To save republic in case of failure of elections’ Angara calls fore election of new Senate president

By Christine Avendaño (Philippine Daily Inquirer)  

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100321-260029/To-save-republic-in-case-of-failure-of-elections
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MANILA, Philippines -- Saying that ``civilian authority'' should move early to save the duly constituted government from a possible failure of the May 10 polls, Senator Edgardo Angara called for the election of a new Senate president among the senators serving until 2013.

He also sought for the Church and business community to use their ``prestige and moral influence'' in averting an ``unprecedented'' power vacuum after the elections.

Interviewed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer after he spoke on dzBB radio about the need for a ``civilian solution'' to the possible failure of the first ever automated polls in the country, Angara said that all 23 senators could meet and elect a new Senate president before the polls even if Congress was in recess for the election campaign.

``We can convene under our internal rules,'' Angara said in a phone interview.

On radio, Angara said there have been jitters on the possible takeover of the military should a failure of election occur because the country could be facing an ``unprecedented'' and ``unusual'' political situation brought about by a vacuum in the political leadership after June 30.

He said the president, vice president, Senate president and Speaker of the House have been set to step down from power midnight of June 30 and thus, there would be no ``interim'' president that can preside should the May 10 polls end up a failure.

Youth, smarter voters key to ‘Gibo’ rating surge – ally

By Aris R. Ilagan With a report from Roy C. Mabasa (Manila Bulletin)

Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/247944/youth-smarter-voters-key-gibo-rating-surge-ally

The ratings of Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. are expected to shore up further with the ever-growing support of the youth sector, more intelligent voters, and the party’s formidable political machinery, campaign spokesman Mike Toledo said Monday.

In the latest survey of the Campaign and Images, Teodoro has already overtaken Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III from the No. 2 slot.

The survey said Gibo’s ratings took off from single-digit levels in December 2009 to 24 percent in March due to “the political machinery of the administration party and (his efforts of) touching base with local government politicians seeking re-election into various offices.”

It also noted that Teodoro’s campaign relies heavily on “a large network of volunteers… in colleges and universities that by far put him well-entrenched in the psyche of voters across the 18-28 and 29-39 age brackets.”

“The survey, ending March 7, shows that the Filipino voter is no longer swayed by candidates' staged spectacles and unsubstantiated self promotion gimmicks.” Toledo said, adding that “the survey convinces us that we can be confident that today's voters, especially the youth are discerning and can recognize a candidate's true worth.”

“Gibo's campaign will not engage in condescending methods of bringing 'artistas' because we want our platforms to be the basis for our candidates to be chosen. We recognize that a voter's intelligence and discernment is equal among the social classes despite differences in economic standing. Intelligent discussion of a candidate's platforms and qualifications is not a monopoly of the A&B classes."