‘KULANG SA KALYO’ Why Escudero all the way for Binay, not Roxas

By Cathy C. Yamsuan (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100423-265949/Why-Escudero-all-the-way-for-Binay-not-Roxas

MANILA, Philippines—“Kulang sa kalyo,” Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero says of Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

In plain talk, Roxas is a spring chicken, rather than a fighting cock.

That’s why, Escudero said in a television interview Thursday, he had decided to support Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, running mate of ex-President Joseph Estrada.

Binay fits Escudero’s idea of a vice president.

“Not someone rich, not an ‘ilustrado,’ one who is courageous, a man of honor and a genuine member of the opposition,” he told ANC’s Karen Davila.

Asked if his support for Binay was aimed at thwarting Roxas’ anticipated run for the presidency in 2016, the 40-year-old Escudero said, “I am nearsighted.”

Bong, Jinggoy, Miriam still up

by Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=556547&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - Re-electionist senators Bong Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada and Miriam Defensor-Santiago were statistically tied at first place in the latest senatorial survey by Pulse Asia.

Pulse Asia said 14 candidates have a statistical chance of winning Senate seats if the elections were held during the Feb. 21 to 25 survey period.

The non-commissioned survey showed Revilla getting 53.6 percent of votes, which translates to a statistical ranking of 1st to 3rd place. He is in a statistical tie with Estrada, who got 52.6 percent of the votes.

Santiago received 49.4 percent of votes, which places her anywhere from 1st to 5th.

Another re-electionist, Sen. Pia Cayetano, who received 45.4 percent, ranks 3rd to 6th.

Cayetano shared the same statistical ranking as former Senate president Franklin Drilon with 45 percent.

In sixth place is Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (43.8 percent) with a statistical ranking of 4th to 6th.

Other senatorial candidates who have a statistical chance of winning were former senator Tito Sotto with 33.2 percent, former senator and former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general Ralph Recto (33.1 percent), former senator Serge Osmeña (29.1 percent), Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos (28.2 percent).

‘Name narco-politicos’

US report on drugs sets off alarm bells

By Norman Bordadora, Cathy C. Yamsuan (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100304-256548/Name-narco-politicos

MANILA, Philippines—A flurry of calls for names to be named was raised Wednesday in reaction to the United States’ expressed concern about the possibility of narco-politics influencing the Philippine elections on May 10.
Sen. Francis Escudero said the US Department of State itself should name the candidates receiving drug money from traffickers for their campaign, “so that the voters would know and give time for these candidates to explain and deny” the accusation.
“It’s also important to know this so that any presidential candidate is not ... held by the neck by drug lords,” Escudero told reporters.
Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, the vice presidential candidate of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and president of the United Opposition, urged the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to produce a list of politicians benefiting from the multibillion-peso drug trade.

Jinggoy: Students, employers to reap SPES benefits

from The Daily Tribune

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20100225nat4.html

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada urged school youth and employers to maximize all the benefits and opportunities provided in the improved Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) law which he principally authored and sponsored.

The new SPES law (Republic Act 9547), enacted in April 2009 and which introduced needed amendments to the original 1992 SPES Act, was based on a Senate bill filed by Estrada in June 2007 and worked for its enactment into law.

The SPES provides opportunity to poor but deserving students to get employed during summer and Christmas vacations to enable them to earn Education Vouchers used to pay for school expenditures; acquire on-the-job training and experience; accumulate academic credits in school as well as skills-and-probation credits for their future permanent employment; and, earn money to help their families.

Pampanga not solid for GMA; Gloria sis backs Erap 2010 bid

by Gerry Baldo (The Daily Tribune)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100225hed5.html

MAGALANG, Pampanga — The alleged bailiwick of President Arroyo in Pampanga is not, after all, solid for her.

This as former Pampanga Vice Gov. Cielo Macapagal-Salgado, Arroyo’s half-sister, yesterday announced that she is going to be the campaign manager of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), the political party of former President Joseph Estrada, in the province of Pampanga.

“We are confident that we are going to win,” Macapagal-Salgado said in an interview at the Dee Hwa Liong College in Magalang where the standard-bearer of the PMP and some of the members of his senatorial slate stopped en route from Arayat to Mabalacat, Angeles City and to the Erap Housing Project in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan where a big rally was held.

Together with Estrada were former Negros Occidental Rep. Apolinario “Jun” Lozada, Senate President Juan Ponce

PMP in need of campaign funds — Erap

from The Daily Tribune

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100219hed5.html

GAPAN, Nueva Ecija — Former President Joseph Estrada yesterday said the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) candidates will have to campaign and work harder to offset its meager campaign funds.

Estrada, who flew in by helicopter from Manila and motored from Cabciao to Gapan City, said the party is facing some campaign funding problems. He said that campaign contributions are hard to come by compared to his campaign in 1998.

“That is our problem today—we have insufficient campaign funds. There are some contributors, of course, but these come in trickles,” Estrada said in an interview before speaking to a crowd of over 7,000 at the Gapan City Gymnasium.

PMP vice presidential candidate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and senatorial candidates Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, former Sen. Francisco Tatad, Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza and former Rep. Jun Lozada were with Erap in his Nueva Ecija sortie.

PMA wary of bets campaigning in academy

from Philippine Daily Inquirer

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20100217-253826/PMA-wary-of-bets-campaigning-in-academy

BAGUIO CITY—OFFICIALS OF THE Philippine Military Academy (PMA) are rushing preparations for the academy’s annual alumni homecoming and an early graduation ceremony, hoping these won’t be used for election campaigns.

PMA officials moved the graduation rites of Masidlak (Mandirigmang Sibol ng Dakilang Kayumanggi) Class 2010 to March 1 to fit the schedule of President Macapagal-Arroyo, herself a candidate for representative in Pampanga, according to Capt. Agnes Lynette Flores, PMA public information officer.

The campaign period for national candidates began on Feb. 9, while that for local candidates would start on March 26.

Flores said no candidate has advised PMA about attending the Feb. 20 alumni homecoming.

Erap vows to dismantle private armies

from The Daily Tribune
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100215hed6.html

Streets in Davao had to be closed owing to thousands of residents making up a massive crowd that had congregated at the Rizal Park where they stood waiting under the hot sun for former President Joseph Estrada to arrive and speak before them in a rally yesterday.

The former president, a charismatic political figure with whom the masses identify, continues to be wildly popular, especially in Mindanao.

Estrada has chosen to spend Valentine’s Day with the people of Davao.

The former president, who flew to Davao yesterday, vowed to dismantle the private armies and eliminate warlords from society should the electorate return him to Malacañang on June 30, 2001.

The report against Villar

from Inside Congress by Efren L. Danao (The Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/9986-the-report-against-villar

The New Year’s Eve was gone about three weeks ago but fireworks are certain to erupt once the report of the Senate Committee of the While seeking to censure Sen. Manny Villar is debated on the floor. This is any day soon with the report getting the signatures of the required majority of 12 (or, should it be 13?).

The Senate hit the ground running when it resumed its regular session last Monday by approving 14 bills on third and final reading. Four of these are priority measures, led by the Expanded Senior Citizens Act and the amendment to the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, both sponsored by reelectionist Sen. Pia Cayetano.

However, the debate on the report of the Senate Committee of the Whole against Villar will inevitably lead to at least a session day’s delay in the consideration of other vital bills. I hope that Senate skippers JPE and Sen. Migz Zubiri can still steer these bills off rough waters in the remaining days of the Fourteenth Congress.

I am certain that there will be debates even on the number of votes needed to censure a senator, in this case Villar. If these were an ordinary piece of legislation, then the vote of majority of the senators present, there being a quorum, would suffice. But this is not an ordinary piece of legislation. Some say 12 would be sufficient because there are only 22 senators who could legally attend the session. Others contend it should be 13 because the Senate is supposed to be composed of 24 members. In the end, this debate will go down to a question of numbers.

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.

Even political rivals admire Gibo"s qualities

from The Daily Tribune Jan 15, 2010

http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20100115met4.html

Even members of the political opposition are beginning to express admiration for the intelligence and leadership qualities of Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

They did so at the birthday bash for Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay in Olongapo City over the weekend that was attended mostly by lawmakers who belonged to several rival political parties.

Magsaysay said Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozanno Rufino Biazon and Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III — both of the opposition Liberal Party — did not conceal their admiration for Teodoro when they spoke at the gathering.

“Both warmly greeted Secretary Teodoro when they met each other at my birthday party,” Magsaysay said.

“When they went up to the stage, both of them praised Gibo for his intelligence, leadership skill and integrity, the virtues he had consistently shown when he was a member of the House of Representatives,” the woman solon said in an interview.

Biazon and Guingona are on the LP senatorial slate of presidential candidate and Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino II.

Party stalwarts from the Lakas-Kampi-CMD and the other political parties as well as former Zambales Gov. Vicente Magsaysay, her father-in-law, warmly applauded the two lawmakers in an atmosphere of genuine camaraderie despite the coming May national elections
Although a gathering of rival politicians, the party was cordial with no visible political distinctions. “Secretary Teodoro was warmly received by all,” Rep. Magsaysay said.

The party guests included a number of senatorial candidates, among them Secretary Silvestre Bello III (Lakas-Kampi), reelectionist Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada (Partido ng Masang Pilipino), Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (Nacionalista Party), Jose “Joey” de Venecia III (PMP), Gwendolyn Pimentel (NP), Susan “Toots” Ople (NP), and Rep. Ompong Plaza. Also visible was former Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane who is running for vice governor of Zambales.

Magsaysay observed that it is in Teodoro’s character not to engage in “mudslinging and spats with his political opponents,” the qualities that have endeared him even to his political rivals. “A stable political environment will bring much good to the country,” she added.

Teodoro, the 1989 Philippine Bar Examinations topnotcher, earlier vowed a leadership of healing and political conciliation should he win the presidential elections in May.

“My leadership will be those of the ‘paghihilom’ (healing) style as I believe friendship is more important than  politics,” he stressed.

“There will be no witchhunt against those who did not help in my campaign. Cooperation between all leaders, regardless of party-lines, will be the hallmark of my administration so that the greatest amount of reforms and benefits will be brought to our people,” Teodoro said.

He added it is important to build a broad-based unity among Filipino leaders and their followers, because a “leadership of hate will be very counterproductive.”

“Working together offers us the best chance to bring our country back on the path to development and progress,” Teodoro said.

Erap-Binay nakabuo na

ni Ray Marfil

from Abante Tonite

http://abante-tonite.com/issue/jan1210/news_story7.htm

Bagama’t namumuro ang mga guest candidate, ipinagmalaki ng tambalan nina dating Pangulong Joseph “Erap” Estrada at Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay ang pagkakumpleto ng 12-man senatorial ticket.
Sa isang press statement, inilabas ng Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) ang bumubuo ng 12 pangalan sa pagka-senador kung saan apat ang ‘inampon’ mula sa ibang kampo. Kahit nakaumang ang pagkadiskuwalipika sa presidential race, ipinagmalaki ni Estrada na magiging katuwang sa pagpapaunlad ng bansa at magpapanumbalik ng kapangyarihan sa masang Pilipino ang mga napili nitong senatoriables. Katulad ng inaasa­han, nanguna sa senatorial ticket ng PMP ang ori­ginal members ng partido, kinabibilangan nina Se­nate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate pro-tempore Jinggoy Ejercito-Estrada Jr., businessman Joey De Venecia, Cong. Rodolfo ‘Ompong’ Plaza, Cong. Apolinario ‘Jun’ Lozada Jr., at ex-Cong. JV Bautista. Nasa senatorial ticket din nina Estrada at Binay si dating senador Francisco “Kit” Tatad na naunang nakasamaan ng loob ng dating Pangulo matapos kuwestyunin ang political dynasty, sa panahong magkasama ang mag-inang sina dating senadora Luisa “Dra. Loi” Ejercito at Jinggoy. Tumayong guest candidate sa PMP sina Sens. Miriam Defensor Santiago, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., dating senador Sergio “Serge” Osmena III, General Danilo Lim at Atty. Gwendolyn Pimentel.