Supreme Court voids NP-NPC merger

By Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)
Link:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=573041&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The Liberal Party (LP) stopped the Nacionalista Party (NP) yesterday from acquiring the status of dominant minority party after the Supreme Court (SC) voided the NP’s coalition with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

In a unanimous decision, the SC agreed with the LP that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) committed “grave abuse of discretion” in disregarding its own deadline in approving the NP-NPC coalition.

“(The) NP-NPC’s petition for registration as a coalition is time-barred,” read the decision.

“Thus, Comelec was wrong in ordering the out-of-time registration of the NP-NPC coalition.

“In so ruling, we emphasize that the matter of party registration raises critical election concerns that should be handled with discretion commensurate with the importance of elections to our democratic system.

“The Comelec should be at its most strict in implementing and complying with the standards and procedures the Constitution and our laws impose.”

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.

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.

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.

Bongbong bats for more green buildings

(Malaya)
Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/04262010/news10.html
 

NACIONALISTA senatorial candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos yesterday said he would introduce legislation that would put emphasis on the design and construction of green buildings and structures.

Green buildings, he said, ensure better health and productivity of occupants aside from being environment-friendly through the use of technologies that use resources with minimal ecological impact.

The green building concept was hatched in the US in the 1970s at the height of the oil crisis and growing concerns over environmental degradation.

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.

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.

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.”

Solon turns Teodoro green to Villar orange in a snap

By TJ Burgonio, Jhunnex Napallacan (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100421-265518/Solon-turns-Teodoro-green-to-Villar-orange-in-a-snap

MANILA, Philippines—He made it as easy as changing campaign baller IDs.

Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona took his oath before Sen. Manuel Villar on Monday afternoon only hours after he attended a meeting of Lakas-Kampi-CMD lawmakers presenting a show of force for Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

“He was there with us to pledge support for Teodoro,” the ruling party’s secretary general Raymundo Roquero said over the phone, expressing disbelief at Madrona’s turnaround. “It’s his problem to explain himself to his constituents.”

Party officials were pleasantly surprised by the turnout of 130 lawmakers at the meeting despite short notice. But Madrona’s defection to Villar’s Nacionalista Party (NP) spoiled the mood.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stopped by the hastily called meeting at Dusit Thani Manila hotel at around 2 p.m., and exhorted party mates and allies to “stick together” for the administration standard-bearer.

Teodoro himself showed up at the meeting. But he left before Ms Arroyo arrived, saying he had to travel to Antipolo City for an earlier scheduled lunch with local officials.

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.

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.

Minority tag looms for Lakas Defections mean loss of dominant status

BY BERNICE CAMILLE V. BAUZON Reporter ( The Manila Times )
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/15348-minority-tag-looms-for-lakas

Defections of members of the administration party Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) could lead to the ruling coalition losing its claim to dominant majority party status in the May 10 elections, a high-ranking official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday.

But according to Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, they still would look into political developments within political parties to determine which party should be declared as the dominant majority party and as the dominant minority party in next month’s polls.

He said that it would not matter if only Lakas-Kampi CMD was the only one to apply for the dominant majority party status.

Sarmiento added that the poll body could go around and declare another party as the dominant one.

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.

Villar, NP court Muslim vote

By Christina Mendez ( The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566931&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur , Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and the party’s senatorial slate yesterday received a strong show of support from local leaders who gathered 20,000 supporters for their political rally in Barangay Banggolo.

The NP has allied with local party Ummah-Ompia led by re-electionist Gov. Omar Ali Solitario and sworn in local leaders from the province’s 38 municipalities.

In expressing his support for Villar, Marawi second district congressional candidate Jun Macarambon took potshots at other presidential candidates who he claims are “insensitive” to the Mindanao peace process.

Macarambon claimed that Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino standard-bearer former President Joseph Estrada practically declared an all-out war in Mindanao when he delivered a speech during his campaign sortie in Davao.

Villar, Noy both GMA bets - PMP

By Perseus Echeminada (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566922&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - A campaign manager of former President Joseph Estrada has tagged Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar and Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as President Arroyo’s secret candidates.

Outgoing Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco told The STAR that the exodus of Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwarts to NP and LP has exposed Mrs. Arroyo’s support for Villar and Aquino in her bid to promote her political agenda beyond the May elections.

Tiangco, who is on his third and last term, said the latest defection of Albay Gov. Joey Salceda to LP is a clear sign that the President has scattered her political allies to the two parties so she can continue her agenda even after the polls.

“Senators Villar and Aquino should stop accusing each other of being an Arroyo front because both of them are allies of the President,” he said.

Villar takes up Aquino challenge on lifestyle check

Written by Butch Fernandez / Reporter (Business Mirror)
Link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24140:villar-takes-up-aquino-challenge-on-lifestyle-check&catid=26:nation&Itemid=63

NACIONALISTA Party (NP) presidential bet Sen. Manuel Villar took up the challenge hurled by his rival, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III, for candidates to undergo a lifestyle check.

“They may be the ones to lose face because my family and I lead simple lives,” Villar told reporters, saying he has no problem with that. “My wealth was built on hard work and perseverance. I shed sweat and blood to earn a living, so I wont waste my hard-earned money for luxury,” he added.

Aquino, responding to Villar’s dare that presidential candidates take psychiatric tests to determine their mental fitness, countered that he and Villar should first undergo a lie detector test and lifestyle check, amid talks that Villar outspends his rivals in the May 10 elections. 

Villar, who made billions in the real-estate business, said he still “prefers boiled kamote [sweet potato] and bananas for breakfast,” adding that people close to him can attest to his simple lifestyle.