Noynoy drops to 31% in survey

By Charlie V. Manalo (The Daily Tribune) Jan 19, 2010

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100119hed5.html

Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino still leads in the surveys, but his numbers have dropped dramatically, with respondents now giving him only a 31 percent vote, in the latest survey conducted by The Center.

This was bared by Ed Malay, executive director of The Issues and Advocacy Center (The Center), following its non-commissioned nationwide survey on Jan. 5 to 12, 2010.

In the The Center’s latest survey, Noynoy paced Villar with 31 percent rating with the latter garnering 24 percent approval from the 1,200 respondents nationwide.

Administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro appeared to have gained the votes that Aquino lost, as he registered a two digit vote, at 10 percent.

Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s ranking and figures remained unchanged, at 19 percent of the vote.

Malay said that while technically, there are only five presidential bets who can be considered to be still in the race - Aquino, Villar, Estrada, Teodoro, and Sen. Richard Gordon, the ratings had hardly changed with the changes in the rankings from among the senatorial aspirants remaining hardly noticeable.

What may be seen as signifiant is that the sons of some of the previous political leaders of this country, according to Malay, are all in the thick of the senatorial race and prominent among them are Rep. Teofisto “TG” Guingona, son of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona; Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, son of the late Ferdinand Marcos; Rep. Rozzano Biazon, son of Sen. Rodolfo Biazon. Another son of a former leader in Congress, businessman Joey de Venecia, the son of former Speaker Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., is tied in 13th to 14th places.

Teodoro pulling out TV ad using ‘Posible’

by Aris R. Ilagan (Manila Bulletin)

http://mb.com.ph/articles/239075/teodoro-pulling-out-tv-ad-using-posible

 

Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. is set to launch in the coming days his new political television advertisement following his decision to pull out the controversial ad jingle composed by former Rivermaya lead singer Rico Blanco who accused the Teodoro camp of infringement of property rights for the unauthorized use of his song “Posible.”

As this developed, Teodoro expressed belief that the so-called Filipino “masa” has matured in the political sense that they can now analyze and appreciate a high-level campaign similar to what he is waging than just mere banking on an individual’s popularity in choosing their preferred candidate.

“Ako ay tiwala na ang masa ay may likas na galing, may likas na talino,” Teodoro said in an interview.

Teodoro lamented that some politicians are patronizing the “masa” as those who are incapable of digesting high level political issues that they are left with no other option but to appreciate the cheap gimmicks of candidates mostly banking on popularity than drum beating their platform of governance.

“We consider this kind of strategy as ‘patronizing’ and I will never do that to our fellow countrymen who we call the ‘masa’,” he emphasized.

Truth meter

from FRONTLINE by Ninez Cacho-Olivarez (The Daily Tribune)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100115com2.html

Survey frontrunners are at each other’s throats in their attempt at projecting themselves as oppositionists — in relation to Gloria Arroyo and her administration.

Liberal Party standard bearer, Noynoy Aquino, charged that Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manny Villar was never in opposition to Gloria, and never attacked her, while Villar says that, apart from Aquino not having any legislative record of note, and no administrative or executive experience, he and his LP were close allies of the administration, while the Nacionalista members were in the forefront of the first impeachment proceedings against Gloria.

If the truth meter were out, it would show that both Aquino and Villar were enjoying themselves in bed with Gloria and her administration. And both were against the Estrada government, from the year 2000.

Both the Liberal Party and the Nacionalista Party and their leaders supported Gloria in her coup d’etat against Estrada, showing their complete disregard for the Constitution and its democratic processes.

Both Aquino and Villar supported Gloria Arroyo in 2004, and even when they knew that she had cheated to win the presidency, they continued to support her and her administration.

And as they were allies of Gloria then, they enjoyed all the perks and privileges of being a Malacañang ally.

Neither one ever attacked Gloria or her policies.

Presidential Policy Forum

by Dahli Aspillera (Malaya) Jan 18, 2010

http://www.malaya.com.ph/01182010/eddahli.html

I LEFT my sick bed Thursday hoping to see them all on stage at the C. P. Romulo Foundation and ANC Channel Presidential Policy Forum at AIM in Makati. Three came: Senator Richard Gordon, Gilbert Teodoro, and Sen. Manuel Villar who mostly used Pilipino for the native voters tuned in on radio, leaving the non-voting foreign diplomats inside the auditorium needing translations.

Quotable quotes of that morning:

"Where are the others?" – former President Fidel V. Ramos.

"You have to check our records. What have we done in the past?" – Villar.

"You cannot buy the presidency. You cannot inherit the presidency. You have to earn it." – Gordon.

"This is the problem with elections. We make a lot of promises. But the thing is, you ask us what we will do. And it’s also important to ask us whether we can do these things." – Villar.

"That is the paradox of Philippine society. The challenge is really to provide an example that you can lead fairly clearly. You don’t provide false expectations to our people. We, if God grants us to become president, are mere leaders of a movement, leaders of organization. The burden is shared not only among us but among citizens, not only collectively but individually." – Teodoro.

"We have to start believing that we are horizon chasers ... Action, not words. We have to look at track records of candidates ... Check our records. What did we do in our city? What did we do in our province? What did we do when we were congressmen, when we were senators, in the Cabinet?" – Gordon

Wrong focus

from FRONTLINE by Ninez Cacho-Olivares (The Daily Tribune) Jan 18, 2010

http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100118com2.html

Two things appear evident in the way the Liberal Party bets are going about their campaign: One is the old style adopted by Noynoy Aquino’s mother, Cory Aquino, on the “fight between good and evil” against then President Ferdinand Marcos, and two, the concentration of attacks on Gloria Arroyo, which still hews to the Cory days’ way of her campaign.

This particular style of campaigning on the Cory Aquino camp was mainly done to demonize Marcos, which was easy, due to the existence of martial rule for 14 years. The fight between good and evil spiel was also one way of attack where Cory’s lack of experience in governance could be evaded.

It is clear that Noynoy and his Yellows are taking the same path, projecting Noynoy as being unstained by corruption, and even coming up with that plastic pledge of his vowing never to steal from government.

His campaign, which he said would be focused on the “lapses of the Gloria administration” is also a throwback to the Cory way of campaigning.

It is also clear that this is Noynoy and his Yellows’ way of evading his responses to very valid issues raised against him, such as the SCTEX project where he and his family benefited from government funds and not even giving the Hacienda workers their just dues, as well as his lack of administrative experience and lack of a legislative record in the last 11 years he has been in Congress.

Poor Tondo family receives gift from Villar

from People Journal

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/metro/1068-poor-tondo-family-receives-gift-from-villar

AMBICO and Irene Loveras were overtaken with emotions when they were chosen by Nacionalista Party president Sen. Manny Villar as the recipient of a house and lot. The life-changing event for the couple took place during the celebration of the feast of Sto. Niño in Tondo as televised in GMA 7’s Sunday variety show SOP.

“Malapit talaga sa puso ko ang Tondo at masaya ako kapag nakakapunta ako dito dahil dito ako lumaki at nag-umpisang mangarap. Iskwater lang kami dito dati. Diyan (pointing to an area near the stage) kami naglalaro at nagsi-swimming noon pag umuulan,” said Villar, also referred to as “the poor boy from Tondo”.

According to Villar, Ambico, 45, and Irene, 31, were chosen among so many Tondo residents because of their dire circumstances and urgent needs. The Loveras couple has been moving from one house to another and struggling to pay the monthly rents. They have two sons, nine-year-old Ian and six-year-old Mico. Ian is afflicted with blood disease (beta thalassemia), which made life more burdensome for the family. If left untreated, the disease could lead to leukemia.

“Napag-alaman naming may sakit ang kanilang panganay na anak at kailangan ng isang malinis na kapaligiran upang mapabilis ang paggaling ng kanyang karamdaman. Mayroon din akong kapatid na namatay, dahil nga sa kahirapan namin ay wala kaming pambili ng gamot,” Villar said.

The head of the family, Ambico is engaged in the so-called “palit-damit” trade where he goes around various neighborhoods to ask people to exchange old clothes for various items such as houseware and small kitchen appliances. He gets only meager earnings of P300 from his occupation, most of which are spent to buy medicines for his son.

Digging one’s own grave

from Editorial (The Daily Tribune) Jan 18, 2010

http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100118com1.html

A new tack taken by Liberal Party (LP) candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino to steer clear of debates is a clear proof of his lack of mettle to handle the rigors of the presidency.

What made it worse was Aquino’s quip that instead of engaging in debates, he would rather concentrate on “finding lapses in governance.”

The problem with this is the fact that the time these lapses in Gloria’s governance should have been pointed out would have been from the day she grabbed power. And there were many, but neither Noynoy nor his Liberal Party ever “concentrated” on her lapses, such as the Impsa $14 million kickback, even when documented evidence was presented. Did we hear even a pip from Noynoy or the LP when all these “lapses” were exposed?

What about her having bribed the congressmen not to have her impeached. Why then didn’t this arrogant and ignorant Noynoy not come forth to denounce her then?

Why should they? For one Noynoy wasn’t even seen by the LPs as even senatorial material, much less presidential material.

And he and the LPs were all too protective of her then, being her allies.

Noynoy, Villar wooed Erap to withdraw from race but were spurned — JPE

By Angie M. Rosales (The Daily Tribune) Jan 18, 2010 
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100118hed5.html

Even as they presently lead various surveys on Filipino voters’ preference as the country’s next president, both Senators Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino and Manuel Villar Jr. tried in vain to convince former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada to withdraw from the race and obtain his endorsement, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile revealed yesterday.

But Enrile, in an interview with radio dzBB, stressed that Estrada would never withdraw from the 2010 presidential race. “I’m very certain he will not back out. If they (Estrada’s rivals) expect him to back out, they’re mistaken. He is not going to withdraw. He will pursue his candidacy through the end,” Enrile said.

Enrile claimed that in separate instances, the camps of Aquino and Villar had approached Estrada not only to seek his support but also to consider the possibility of “giving way” to their presidential aspirations.

In the case of Aquino, Enrile said it was his siblings who approached Estrada and tried to convince him to withdraw from the presidential race in favor of Noynoy’s candidacy. “I don’t know how the meeting transpired. All I know that he, along with his sisters went to see Estrada,” he added.

Enrile made this revelation on the heels of speculations that Estrada had already given in to either Aquino’s or Villar’s camp, that he was just trying looking for the right opportunity to time his announcement of withdrawal from the race, and that Estrada would opt to act as a “king-maker”endorsing the presidential bid of one of his rivals,

“That’s what they, those who want to get the support of Estrada followers, (want) to happen. They’re trying to mislead the public. But it’s not going to happen because he will proceed with his candidacy,” Enrile said.

Escudero backing Binay but not Estrada

Makati mayor and Escudero go a long way back

By Christian V. Esguerra (Philippine Daily Inquirer) Jan 18, 2010

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100118-247958/Escudero-backing-Binay-but-not-Estrada

MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has thrown his support behind Partido ng Masang Pilipino’s vice presidential candidate, Makati Mayor Jejomar “Jojo” Binay, but is apparently not backing its standard-bearer, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

In an interview with the Inquirer, Binay confirmed that Escudero, who backed out as standard-bearer of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) late last year, was joining his campaign, but added that it was “not a package deal”—meaning, Escudero made no commitment to support Estrada.

Escudero reportedly attended his first campaign meeting on Thursday, the day the Liberal Party faction led by ex-Manila Mayor Lito Atienza endorsed Estrada’s candidacy during a gathering at the Port Area.

“Yes, he is supporting my candidacy and I am very happy for that because we can learn a lot from him,” Binay said in Filipino, referring to Escudero’s experience during the presidential campaign for the late Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004.

“But it’s not a package deal,” he added, explaining that Escudero was not necessarily supporting Estrada’s bid as well.

Asked if reports were true that Escudero was backing Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for president, Binay replied: “I don’t know. It’s precisely the reason why we have not decided on his actual role in the campaign. He might be helping another presidential candidate and it might eat up a lot of his time.”

May the best man win

from BABE'S EYE VIEW by Babe Romualdez (The Philippine Star) Jan 17, 2010

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=541469&publicationSubCategoryId=64

People who watched the “Presidential Policy Forum” last Thursday agree that it would have been better if all the presidentiables — or at least the five major candidates — showed up because it was a good opportunity for Filipinos to hear what their platforms are, their views on controversial topics and their plans on major issues that affect the country and the future of Filipinos. As it is, only three showed up — which certainly gave them the advantage over the no-shows.

Although Lakas-Kampi standard bearer Gilbert Teodoro’s rating continues to be in the single digit, his showing in these televised forums is undoubtedly impressive, with many people in the audience including UP students and professors agreeing that the former Defense Secretary is clear and articulate in delivering his message.

Of course, Dick Gordon’s Jesuit training has turned him into an eloquent speaker, his statements spiced up by literary quotations. Supporters of Gordon naturally point to the senator’s track record as Olongapo mayor and SBMA chair as proof that he has the necessary experience and knowhow when it comes to running the country.

For Manny Villar, it was a wise decision to make himself available since it belied allegations that he was avoiding presidential debates. His presence certainly gave him the chance to articulate his pro-poor stance and expound on his vision to fight poverty in this country. Many also like the fact that he was very conversant both in English and Filipino because it shows that he can be comfortable and express himself well before both the AB crowd and the DE sector.

Noynoy Aquino opted not to show up in Thursday’s forum, but in previous ones like ANC’s “Harapan: The Presidential Forum,” he was actually articulate and quite good. But being the frontrunner at this time, people would like to see more of him and hear how he intends to implement “the change” that he has been espousing.

‘Gibo’ bats for the tapping of nuke energy for power

from The Daily Tribune
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20100117nat3.html

In line with his goal of reducing the Philippines’ dependence on imported fossil fuel, Lakas-Kampi-Christian-Muslim Democrats standard-bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. is urging the country’s energy officials to look into the possibility of building nuclear-powered plants in order to meet the domestic demand for cheap and easily produced electricity.

“After that all have been said and done, nuclear energy is still the safest, cleanest and cheapest form of alternative energy in the planet,” Teodoro said in a forum by presidential contenders held at the Philippine Christian University on Taft Avenue, Manila last Monday.

He said when maintained and operated properly by qualified nuclear technicians, nuclear-powered plants pose no great risk to the population and the environment.

Teodoro noted that nuclear energy’s cheapness and dependability can be attested by the fact that Abu Dhabi, one of the largest oil exporters in the world, recently granted a $25-billion contract to a South Korean firm to design and construct its first-ever nuclear energy generation facility.

He said most of the major countries in the world, Japan and China included, operate some form of nuclear energy extraction facility and none have yet to report experiencing a “meltdown” or reactor failure much dreaded by environmentalists and anti-nuclear energy advocates.

The 1989 Philippine Bar examination topnotcher also said technical and safety advances in  nuclear power extraction and engineering have greatly reduced the possibility of such incidents from ever happening.

“Advances in nuclear engineering and design have greatly precluded meltdowns or nuclear reactor failure from happening,” Teodoro stressed.

But the Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate, however, clarified that he is not pushing for the activation of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), as “it is now obsolete by present standards.”

“It would be more cost-efficient for the government to build a new plant as retrofitting the BNPP to present-day standards is more expensive in the long run,” Teodoro said.

Show ability to lead nation, Palace tells Noynoy

by Marvin Sy (The Philippine Star) Jan 17, 2010 
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=541479&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang called on presidential aspirant Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to show his ability to lead the nation instead of waging a hate campaign against President Arroyo.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Aquino should engage in a positive campaign that highlights his own accomplishments rather than going after Mrs. Arroyo in what could be seen as a smear campaign.

“It would be better if he would just focus on his capability to lead, his track record and especially his platform of government,” Remonde said.

“In other words, people will appreciate him more if he will be more constructive rather than wage a campaign of hate against President Arroyo,” he added.

Aquino figured in a heated debate with his opponents in a recent televised debate when he declared his campaign would focus on the supposed administration lapses of Mrs. Arroyo.

Villar: Make money, not war, to solve Mindanao problem

By Michael Lim Ubac (Philippine Daily Inquirer) Jan 17, 2010

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100116-247748/Villar-Make-money-not-war-to-solve-Mindanao-problem

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Sen. Manny Villar will not follow the all-out war policy carried out by former President Joseph Estrada to solve the long drawn-out Mindanao conflict.

Short of quoting the famous campaign slogan of US President Bill Clinton in 1992, “It’s the economy, stupid,” the Nacionalista Party standard-bearer said that fixing the economy, not politics in Mindanao, would solve the centuries-old conflict, warlordism and underdevelopment in most parts of the South.

In recent presidential forums, Villar vowed to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in Mindanao instead of launching an all-out war against the Moro separatist rebels.
 

If elected, Villar said he would seek lasting peace with the insurgents, promote a strong government presence in the region, and, above all, unleash the “entrepreneurial spirit of Mindanaoans.”

“If you see these areas, they are really in dire straits—people have no jobs, no education. The ARMM’s (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) human development index in education, health and livelihood is the lowest in the country,” he said at the presidential forum at La Salle Zobel.

Villar said the ARMM’s human development index was 0.5, the lowest in the Philippines, while the poverty level in the region was the highest.

“So the people are contented with just being bodyguards or they join the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or Moro National Liberation Front (which) give them money to buy food,” he said.

He said the solution was not to panhandle for foreign aid, but to encourage more people in Mindanao to become self-employed, which would transform the region’s economy.

From the mouth of an arrogant ignoramus

from EDITORIAL (The Daily Tribune) Jan 16, 2010

http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100116com1.html

Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino appears to be drunk with power that is not even his to exercise and not even if he ever makes it to the Palace.

In a statement Aquino released to the media, he said that not only will he not recognize a Supreme Court Chief Justice (CJ) appointed by Gloria Arroyo if elected president, but that he also warned that any SC associate justice appointed by Gloria “risks his status as a member of the high court.”

“If elected president, I will not recognize a chief justice appointed by the outgoing president, contrary to the constitutional ban on appointments during the wee hours of her presidency, and contrary to propriety, delicadeza and precedence.

“Let me forewarn any member of the Supreme Court who shall accept to be chief justice by appointment of the outgoing president, that not only shall he not be recognized, but he risks even his presence in the court as an associate member.”

The arrogance of it all is appalling, coming from one who is not even president and an ignoramus at that.

How useful are presidential debates?

from Public Lives by Randy David (Philippine Daily Inquirer) Jan 16, 2010
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20100115-247553/How-useful-are-presidential-debates

MOST QUESTIONS ASKED OF CANDIDATES in presidential debates take the form “What will you do about...?” or “How do you intend to solve the problem of...?” More often than not, such questions only elicit silly responses to what, in truth, are very complex issues. A trained politician would resort to stock answers uttered in a fast and unhesitating way, more to impress the audience with his command of the language and confident demeanor than to lend clarity to the issue at hand. A mindful candidate, in contrast, might stutter, take more time than permitted, as he tries to reduce the question to something manageable.

If only for this reason, I find most presidential debates unsatisfying and even misleading. They reward glibness rather than intelligence, shallowness rather than depth, bombast rather than thoughtfulness. But more than this, they reinforce a mindset that magnifies the role of political will in social change while ignoring the concrete conditions that make certain solutions possible or not possible.

We only need to take a cursory look at three major national problems to realize how complex and intertwined these are: mass poverty, corruption, and organized violence. None of these problems can be traced to a single cause. Each one of them seems to spring and lead directly to the other. Moreover, it is not easy to tell how many of these problems are part of the slow evolution of societies, and how many are outcomes of our unique history as a people.

Gordon's complaint

from FROM A DISTANCE by Carmen N. Mendoza (The Philippine Star) Jan 16, 2010

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=541132&publicationSubCategoryId=64

During the week, I went to the Light and Sound Museum in Intramuros for the nth time. It has been there for over two years now but it has not been given the attention it deserves. The last time I went there I was with my three grandchildren, Rafael, Daniela and Alexi. They may be too young to understand all that was being said about Philippine history through the prism of Jose Rizal’s life and execution, but they were mesmerized by the drama created by light and sound and brilliant stage props. It can move even a first time visitor. They were thrilled and soon began to ask questions.

It should be seen by all Filipinos, young and old, and an information campaign should be launched for the purpose. The first step I think is that entrance should be free or at least lower priced tickets. But it is all worth it to revive Filipinos’ patriotic spirit.

On our latest visit, Senator Richard Gordon came to escort us to what he considers one of his most important achievements. I agree. Even if he did not win in 2010, he already has the legacy of the Light and Sound. With us was Carlos A. Arnaldo, former head of the UNESCO Communications Division in Paris. He has now become an avid Rizalista and was surprised to know there was such a Light and Sound Museum.

What should have been just another visit to the museum for me turned out to be an interview with one of the leading candidates for the 2010 presidential elections. Like the story of a spurned lover made famous by Philip Roth’s Portnoy’s Complaint, Gordon told me he could not understand why those who seek reforms in this country admit his accomplishments and mettle to be President and at the same time think he cannot win. If they do not want a contest of money or popularity then they should not make these things matter. (I had written it in one column repeated by others that we think Gordon accomplished many things but will he win?)

“I do not need to spend a lot of money to win,” he said “and that is how I am campaigning.” He will go around the country and talk to all and sundry and remind them of what he has done.

* * *

Gordon who has never lost an election may have many blocks to hurdle in the 2010 elections, but he and his partner Bayani Fernando are not fazed. He believes both of them combine qualities of good public servants. They have done things and these should speak for themselves.

Comelec approves 144 party-list groups

by Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=541176&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has given 144 party-list organizations the go-signal to field bets in the May polls.

The controversial gay rights group Ang Ladlad has made it to the list but not 162 other party-list aspirants.

In its 33-page Resolution No. 8744, the Comelec said the groups’ petitions for accreditation have been approved on the recommendation of the agency’s law department.

The Comelec said the accredited party-list groups have been carefully scrutinized for their track records, programs of action, and nationwide visibility and influence.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said Ang Ladlad’s inclusion in the list was on orders of the Supreme Court.

The high tribunal earlier said Ang Ladlad should stay on the list pending the resolution of its petition against a Comelec ruling barring it from the party-list polls.

"Noynoy ignorant, arrogant"—Palace

On Aquino’s threat not to recognize new CJ

By Aytch S. de la Cruz,Charlie V. Manalo and Gerry Baldo (The Daily Tribune)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100116hed1.html

Ignorance plus arrogance makes for a dangerous president.

Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s threat not to recognize any chief justice (CJ) appointed by President Arroyo and his pledge to fire any associate justice who will recognize the new CJ not appointed by him has succeeded in kicking up a storm of protests, with Malacañang yesterday saying Aquino has all the makings of a “dangerous” President if he wins Malacañang in 2010 after showing himself up to be “arrogant” and “ignorant” by issuing such threats to the high court.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Prospero

Pichay said Aquino’s warning to the hight court justices is “irresponsible and dangerous” because it does show that he does not have any high regard for the judiciary, a co-equal branch of government.

“If you combine arrogance with ignorance, it is very, very dangerous,” Pichay said during a briefing in Malacañang. You have to respect a co-equal branch of government, you don’t threaten it.”

In a statement released to media, Aquino said, “if elected President, I will not recognize a Chief Justice appointed by the outgoing President, contrary to the constitutional ban on appointments during the wee hours of her presidency, and contrary to propriety and delicadeza and long standing precedence of prohibition against appointments two months before the outgoing President’s term expires.

Gibo: We need to invest in education system

from Peoples Tonight
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/top-stories/940-gibo-we-need-to-invest-in-education-system

LAKAS-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer and former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro underscored the need to invest in and reengineer the Philippine education system from preschool to the tertiary level as part of the next president’s “immediate doables” to heighten the global competitiveness of Filipinos.

Speaking before a forum for presidential candidates organized by the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation, Teodoro said that to strengthen basic and tertiary education in the country, the government needs to rationalize scholarships and realign the education system with international standards.

The forum, which was aired live over the ABS-CBN News Channel to mark the birthday of the late former United Nations Secretary General Carlos P. Romulo, was attended by members of the business community and the diplomatic corps and the media.

“Basic education reform, the roadmap is already there, we have to realign our education system to align it with international standards, additional years perhaps,” Teodoro said at the forum held at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center in Makati City. “On tertiary education, we should rationalize scholarships, and we should have more legitimate masters degree and Phd holders because we have one of the smallest ratios in the world.”

He said local government units should invest in preschool education and standardize how we teach kids literacy, computer skills, English and other formative skills. Unlike other proposals which advocate teaching preschool children in the vernacular, Teodoro said they should be taught in English at an early age to develop both their reading speaking skills in this international language during their formative years.

In his tours of school campuses across Metro Manila, Gibo has been winning the hearts and minds of the Filipino youth with his practical and doable proposals on education, the economy and other pressing national concerns.

More than 7,000 youth volunteers have so far been recruited by the G-Unit or the National Youth Movement for Gibo, following his rounds of various schools in Metro Manila.

Agreeing with Teodoro’s proposals, former Ambassador and Asean Secretary General Rodolfo Severino noted that the Philippines has perhaps one of the shortest formal education programs in the world.

He likewise agreed with Teodoro that the government should focus on infrastructure build-up to help enhance the country’s global competitiveness.

Besides education and infrastructure to seamlessly interconnect the country’s islands, Teodoro said the next chief executive should also focus on increased external trade and foreign direct inflows, regional and bilateral free trade deals, possible free trade agreements with the European Union and the United States and investment opportunities in the Middle East as his “immediate doables” to improve competitiveness.

The forum, which focused on domestic and policy issues, was likewise attended by Teodoro’s fellow presidential bets -- Senators Richard Gordon and Manny Villar. Noticeably absent were Sen. Noynoy Aquino and former President Joseph Estrada.

Former President Ramos, who was among the panelists at the forum, asked where the other presidential candidates were, considering that the gathering was an opportunity for them to air their views and present their platforms of government before the people.

Ramos also commended Teodoro and the other candidates present for taking part in the forum and for providing comprehensive answers to the questions fielded to them.

Teodoro’s plans

from SWAY by Marvin A. Tort (Business Mirror)
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/opinion/20935-teodoros-plans.html 
 
Presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro, a former secretary of national defense, is proposing a national development plan that includes interconnecting the country’s main islands through a modern network of bridges or tunnels. Tunnels or bridges can be built initially to link Bohol and Cebu, as well as areas of Southern Leyte, he says.

“We are still trapped in the time of Roros [roll-on, roll-off ferries]. It is time we seriously consider linking the country through bridges and tunnels between the islands…. Hong Kong has it. Malaysia has it. Why should not the Philippines?” Teodoro was quoted as saying in a recent news report.

He reportedly envisions building a modern national road infrastructure and communications network to hasten economic development and strengthen government efforts to fight rural and urban poverty. At the same time, he wants more funds for local governments for disaster control and management.

And this can be done, he says, by asking Congress to amend the law to allow local governments to utilize more than 5 percent of their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for that purpose. The 5-percent limit set by law, he claims, is inadequate for effective disaster response and control by local governments.

Gilbert Teodoro is young, energetic and bright—qualities that can serve him well if and when elected president of the Republic. But other than having served in the Cabinet as defense chief, he has very little executive experience. Not as the CEO of a corporation, nor as governor, nor mayor, nor even barangay captain.