NP bet admits meeting with Ampatuan Sr.

By Nikko Dizon ( Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100427-266668/NP-bet-admits-meeting-with-Ampatuan-Sr

MANILA, Philippines—Tensions rose in a press conference of Nacionalista Party senatorial candidates after one of them admitted having met with former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.
Gilbert Remulla, who is also the NP spokesperson, said he visited Ampatuan in April when the latter was confined in a military hospital in Davao City.
“Yes, I did it, I don’t deny it,” Remulla said when asked by the Inquirer to confirm a report that came out last week.

“But I don’t want to elaborate on it for personal and security reasons. Every parent will understand. But my stand against the Maguindanao massacre is even stronger than before. The victims of the massacre must be given justice and the prime suspects should be tried,” he said.

On April 15, Ampatuan’s son Andal Ampatuan Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, who stands accused of carrying out the country’s worst election-related killings, was seen on national television wearing two NP baller IDs at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City where he was transferred from the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila.

Why was Noynoy vs playing of ‘Hello, Garci’ tape?–NP

( Business Mirror)
Link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24572:why-was-noynoy-vs-playing-of-hello-garci-tapenp&catid=26:nation&Itemid=63

THE Nacionalista Party (NP) said Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and campaign officials of the LP played a key role in helping President Arroyo remain in power by voting against the playing of the “Hello, Garci” tape during the congressional investigation of alleged fraud in the 2004 elections.

NP spokesman and senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla said voters should be reminded that Aquino, who promises new leadership that will be free of corruption, did not vote for the playing of the “Hello, Garci” tape, which was the key to enlighten the public in determining if Mrs. Arroyo cheated during the 2004 elections.

“It is highly suspicious why Sen. Noynoy Aquino did not vote to listen to the ‘Hello, Garci’ tape when he was House Deputy Speaker for Luzon,” said Remulla in a press briefing on Monday.

NP expecting more recruits from other parties

By Tarra Quismundo ( Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100420-265334/NP-expecting-more-recruits-from-other-parties

MANILA, Philippines -- As members of the troubled administration party huddle to gather support for their candidate, the Nacionalista Party expects more converts to leave rival parties and pledge support for their presidential bet, Sen. Manny Villar.

Senatorial bet Gilbert Remulla said on Monday the party was encouraged by its fresh list of backers from the administration's Lakas-Kampi-CMD, the Nationalist People's Coalition and other “non-aligned” politicians across the country.

“We are happy to report that we have seen a deluge of support from politicians from different parties—Lakas, NPC and other non-aligned congressmen, mayors,” Remulla said in a press briefing past noon Monday.

Remulla said some 16 lawmakers from northern provinces and local officials have crossed party lines to endorse Villar and the party slate.

NP to Aquino: Come clean on security agency

By Michael Lim Ubac ( Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100416-264533/NP-to-Aquino-Come-clean-on-security-agency

MANILA, Philippines—The Nacionalista Party (NP) on Thursday urged Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to tell the truth regarding his involvement in a security agency that obtained government contracts during his mother’s presidency.

NP spokesperson Gilbert Remulla scoffed at Aquino’s claim that he had divested from Best Security Agency (BSA) when his mother, Corazon Aquino, became president.

In an interview, Remulla said BSA’s Articles of Incorporation on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed the agency was formed in November 1986, well after Aquino’s mother had assumed the presidency.

“The truth is that Noynoy put up BSA on Nov. 6, 1986, or nine months into the presidency of his mother,” said Remulla, an NP senatorial candidate.

Gibo supporters launch Multipliers Movement to generate votes

from The Philippine Star 

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=561065&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - Supporters of Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro Jr. launched yesterday a new movement for a people-based network to generate votes for their candidate.

Lead convenor Eli Quinto said the Gibo Multipliers Movement was formed to consolidate, coordinate and multiply individuals and groups supporting Teodoro.

“At the heart of the (movement) is the idea that a single person or group is connected to others who, in turn, have their own respective connections,” he said.

Speaking at the movement’s launch at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City, Quinto said they aim to increase the number of supporters to ensure his victory in the May 10 elections.

“When you add them all up, the reach of that one person or group would be much larger,” he said.

Quinto said although a person or group can only do so much, they can become multipliers by reaching out to other people they know.

“It’s all just a matter of bringing these people together so that they realize there are more who believe in the candidate they want to support, which is Secretary Teodoro,” he said.

Villar vows justice for Luisita victims

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)  

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560191&publicationSubCategoryId=63

TARLAC City, Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and running mate Sen. Loren Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition) vowed to pursue justice for the victims of the so-called Hacienda Luisita massacre five years ago.

Villar and Legarda, along with NP senatorial bets Adel Tamano, Toots Ople, Gilbert Remulla and Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos campaigned last Saturday in the home province of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer, Sen. Noynoy Aquino.

Villar said he would allow the wheels of justice to run their course if he becomes president and would look into the issue of land distribution after the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) under the administration of Aquino’s mother, former President Corazon Aquino, failed in their family-owned Hacienda Luisita.

Legarda, on the other hand, said that those who have committed crimes and human rights violations in connection with the massacre should be brought to court.

She also took potshots at Aquino, saying that a candidate who has no respect for the rule of law and tolerated the killing of the aggrieved Luisita farmers should not be elected to the presidency.

Tamano expressed concern that the issues surrounding the non-compliance of the Aquino-Cojuangco clans to subject the 7,000-hectare Hacienda Luisita to land reform will not be resolved under an Aquino presidency.

NP won’t let Noynoy get away on Luisita

from Malaya

http://www.malaya.com.ph/03192010/news10.html
 
THE 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.

Villar allies slam Aquino over Hacienda Luisita

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100317-259146/Villar-allies-slam-Aquino-over-Hacienda-Luisita

MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the Liberal Party standard-bearer, came under fire Tuesday after his cousin was quoted in The New York Times article published March 14 as saying that the Cojuangco family would not give up Hacienda Luisita.

The distribution of all agricultural lands to farmers—over 1 million hectares in the most productive areas of the country that had not been distributed under the agrarian reform program in the past two decades—is mandated under a new law extending the program for five years and appropriating P150 billion for its implementation.
Hypocrisy, double-speak
Gilbert Remulla, spokesperson of Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manny Villar, accused Aquino of “political double-speak” over the hacienda issue.
“Senator Aquino says in his latest political ads that he will continue the fight. I think he owes it to the Filipino people to first settle his family’s fight with the farmers and tenants of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac,” said Remulla, also an NP senatorial candidate.
“It is hypocrisy and double-speak, plain and simple,” Remulla said.
“He can no longer evade the issue as he did all these months. For a presidential candidate who is supposedly running on a platform of change, the appalling conditions that pervade in his family’s hacienda and the continuing plight of the farmers and tenants there should be explained and not swept under the rug,” Remulla said.

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."

Pagsirit ni Gibo dahil sa intelligent voters – spokesman

Ni JB Salarzon (Abante)

Link: http://abante.com.ph/issue/mar1510/news03.htm

Naniniwala ang kampo ni Lakas-Kampi-CMD stan­dard bearer Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro Jr. na ang biglang pag-angat ng stan­ding ng una sa ikalawang puwesto sa ginawang nationwide survey kamakailan ay nagpapakita na umangat na ang maturity at kaisipan ng mga botante na naghahangad ng isang malinis at may kredibilidad na halalan sa Mayo 10.

“Ang survey ay nagpapakita lamang na ang bawat Pilipinong botante ay hindi na basta-basta nakukuha sa mga anumang klase ng promos­yon o gimik. Nag-iisip na ngayong ang botante,” ani Mike Toledo, tagapagsalita ng presidential bet.

Sinabi nito na hindi naniniwala si Teodoro sa mga gimik gaya ng pagdadala ng mga artista sa kanyang kampanya para lamang makahatak ng tao kundi ang tanging magdadala sa kanya ay ang tamang pagpapaliwanag sa tao kung ano ang mga isyu ng bansa na dapat resolbahin.

“At mas lalong hindi monopolyo ng Class A and B ang pagresolba sa mga isyu dahil ang malawak na mamamayan ang dapat mapagtanto,” ani Toledo.

Remulla: Jamby seeking LP favors

by Raul S. Beltran (Journal)

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/4876-remulla-jamby-seeking-lp-favors.html

NACIONALISTA Party senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla yesterday accused independent presidential bet Jamby Madrigal of seeking a Cabinet position should Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III if he wins in the May elections in exchange for a continuing mudslinging against NP standard-bearer Manuel Villar Jr.

Remulla, also the NP spokesman, described Madrigal as “suicide bomber in yellow, who is not in the (presidential) campaign but as a mouthpiece of the Liberal Party.”

Remulla’s comment was in reaction to Madrigal’s claims that she was offered P1 billion to stop her from filing corruption charges against the former Senate president.

The former Cavite congressman maintained that Madrigal, whose ratings “have stayed in the dumps,” has no chance of winning the presidential race.

“She continues to plod on because her agenda is different: to be an attack dog of our opponents. She has practically rewritten the book on dirty campaigning,” he said.

Remulla also challenged Madrigal to answer the questions on “her unique brand of campaigning.”

Villar dares TV, radio to disclose earnings from political ads

by Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) 
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=555416&publicationSubCategoryId=63

DAVAO CITY , Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential bet Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. yesterday challenged television and radio broadcast firms to make public their actual earnings from airing political advertisements.

Villar, a billionaire real estate developer turned politician, lamented what he called “exorbitant” airtime rates being charged by broadcast firms from candidates.
“On ad spending, I am following what is in the Fair Elections Act. As far as I am concerned, the figures shown are not the actual figures, they are the published rates and there are discounted rates,” he said.
Villar said the high airtime rates are costing him so much in the campaign.
Villar made the statement as he received criticisms from major TV and radio networks.
NP spokesman Gilbert Remulla agreed that he too is having difficulty putting out campaign ads because of the high rates, a concern also raised by fellow NP senatorial candidates Adel Tamano and Gwen Pimentel.