Election 2010 News Updates - April 12, 2010

27 Days before Election 2010

• Lakas sets major push for Gibo  (The Philippine Star)
• Villar gains slightly in poll; Aquino still up (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
• Noynoy: Please spare my mother (Malaya)
• Erap flays GMA-7 for smear job (The Daily Tribune)
• Speaker, 30 congressmen set to bolt Lakas (The Daily Tribune)
• Manny fights 'Villaroyo' tag, cuts Noynoy's lead to 8 pts (Business Mirror)
• Gordon to Comelec: Ban sample ballots (Philippine Daily Inquirer) 
• VP bet Fernando shoots funny video for Web (Philippine Daily Inquirer) 
• Comelec claims to be '90% ready' for the May 10 polls (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
• Proper indelible ink to be used in polls - Comelec (The Philippine Star)

Lakas sets major push for Gibo

By Paolo Romero 

From The Philippine Star

Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=565765&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of pro-administration lawmakers and local officials are set to make a collective push in the remaining 28 days before the May 10 elections to ensure the victory of Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro Jr., according to party stalwarts.

Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino II said more than 100 pro-administration lawmakers, who “stand solidly behind Teodoro,” have vowed to bring him to victory with the elections less than a month away.

“On the part of the members of the House of Representatives, especially those members of the merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD, more than a hundred congressmen, mostly first and second termers, are strongly behind the candidacy of Gilbert Teodoro,” he said.

In a statement, Aquino said lawmakers supporting Teodoro strongly believe in keeping their palabra de honor (word of honor), just like the more than half of the country’s provincial governors.

The first-term members of the House of Representatives believe that Teodoro would emerge the winner in Mindanao, he added.

Teodoro has secured the backing of Mindanao’s local chief executives, who have declared that he would likely rack up some 12 million votes or at least half of the estimated 24 million votes in the South.

The formidable support of Mindanao has given Teodoro a head-start in the race, considering that he is likely to secure, at the minimum, around 45 percent to 50 percent of the South’s estimated 24 million voters, according to Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez and Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo.

Ahead of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive meeting last week, some 50 provincial governors from different political parties banded together under “G4G” or “Governors for Gibo,” to reiterate their support for Teodoro.

Villar gains slightly in poll; Aquino still up

By Nikko Dizon

From Philippine Daily Inquirer Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100412-263752/Villar-gains-slightly-in-poll-Aquino-still-up

MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Manuel Villar, Nacionalista Party standard-bearer, gained a point in a voters’ opinion poll paid for by an ally, but his strongest rival, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party, remained ahead by 8 percentage points.
In the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora and conducted two weeks ago, 37 percent of the respondents said they would vote for Aquino while 29 percent said they would support Villar.
Former President Joseph Estrada got 17 percent, down two points from 19 percent, while administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro gained 2 points, receiving 8 percent.
There was practically no movement in the standings of all the nine presidential candidates as the changes, if any, in their ratings were well within the margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.
The survey, conducted from March 28 to 30, covered 2,100 respondents nationwide. The previous SWS survey was conducted from March 19 to 22.
The respondents were asked in Filipino, “Of the names on the list, who would you likely vote for if the presidential election were held today?”
Villar’s confidence of finally overtaking Aquino has not wavered despite the Liberal Party standard-bearer’s 8-point lead.
“Dikit na yan (That’s almost neck and neck) in an election,” Villar said at a press conference at the General Santos City airport Sunday afternoon.
Aquino welcomed the results of the latest SWS survey.

Noynoy: Please spare my mother

Also takes umbrage over fitness report

 

By WENDELL VIGILIA

From Malaya

Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/04122010/news1.html

LIBERAL Party standard-bearer Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino yesterday warned Sen. Manuel Villar and his Nacionalista Party not to drag his mother, former president Corazon C. Aquino, into their efforts to vilify him through black propaganda.

"Sa akin, di bale, alam ko ganyan ang mangyayari sa kampanya. Pero kung may issue sa nanay ko na patay na e sinasama pa sa kwentong kabulastugan, sobra-sobra (na iyan)," he said.

Text messages and propaganda have been spreading in cyberspace blaming Mrs. Aquino for the Hacienda Luisita dispute and for the alleged appointments in the government of her relatives during her incumbency.

The NP has been harping on the legacy left by Noynoy’s parents, Cory and Ninoy, saying it does not make him an heir to the presidency.

Aquino said his detractors are already hitting him and his family below the belt in desperation because of his consistent lead over Villar in surveys.

"Sign ’to na desperado na (si Villar). Sa Tagalog, ang tawag kapit sa patalim. Pero lalabas yung katotohanan. Sabi ng tatay ko, `how do we fight falsehoods and lies? With the truth,’" he said.

Aquino’s warning came after the latest attack allegedly by the NP, which portrays him as psychologically unstable based on a fabricated document which the NP allegedly fed to ABS-CBN.

Tina Monzon-Palma, a seasoned broadcaster, informed Aquino in a press conference in Davao City last Friday that the fake psychiatric documents came from the NP, from which news anchor-reporter Ces Oreña-Drilon based her story.

The Ateneo de Manila University Psychology Department has already disowned the documents which alleged that Aquino suffered from depression in 1996.

Its alleged author, Fr. Carmelo "Tito" Caluag, called the document "bogus" while the school noted that he is neither a psychologist nor a psychiatrist.

Erap flays GMA-7 for smear job

By Gerry Baldo

From The Daily Tribune

Link: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100412hed2.html

As his numbers rise in the surveys, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard bearer former President Joseph Estrada said the media are again demonizing him.

Estrada, in an interview during a campaign rally in Malabon on Friday, accused GMA-7 of kicking off a demolition job on him when it came out with a report about his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Networth (SALN) a few days ago.

“They have started the smear job against me, about my SALN. It was all too sudden after my rating at number three started to go up,” he said.

Estrada expressed apprehensions that the media would again ruin his image similar to when he was ousted in 2001.

“My ratings have started to improve and the demonization scheme was started by Channel 7

yesterday,” he said. He added that despite such efforts from media his supporters had not left him.

“Inspite of the demonization of the media when I was incarcerated, the people has not left me. To prove that, Dr. Loi, my wife, and my son, Jinggoy, were elected as senators even if I was incarcerated. They were elected as senators when I was behind bars. That goes to show that the masses have never left me inspite of the demonization of the media against me,” he said.

Estrada also compared to his past movies where he has portrayed the role of the underdog who later on always won his fight in the end, his bid for the presidency.

“Like in the movies I have always been an underdog, but in the end I always win,” Estrada told reporters.

Estrada, reacting to reports that he is trailing behind the presidential race in a three-cornered fight between him and senators Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party and Manny Villar of the Nationalista Party, said that he is taking his chances.

“I’m a risk taker ok, I am a risk taker...” he said in an interview that was incessantly interrupted by campaign jingles of his partymates who were delivering their pieces on the stage set up in the middle of a road in Malabon.

Estrada also said that nobody can stop him from pursuing the presidency that was forcibly taken away from him in 2001.

“Nobody can stop me and nobody can make me withdraw. Only death can make me withdraw,” he said despite offers for him to withdraw from the race and despite the party’s meagre resources.

Speaker, 30 congressmen set to bolt Lakas

Ready to endorse Villar — source

 

By Charlie V. Manalo

From The Daily Tribune

Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/

Lakas-Kampi presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro faces more woes as Speaker Prospero Nograles, together with 30 other congressmen, is said to be ready to bolt the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party and support the presidential candidacy of Nacionalista Party (NP) standard bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., sources close to the administration party said.

“It won’t just be the Speaker who is ready to bolt Lakas. He is bringing along with him 30 congressmen, ready to switch their support to Villar,” the sources told The Tribune yesterday.

According to sources, the 30 still to be identified congressmen who have signified their approval in joining the Speaker in bolting the administration party “are big guns” and have been proven to deliver the votes for whoever they support.

The source refused to name the 30 congressmen but intimated that they are all part of the Speaker’s so-called “core group” in the House of Representatives.

The Tribune reached Nograles through text message confirming dismay over the administration party.

“The candidates in our locals want to support candidates who won’t bring them down in a closely contested local fight. But I know politically they all move differently when their own local fights are close or they get dragged down by national candidates and they won’t risk too much,” Nograles said.

The Speaker, Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice chairman also expressed disappointment at Teodoro and other party leaders who have resigned from their posts last week saying their moves only further confused their members who look upon the party leadership for guidance,

“Many local party mates expect too much from the party and they are confused why so many events are happening nationally which they are ignorant about and party keeps on switching the personalities of the leadership,” said Nograles. “Results are that nobody seems to appear responsible for the locals where to run to, like the song, Who Can I Turn To?”, he added.

Manny fights ‘Villaroyo’ tag, cuts Noynoy’s lead to 8 pts

By Butch Fernandez

From Business Mirror

Link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23993:manny-fights-villaroyo-tag-cuts-noynoys-lead-to-8-pts&catid=26:nation&Itemid=63

NACIONALISTA Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar bounced back in the end-March Social Weather Stations survey with a 29-percent rating, cutting the lead (from 12 to 8 points) posted by his closest rival, Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Benigno Aquino III, in an earlier Pulse Asia survey.



Admitting that his survey ratings were partly affected by the “Villaroyo” tag thrown at him by his opponents, Villar revealed in an interview that he was, in fact, having problems recruiting supporters in the countryside to back the NP campaign because President Arroyo herself had been stopping local leaders from doing so.



“Alam mo, problema ko nga ngayon, mga sumasali sa amin pinipigil ng Pangulo,” Villar said over the weekend. He recalled that since October last year, there were many party recruits who were ready to join the NP campaign “pero tinatawagan ng Pangulo at pinipigil.”



Up to now, he added, the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD is working on beefing up its ranks, holding party meetings to stop defectors from leaving. “Hanggang ngayon ay nagpapalakas pa ang Lakas at nagpa-meeting at talagang kinukumbinsi lahat na huwag lumipat ng partido.”



This shows, Villar said, that the “Villaroyo” tag and other black propaganda linking him to Arroyo and here husband, Miguel, were all blatant lies spun by his “panicking” political foes. But he added that he expected more of these underhanded tactics to intensify as election day draws near.



“Patuloy ang aming panliligaw sa mga local officials at maraming sumasama sa amin, at syempre marami ring napipigilan ang administrasyon,” he said, even as he insisted that “kalaban namin ang [Arroyo] administrasyon. Nililiwanag namin na oposisyon kami. In fact, hindi pa kami nag-usap ng Pangulo simula na ako ay alisin nila na pangulo ng Senado. Hindi ako humihingi ng pera at wala akong balak na humingi ng pera sa kanila.”



Villar explained that before believing his opponents, voters should realize that he was once Speaker of the House where most of the incumbent congressmen and governors, who were former congressmen as well, were all his allies in the nine years that he served in the House of Representatives.

Gordon to Comelec: Ban sample ballots

by Edson C. Tandoc Jr.

From Philippine Daily Inquirer

Link:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100411-263608/Gordon-to-Comelec-Ban-sample-ballots

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Senator Richard Gordon asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to issue a resolution banning the distribution of sample ballots to voters, warning that these could be exploited to buy votes and sabotage the automated election.

Gordon on Saturday said that allowing national and local candidates to print and give out sample ballots as campaign paraphernalia was also "environmentally unfriendly" and would be an "insane misuse of valuable resources."

Speaking with reporters in this city, Gordon said: "I am calling on the Comelec not to allow sample ballots."

Gordon, who authored the automated election law, warned that saboteurs could purposely insert the sample ballots, which would be designed to look similar to the actual ballot, to jam the counting machines and delay the election.

The sample ballots could also facilitate vote-buying, he added.

He said the shift to an automated election wiped out "wholesale cheating" in the form of selling tampered certificates of canvass but it will force the return to retail-style cheating through massive vote buying.

He also asked the Comelec to limit the number of allowed poll watchers per candidate or party, saying that some candidates hire as many as five poll watchers per precinct which is already a form of vote-buying.

Gordon said: "Everybody should be vigilant."

VP bet Fernando shoots funny video for Web

by Edson C. Tandoc Jr.

From Philippine Daily Inquirer
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100411-263615/VP-bet-Fernando-shoots-funny-video-for-Web

MANILA, Philippines—Three weeks after a funny video of presidential candidate Senator Richard Gordon spread on the internet, it's Bayani Fernando's turn to dance and lip-synch with internet comedians Moymoy Palaboy and his brother Roadfill.

Fernando shot a short clip—filmed using a cell phone—on Friday afternoon right after a press conference where Gordon's Bagumbayan Party gathered supporters in a show of force.

It so happened that Moymoy Palaboy, or James Obeso in real life, and his brother Rudolf also attended the press conference to show their support to Gordon's presidential bid.

So, wearing his signature yellow construction hat, Fernando danced with the brothers to the tune of Beastie Boys' "Intergalactic" inside the Barbara's Restaurant, owned by Gordon's sister, in Intramuros, Manila.

The clip will be edited first and is scheduled to be uploaded soon, the duo’s manager Mitch Razote said.

Fernando is known as a singer—he won in GMA7's version of the Celebrity Duets in 2008 and even had concerts with former senator Joey Lina and former energy secretary Angelo Reyes—but he has not been widely seen dancing.

In an earlier interview, Fernando said he could also use his singing skills if he wins as vice president. He said he could provide entertainment in social functions and even wow members of the diplomatic corps and visiting heads of state.

Comelec claims to be ‘90% ready’ for the May 10 polls

by Leila B. Salaverria 

From Philippine Daily Inquirer

Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100411-263652/Comelec-claims-to-be-90-ready-for-the-May-10-polls

MANILA, Philippines -- With a month to go before the country's first automated elections, the Commission on Elections said it was 90 percent ready to conduct the polls, with the remaining weeks to be focused mostly on delivering the voting paraphernalia.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body might set up a “situation room” where the progress of the delivery of ballot boxes, counting machines and other election materials would be tracked and monitored. The area would be open to the public.
“We're thinking of coming up with a monitoring facility here centrally located where we-- I mean the Comelec, the administrators as well as of course members of the media-- will be able to monitor the arrivals and the progress of the various materials that we're transporting,” Jimenez told reporters.

He said the area would be where the reports from all over the country on the status of the delivery of the materials would be sent.

“It will be I think a very, very useful tool for the public to keep informed of the progress of the election,” he added.

Jimenez assessed the Comelec as being very much ready to handle the elections, saying the major components of the event, such as the ballot boxes and the precinct count optical scan machines, have been manufactured and have been placed in the poll body's custody.

“Considering that all the major elements in conducting an election are already in place, I would say we are about 90 percent ready to conduct the elections. The fact that we've already started elections for the overseas absentee voting, that's already a good sign for us,” he said.

The poll body would now need to ensure that the election paraphernalia reach their intended destination. The delivery of the ballot boxes and the PCOS machines has begun, with the Comelec focusing first on the far-flung areas, he said.

“Over the next few weeks, we would be looking at the deliveries. That's where we need to focus our attention, making sure that these elements arrive on time and in the proper order,” he said.

Proper indelible ink to be used in polls - Comelec

by Mayen Jaymalin 

from The Philippine Star

Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=565761&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday assured the people that an effective indelible ink would be available in the May 2010 elections despite the planned re-bidding and delay in purchase.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the Comelec still has sufficient time to re-bid the supply contract and ensure the quality of the indelible ink.

“Don’t worry about it. (We will make sure) that even if the dye may be removed by a strong enough solvent, the discoloration of the skin cannot be removed,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez said the Comelec could easily handle bidding process for the purchase of indelible ink.

“Madaling procurement lang naman ito. Matagal na namin itong ginagawa. (It would be easy to procure because we have been doing this for sometime). We don’t expect any issue here (that will cause delays),” he said.

Rebidding set this week

He said the Comelec has tentatively set the re-bidding for the indelible ink this week.

Jimenez said a new bidding for the ink could be in the offing after Texas Resources Corp.’s product failed in the first test after the firm won the bidding.

The poll official stressed that a second bidding would be fair for all stakeholders since Texas Corp. had already failed.

The indelible ink plays a crucial role in determining whether an individual had already voted or not.

He said the Comelec is now 90 percent complete with the preparation and fully ready for the conduct of the elections.

“Considering that all major components in the conduct of the elections are already in place, I would say the Commission is now 90 percent ready for the elections,” Jimenez disclosed.

Election 2010 News - March 31, 2010

• Ruling Party ignores defections, remains upbeat of poll bounce (Manila Bulletin)
• Binay asks Comelec to probe GMA's midnight appointments (Journal Online)
• Estrada welcomes admin local bets to PMP (Journal Online)
• Poll adviser worried over loss of ballot security mark (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
• Like district congressmen, party list reps enjoy perks (Malaya)
• PISTON files disqualification case vs Reyes (Manila Bulletin)
• 'No-transition' fears raised Noynoy details events, urges hiked vigilance (Malaya)

Ruling party ignores defections, remains upbeat of poll bounce

by BEN R. ROSARIO

From Manila Bulletin

Link:http://mb.com.ph/articles/250351/ruling-party-ignores-defections-remains-upbeat-poll-bounce

With Lakas-Kampi-CMD accounting for 70 percent of 19,000 candidates running for elective posts, party officials ignored little drawbacks that caused the defection of two governors and remained upbeat of a dramatic poll bounce for their standard bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro in the May 10 elections.

Party leaders said that barely one week after the local campaign started, the overpowering grassroots machinery of the administration party started to give Teodoro vast improvements in mock polls and tracking surveys of presidential preferences.

Massive crowd of supporters has been noted in hectic campaign sorties held in various places in Cebu, Tarlac, Laguna, Quezon, Batangas Caloocan City, and Quezon City that Teodoro attended since Friday.

Despite losing the support of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, Teodoro maintained an optimistic stance, strongly believing that the vaunted Solid North will remain faithful to the political cause of their fellow Ilocano.

Lawyer and former press secretary Mike Toledo said “the formidable political machinery of Lakas-Kampi-CMD now comes into play as our local candidates and their ward leader’s start campaigning hard for Gibo to ensure his victory.”

“About two-thirds of almost 19,000 candidates running for local elective posts in the May 10 elections belong to Lakas-Kampi-CMD,” said Toledo, who is now Teodoro’s spokesman and director of the Gibo 2010 Media Bureau.

Immediately after the official local campaign period opened on Friday, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia introduced Teodoro to at least 10,000 supporters in Argao as the presidential candidate of One Cebu, the strongest and most influential local political party in the province.

A day earlier, Laguna Gov. Luningning Lazaro gathered 26 mayors and 22 vice mayors from 30 towns to declare her choice of Teodoro as the presidential candidate that must be backed by them.

Garcia and Lazaro were just two of the 51 governors, many of them from the country’s vote-rich provinces, who threw their support behind Teodoro’s presidential bid and vowed to campaign for the former defense secretary so they can deliver “the highest possible number of votes” for him in their respective localities come Election Day.

Binay asks Comelec to probe GMA’s midnight appointments

by Jerico Javier & Alex T. Silva

From Journal Online

Link: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/6287-binay-asks-comelec-to-probe-gmas-midnight-appointments.html

OPPOSITION vice-presidential bet Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay yesterday said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should apply its diligence in counting the television airtime of candidates to investigating motu proprio President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s recent midnight appointments.

“If the poll body is so gung ho in reprimanding candidates who have exceeded their television advertisement allotment, then it should apply the same proactive stance in determining if Mrs. Arroyo had exceeded her authority in making election-period appointments,” he said.

Binay said if the Comelec can “micro count the seconds” of candidates’ TV ads then it cannot ignore a big issue like Mrs. Arroyo’s wholesale release of new appointment papers to high-government positions.

He said the Comelec had even reprimanded candidates for plastering posters in wrong places and detailed the size of the posters and the places where they should be put.

“I hope this vigilance and attention to detail should be applied on Mrs. Arroyo’s midnight appointments as well. It cannot be so finicky on posters while being insensitive on presidential appointments,” Binay said.

He insisted that the issue of midnight Cabinet and judicial appointments deserve the Comelec’s attention more than poster violations. “The ban on last-minute executive appointments is written in the Constitution,” he said.

Binay said it is within the Comelec’s powers to summon Mrs. Arroyo’s official representative and make him explain, in person or in writing, the legal basis for the recent appointments she had made.

“The Comelec need not wait for a complainant . It can initiate the scrutiny on its own. After all, its job is to monitor compliance with election laws, so if it sees a violation, then it should immediately blow the whistle,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard-bearer former President Joseph Estrada accused President Arroyo of being the opposite of his father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, for the midnight appointments she made despite the ban on them because of the coming elections.

Estrada made the accusation as a reaction to the midnight appointments made by Malacañang recently, including the appointments of a new member of the Court of Appeals and the Philippine ambassador to Germany.

“’Di niya sinusunod ang batas, mabuti pa ang tatay niya. Dapat sundin na lamang n’ya ’yun. Dapat what her father done she should follow, tatay niya ’yun ’di niya sinusunod,” Estrada said the other night during a campaign sortie in Cainta, Rizal.

Estrada recounted that GMA’s father denounced the “midnight appointments” made by his predecessor, former President Carlos P. Garcia.

Estrada added that despite the good example of her father, President Arroyo failed to follow his legacy as she violated the law by appointing government officials despite the ban.

Estrada welcomes admin local bets to PMP

by Jerico Javier
From Journal Online

Link: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/6286-estrada-welcomes-admin-local-bets-to-pmp.html

PWERSA ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard-bearer former President Joseph Estrada said the party welcomes local administration bets who wanted to “jump ship” from their party except those who were involved in graft and corruption.

This developed as Estrada said the transfer of some local administration bets, including his former bestfriend ex-Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, to the camp of presidential bet Sen. Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party will not affect his candidacy.

“I don’t think it will matter, meron naman kaming leader du’n sa Ilocos Sur,” Estrada told reporters.

But Estrada refused to comment nor confirm the speculation being circulated that the transfer of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD bets to other political parties confirms the alleged ties of Villar to the present administration.

“Hindi natin alam, hindi ko pa confirmed. Nababalitaan lang ’yan, eh. Naririnig ko lang pero wala akong confirmation,” Estrada said.

However, he said he heard that several candidates are planning to join the PMP.

“Okay lang lumipat ’yung mga taga-administration na walang kaso, pero ’yung mga tainted with graft and corruption, hindi ko pwedeng tanggapin ’yun,” Estrada also said.

Meanwhile, Estrada and his running mate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay were both elated with the result of the recent survey showing they both improved in their rating.

Estrada and Binay said that instead of spending too much on television ads, they will both go “direct” to the people along with their senatorial bets.

“Basta’t maging malinis at marangal ang darating na halalan, labis-labis ang galak sa pagsasama namin ni Pangulong Erap, eh, mananalo po kami sa darating na halalan,” Binay said in an interview.

PMP party hold their campaign sorties in Laguna yesterday. They motored to Siniloan, Sta. Cruz and Calamba

Like district congressmen, party list reps enjoy perks

by SHERRIE ANN TORRES VERA Files (Conclusion)

From Malaya

Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/03312010/news11.html

When it comes to the perks of being a lawmaker, party list representatives are no different from congressional district representatives.

Every month, they, too, receive a monthly salary of P35,000. Every year, each of them are also entitled to P70 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and at least P30 million from Public Works Fund, more popularly known as "pork-barrel funds."

Then there are the so-called "extras"–at least for those who align themselves with the powers-that-be.

Some party list representatives admit receiving a monthly allowance from the Office of the Speaker. They get additional "bonuses" when the passage of Malacanang-sponsored bills is being rushed. The sums range from P100,000 to P250,000 per vote, depending on the importance of the bill, according to congressional sources.

The opportunity to travel abroad for free, either by invitation of groups abroad or by hosts within the House of Representatives, is also something the party list representatives look forward to.

Because of these privileges, many among the party list representatives prefer to stick it out with the majority bloc. As a result, the party list representatives are divided into three groups–pro-administration, the opposition and hard-line opposition.

Those who have chosen to stand up for their principles say they have had to pay a stiff price.

Luzviminda Ilagan of the militant group Gabriela has not received the PDAF since she assumed office in 2007. Nonrelease of the pork barrel funds to militant congressmen began when they vigorously pushed for President Arroyo’s impeachment in 2005 following the "Hello, Garci" scandal, she said.

Like Ilagan, Gabriela’s Liza Maza, Bayan Muna’s Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casino and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano have not been getting their yearly pork barrel fund.

PISTON files disqualification case vs Reyes

by PAM BROOKE A. CASIN

From Manila Bulletin

Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/250358/piston-files-disqualification-case-vs-reyes

Militant transport group Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) filed a disqualification case Monday before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against former Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, who has been nominated to represent the party-list group 1-UTAK in the May 10 polls.

PISTON secretary general George San Mateo claimed that Reyes was never part of the sector he is trying to represent. He alleged that as energy secretary, Reyes opted to be an “accomplice” and “lawyer” of the Big 3 instead of siding with drivers and operators against steep oil price hikes.

“Ang interes ng Big 3 ang lagi niyang itinataguyod at hindi ang interes ng drivers at ng mamamayan. (Instead of protecting the public’s interests, he’s always been known to side with major oil players and their economic interests),” he charged.

“Binabastardize ni Reyes ang tunay na diwa ng party-list system. Hindi naman galing si Reyes sa marginalized and underrepresented sectors ng mga driver kaya wala siyang karapatan at hindi qualified na i-represent sila, (Reyes has bastardized the true spirit of the party-list system. He did not come from the marginalized and underrepresented sectors of drivers, that’s why he’s no right and not qualified to represent them),” he claimed in a interview.

San Mateo also expressed doubt as to whether Reyes has been a member of 1-UTAK for the last 90 days before the elections. He said that he could not understand why the group nominated him in the first place.

“Reyes and 1-UTAK are allegedly backed by Malacañang and the Big 3 oil cartel. They were unleashed to serve President Arroyo staying in power even after her term and to also serve the interests of the Big 3,” he claimed.

On March 26, 1-UTAK Representative Vigor Mendoza affirmed Reyes as the first nominee of their party-list, which made Reyes quit his post the same day

‘No-transition’ fears raised Noynoy details events, urges hiked vigilance

by WENDELL VIGILIA

From Malaya

Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/03312010/news1.html

LIBERAL Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III yesterday said there is a need for heightened public vigilance because President Arroyo "seems to be doing everything in her power to ensure that there is no smooth and peaceful transition of power."

"Perhaps the operative word is to ensure there is no transition," he told a press conference. "Those who think they can do minimal effort (in guarding their votes) should really awaken and take on a more active role and ensure that peaceful transition does become a reality."

Aquino, who earlier warned of another popular uprising in case elections fail, noted how ordinary citizens fought for the sanctity of ballots in the 1986 snap elections wherein his mother, Corazon C. Aquino, faced Ferdinand Marcos.

Aquino said there is no denying that the chain of events indicates that the Arroyo administration is doing away with what should be its last mandate of managing a peaceful transition of power.

He cited Arroyo’s "midnight appointments," which include that of AFP chief Gen. Delfin Bangit, her plan to appoint the successor to Chief Justice Reynato Puno, the Quezon City court’s decision absolving the Ampatuan clan from rebellion charges, and Malacañang’s warning of a military junta if elections fail.

Another crucial issue, Aquino said, is the lack of material time for an independent review of the poll machines’ source codes with only 40 days are left before Election Day, which he blames on the Commission on Elections.

Noynoy ibinisto ng pinsan sa 'Luisita'

from Pilipino Star Ngayon

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560152&publicationSubCategoryId=92

MANILA, Philippines - Kinuwestiyon ni Anak­pawis Rep. Rafael Mariano ang katotohanan sa mga sinabi ni Liberal Party pre­sidential ber Sen. Noynoy Aquino na ipamama­hagi niya sa 2014 sa mga mag­sasaka ang 6,000 hektarya ng kanilang lupain na saklaw ng agrarian reform na hinaharang ng kanilang pamilya sa Korte Suprema.

Ito’y matapos ilathala ng pahayagang New York Times sa United States ang pag-amin ng isang kamag-anak ni Noy­noy na hindi nila ipama­mahagi ang lupain sa mga magsasaka, taliwas sa ipinahayag ng pambato ng Liberal Party sa May 10 elections.

Sa panayam ni Carlos Conde, correspondent ng NYT sa Pilipinas, sinabi ni Fernando Cojuangco, pin­san ni Noynoy at chief operating officer ng holding company sa taniman ng tubo sa Luisita, na mala­bong isuko ng kanilang pamilya ang lupain na hawak nila mula pa noong 1958.

Bagaman kinontra ni Noynoy ang ulat sa NYT na posible umanong nagkamali lamang ang sumulat sa mga sinabi ng kanyang pinsan, nanindigan si Conde na tama at naka-record ang mga inihayag ni Fernando.

Sinabi ni Mariano na nagkamali si Noynoy sa gi­nawang pangako dahil hindi na nito malilinlang ang mga magsasaka na dapat sanang nakikinabang sa lupain.

Patuloy din umano ang paghahanap ng katarungan ng mga magsasaka na napaslang sa hacienda kabilang ang pitong nasawi sa welga noong 2004 at iba pang biktima ng asasinasyon pagkatapos nito. (Butch Quejada)

Why I Can’t Trust Noynoy and his Liberal Party...

By Jojo Robles

from http://donavictorina.blogspot.com/2010/03/why-i-cant-trust-noynoy-and-his-liberal.html

“It is important to note that both Cory Aquino and her son Noynoy supported the embattled President Arroyo right after the wiretapping stories broke. Cory urged Filipinos not to use extra-judicial means to remove their Chief Executive, while Noynoy (a Tarlac congressman at the time) voted in the House to prevent the playing of the wiretapped conversations.”

If Noynoy Aquino weren’t so blinded by hate (or so callowly exploiting what he feels is the mother lode of hatred that will make him president, take your pick), he would also call for the creation of a government commission to look into the festering problem that is Hacienda Luisita, if he wins. But wait, there was already a commission formed to do that six years ago – and still nothing has happened.

Only, as that recent excellent series on the troubled sugar plantation written by Stephanie Dychiu on the GMA Network Web site (www.gmanews.tv) pointed out, the work of the Luisita task force was apparently swept aside by the “Hello, Garci” wiretapping scandal in early 2005. The headline-hogging reports of President Arroyo directly calling an elections commissioner to secure votes for her election a year earlier elbowed out the previous big story of the November 2004 Luisita massacre, wherein soldiers and police opened fire on striking workers at the Cojuangco-Aquino plantation.

It is important to note that both Cory Aquino and her son Noynoy supported the embattled President Arroyo right after the wiretapping stories broke. Cory urged Filipinos not to use extra-judicial means to remove their Chief Executive, while Noynoy (a Tarlac congressman at the time) voted in the House to prevent the playing of the wiretapped conversations.

Yet, soon after the Department of Agrarian Reform’s Luisita task force completed its investigation and following a meeting in Malacañang between Cory and President Arroyo, the former President publicly called for the resignation of her successor in office. Amid rumors of a shouting match between the two women leaders that had nothing to do with the “Garci” tapes and everything to do with the task force’s report, according to Dychiu’s sources, Cory, Noynoy and even Kris (all of whom supported President Arroyo’s 2004 campaign against actor Fernando Poe Jr.), joined the anti-Arroyo opposition.