Bishop’s announced choice of Kapatiran bet raises concerns

from Malaya

http://www.malaya.com.ph/03042010/news9.html

BACOLOD Bishop Vicente Navarra has not forced any of the priests in the Diocese of Bacolod to go with him in his decision to support candidates of the Ang Kapatiran party.

Navarra and Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles last week openly endorsed the presidential bid of JC delos Reyes, a councilor of Olongapo City. They expressed belief the party is sincere in bringing about political change.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has been very firm on its stand against involvement in partisan politics.

Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, director of the Social Action Center of the Bacolod Diocese, said priests under the diocese respect Navarra’s decision.

"I believe it is not easy for Bishop Navarra to make this decision this time. He’s already fed up with our present situation," Buenafe also said.

Navarra said he also respects the position of priests under his Diocese who may have their own preferences.

‘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.

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

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.