Gibo asks Melo for Plan B

from The Manila Times
http://manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/11625-gibo-asks-melo-for-plan-b


Comelec dared on automated polls

Former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro on Monday challenged Chairman Jose Melo of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to be honest to the people on whether it could undertake the country’s supposedly first fully automated polls and whether the poll body has any back-up plan should the automation process fail.

During the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap)’s 13th Annual Prospects for the Philippines forum held at the Mandarin Hotel in Makati City (Metro Manila) on Monday, Teodoro said that the Comelec should not keep the public in the dark on the computerized May 2010 elections.

He was one of the seven presidential candidates who showed up in the Focap forum. The others were Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd, Richard “Dick” Gordon, and Jamby Madrigal; religious leader Eddie Villanueva; environmentalist Nicanor Perlas; and Councilor John Carlos de los Reyes of Olongapo City (Zambales).

Davao sect draws top politicos

by Jeffrey M. Tupas (Inquirer Mindanao)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100216-253438/Davao-sect-draws-top-politicos

DAVAO CITY—It was a night of public contrition, forgiveness, sweet talk, and, of course, politics.

The occasion was the 25th Feast of the Tabernacles of the religious group called Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, and the main guests included deposed President Joseph Estrada, former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., Sen. Richard Gordon—all presidential candidates—and vice presidential aspirant Perfecto Yasay.

The gathering in the group’s compound just beside the Davao International Airport on Sunday night—Valentine’s Day—was led by its influential Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and attended by about 30,000 members of his flock.

A day in the life... of Manny Villar

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=550137&publicationSubCategoryId=63 

MANILA, Philippines - For Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., the day starts at 6 a.m. with a mug of black coffee before getting on the treadmill for 30 minutes at their high-end condominium in Makati City.

He tries to work out at least three to four times a week despite a hectic schedule.

Onthe treadmill, he would surf the Bloomberg and CNN channels for the latest news on stocks and the economy on a huge LCD television.

If there’s still time, Villar reads the newspapers before joining his family for breakfast.

“If his children are there, they will eat breakfast together, share light moments and update each other,” said one of his staff.

Money and politics: The truth (not) well told on finances

by MALOU MANGAHAS Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (The Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/11627-money-and-politics-the-truth-not-well-told-on-finances

First of two parts

THE law on campaign finance is firm and clear. It sets firm caps on how much a candidate may spend, who may donate and receive money on his or her behalf, and what types of expenses may be allowed, and what are disallowed.

The limits are easy to remember: a candidate for president, vice president and senator may spend at most P10 per voter, and his or her political party, an additional P5 per voter.

With about 50 million registered voters as base figure, this means that for those running for national positions, the spending limit is P500 million for the candidate, and P250 million for his or her political party. Combined, the maximum spending limit for national candidates is P750 million for the May 10, 2010 elections.

Comelec waffles on celebs

Tosses problem to employers, will rely on whistleblowers

 

by GERARD NAVAL (Malaya)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/02162010/news1.html

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday decided to leave to celebrity endorsers or their home networks the decision on whether to resign or go on leave, or remain working during the campaign season.

Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said celebrity endorsers of candidates are not required by the law to resign once the campaign period begins, contrary to the interpretation of Ferdinand Rafanan, head of the Comelec law department.

"The discretion is left to the network or to the person involved (if s/he will resign or not)," Larrazabal said in a press briefing.

Automation worries bets

Poll integrity doubted; ‘electronic Garci’ feared

by Jocelyn Uy, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100216-253429/Automation-worries-bets

MANILA, Philippines—The specter of an “electronic Garci” was raised in a forum on Monday in which six of seven presidential candidates feared there would be glitches in the automated elections in May and some suggested going manual as an option.

Only Sen. Richard Gordon was confident the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would do its job.

“I cannot see a situation where it will fail because that will create anarchy in the country. I don’t think the government can stand a failure of election. I don’t see why we should go back to manual now because we have so much invested already,” Gordon said.

But even the administration standard-bearer, Gilbert Teodoro Jr., decried “big logistical difficulties” in the Comelec’s implementation of the first nationwide computerized balloting.

Binay presses GMA to sign seniors’ eVAT exemption law

from The Daily Tribune
http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20100216met5.html

If Arroyo puts her mind to it, she can sign the bill exempting senior citizens from the 12 percent expanded value added tax (eVAT) in 60 seconds.

This was United Opposition (UNO) vice presidential candidate Jejomar Binay’s reminder to the Palace as he debunked its excuse that Arroyo is too busy to sign the measure.

A Palace official said Arroyo was preoccupied with her “legacy tours” and has yet to find time to sign the bill exempting the elderly from the eVAT,

Binay earlier rejected a proposal from the Department of Finance (DoF) to increase senior citizens’ discount to 30 percent, while retaining the 12 percent eVAT on their purchases.

Former SEC chief apologizes to Estrada, admits civil society used him

Elite conspiracy in Erap ouster confirmed

by Gerry Baldo (The Daily Tribune)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100216hed1.html

Close to 10 years after the ouster of then sitting President Joseph Estrada through a coup d’etat, which was preceded by the collapse of the Senate impeachment trial deliberately done to trigger street protests, as the then political opposition and the elite civil society walked out of the Senate courtroom, former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman and Bangon Pilipinas vice presidential candidate Perfecto Yasay, the other day, admitted publicly in Davao City that the ouster of Estrada resulted from an elite conspiracy to topple the then sitting president.

Yasay was one of the candidates who showed up for the 25th anniversary of the Tabernacles of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Sunday, with a reported 30,000 in attendance, when he made the apology directed at Estrada.

Yasay surprised the crowd when he publicly apologized to the former president whom he said he had offended at the time he was head of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Aquino open to debate with Villar

by Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100215-253371/Aquino-open-to-debate-with-Villar

MANILA, Philippines—Liberal Party standard bearer Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Monday challenged his closest rival, Nacionalista Party (NP) standard bearer Manuel Villar, to a one-on-one showdown on campaign issues to show the public who was the better man.

In an interview with reporters after the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) presidential forum, which Villar did not attend, Aquino said he was willing to give the NP bet the privilege of choosing what subjects to tackle in their debate.

"I really want us to have a real debate, where we will be battling each other from the start," said Aquino, who added that he was not satisfied with current debate formats where all nine candidates for president participate. "Our countrymen, who need to be educated, probably lose their concentration or attention in long-winded debates."

Take 2 sa mock elections Ano ba ang problema? Ilatag na ngayon pa lang -- Gibo

nina JB Salarzon/Jun Tadios (Abante)

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/feb1610/news04.htm

Kasabay ng paha­yag kahapon ng Commission on Elections (Co­melec) na niluluto nila ang isa pang ‘mock elections’ bago sumapit ang mismong araw ng halalan sa Mayo 10, hinamon ni Lakas-Kampi CMD standard bearer Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro ang komisyon na ilatag na nito ang lahat ng ‘baraha’ hinggil sa kauna-unahang poll automation sa bansa.

“As an outsider loo­king in, naturally I have my doubts. It is incumbent upon the Comelec to really disclose an ho­nest to goodness apprai­sal of what they cannot do and what we should expect from them,” ani Teo­doro sa harap ng mga dayuhang mamamahayag sa 13th Annual Prospects for the Philippines Confe­rence ng Foreign Corres­pondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) sa Makati City.

Comelec allays fears on automated polls

by Leila Salaverria (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100216-253430/Comelec-allays-fears-on-automated-polls

MANILA, Philippines—It’s all about fear of the unknown.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday the poll body would just have to keep the presidential candidates informed about its preparations for the automated balloting in May.

Election Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said the concerns raised by the candidates at a forum were prompted by “a new way of voting and a new way of counting votes.”

“I guess the best way is just to inform them of what’s happening, the updates, keep people abreast of the developments so people will be aware. I guess the fear of not knowing is what’s prevalent now. It’s a fear of not knowing what will happen and we’re doing our best to address it,” he told reporters.

Bro. Eddie for death penalty

By ARIS R. ILAGAN (Manila Bulletin)

http://mb.com.ph/articles/243658/bro-eddie-death-penalty

Bangon Pilipinas presidential candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva, leader of the Jesus is Lord Fellowship, batted Monday for the restoration of the death penalty.

Citing the capital punishment is “biblical”, Villanueva told a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in Makati City that the measure is effective against those involved in heinous crimes.

Among the other presidential bets who attended the forum, only independent candidate Senator Jamby Madrigal supported Villanueva’s call for the restoration of death penalty.

‘Presidentiables’ divided on new taxes

from Business World
http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=6363

WITH LACKLUSTER REVENUES perennially tagged as holding back the country’s development, five of seven presidential hopefuls attending a forum yesterday rejected the imposition of new taxes.

Present at the 13th annual Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines’ Prospects Forum were Sen. Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" C. Aquino III, Sen. Ana Consuelo "Jamby" A. S. Madrigal, Nicanor "Nicky" Jesus P. Perlas, Eduardo "Bro. Eddie" C. Villanueva, Olongapo City councilor John Carlos "JC" G. de los Reyes, former Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., and Sen. Richard J. Gordon.

The absent ’presidentiables’, meanwhile, were Sen. Manuel B. Villar, Jr., former President Joseph Estrada, and Vitaliano Acosta.

Mr. Aquino, statistically tied at the top with Mr. Villar, reiterated his position that "it is not right to raise tax rates or impose new taxes when the collection agencies are not collecting properly."

This was echoed by Messrs. Perlas and Villanueva.

Ms. Madrigal, for her part, said she would rather seek to revert the VAT to 10% from the current 12%.

Election 2010 News - February 15, 2010

• 'Bongbong seeks election of more femail lawmakers  (Manila Bulletin) 
• 'Gibo' shifts strategy, goes on mall tour  (Manila Bulletin)
• Bro. Mike 'endorses' Villar-Legarda in Hong Kong  (The Philippine Star)
• Poll firm owned by Arroyo allies puts Gibo on top  (The Manila Times)
• Making surveys less transparent  (The Manila Times)
• Jammers put 2010 polls in jeopardy  (The Manila Times)
• Mahirap prayoridad ni Bro. Eddie  (Pilipino Star Ngayon)
• Erap vows to dismantle private armies  (The Daily Tribune)
• Wealthy families ganging up on me, Villar  (INQUIRER.net)
• Sotto, kay Noynoy sasama  (Abante-Tonite)
• Comelec, katropa ni Villar! -- Noynoy camp  (Abante)
• Aquino assigns siblings, Purisima to handle campaign funds (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
• 'Gibo' vows more infra projects  (Manila Bulletin)
• Lakas to field GMA as bet for Speaker (The Philippine Star)

‘Bongbong’ seeks election of more female lawmakers

by GABRIEL S. MABUTAS (Manila Bulletin)

http://mb.com.ph/articles/243500/bongbong-seeks-election-more-female-lawmakers

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., Sunday urged the public to elect more female legislators to ensure fast approval of measures that would protect women’s rights and concerns.

Marcos noted that although the country had elected two women to the presidency, the women sector remain underrepresented in both chambers of Congress – the Senate and House of Representatives.

He said the May 10 elections could be a good opportunity for people to elect additional congresswomen and lady senators.

“Here in the Lower House, there are a small number of women legislators, which is also the case in the Senate. If there are an adequate number of women in Congress, we can be assured of more laws intended for women,” Marcos said.

Marcos said that while it is true that a good number of male lawmakers are willing to support women-related legislations, it is still different if women themselves would push for laws related to women’s welfare.

“There really are cases in which it takes time for women-related laws to be crafted. I guess it would be easier for Congress to come up with these kinds of laws if there are enough women legislators,” Marcos pointed out.

At present there are only four lady senators in the 24-member Senate. They are Senators Loren Legarda, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Jamby Madrigal and Pia Cayetano

‘Gibo’ shifts strategy, goes on mall tour

by ARIS R. ILAGAN (Manila Bulletin)

http://mb.com.ph/articles/243495/gibo-shifts-strategy-goes-mall-tour

Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has shifted his campaign into high gear, this time by going on mall tours in a bid to lure the support of the wider range of social strata to improve his survey ratings.

Last Saturday afternoon, the 45-year-old former defense secretary led a small group of Lakas- Kampi-CMD candidates who included former Cabinet secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III, now seeking senatorial post; and former presidential adviser on the peace process, retired police Director General Avelino Razon Jr., who is vying for Manila’s mayoralty post, in visiting the Harrizon Plaza in Manila that was crowded with weekend shoppers.

Bro. Mike 'endorses' Villar-Legarda in Hong Kong

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=549861&publicationSubCategoryId=63

 

HONG KONG, Philippines – The charismatic El Shaddai movement showed massive support for the presidential bid of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda yesterday as they wore orange (Villar’s campaign color) shirts and skirts during their Chinese New Year fellowship and prayer rally in Tsuen Wan district here.

Saying his followers are “showing their true colors” this early in the campaign period, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde said he is praying that his candidate will win in the May elections without directly saying it was Villar.

Poll firm owned by Arroyo allies puts Gibo on top

by RAISSA ROBLES Vera Files (The Manila Times)
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/11553-poll-firm-owned-by-arroyo-allies-puts-gibo-on-top

Close allies of President Gloria Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, are behind the new polling firm StratPOLLS Inc., which recently showed administration candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro surging dramatically in its recent survey of presidential candidates.

Aware of the power of surveys to sway voters come Election Day, Congress enacted the Fair Election Act in 2001 to require polling firms to be more transparent. Last week, however, the Commission on Elections issued new rules that appear to weaken and in effect amend that section of the Fair Election Act on surveys (See sidebar.)

Under the law, anyone can set up shop to conduct political surveys, which was what happened on July 29, 2009 when five incorporators formed StratPOLLS Inc. with a paid-up capital of P1 million. The incorporators included Dominga Rufina Chua, who owns the biggest share at 40 percent, and Benjamin Ramos and Feorelio Bote, who own 5 percent each.

Making surveys less transparent

by RAISSA ROBLES Vera Files (The Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/11554-making-surveys-less-transparent

Voters are deluged with surveys during the election season. But they can better appreciate and understand these surveys with the following tips from Dr. Elena Pernia, former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication and communications research professor.

• Find out who the persons behind the polling firm are and go by their track record.
• New firms like StratPOLLS still have to prove themselves.
• The quality of respondents matters over sample size at a certain point. If one firm has 2,400 respondents and another 800 but “it’s quality 800,” then the latter can more accurately reflect the sentiments of the general population. Sample quality depends on many factors like the sample design, assumptions, procedure and technique.
• The firms’ data should be open to scrutiny.

Jammers put 2010 polls in jeopardy

by CRIS G. ODRONIA (The Manila Times)
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/11552-jammers-put-2010-polls-in-jeopardy

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) apparently has been caught in a jam by cell phone jammers, electronic devices said to have been imported by certain sectors with malice in mind—sabotage the May 2010 presidential polls.

A cell phone jammer is used for disrupting radio signals between cellular towers and mobile phones (cell phones), preventing transmission of data. In so doing, it temporarily creates a “dead zone” for all cell phone traffic in its immediate vicinity.