- Pink is out; MMDA going 'Gibo' green (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Selling Gibo Teodoro in Manila's markets (Malaya)
- Gibo's gameplan (Manila Standard)
- Villar surges ahead in latest survey (Manila Bulletin)
- Noynoy tinawanan lang ni Villar (Pilipino Star Ngayon)
- NO FREE PASS FOR PRE-CAMPAIGN ADS Top bets liable for breach of ethics; donors for taxes (Malaya Philippine Center for Journalism)
- Vice Presidential bets trade barbs in debate (The Philippine Star)
- Noynoy ibinisto ng pinsan sa 'Luisita' (Pilipino Star Ngayon)
- Torch of leadership passed to Bongbong (Malaya)
March 24, 2010
Election 2010 News - March 23, 2010
Pink is out; MMDA going ‘Gibo’ green
By Niña Calleja (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Tarpaulins printed with slogans like “Green is Cool,” “Green Is Go,” Green Is Hope,” and “Green is Clean” would be mounted this week along major thoroughfares, especially along EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue), to formally launch the agency’s “Go Green Metro” program, MMDA Chair Oscar Inocentes said Monday.
“Green symbolizes environmental growth,” Inocentes said in a statement. “We would like the world to know that through the MMDA, Metro Manila is doing its share to conserve and protect our Earth, our environment.”
He sought the cooperation of the 17 Metro Manila mayors in promoting the agency’s “green ideology.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100323-260311/Pink-is-out-MMDA-going-Gibo-green
MANILA, Philippines—“Green” and bear it, BF! Looks like Gibo’s color is taking over your formerly “rosy” turf.
Not only is the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) repainting various road structures from pink to green, but it is also putting up signs trumpeting its new choice of color.
MANILA, Philippines—“Green” and bear it, BF! Looks like Gibo’s color is taking over your formerly “rosy” turf.
Not only is the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) repainting various road structures from pink to green, but it is also putting up signs trumpeting its new choice of color.
Tarpaulins printed with slogans like “Green is Cool,” “Green Is Go,” Green Is Hope,” and “Green is Clean” would be mounted this week along major thoroughfares, especially along EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue), to formally launch the agency’s “Go Green Metro” program, MMDA Chair Oscar Inocentes said Monday.
“Green symbolizes environmental growth,” Inocentes said in a statement. “We would like the world to know that through the MMDA, Metro Manila is doing its share to conserve and protect our Earth, our environment.”
He sought the cooperation of the 17 Metro Manila mayors in promoting the agency’s “green ideology.”
Selling Gibo Teodoro in Manila’s markets
By Regina Bengco (Malaya)
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03232010/news3.html
"HUWAG kayong mahiya, kamayan ninyo (Don’t be shy, shake his hand)," aides of administration presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said encouragingly.
The subjects – the lady vendors of the Blumentritt market in Manila – stood beside their wares, arms stiff at their sides, hesitating as their curious eyes regarded the tall mestizo guy in a light green short-sleeved polo shirt surrounded by supporters in darker shades of green.
Teodoro crossed the pavement, and shook their hand, smiling reassuringly.
"He looks taller in person than in his commercial," one vendor said.
"Iyan sana ang pinakamagaling sa lahat, kaya lang naka-ano kay Gloria (Arroyo)," someone remarked.
Soon, Teodoro was on a roll, shaking hands, exchanging banter, and setting people at ease by speaking to them in Ilocano.
"Raul!" he called to his senatorial candidate, Raul Lambino who was also busy shaking hands and distributing campaign materials, "They are your province mates. From Pangasinan."
"HUWAG kayong mahiya, kamayan ninyo (Don’t be shy, shake his hand)," aides of administration presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said encouragingly.
The subjects – the lady vendors of the Blumentritt market in Manila – stood beside their wares, arms stiff at their sides, hesitating as their curious eyes regarded the tall mestizo guy in a light green short-sleeved polo shirt surrounded by supporters in darker shades of green.
Teodoro crossed the pavement, and shook their hand, smiling reassuringly.
"He looks taller in person than in his commercial," one vendor said.
"Iyan sana ang pinakamagaling sa lahat, kaya lang naka-ano kay Gloria (Arroyo)," someone remarked.
Soon, Teodoro was on a roll, shaking hands, exchanging banter, and setting people at ease by speaking to them in Ilocano.
"Raul!" he called to his senatorial candidate, Raul Lambino who was also busy shaking hands and distributing campaign materials, "They are your province mates. From Pangasinan."
Gibo’s gameplan
by Jojo A. Robles (Manila Standard)
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2010/march/23/jojorobles.isx&d=2010/march/23
People who defend the iron grip that certain families have had on the politics of this country for generations like to say that the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. The reality, of course, isn’t so easily contained in any aphorism, no matter how quaint and hoary.
Children may share the looks or other physical qualities of their parents, just as siblings and even cousins possess the same superficial attributes. But that’s as far as it goes, unless one is making a case to elect someone on the sole basis of familial ties.
We’ve seen this tree-to-fruit correspondence worked near to death in the case of Noynoy Aquino, even if we have no proof whatsoever that Noynoy is as politically astute and overachieving as his father or as sincere and well-meaning as his mother. Then, of course, there’s the matter of Kris Aquino, who shares even fewer of the outward attributes of either of her parents and who still has no qualms of pushing her brother’s candidacy—and even of explaining her own actions—because of this family connection.
If the people who regularly make this all-too-easy conclusion were truly honest, they’ll admit that they are merely justifying their own political leanings. Or simply hoping that the admirable qualities of the parents could somehow—despite a ton of evidence to the contrary—be transferred to their offspring.
Indeed, even the Aquino camp has already moved on from the Ninoy-Cory link that they constantly bombarded people with at the beginning of the campaign, perhaps after seeing how this strategy has only made Noynoy steadily lose ground to his less pedigreed rivals. After all, if Noynoy did somehow inherit his forebears’ good qualities (and only the good ones, mind you), what does that make Gibo Teodoro, who comes from the same family, after all?
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2010/march/23/jojorobles.isx&d=2010/march/23
People who defend the iron grip that certain families have had on the politics of this country for generations like to say that the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. The reality, of course, isn’t so easily contained in any aphorism, no matter how quaint and hoary.
Children may share the looks or other physical qualities of their parents, just as siblings and even cousins possess the same superficial attributes. But that’s as far as it goes, unless one is making a case to elect someone on the sole basis of familial ties.
We’ve seen this tree-to-fruit correspondence worked near to death in the case of Noynoy Aquino, even if we have no proof whatsoever that Noynoy is as politically astute and overachieving as his father or as sincere and well-meaning as his mother. Then, of course, there’s the matter of Kris Aquino, who shares even fewer of the outward attributes of either of her parents and who still has no qualms of pushing her brother’s candidacy—and even of explaining her own actions—because of this family connection.
If the people who regularly make this all-too-easy conclusion were truly honest, they’ll admit that they are merely justifying their own political leanings. Or simply hoping that the admirable qualities of the parents could somehow—despite a ton of evidence to the contrary—be transferred to their offspring.
Indeed, even the Aquino camp has already moved on from the Ninoy-Cory link that they constantly bombarded people with at the beginning of the campaign, perhaps after seeing how this strategy has only made Noynoy steadily lose ground to his less pedigreed rivals. After all, if Noynoy did somehow inherit his forebears’ good qualities (and only the good ones, mind you), what does that make Gibo Teodoro, who comes from the same family, after all?
Villar surges ahead in latest survey
By Rolly Carandang (Manila Bulletin)
http://mb.com.ph/articles/249100/villar-surges-ahead-latest-survey
Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar continues to gain strength as he has now overtaken erstwhile leader, Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in the latest survey of The Issues and Advocacy Center (The CENTER).
In that survey, conducted March 3-10, 2010, Villar got 28 percent to Aquino’s 26 percent.
Ed M. Malay, director of The Center, said the results of the latest nationwide survey also reinforces the view that the coming May 10, 2010 elections is going to be a media-driven campaign with both broadcast and print media emerging as the most preferred medium employed by national candidates to put their respective political agenda across.
In that survey conducted among 2,400 respondents nationwide, the results show that the decision-making process of Filipino voters can be enhanced and influenced by the outpouring of information supplied by the national candidates and generated by the various forms of media, television in particular.
The Center also said it continues to rely on the multi-stage probability sampling method employing face-to-face interviews with a skip interval method of four to five houses to obviate any possible bias in the responses adding that its survey has a + 2.8% margin of error anda confidence level of 95%.
Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar continues to gain strength as he has now overtaken erstwhile leader, Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in the latest survey of The Issues and Advocacy Center (The CENTER).
In that survey, conducted March 3-10, 2010, Villar got 28 percent to Aquino’s 26 percent.
Ed M. Malay, director of The Center, said the results of the latest nationwide survey also reinforces the view that the coming May 10, 2010 elections is going to be a media-driven campaign with both broadcast and print media emerging as the most preferred medium employed by national candidates to put their respective political agenda across.
In that survey conducted among 2,400 respondents nationwide, the results show that the decision-making process of Filipino voters can be enhanced and influenced by the outpouring of information supplied by the national candidates and generated by the various forms of media, television in particular.
The Center also said it continues to rely on the multi-stage probability sampling method employing face-to-face interviews with a skip interval method of four to five houses to obviate any possible bias in the responses adding that its survey has a + 2.8% margin of error anda confidence level of 95%.
Noynoy tinawanan lang ni Villar
by Butch Quejada (Pilipino Star Ngayon)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560502&publicationSubCategoryId=92
MANILA, Philippines - Tahasang binalewala at tinawanan ng kampo ng Nacionalista Party ang akusasyon ni Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino na ipinababaklas ni NP standard bearer Manny Villar ang kanyang mga campaign posters.
“Ito’y isang bagong black propaganda ng partido liberal,” anang kampo ni Villar.
Tahasang sinabi ng NP na imposible ang naturang balita dahil talong-talo ni Aquino ang kampo ni Villar sa postering at paglalagay ng streamers.
Halimbawa na dito ang mga lalawigan ng Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Mindanao, Bacolod at iba pang lugar sa bansa kung saan namamayagpag ang streamers at posters ng Noy-Mar tandem.
Inireklamo rin ng supporters ni Villar ang pambabaklas ng yellow armies at volunteers ni Noynoy sa mga orange ribbons na nakakabit sa mga poste at streamers ni Villar at ng iba pang NP candidates sa isang sortie sa Catbalogan, Samar.
“Kami nga ang dehado. Kung tutuusin, wala ni katiting ang mga campaign posters at streamers ni Sen. Villar at ng buong tiket ng NP. Samantalang yung kampo ng mga dilaw ay nagsalimbayan kahit sa mga puno at poste ng kuryente ang kanilang mga mukha,” ayon Adel Tamano, senatorial candidate ng NP at dating spokesman ng United Opposition.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560502&publicationSubCategoryId=92
MANILA, Philippines - Tahasang binalewala at tinawanan ng kampo ng Nacionalista Party ang akusasyon ni Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino na ipinababaklas ni NP standard bearer Manny Villar ang kanyang mga campaign posters.
“Ito’y isang bagong black propaganda ng partido liberal,” anang kampo ni Villar.
Tahasang sinabi ng NP na imposible ang naturang balita dahil talong-talo ni Aquino ang kampo ni Villar sa postering at paglalagay ng streamers.
Halimbawa na dito ang mga lalawigan ng Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Mindanao, Bacolod at iba pang lugar sa bansa kung saan namamayagpag ang streamers at posters ng Noy-Mar tandem.
Inireklamo rin ng supporters ni Villar ang pambabaklas ng yellow armies at volunteers ni Noynoy sa mga orange ribbons na nakakabit sa mga poste at streamers ni Villar at ng iba pang NP candidates sa isang sortie sa Catbalogan, Samar.
“Kami nga ang dehado. Kung tutuusin, wala ni katiting ang mga campaign posters at streamers ni Sen. Villar at ng buong tiket ng NP. Samantalang yung kampo ng mga dilaw ay nagsalimbayan kahit sa mga puno at poste ng kuryente ang kanilang mga mukha,” ayon Adel Tamano, senatorial candidate ng NP at dating spokesman ng United Opposition.
NO FREE PASS FOR PRE-CAMPAIGN ADS Top bets liable for breach of ethics; donors for taxes
By Malou Mangahas (Malaya) Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03232010/news4.html
THEY probably thought they got a free pass to flood television with political ads beyond the airtime and spending limits set in law, having run commercials before the 90-day campaign period could start last February 9.
But the top candidates for president and vice president, as well as those who donated and bankrolled their pre-campaign ads, had better think again, according to lawyers and officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
By the letter and spirit of anti-graft and tax laws, say the lawyers and tax officials, their pre-campaign period airing of political ads does not free the candidates and their donors of all liabilities.
By PCIJ’s calculations, the combined actual ad spending of six presidential candidates and four vice-presidential candidates from November 1, 2009 to February 8, 2010 comes up to P1.472 billion. By most standards, the amount is huge enough to compromise these candidates, most of whom are incumbent public officials.
The figure is also huge enough to shore up the tax collection drive of the BIR amid the country’s rising fiscal deficit -- if the candidates’ donors have paid taxes.
Just last week, BIR Commissioner Joel Tan-Torres said his agency has collected only P100 million from the five-percent withholding tax slapped on all political contributions and campaign expenditures of candidates during the campaign period.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03232010/news4.html
THEY probably thought they got a free pass to flood television with political ads beyond the airtime and spending limits set in law, having run commercials before the 90-day campaign period could start last February 9.
But the top candidates for president and vice president, as well as those who donated and bankrolled their pre-campaign ads, had better think again, according to lawyers and officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
By the letter and spirit of anti-graft and tax laws, say the lawyers and tax officials, their pre-campaign period airing of political ads does not free the candidates and their donors of all liabilities.
By PCIJ’s calculations, the combined actual ad spending of six presidential candidates and four vice-presidential candidates from November 1, 2009 to February 8, 2010 comes up to P1.472 billion. By most standards, the amount is huge enough to compromise these candidates, most of whom are incumbent public officials.
The figure is also huge enough to shore up the tax collection drive of the BIR amid the country’s rising fiscal deficit -- if the candidates’ donors have paid taxes.
Just last week, BIR Commissioner Joel Tan-Torres said his agency has collected only P100 million from the five-percent withholding tax slapped on all political contributions and campaign expenditures of candidates during the campaign period.
Vice presidential bets trade barbs in debate
By Aurea Calica – With Perseus Echeminada, Mike Frialde, Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star)
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560521&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - Six candidates for vice president traded barbs and grilled each other during a televised debate aired last Sunday night.
Leading vice presidential candidate Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II of the Liberal Party had a face-off with Sen. Loren Legarda of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and the Nacionalista Party, who criticized her main rival over the expanded value added tax, Cheaper Medicine Law and land distribution.
Legarda was fierce in grilling Roxas, who implied that she was a hypocrite and a political butterfly for transferring to various parties.
The debate dubbed as “Harapan” was organized by ABS-CBN and held at the La Consolacion College in Manila. Members of the audience were each given a “truth meter” and were told to vote on whether the answer of the candidates was “believable” or “not believable.”
Roxas registered high scores on the believability of his answers while Legarda did poorly despite her attacks on the LP bet every chance she got. Roxas laughed off some of the issues raised by Legarda.
Legarda and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, the vice presidential bet of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, gave dramatic opening and closing remarks to the viewers while former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando of Bagumbayan even wore an engineer’s hat to call attention to his training and his qualifications to be vice president.
MANILA, Philippines - Six candidates for vice president traded barbs and grilled each other during a televised debate aired last Sunday night.
Leading vice presidential candidate Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II of the Liberal Party had a face-off with Sen. Loren Legarda of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and the Nacionalista Party, who criticized her main rival over the expanded value added tax, Cheaper Medicine Law and land distribution.
Legarda was fierce in grilling Roxas, who implied that she was a hypocrite and a political butterfly for transferring to various parties.
The debate dubbed as “Harapan” was organized by ABS-CBN and held at the La Consolacion College in Manila. Members of the audience were each given a “truth meter” and were told to vote on whether the answer of the candidates was “believable” or “not believable.”
Roxas registered high scores on the believability of his answers while Legarda did poorly despite her attacks on the LP bet every chance she got. Roxas laughed off some of the issues raised by Legarda.
Legarda and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, the vice presidential bet of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, gave dramatic opening and closing remarks to the viewers while former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando of Bagumbayan even wore an engineer’s hat to call attention to his training and his qualifications to be vice president.
March 23, 2010
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)
March 22, 2010
Torch of leadership passed to Bongbong
from Malaya
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03222010/metro6.html
NACIONALISTA Party senatorial candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. formally accepted the symbolic torch of leadership of the Marcos forces in Philippine politics when he was feted at the Manila Polo Club by former cabinet members and colleagues of his father, the late former President Ferdinand Marcos, political leaders and supporters, former ranking officers of the Armed Forces and PNP, and members of the Marcos-Romualdez family clan.
The gathering was organized by Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) president and former presidential legal counsel Manuel Lazaro and former deputy executive secretary Ramon Cardenas as a rally of support for Bongbong’s candidacy.
Among the key personages from the Marcos administration were former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, former Central Bank governor and education secretary Jaime C. Laya, former agrarian reform secretary Conrado Estrella, former economic planning secretary Vicente Valdepeñas, and former budget secretary Manuel Alba.
Estrella spoke of the passing of the torch to Bongbong, as he talked of Marcos I and Marcos II, and called on Bongbong to carry and build on the legacy of his father.
The Marcos-Romualdez family was led by Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, herself a former human settlements minister and governor of Metro Manila.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/03222010/metro6.html
NACIONALISTA Party senatorial candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. formally accepted the symbolic torch of leadership of the Marcos forces in Philippine politics when he was feted at the Manila Polo Club by former cabinet members and colleagues of his father, the late former President Ferdinand Marcos, political leaders and supporters, former ranking officers of the Armed Forces and PNP, and members of the Marcos-Romualdez family clan.
The gathering was organized by Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) president and former presidential legal counsel Manuel Lazaro and former deputy executive secretary Ramon Cardenas as a rally of support for Bongbong’s candidacy.
Among the key personages from the Marcos administration were former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, former Central Bank governor and education secretary Jaime C. Laya, former agrarian reform secretary Conrado Estrella, former economic planning secretary Vicente Valdepeñas, and former budget secretary Manuel Alba.
Estrella spoke of the passing of the torch to Bongbong, as he talked of Marcos I and Marcos II, and called on Bongbong to carry and build on the legacy of his father.
The Marcos-Romualdez family was led by Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, herself a former human settlements minister and governor of Metro Manila.
Election 2010 News - March 22, 2010
- Lakas-Kampi coalition plans decisive 'Battle of the Bulge' (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Gibo, Edu go to NPA_infested Mindoro (The Philippine Star)
- Teodoro pushes new consumption taxes (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Teodoro gives up on surveys (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Villar vows justice for Luisita victims (The Philippine Star)
- Disclose nominees, party-list groups told (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Noynoy ibinisto ng pinsa sa 'Luisita' (Pilipino Star Ngayon)
- To save republic in case of failure of elections' Angara calls fore election of new Senate president (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Over 1/3 of towns, cities are poll hot spots--PNP (The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Lakas-Kampi coalition plans decisive ‘Battle of the Bulge’
By Winston A. Marbella (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100322-260115/Lakas-Kampi-coalition-plans-decisive-Battle-of-the-Bulge
Like a stealthy army preparing to launch a major offensive, the ruling administration coalition Lakas-Kampi-CMD is moving heaven and earth at the grassroots to save the lagging presidential candidacy of former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
The question that perplexes many party leaders is: Considering that Teodoro is running behind, why move only now?
The ruling coalition, which enjoys a headlock on 70 percent of local government positions, is pinning its hopes on superior resources and widespread party machinery to swing the tide of battle.
Banking on these advantages, it plans to assert its superiority with carefully synchronized offensives timed at the start of the campaign for local positions on March 26.
The opening salvo of this make-or-break offensive will be new TV commercials targeting the youth on Monday.
Teodoro’s spokesperson, former Press Secretary Mike Toledo, said the commercials would be aired with frequencies rivaling those of the front-runners, Senators Benigno S. Aquino III of the Liberal Party and Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party. Between them, they have spent close to P2 billion, dominating the airwaves, according to the media firm AGB Nielsen.
Teodoro’s ads will zero in on the target segment that the coalition hopes will swing the tide of battle to his side, the youth ranging in age from 18 to 39, who constitute 52 percent of the 50 million voters registered, according to Toledo.
Like a stealthy army preparing to launch a major offensive, the ruling administration coalition Lakas-Kampi-CMD is moving heaven and earth at the grassroots to save the lagging presidential candidacy of former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
The question that perplexes many party leaders is: Considering that Teodoro is running behind, why move only now?
The ruling coalition, which enjoys a headlock on 70 percent of local government positions, is pinning its hopes on superior resources and widespread party machinery to swing the tide of battle.
Banking on these advantages, it plans to assert its superiority with carefully synchronized offensives timed at the start of the campaign for local positions on March 26.
The opening salvo of this make-or-break offensive will be new TV commercials targeting the youth on Monday.
Teodoro’s spokesperson, former Press Secretary Mike Toledo, said the commercials would be aired with frequencies rivaling those of the front-runners, Senators Benigno S. Aquino III of the Liberal Party and Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party. Between them, they have spent close to P2 billion, dominating the airwaves, according to the media firm AGB Nielsen.
Teodoro’s ads will zero in on the target segment that the coalition hopes will swing the tide of battle to his side, the youth ranging in age from 18 to 39, who constitute 52 percent of the 50 million voters registered, according to Toledo.
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.
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 pushes new consumption taxes
By Abigail L. Ho (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100320-259866/Teodoro-pushes-new-consumption-taxes
MANILA, Philippines—To curb the country's burgeoning budget deficit, Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro says there is a need to rethink the existing tax structure and tax administration efforts.
“For the fiscal situation, we need to rethink tax administration and efficiency. Past efforts have been unsustainable. Through tax administration reforms, I think these problems can be addressed,'' he said.
He said new consumption taxes should be introduced and sin taxes increased. Personal and corporate income taxes, however, should no longer be hiked as these were already “competitive.''
In an earlier speech before members of the Makati Business Club, he noted that he “agreed in principle'' with the need to hike consumption taxes. Whatever new taxes would be slapped, however, would depend on the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and the upcoming elections on the country's economy.
Other presidential aspirants had different strategies to address the fiscal deficit.
Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy'' Aquino III said he would not impose any new taxes, while Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar said it would be “irresponsible of me'' not to introduce new taxes.
MANILA, Philippines—To curb the country's burgeoning budget deficit, Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro says there is a need to rethink the existing tax structure and tax administration efforts.
“For the fiscal situation, we need to rethink tax administration and efficiency. Past efforts have been unsustainable. Through tax administration reforms, I think these problems can be addressed,'' he said.
He said new consumption taxes should be introduced and sin taxes increased. Personal and corporate income taxes, however, should no longer be hiked as these were already “competitive.''
In an earlier speech before members of the Makati Business Club, he noted that he “agreed in principle'' with the need to hike consumption taxes. Whatever new taxes would be slapped, however, would depend on the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and the upcoming elections on the country's economy.
Other presidential aspirants had different strategies to address the fiscal deficit.
Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy'' Aquino III said he would not impose any new taxes, while Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar said it would be “irresponsible of me'' not to introduce new taxes.
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.
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.
Villar vows justice for Luisita victims
By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)
Villar and Legarda, along with NP senatorial bets Adel Tamano, Toots Ople, Gilbert Remulla and Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos campaigned last Saturday in the home province of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer, Sen. Noynoy Aquino.
Villar said he would allow the wheels of justice to run their course if he becomes president and would look into the issue of land distribution after the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) under the administration of Aquino’s mother, former President Corazon Aquino, failed in their family-owned Hacienda Luisita.
Legarda, on the other hand, said that those who have committed crimes and human rights violations in connection with the massacre should be brought to court.
She also took potshots at Aquino, saying that a candidate who has no respect for the rule of law and tolerated the killing of the aggrieved Luisita farmers should not be elected to the presidency.
Tamano expressed concern that the issues surrounding the non-compliance of the Aquino-Cojuangco clans to subject the 7,000-hectare Hacienda Luisita to land reform will not be resolved under an Aquino presidency.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=560191&publicationSubCategoryId=63
TARLAC City, Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and running mate Sen. Loren Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition) vowed to pursue justice for the victims of the so-called Hacienda Luisita massacre five years ago.
TARLAC City, Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and running mate Sen. Loren Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition) vowed to pursue justice for the victims of the so-called Hacienda Luisita massacre five years ago.
Villar and Legarda, along with NP senatorial bets Adel Tamano, Toots Ople, Gilbert Remulla and Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos campaigned last Saturday in the home province of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer, Sen. Noynoy Aquino.
Villar said he would allow the wheels of justice to run their course if he becomes president and would look into the issue of land distribution after the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) under the administration of Aquino’s mother, former President Corazon Aquino, failed in their family-owned Hacienda Luisita.
Legarda, on the other hand, said that those who have committed crimes and human rights violations in connection with the massacre should be brought to court.
She also took potshots at Aquino, saying that a candidate who has no respect for the rule of law and tolerated the killing of the aggrieved Luisita farmers should not be elected to the presidency.
Tamano expressed concern that the issues surrounding the non-compliance of the Aquino-Cojuangco clans to subject the 7,000-hectare Hacienda Luisita to land reform will not be resolved under an Aquino presidency.
Disclose nominees, party-list groups told
By Leila Salaverria (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100322-260108/Disclose-nominees-party-list-groups-told
MANILA, Philippines—Nominees of party-list organizations, no matter how controversial they may be, should not hide behind their group’s name.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will promptly release the names of the nominees of all 187 party-list groups, according to its legal department director, Ferdinand Rafanan.
Each party-list group is required to submit to the Comelec the names of at least five nominees by March 26.
Rafanan said he would disclose the list of all nominees of the party-list groups the day after the deadline.
The immediate release of the names is expected to give those opposed to the nominees enough time to file disqualification cases against them.
But it’s not only the poll body which should be publicizing the names of the nominees, according to Rafanan.
The groups themselves are required to disclose their choices for representatives in Congress on their own campaign posters, banners and other paraphernalia.
Comelec resolution
“Once they’ve submitted the names, they should include these in their paraphernalia,” Rafanan reminded the party-list groups.
Comelec Resolution No. 8695, issued in November 2009, states: “The party-list parties, organizations or coalitions shall include the names of their nominees in all of their campaign materials.”
MANILA, Philippines—Nominees of party-list organizations, no matter how controversial they may be, should not hide behind their group’s name.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will promptly release the names of the nominees of all 187 party-list groups, according to its legal department director, Ferdinand Rafanan.
Each party-list group is required to submit to the Comelec the names of at least five nominees by March 26.
Rafanan said he would disclose the list of all nominees of the party-list groups the day after the deadline.
The immediate release of the names is expected to give those opposed to the nominees enough time to file disqualification cases against them.
But it’s not only the poll body which should be publicizing the names of the nominees, according to Rafanan.
The groups themselves are required to disclose their choices for representatives in Congress on their own campaign posters, banners and other paraphernalia.
Comelec resolution
“Once they’ve submitted the names, they should include these in their paraphernalia,” Rafanan reminded the party-list groups.
Comelec Resolution No. 8695, issued in November 2009, states: “The party-list parties, organizations or coalitions shall include the names of their nominees in all of their campaign materials.”
Noynoy ibinisto ng pinsan sa 'Luisita'
mula sa 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)
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)
To save republic in case of failure of elections’ Angara calls fore election of new Senate president
By Christine Avendaño (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100321-260029/To-save-republic-in-case-of-failure-of-elections
a
MANILA, Philippines -- Saying that ``civilian authority'' should move early to save the duly constituted government from a possible failure of the May 10 polls, Senator Edgardo Angara called for the election of a new Senate president among the senators serving until 2013.
He also sought for the Church and business community to use their ``prestige and moral influence'' in averting an ``unprecedented'' power vacuum after the elections.
Interviewed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer after he spoke on dzBB radio about the need for a ``civilian solution'' to the possible failure of the first ever automated polls in the country, Angara said that all 23 senators could meet and elect a new Senate president before the polls even if Congress was in recess for the election campaign.
``We can convene under our internal rules,'' Angara said in a phone interview.
On radio, Angara said there have been jitters on the possible takeover of the military should a failure of election occur because the country could be facing an ``unprecedented'' and ``unusual'' political situation brought about by a vacuum in the political leadership after June 30.
He said the president, vice president, Senate president and Speaker of the House have been set to step down from power midnight of June 30 and thus, there would be no ``interim'' president that can preside should the May 10 polls end up a failure.
a
MANILA, Philippines -- Saying that ``civilian authority'' should move early to save the duly constituted government from a possible failure of the May 10 polls, Senator Edgardo Angara called for the election of a new Senate president among the senators serving until 2013.
He also sought for the Church and business community to use their ``prestige and moral influence'' in averting an ``unprecedented'' power vacuum after the elections.
Interviewed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer after he spoke on dzBB radio about the need for a ``civilian solution'' to the possible failure of the first ever automated polls in the country, Angara said that all 23 senators could meet and elect a new Senate president before the polls even if Congress was in recess for the election campaign.
``We can convene under our internal rules,'' Angara said in a phone interview.
On radio, Angara said there have been jitters on the possible takeover of the military should a failure of election occur because the country could be facing an ``unprecedented'' and ``unusual'' political situation brought about by a vacuum in the political leadership after June 30.
He said the president, vice president, Senate president and Speaker of the House have been set to step down from power midnight of June 30 and thus, there would be no ``interim'' president that can preside should the May 10 polls end up a failure.
Over 1/3 of towns, cities are poll hot spots–PNP
from The Philippine Daily Inquirer
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100322-260129/Over-13-of-towns-cities-are-poll-hot-spotsPNP
MANILA, Philippines—Over a third of the country’s towns and cities are election hot spots, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a report to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
As of February, 571 of the 1,634 towns and cities had seen some form of election-related violence, the PNP said in the report obtained by the Inquirer.
That early—three months before the May 10 elections—the figure had beaten the previous record set during the 2007 midterm elections when there were 307 election hot spots.
The report likewise noted the proliferation of private armies, now numbering 112, despite government efforts to neutralize them.
“For the latest, there are now a total of 571 cities and municipalities listed as EWAs [election watch-list areas] representing 34.94 percent of the total nationwide,” the police report said.
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) recorded the most number of violent incidents—all its 118 towns and cities reported election-related violence, the PNP said.
“It is not surprising the ARMM has a number of violent incidents already at this point of the election period. To note, the region has routinely registered high rates of election violence in past elections,” the report said.
Unlike in the past, the PNP this time included communist guerillas in its equation.
In the report, the PNP set two categories: Category 1 referring to areas that had seen election violence, and Category 2 for towns with communist insurgents.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100322-260129/Over-13-of-towns-cities-are-poll-hot-spotsPNP
MANILA, Philippines—Over a third of the country’s towns and cities are election hot spots, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a report to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
As of February, 571 of the 1,634 towns and cities had seen some form of election-related violence, the PNP said in the report obtained by the Inquirer.
That early—three months before the May 10 elections—the figure had beaten the previous record set during the 2007 midterm elections when there were 307 election hot spots.
The report likewise noted the proliferation of private armies, now numbering 112, despite government efforts to neutralize them.
“For the latest, there are now a total of 571 cities and municipalities listed as EWAs [election watch-list areas] representing 34.94 percent of the total nationwide,” the police report said.
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) recorded the most number of violent incidents—all its 118 towns and cities reported election-related violence, the PNP said.
“It is not surprising the ARMM has a number of violent incidents already at this point of the election period. To note, the region has routinely registered high rates of election violence in past elections,” the report said.
Unlike in the past, the PNP this time included communist guerillas in its equation.
In the report, the PNP set two categories: Category 1 referring to areas that had seen election violence, and Category 2 for towns with communist insurgents.
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