Despite rains, thousands attend Villar concert

By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA ( Manila Bulletin )
Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/253588/despite-rains-thousands-attend-villar-concert

DAVAO CITY — The heavy rains failed to dampen the mood of ardent supporters of presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr. who trooped to the Nacionalista Party’s “Rockatropa" concert rally held at an open football field here.

They were ready with their umbrellas the minute the rain poured down heavily. Instead of dispersing, the crowd, an estimated 120,000, stayed put and endured a “wet and wild” concert at the Tionco Football Field.

The crowd shrieked, screamed and even gamely danced when celebrity host Willie Revillame started his “Giling-giling” and “Chuchurot” intermission number.

Singer-host Randy Santiago said the rain is “a sign of blessing” for Villar and his NP ticket.

Villar’s running mate NP vice presidential candidate Sen. Loren Legarda was also present during the rally.

Villar bats for strict monitoring of RP human rights situation

from The Philippine Star 

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560699&publicationSubCategoryId=65

MANILA, Philippines - Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Manuel Villar Jr. yesterday called for the strict monitoring of the implementation of human rights policies adopted by the government and treaties ratified by the Philippines.

“If we are serious in dealing with extra-judicial killings in the country, we must raise the awareness that the Philippines absolutely adheres to the highest standards of protecting the people’s rights at all times,” Villar said.

To address the human rights problem, Villar said he would propose the creation of a network of government and independent groups that will monitor human rights compliance and abuses committed by law enforcers and members of the national security force.

Villar’s appeal was prompted by a 2009 report of Freedom House, a New York-based human rights group, classifying the Philippines as only a “partly free” nation in 2008 due to several controversies in the human rights field and unfavorable developments in the political arena.

In 2005, the group’s “Freedom in the World” annual report categorized the Philippines as “free.”

Villar maintained that the Philippine society is ruled by law and not by the barrel of the gun, but said this is hardly achieved. He said it would take a tested leader to ensure a peaceful environment through observance of human rights.

He also said discussions on the Human Security Act of 2007 should be held regularly in order to avoid misinterpretations of the law. The Human Security Act makes terrorism a crime and allows authorities to arrest terror suspects without warrants and temporarily detain them without charges. – Christina Mendez

Lakas-Kampi coalition plans decisive ‘Battle of the Bulge’

By Winston A. Marbella (Philippine Daily Inquirer) 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100322-260115/Lakas-Kampi-coalition-plans-decisive-Battle-of-the-Bulge

Like a stealthy army preparing to launch a major offensive, the ruling administration coalition Lakas-Kampi-CMD is moving heaven and earth at the grassroots to save the lagging presidential candidacy of former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
The question that perplexes many party leaders is: Considering that Teodoro is running behind, why move only now?

The ruling coalition, which enjoys a headlock on 70 percent of local government positions, is pinning its hopes on superior resources and widespread party machinery to swing the tide of battle.

Banking on these advantages, it plans to assert its superiority with carefully synchronized offensives timed at the start of the campaign for local positions on March 26.

The opening salvo of this make-or-break offensive will be new TV commercials targeting the youth on Monday.

Teodoro’s spokesperson, former Press Secretary Mike Toledo, said the commercials would be aired with frequencies rivaling those of the front-runners, Senators Benigno S. Aquino III of the Liberal Party and Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party. Between them, they have spent close to P2 billion, dominating the airwaves, according to the media firm AGB Nielsen.

Teodoro’s ads will zero in on the target segment that the coalition hopes will swing the tide of battle to his side, the youth ranging in age from 18 to 39, who constitute 52 percent of the 50 million voters registered, according to Toledo.

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."

If Noynoy has Kris, I have Pacman – Villar

by Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)

Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=557141&publicationSubCategoryId=63
 
MANILA, Philippines - Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. is ready to pit boxing champion Manny Pacquiao against showbiz personality Kris Aquino and her husband, basketball star James Yap.

Upon learning that Kris and James joined the Liberal Party (LP) sorties in Zamboanga City Wednesday, Villar said Pacquiao vowed to campaign with him after his fight with Joshua Clottey in Texas on March 13.

Villar said he is unfazed by Yap’s and Kris’s decision to join the campaign of her brother, LP standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III.

In a videotaped message, Pacquiao, NP candidate for representative in the lone district of Sarangani, has urged Filipinos to elect Villar president on May 10.

The taped message was first played during the political-entertainment rally hosted by television host Willie Revillame during the NP grand rally in Mandaue City in cebu last month.

Revillame, ace comedian Dolphy and singer Sarah Geronimo have endorsed Villar’s presidential bid.

'2 Mannys' soon to hit campaign trail

by HANNAH L. TORREGOZA (Manila Bulletin)

http://mb.com.ph/articles/246188/2-mannys-soon-hit-campaign-trail

TANDAG CITY—In the next Nacionalista Party (NP) campaign, the public will be shouting for two “Mannys.”

Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr., standard bearer of the NP, said he is happy to learn that pound-for-pound boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has finally been allowed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to run in the May 10 elections.

The Comelec Second Division has ruled that Pacquaio, who is seeking the lone congressional seat in Sarangani province, can seek an elective position despite his lack of a high educational attainment.

“Natutuwa ako na ang aking kaibigan na si Manny Pacquiao ay pinayagan nang kumandidato (I am happy that my friend Manny Pacquiao was allowed to run),” Villar told reporters at a sortie in Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State College.

“Alam naman natin na kahit papaano ay napakaraming naitulong niyan sa ating bansa. At tunay naman na maipagmamalaki hindi lamang sa Sarangani kung hindi ng buong bansa ang kagaya niya (We know that he has done a lot to help the country. And he is truly somebody we could be proud of not only in Sarangani but to the whole nation as well),” he added.

Villar said he is looking forward to hitting the campaign trail with Pacquiao after his bout with Joshua Clottey of Ghana.

At a Cebu rally, Pacquiao via televised message, said he regret not being at Villar’s side to campaign for his friend.

But the boxing champion vowed to join the NP campaign immediately after his fight with Clottey

Pacquiao elated by poll ruling

by NICK GIONGCO and LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO

http://mb.com.ph/articles/246019/pacquiao-elated-poll-ruling

Manny Pacquiao was hardly surprised when the voice on the other line assured him his candidacy for Congress has been upheld by the Commission of Elections (Comelec).

“I knew right from the start that my candidacy is legitimate and that I was able to fulfill all the requirements needed to make sure I won't be prevented from running for public office and serving my people in Mindanao,” Pacquiao told the Manila Bulletin from his Los Angeles home Wednesday afternoon.

Pacquiao is challenging businessman Roy Chiongbian, who comes from a family of famous politicians and business moguls, for the lone congressional seat in Sarangani province in the May 10, 2010 elections.

The Comelec earlier ruled that Pacquiao's educational attainment is not enough ground to disqualify him from running in the May 10 elections.

Pacquiao to join Villar’s campaign sorties after Clottey bout

from Business Mirror

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22214:pacquiao-to-join-villars-campaign-sorties-after-clottey-bout&catid=26:nation&Itemid=63

BOXING champion Manny Pacquiao has promised to join the campaign sorties of Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Manny Villar after his fight with Joshua Clottey in March.

“Soon after my return to the Philippines, I will join my beloved president Manny Villar so I can introduce him to our countrymen,” Pacquiao said on Sunday night in Pilipino in a video-taped message shown at a concert rally in Mandaue City that capped the NP’s two-day barnstorming of vote-rich Cebu province.

In endorsing Villar, Pacquiao said: “He’s the only person who can help the poor because he defied poverty to become a successful businessman.”