Gibo, Edu go to NPA-infested Mindoro

By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)  

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560194&publicationSubCategoryId=63

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines – Administration presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro and his team made their presence felt by campaigning in rebel-infested areas here.

Teodoro, along with vice presidential candidate Edu Manzano, led the entourage in defying threats by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in areas where just a few weeks ago 11 government troops were killed in an ambush staged by the rebel group.

The troops were waylaid when they were trying to prevent the NPA from implementing their permit to campaign on local candidates.

At the rally Teodoro said he would prioritize development programs for local government units if elected president.

He promised his leadership would determine the concerns of every community to effectively address their particular needs.

“The leader should be capable of understanding the needs of communities to effectively address their respective problems and then give the best solutions,” Teodoro said.

Teodoro gives up on surveys

By TJ Burgonio (Philippine Daily Inquirer)  

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100320-259865/Teodoro-gives-up-on-surveys

MAMBURAO, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines—Administration standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro said Saturday he has stopped following his ratings in the surveys and is looking forward to the start of the local campaign on March 26.

"I don't pay attention to surveys anymore. Whether I've gone up or gone down, it's nothing to me. Our campaign is based on our party network and party strengths," said Teodoro, a consistent fourth-placer in the surveys.

Lakas Kampi CMD secretary general Francis Manglapus said they would focus on the party message, and "work with the local candidates to deliver the votes."

"Our feeling is that they can do it," he said by phone, pointing out that over 60 percent of local candidates are allied with the administration party.

Teodoro, his running mate Edu Manzano, and senatorial candidates Silvestre Bello III, Raul Lambino and Rey Langit barnstormed Mindoro on Saturday, less than a week before the March 26 kick-off of the local campaign period.

Vans full of supporters and Manila-based reporters waited for Teodoro at the Mamburao airport for a motorcade around the dusty town off Mindoro Strait Saturday morning, but he did not arrive on time.

Due to a delay in the flight to Mamburao, Teodoro and Bello flew first to Isabela in northern Luzon. He and Bello later flew to San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro.

Teodoro, Manzano, Senate bets in rare group sortie

By TJ Burgonio (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100320-259774/Teodoro-Manzano-Senate-bets-in-rare-group-sortie

MANILA, Philippines—Administration standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro, his running mate Edu Manzano, and senatorial candidates Silvestre Bello III and Raul Lambino Friday appeared together in a rare group sortie in Valenzuela City.

Teodoro, Bello and Lambino each gave a pep talk during an uproarious student forum at the Our Lady of Fatima University campus in Valenzuela City. Manzano caught up with them at the tail-end at the forum.

“We’re halfway there already. I guess this is a sign that we’re here for the long haul. We’ve committed to the party; we’ve committed to the people. Gibo and and I said we’ll finish this election,” Manzano later said in an interview as he waved at the crowd from the back of a truck during a motorcade from the campus to the city interiors.

Grumblings about funds

Their rare appearance together came on the heels of grumblings in Manzano’s camp and among the senatorial candidates about Lakas Kampi-CMD funds not trickling down to their level.

Since the Feb. 9 kick-off of the campaign, Teodoro, Manzano and the six senatorial candidates have mostly barnstormed Metro Manila and the countryside on their own.

Teodoro, Manzano and some of the senatorial candidates also barnstormed Butuan City in Agusan del Norte last Thursday, and had dinner with President Macapagal-Arroyo at the birthday celebration of Rep. Jose Aquino II.

Lambino conceded that campaigning alone has its advantages, like covering more areas to campaign for the presidential team, but has a big downside to it: the perception that “we’re disunited.”

Teodoro said the public would see more of them campaigning together once the campaign period for local officials kicks off March 26, but said the senatorial candidates would be campaigning in two teams to cover more ground.

Not awash in funds

“Our schedules jibed today. But when local campaign kicks in, we will be campaigning together. The senators will still have two teams,” he told reporters after the forum.

But the issue of funds will not simply go away.

“There is fund, but that’s a precious and limited resource. We’re not awash in funds. We should use this judiciously,” said Teodoro, who claimed he had received funds from the party.

The forum at the Fatima University was generally boisterous, with female students shrieking at the sight of TV personality Jolo Revilla and jostling for the chance to give him a buss, and more so, at Manzano who came in last at around 11:30 a.m.

The young Revilla campaigned for his father, reelectionist Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and so did Patrick Guico for his father, Mayor Ramon Guico of Binalonan, Pangasinan. The party’s two other senatorial candidates are Sen. Lito Lapid and broadcaster Rey Langit.

Bello urges fund release for El Niño

from Manila Bulletin

http://mb.com.ph/articles/246631/bello-urges-fund-release-el-ni-o

Former justice secretary and peace negotiator Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III appealed to the national government to immediately release emergency funds to help farmers affected by the El Niño phenomenon. “Our farmers in Isabela and other provinces are still reeling from the damage the past typhoons have brought, and here comes El Niño, which promises to deliver another blow to their farming revenues,” Bello, a Lakas-Kampi-CMD senatorial candidate, said.

Bello said that the President’s Social Fund, which is sourced from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation earnings, would be a big boost to the efforts done by other government agencies. Also, the President could also use part of the P2 billion calamity fund to augment the resources of the agencies, Bello said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has said that the El Niño conditions will persist until June based on their climate models. Damage to agriculture has already reached P3.7 billion.

10,000 Caloocan voters back ‘Gibo’

by BEN R. ROSARIO (Manila Bulletin)

http://mb.com.ph/articles/246368/10000-caloocan-voters-back-gibo

At least 10,000 Caloocan City voters formally pledged Monday to vote only the most qualified candidates in the May 10 elections as their contribution to ensure political harmony and high growth in the country into the next decade.

Former defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. led residents of Barangay Bagong Silang, in a mass-recital of the “Panatang Makabago” containing a voter’s commitment in pushing for the victory of only the most qualified candidates.

Bagong Silang folk, mostly belonging to the urban poor sector, mobbed Teodoro as they aired the belief that the Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet’s qualities as a leader best fits the presidency.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD officials noted that the Caloocan City campaign sortie provided the warmest reception yet for Teodoro although he was also warmly welcomed in Malabon.

Leaders in at least 16 purok and barangay officials declared publicly their support for Teodoro during the jampacked gathering at a basketball court.

Leaders of 11 organizations representing the different districts in Caloocan had also expressed their full support for Teodoro, his vice-presidential bet Edu Manzano and the ruling party’s six senatorial bets—reelectionist Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Lito Lapid, lawyer Raul Lambino, former Cabinet secretary Silvestre Bello, media personality Rey Langit and Binalonan, Pangasinan Mayor Ramon Guico.

Thousands of cheering people lined the streets as his convoy passed through on Phase 7, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City

Ruling party sees win for its 6 senatoriables

by ARIS R. ILAGAN (Manila Bulletin)
http://mb.com.ph/articles/242982/ruling-party-sees-win-its-6-senatoriables

Lakas-Kampi-CMD officials Thursday expressed optimism that their entire six senatorial candidates for this year’s May 10 elections will make it to the Senate with the unwavering support of an overwhelming number of incumbent local government executives identified with the administration party and the vast political machinery resources their group can mobilize.

Secretary Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr., presidential adviser on political affairs and concurrent campaign manager for the administration Senate ticket, also said the lean, mean senatorial ticket of Lakas also possess the best of the candidates based on the luminous track record on public service.

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.