thursday, Villanueva announced the inclusion of Papin of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) and also of lawyer Zosimo Jesus Paredes of Ang Kapatiran in the Bangon Pilipinas senatorial slate.

Zosimo is a former executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement who resigned in indignation over what he perceived as the government's protection of convicted US soldier Daniel Smith and insisted that the jurisdiction in a crime committed against a Filipina is with the Philippine courts.

“This is an exciting time for us. We believe that the addition of two very credible candidates to our senatorial slate speaks well of Bangon Pilipinas Party’s principle and platform,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva made it clear, however, that while Bangon Pilipinas is happy to welcome Papin and Paredes, the party has the highest regard for other parties participating in the May 2010. Bangon's secretary general Lawyer Ted Pascual said that as a matter of courtesy, the two new "senatoriables" had been asked to secure clearance from their respective parties before joining Bangon. According to Papin, she joined Villanueva because she believes he is the lone presidential candidate who could bring about genuine change in the country

Bro. Eddie to implement 7-point program for RP

by Alvin Murcia (Journal Online)

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/4348-bro-eddie-to-implement-7-point-program-for-rp.html

A SEVEN-POINT program of government geared towards uplifting the country and regain its rightful stature in the world will be implemented by Bro. Eddie Villanueva once his Bangon Pilipinas Party (BPP) wins in the 2010 elections.

Villanueva’s platform includes the eradication of bad governance, energize the economy, elevate the living standards of the people, empower the people, emancipate the people, educate the people and establish peace and order in the land.

The religious leader, who first joined the political fray in 2004 but lost, said he firmly believes that for the country to recover from the terminal cancer of corruption, injustice and poverty, both the leadership and the people must weave back the basic tenets of love for God and love for country into the fabric of Philippine politics and governance.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength and love your neighbor as you love yourself,” it is not only a credo for personal life, it is also the cornerstone of all nation-building.

According to Villanueva, “Diyos at Bayan” is the core philosophy of BPP.

Revolt vs corruption – Bro. Eddie

from People's Journal

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/3858-revolt-vs-corruption--bro-eddie.html

FIRST, he declared that there will be no crooks in his government. Now he is calling on the people to revolt against corruption.

Bangon Pilipinas presidential candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva was reacting to the recent statement of Transparency International that the next president will have to undo institutionalized corruption and win back the respect of the people.

“This time, we will engage the support of the people, particularly the OFWs whose hearts bleed for the chance to go home and be with their families in the Philippines,” he said.

Bro. Eddie tells HK flock: No crooks on slate

by Dona Pazzibugan (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100223-254829/Bro-Eddie-tells-HK-flock-No-crooks-on-slate

MANILA, Philippines—Evangelist and presidential candidate Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva brought his campaign over the weekend to Hong Kong, where the religious congregation he leads has a sizable following.

Villanueva on Saturday presented his running mate, former securities chairman Perfecto Yasay Jr., and the seven senatorial candidates of his Bangon Pilipinas party to members of the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church-Hong Kong chapter, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary.

“No one among these people has a record of corruption. It is because I will not allow anyone who has abused power or stolen from public funds to join me in Bangon Pilipinas,” a party statement issued Sunday quoted Villanueva as telling the JIL “Saturday group.”

Bro. Eddie urges remedy for poll glitches

by BENG ANSULA (Manila Bulletin)

http://mb.com.ph/articles/244298/bro-eddie-urges-remedy-poll-glitches

Bangon Pilipinas presidential bet Bro. Eddie Villanueva Friday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Friday to completely obliterate, resolve, and remedy all possible glitches in the poll automation system as soon as possible.

Villanueva made the request amid reports that poll automation preparations are not making good progress.

According to Villanueva, they received disturbing reports about the problems on transmission, as well as excess or lack of markings or shades in the ballots could disenfranchise the voters.

“Hindi naman pwede kumuha ng another ballot kasi hanggang isa lang bawa’t botante,” he said.

While listing the risks involved in the process, Villanueva pointed out that “a voter who exerts all efforts to exercise his right to cast his vote is open to many risks that would compromise his ballot and render it useless.”

Bets present economic platforms

by Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=550329&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - It was another opportunity for presidential hopefuls to display their expertise in what matters most to many Filipinos – the economy.

Five presidential candidates presented their economic platforms yesterday before the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) at the Manila Marriott Hotel  in Pasay City.

Taking a break from their campaign, Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III, former President Joseph Estrada, Sen. Richard Gordon, administration bet Gilbert Teodoro Jr., evangelist Eddie Villanueva and Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar took questions from the PCCI panel.

All candidates discussed the need to stamp out corruption, reduce the budget deficit, and ensure food security by developing agriculture.

Teodoro, in his opening speech, said efforts should be made to reduce the number of poor from 45.3 percent of the population in 1991 to 22.7 percent by 2015.