Villar vows to bring home stranded OFWs on Day 1 of presidency

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)
Link:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=572441&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar has reiterated his vow to bring distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) back to the country and provide them with jobs and livelihood opportunities.

In his speech at his campaign rally in Vigan last Sunday night, Villar said this policy would be set into motion on Day One of his presidency.

He promised to establish a country that can provide opportunities to Filipinos so parents do not have to leave their families and children behind in order to work abroad.

Villar strongly believes a dream Philippines can be achieved by investing heavily on developing a “strong entrepreneurial class” by funneling credit to small and medium-scale enterprises.

He is also pushing for labor-intensive industries like tourism and the service industry.

According to records, close to two million Filipinos left the country to work abroad, which roughly translates to 4,500 workers being deployed daily-a record-high in overseas deployment.

Erap tied with Villar in latest Pulse Asia poll

By Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)
Link:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=571135&publicationSubCategoryId=63


MANILA, Philippines - With elections less than two weeks away, the tandem of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard-bearer former President Joseph Estrada and running mate Jejomar Binay surged to the number two spot.

Results of Pulse Asia’s latest pre-election survey showed that Estrada and Nacionalista Party (NP) bet Sen. Manuel Villar are now tied at second place with 20 percent each.

Binay, showing strong improvement, also overtook NP bet Sen. Loren Legarda for second place (28 percent versus 20 percent).

Pulse Asia said Binay gained nine percentage points in electoral support while Legarda’s score dropped from 23 percent in March to 20 percent in a survey conducted from April 23 to 25.

Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III is still dominating the race with 39 percent or four in 10 Filipino voters showing preference for him. Aquino is leading by 19 points over Villar and Estrada.

Mom’s appeal: Give Manny a break

BY JP LOPEZ (Malaya)
Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/04272010/news2.html

IN-between sobs, Curita Bamba Villar told reporters yesterday how, as a mother, she suffers when hearing criticisms, especially the vicious kind, against her son, Sen. Manny Villar.

The 86-year-old "Nanay Curing" is now paralytic and blinded.

In a press conference held at her house in Vista Grande, BF Resort in Las Piñas City, Nanay Curing said "it pains me and it almost cost my life" hearing the lies being peddled by Villar critics, especially those questioning his roots.

Clad in an orange duster, Nanay Curing started the media interview very calmly as she even managed to narrate how hard their life had been in Tondo.

"Kung ayaw niyo maniwala pumunta kayo sa Divisoria market, Stall 2245," she said.

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.

Lakas members leaving Gibo branded 'pseudo' supporters

BY JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA Reporter (The Manila Times )
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/16126-lakas-members-leaving-gibo-branded-pseudo-supporters

DAVAO CITY: A word war between Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro and House Speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles Jr. continued and chances of the two patching things up seemed remote.

Nograles fanned the flame on Monday by saying that members of the ruling party, Lakas-Kampi CMD, would soon leave Teodoro because they feel that he has a very slim chance of winning the race to Malacañang on May 10.

He made the statement a day after attending a political rally organized by his supporters here during which Teodoro in a speech described Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice Mayor Inday Sarah Duterte-Zimmerman as good leaders. The Dutertes are political rivals of Nograles.

According to the lawmaker, Teodoro’s support for Duterte means nothing where Davao politics or the next month’s balloting is concerned.

Gibo endorses Duterte; rift with Nograles worsens

By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=570180&publicationSubCategoryId=63

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Any possible reconciliation between Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Speaker Prospero Nograles fell through when the House leader went ballistic against the former Defense secretary here.

In a strongly worded media statement yesterday, Nograles described Teodoro’s public recognition of his main rivals – city Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter Sarah Duterte – as an affront to the party leadership.

Speaking at a huge political rally at Rizal Park here Saturday, Teodoro described before the roaring crowd that the Dutertes were good leaders and good friends of his.

“He (Teodoro) quit on Lakas in midstream and we have no choice but to quit on him also,” said Nograles, referring to Teodoro’s sudden resignation as party chairman.

But lawyer Mike Toledo clarified that Teodoro’s acknowledgment of the Dutertes should not be seen as a form of endorsement.

Villar’s mere presence already undue pressure

By Jason Faustino (The Daily Tribune)
Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/

The mere presence of Villar as Senate president in the offices of Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) executives and the regulator Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or personal calls he made to them is already a form of applying undue pressure, a former Senate president said yesterday.

Former Senate President and Liberal Party senatorial bet Franklin Drilon labeled as “excuses” Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential candidate Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr.’s claim that he indeed made the rounds with the PSE and SEC in 2007 when he was the Senate president but denied pressuring its officials for his or his companies’ gains.

Villar, in denying that he pressured the PSE, admitted that he made calls to the SEC and met with PSE officials, but said he never pressured them.

Drilon said the issue is not about violating laws but is more of a morality and ethical issue on the part of Villar, as well as delicadeza.

Gordon sues SWS, Pulse Asia

By Reinir Padua (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=569021&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - Bagumbayan presidential candidate Sen. Richard Gordon yesterday filed with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court a P650,000 civil suit against survey firms Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia Inc. for negatively affecting his campaign.

Gordon asked the court to temporarily restrain the polling firms from conducting surveys and publishing survey results.

Gordon asked for P100,000 in nominal and tem perate damages, P500,000 in exemplary damages, and P50,000 in attorney’s fees.

“Without regard to their fundamental duty to act with justice to observe honesty and good faith, defendants SWS and Pulse Asia, for pecuniary gain and solely for reasons intended to favor their moneyed clients, have published false, fraudulent, biased and defective surveys which have undermined the campaign of Senator Gordon and (former MMDA) Chairman Bayani (Fernando) and made them as unwinnable contenders for president and vice president, respectively,” the 26-page complaint said.

Villar steered PSE – Erap Deals complied with listing rules, NP bet’s camp says

By RIO ROSE RIBAYA and HANNAH L. TORREGOZA (Manila Bulletin)
Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/254115/villar-steered-pse-erap

Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada definitely saved the best for the last crunch of the campaign period when he exposed Thursday the alleged illegal activities of Nacionalista Party (NP)s standard-bearer Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar to propel his presidential bid in May 10 elections.

With only two weeks left remaining to campaign, Estrada dared Villar to explain allegations that he “manipulated the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and duped investors” to buy shares of stocks from his company, Vista Land & Lifescapes (VLL), Inc.

But lawyer Nalen Rosero-Galang, chief legal officer for Villar, said the public offering of the shares of stock of Vista Land & Lifescapes was done in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Regulation Code and the rules of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

“I've chosen to break my silence on issues that have bearing not just on this campaign but on the future of our beloved country, especially the poor. I've always believed in pursuing an honorable campaign based on a high level issues and not on mudslinging,” Estrada said in a press conference Thursday.

Gibo, Erap lead mock polls in Metro

By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=568870&publicationSubCategoryId=65

MANILA, Philippines - Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate and former defense secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino former President Joseph Estrada are dominating mock polls in Metro Manila’s slum districts, newly-formed “Green Army Brigades” (GAB) bared yesterday.

Daisy Bardoquillo, head of the Kilusan ng mga Aktwal na Naninirahan sa Estado ng Payatas (Kanepa) and spokesperson of the newly-formed Green Army Brigades, said that results of mock polls they have been conducting since last month among informal settlers in Metro Manila, were in total contrast to the survey results being released by the Social Weather Station (SWS) and the Pulse Asia.

“Our own surveys had Teodoro winning popular support among the urban poor. In six big events attended by leaders of urban poor groups held in March and early April, a total of 963 joined the mock polls conducted after the meetings,” Bardoquillo said. Joven Pajora, president of the Parola Binondo Coalition, also of GAB said Teodoro was the top choice for President with 464 respondents voting for him.

Bets’ ad budgets top funding for govt hospitals

BY FRANK LLOYD TIONGSON Reporter (The Manila Times )
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/15781-bets-ad-budgets-top-funding-for-govt-hospitals

A consortium of electoral-reform advocates and civil society groups on Wednesday renewed calls for stricter regulation of provisions of the Fair Election Practices Act after they found that spending on advertisements of top contenders for the highest elective posts in the country exceeds that of the government on state hospitals and social services.

The Pera’t Politika (PaP) 2010 Consortium told reporters during a press conference in Quezon City on Wednesday that Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr. had spent P273 million on advertisements during the first 60 days of the campaign period and Sen. Bengino “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd, P176 million.

In surveys, Villar and Aquino are the frontrunners in the May 10 elections, which will pick the successor to President Gloria Arroyo.

According to the PaP 2010 Consortium, Villar’s P273 million is more than the allocated budget for state hospitals such as the Quirino Memorial Medical Center with P207 million and the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center with P179 million, among others.

Lakas expects defectors from rival camps

By Jefferson Antiporda, Francis Earl A. Cueto and Rhadz B. Barcia(The Manila Times) 

Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/15782-lakas-expects-defectors-from-rival-camps

THINGS are looking up for former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro because stalwarts from other political parties are reportedly planning to jump ship and support the ruling party’s standard-bearer in the May 10 elections.

According to Reggie Velasco, the deputy secretary general of Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), more politicians from the rival parties have signified their intention to support Teodoro, whom they said is the most qualified among the candidates seeking to succeed President Gloria Arroyo.

Velasco said things are still under negotiations and that they could not disclose any details yet on the transfer of the politicians to the ruling party. What is sure, according to him, is that there are politicians who have sent feelers to defect to the camp of Teodoro.

Meanwhile, Rep. Amelita Villarosa of Occidental Mindoro, the Lakas-Kampi CMD chairman, has announced that Rep. George Arnaiz of Negros Oriental, who belongs to the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), would be supporting the bid of the former Defense secretary but that Arnaiz will stay with his current party.

It’s official: NPC backing Villar, Loren candidacy

BY FRANCIS EARL A. CUETO Reporter (The Manila Times)
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/15701-its-official-npc-backing-villar-loren-candidacy

It’s official.

The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) formally supported the candidacy of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr. and that of his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda.

“We are now formally supporting the candidacies of Sen. Villar and Sen. Legarda,” NPC spokesman and Rep. Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela City (Metro Manila) told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday.

Also present at the gathering were Legarda and Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela City.

Rep. Gatchalian said that the “party machinery of NP and NPC and LDP [Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino headed by Sen. Edgardo Angara], as well, are solidly behind the candidacies of our national candidates.”

No bribery attempt during Lakas meeting

BY JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ Reporter (The Manila Times )
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/15703-no-bribery-attempt-during-lakas-meeting

Malacañang on Tuesday denied allegations that “money changed hands” during a recent meeting of lawmakers belonging to Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) that was personally attended by President Gloria Arroyo.

During a press briefing in Malacañang, Press Undersecretary for Broadcast Roger Peyuan dismissed alleged bribery attempts by the executive committee of Lakas-Kampi CMD on some 130 lawmakers who attended the meeting at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City (Metro Manila) on Monday.

“Wala kaming nalalaman na pagkakataon sa pagpupulong na iyon na tinalakay ang usapan sa pananalapi. At lalong hinding-hindi nagkabigayan sa pagpupulong na iyan [We don’t know anything about money being discussed during that meeting. And definitely, nothing was given out to anyone there],” Peyuan said.

“Marahil ang mga bagay na may kaugnayan sa mga pangangailangan nila at kakulangan ng kanilang pangkampaya at pag-ayuda ng partido ay bahagi lang ng kanilang mga tinatalakay. Pero walang usapang ganito sa loob ng 30-minute stay ni Pangulo [Perhaps things related to campaign needs and the support from the leadership for the party’s candidates were tackled. But nothing irregular happened during the President’s 30-minute stay at the meeting],” he added.

Gibo tops online survey; Erap second, Noynoy fourth

By Charlie V. Manalo (The Daily Tribune)
Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/

Debunking results from long suspected-tainted opinion polling firms, voters in an on-line survey picked administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro as top bet, deposed President Joseph Estrada a close second, while perennial survey frontrunner Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III landed a mere fourth place behind fierce rival, Sen. Manuel “Manny Villar Jr.

It was Teodoro’s third time in a week’s time to either come out No. 1 or No.2, having topped the online polls conducted by the Manila Bulletin newspaper. He also came in second in a separate survey done by Dutch finance giant ING.

This time in the BusinessWorld survey, Gibo picked up 26.50 percent of the 102,057 voters polled to top the poll; followed by Pwersa ng Masa’s Estrada with 25.77 percent.

Villar, of the Nacionalista Party, came in third place with 19.07 percent; while Aquino of the Liberal Party came in fourth place with 18.62 percent.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Bangon Pilipinas party was fifth with 2.52 percent, followed by Nicanor Perlas III (2.53 percent); John Carlos “JC” de los Reyes (1.90 percent); Jamby Madrigal (1.71 percent); and Richard Gordon (1.56 percent).

Teodoro to maintain principled fight

By Paolo Romero ( The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=568399&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - With elections just two weeks away, administration presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro vowed to focus on positive issues.

Teodoro said he would not yield to pressures to engage in dirty campaigning just to boost his ratings.

Teodoro said he would stay the course to campaign positively instead of engaging in a word war like that between frontrunners Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar.

Teodoro though admitted he had issues of his own to contend with, particularly the defections of key leaders of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD to the NP and LP.

Spokesman Mike Toledo pointed out that since the campaign started in February, Teodoro has never resorted to “dirty campaigning or black propaganda” and maintained his positive campaign that presented his platform of government.

Erap says he's for Gibo

By Charlie Lagasca ( The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=568107&publicationSubCategoryId=63

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines – Former President Joseph Estrada disclosed here over the weekend that if he was not running for president he would vote for administration presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

Estrada, presidential bet of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, cited Teodoro’s brilliance and ability to lead the nation.

“My only edge (over Teodoro) is my popularity and vast experience (in public service) while Gibo has the makings of a great leader,” he said.

He said that he is open to talk with Teodoro for a possible alliance of their camps.

“We are open to talks with Secretary Teodoro if he wants to. Our doors are open to whoever is willing to work with us,” he said.

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.

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.

130 Lakas lawmakers rally behind Teodoro

By James Konstatin Galvez and Jefferson Antiporda (The Manila Times) 

Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/15635-130-lakas-lawmakers-rally-behind-teodoro

In an apparent show of force, some 130 lawmakers under the banner of Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) gathered at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City (Metro Manila) on Monday to express support for former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, their standard-bearer in the May 10 elections.

Ray Roquero, the secretary general of the administration party Lakas-Kampi CMD, said that the meeting was held to show Teodoro that they will remain behind him and that they are committed to have him elected as the next president of the country.

“This [gathering] will show that they are still here for Gibo amid a few defections,” Roquero added, referring to a number of departures from the ruling coalition, most recently that of Gov. Jose “Joey” Salceda of Albay.

The meeting was the first of the two set by the party for its congressional and gubernatorial candidates.