MANILA - How popular is Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III in the online community?
According to online portal Yehey.com, Aquino has double the number of online friends in his Facebook and Friendster accounts compared to presidential candidates Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Manny Villar.
Aquino has a combined total of 155,950 friends on the two popular sites followed by Escudero with 81,114 friends and Villar with 56,945.
On Twitter, Aquino also leads with 17,970 followers as of November 9, followed by Escudero with 14,679 and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro at 3,609.
To sustain the momentum, Aquino on Tuesday launched his video blog—the only one among candidates to mount such an initiative. Dubbed as “60 Seconds with Noy,” the video blog will be a series of 18 episodes to be posted online in the run-up to the November 30 deadline for the filing of candidacies.
The video blog, according to Aquino’s director for communications, Yoly Ong, will offer an “unscripted and raw look” of Noynoy to allow voters to better know the presidential candidate, his advocacies and his planned platform of governance.
“The Internet is a very important medium for voter education. It allows us to reach the growing Internet-savvy, Filipino population relying on the Internet as an important source of information. It also allows us to reach Filipinos overseas who have very limited access to Philippine tri-media and who we are unlikely to reach through our sorties,” Aquino told a group of online media and bloggers in a video satellite conference from his Times Street residence.
WiT and GeoMedia donated the use of the satellite technology for Noynoy’s campaign.
The video blog is just the latest in Aquino’s foray in cyberspace. His website Noynoy.ph has already generated 75,000 page views since its launch.
An ongoing contest to upload and select the avatar for Aquino has also been staged to encourage interaction with the site’s visitors.
Source: abs-cbnNEWS.com
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Chiz told to forego presidential bid rather than lose
MANILA, Philippines - A former colleague of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero in the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) said yesterday he should abandon his presidential plans or risk losing the race and prematurely ending his political career.
The veteran lawmaker, who requested anonymity, warned that it is useless for Escudero to join the presidential race without any political party to back him up.
“If I were Chiz, I will not run for president anymore. Instead, I will seek re-election in the Senate. With no political machinery to work for him, his chances are slim even as Vice President. He has no field commanders like congressmen, governors, and mayors to campaign for him in the barrios,” he said.
Escudero resigned from NPC last month, shattering earlier expectations that he would be its the standard-bearer.
Meantime, the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD (Lakas) has closed its doors on Escudero as the running mate of its standard bearer Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro.
“We don’t know where he is going. we can’t adopt him; solo flight siya. Even his former party mates are puzzled about his decision (to bolt the NPC). He’s treading a different path,” Lakas deputy secretary general Reggie Velasco said.
Escudero and Teodoro, aside from being close friends, were former colleagues in the House of Representatives and NPC members. Conjuangco, Teodoro’s uncle, favored Escudero over his nephew to be groomed as the party’s standard-bearer. – With Dino Balabo
Source: The Philippine Star
The veteran lawmaker, who requested anonymity, warned that it is useless for Escudero to join the presidential race without any political party to back him up.
“If I were Chiz, I will not run for president anymore. Instead, I will seek re-election in the Senate. With no political machinery to work for him, his chances are slim even as Vice President. He has no field commanders like congressmen, governors, and mayors to campaign for him in the barrios,” he said.
Escudero resigned from NPC last month, shattering earlier expectations that he would be its the standard-bearer.
Meantime, the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD (Lakas) has closed its doors on Escudero as the running mate of its standard bearer Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro.
“We don’t know where he is going. we can’t adopt him; solo flight siya. Even his former party mates are puzzled about his decision (to bolt the NPC). He’s treading a different path,” Lakas deputy secretary general Reggie Velasco said.
Escudero and Teodoro, aside from being close friends, were former colleagues in the House of Representatives and NPC members. Conjuangco, Teodoro’s uncle, favored Escudero over his nephew to be groomed as the party’s standard-bearer. – With Dino Balabo
Source: The Philippine Star
Chiz: Clear trash on Marikina riverside
Opposition Senator Chiz Escudero is supporting the call of environmental groups to urge the Marikina City government to clean up the Nangka riverside of debris left by tropical storm Ondoy.
"It is the duty of the city to get rid of the garbage in the river. This could have more tragic consequences if the river is still clogged with waste when a new storm arrives," Escudero said.
Earlier, EcoWaste Coalition said the city violated environmental laws when it decided to place the mud and debris on the side of the river to clear roads that were blocked due to the typhoon.
The 40-year-old lawmaker cited the report from the group which quoted information from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that a 50 – meter portion of the Nangka River has been reduced to three meters because of the seemingly "authorized" disposal of garbage.
"I fear that with the simultaneous storms that have been hitting the country in recent months, this would further cause more floods not only in Marikina, but neighboring cities as well. It is imperative that the city government must find an alternative way to get rid of its waste without endangering the river," he said.
Source: Tempo.com.ph
"It is the duty of the city to get rid of the garbage in the river. This could have more tragic consequences if the river is still clogged with waste when a new storm arrives," Escudero said.
Earlier, EcoWaste Coalition said the city violated environmental laws when it decided to place the mud and debris on the side of the river to clear roads that were blocked due to the typhoon.
The 40-year-old lawmaker cited the report from the group which quoted information from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that a 50 – meter portion of the Nangka River has been reduced to three meters because of the seemingly "authorized" disposal of garbage.
"I fear that with the simultaneous storms that have been hitting the country in recent months, this would further cause more floods not only in Marikina, but neighboring cities as well. It is imperative that the city government must find an alternative way to get rid of its waste without endangering the river," he said.
Source: Tempo.com.ph
Monday, November 9, 2009
Legarda to bare 2010 alliance within the week
By Charlie Señase
Inquirer Mindanao
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday said she would announce within this week whether to run for vice president with presidential aspirant Gilbert Teodoro Jr. under the Lakas-Kampi coalition or with Senator Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party.
"Whether orange (campaign color of Villar) or green (color of Teodoro), I will have to formally announce it within this week," she said during a brief talk before officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao here.
Legarda was guest during the State of the Region Address (Sora) of ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan.
Pressed to divulge the political bandwagon that she would join in an interview with reporters, Legarda declined to give an answer.
"Let's talk about what we can do to resolve the problem of climate change and other issues concerning social problems and the economy," she said.
"One thing sure, I am running for the vice presidency and I am pro-people and good governance but whether it’s orange or green will be known in a few days from now," she maintained.
"I don't want to break the news here," she said, adding that it might obscure Governor Ampatuan's Sora.
Inquirer Mindanao
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday said she would announce within this week whether to run for vice president with presidential aspirant Gilbert Teodoro Jr. under the Lakas-Kampi coalition or with Senator Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party.
"Whether orange (campaign color of Villar) or green (color of Teodoro), I will have to formally announce it within this week," she said during a brief talk before officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao here.
Legarda was guest during the State of the Region Address (Sora) of ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan.
Pressed to divulge the political bandwagon that she would join in an interview with reporters, Legarda declined to give an answer.
"Let's talk about what we can do to resolve the problem of climate change and other issues concerning social problems and the economy," she said.
"One thing sure, I am running for the vice presidency and I am pro-people and good governance but whether it’s orange or green will be known in a few days from now," she maintained.
"I don't want to break the news here," she said, adding that it might obscure Governor Ampatuan's Sora.
Lacson confirms VP offer from Escudero
MANILA, Philippines--Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson revealed on Monday that he was offered to become the running mate of fellow senator and presidential aspirant Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero in next year’s elections.
Lacson said the offer was made two months ago or before Escudero announced he was leaving the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
“Yes, but that was before he bolted from the NPC,” the senator told reporters.
He said Escudero “expressed” the possibility of them running together in case the latter’s tandem with Senator Loren Legarda does not push through. “At that time, I said, “Why not?”,” he added.
But in a press conference last October 28, Escudero pulled a surprise when he announced that he left the party so he could decide on his own about his plans in the 2010 elections.
Lacson’s name was one of those immediately mentioned as Escudero’s possible running mate should he decide to run for president next year.
But Lacson denied this, saying the offer has not been repeated to him since his colleague had left the NPC.
“Mahirap mag comment. (It’s difficult to comment.) I may sound too presumptuous,” Lacson said, when asked if he would now accept the offer to become Escudero’s running mate.
Source: Inquirer.Net
Lacson said the offer was made two months ago or before Escudero announced he was leaving the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
“Yes, but that was before he bolted from the NPC,” the senator told reporters.
He said Escudero “expressed” the possibility of them running together in case the latter’s tandem with Senator Loren Legarda does not push through. “At that time, I said, “Why not?”,” he added.
But in a press conference last October 28, Escudero pulled a surprise when he announced that he left the party so he could decide on his own about his plans in the 2010 elections.
Lacson’s name was one of those immediately mentioned as Escudero’s possible running mate should he decide to run for president next year.
But Lacson denied this, saying the offer has not been repeated to him since his colleague had left the NPC.
“Mahirap mag comment. (It’s difficult to comment.) I may sound too presumptuous,” Lacson said, when asked if he would now accept the offer to become Escudero’s running mate.
Source: Inquirer.Net
Sunday, November 8, 2009
What do you think of Chiz Escudero's decision to bolt the Nationalist People's Coalition?
Source: Philstar.com
Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: So, what else is new? It’s the name of the game in politics. There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.
Bax Cadiogan, La Union: Finally, a new brand of politics has emerged. What he did is commendable and should put all trapos to shame.
Good decision, Chiz!
Richard Decena, Quezon City: Sen. Escudero did the right thing. Loyalty to the people should come first. Ang mga political parties po ngayon ay ginagamit lang ang mga politician.
Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna: I do believe that Chiz Escudero’s decision to bolt the NPC was made out of his goal to be independent in planning his political career.
Ed Alawi, Davao City: Chiz made the right decision. Why would he be subservient to a group with vested interests which are not for the country and for us poor Pinoys?
Tom Valdez, Cebu City: Chiz bolting the NPC caught the ire of some, but earned the admiration of millions. Count me in.
Chiz is saving face
Rey Onate, Palayan City: I totally agree with the analysis of Alex Magno in his column that Escudero’s quitting from the NPC is a herald of change from party politics to opportunist populism. A good trapo move, it appeared as a principled decision but kwidaw. Drama lang.
Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Chiz is a wise kid. The prevailing situation gives him no chance of winning. That’s why he improvised. Just wait and see.
Durbin Rantael, Quezon City: Escudero’s decision to bolt the NPC deserves to be respected, even if it only shows that there are no true allies in all Philippine political parties.
Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: No choice; save face na lang siya. It’s Noynoy come 2010.
Felix Ramento, Manila: Chiz Escudero’s bolting the NPC proved to be a naive decision to cover up his misadventures as a fledgling trapo.
It could usher in a new era in politics
Dennis Acop, Benguet: Chiz Escudero’s decision to bolt the NPC appears to speak well of his character, if what I read about his motivations for doing so is to be believed. The article I read said that Chiz didn’t want to be beholden to some powerful individuals bankrolling and controlling his candidacy. As an independent, Chiz would be able to better pursue his agenda to help alter the course of Philippine politics, which as it currently stands is nothing but a road to perdition. If this is true, even I am impressed. You see, Chiz did not impress me despite his youth, brilliance, and some tinge of idealism. I therefore support Chiz in his decision to bolt the NPC. And if he keeps going down the road he is on now, I may just campaign for him when the time is right. Old-school politicians who wish to treat their party candidates like puppets just don’t get it. This brings a little bit of hope in a land already consumed by cynicism and hopelessness.
Loi Castillo, Davao City: His loyalty to the party ends where his loyalty to the Republic begins. Chiz might just be the answer to the age-old Philippine practice of political patronage, where the old political godfathers always put influence on all young, risk-taking, and aggressive politicos. Hopefully, he will usher in a new era in RP politics.
Jose Parco, Aklan: Politicians are never to be trusted. However, who knows where this will lead? It could be the beginning of the end of an abomination, which is political patronage. If he is true to his word, then he’s back on my list of people to admire most!
It’s political suicide
Leonard Villa, Batac City: Party intramurals and Escudero’s misplaced principles caused him to bolt NPC, turning off many of his supporters. He has committed political suicide.
Norberto Robles, Taguig: In leaving NPC, Chiz blew a fighting chance for a crack at the presidency in 2010 and further beclouded his political career. Ego got the better of him, wanting too much, too soon.
Jim Veneracion, Naga City: My hunch is he’s being courted by Lakas to be Gibo’s VP candidate, but what he did was more of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Maling diskarte.
His true colors are showing
G. de Gregorio, Metro Manila: Chiz showed his true colors when he quit the NPC. Why would he suddenly find his party of 11 years so objectionable? This is nothing more than a spoiled brat’s temper tantrums after not getting what he wants. We should not vote for him because he has just shown that he cannot be trusted.
G.M. Caguioa, Dagupan City: Chiz wants to shed off his Danding and Marcos stink, forgetting that his father is a Marcos crony.
Elpidio Que, Vigan: Escudero’s jumping ship from the NPC disclosed him to be of the trapo breed. When a presidential wannabe is banking on contributions from businessmen, be they good or evil, it reveals himself to be not truly for the country, but for his mercenary money and/or the vanity, protection, and perpetuation of evil businessmen. In the “Bayan at Dios” program of Brother Eddie Villanueva on Q Channel on February 24, during which Gen. Jose Almonte was a guest, the general inferred that President Erap admitted having accepted P1.5 billion for his campaign kitty when he ran for president in 1998, which he regretted so much later when he was ousted. With or without financial help, Chiz should pursue bringing about change in the country, if he is truly for the country.
L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: After 11 years with the NPC, he bolted the party to deliver a political statement about a brand-new people’s politics that would contradict party politics, blah, blah, blah.
We should respect his decision
Fe Lintag, Pampanga: Everybody is entitled to his own opinion and perhaps Senator Chiz feels that quitting the NPC is good for him. We should respect his decision.
Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Everyone should respect his decision. Perhaps he has another plan in mind. He knows what is best for him.
Pat Cuilan, Benguet: That’s democracy in action.
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Whatever his reasons, it is better to let go of his presidential ambition for now as he’s still young anyway. Otherwise, he’ll self-destruct.
Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Well, it’s Sen. Chiz decision, so we should respect it. A little birdie is probably whispering in his ears, may panalo ka. He should be careful because if he fails in his first attempt, chances are, he will experience the same fate as Sen. Loren Legarda na hirap makaahon. My unsolicited advice to Sen. Chiz, relax muna, malalakas ang kalaban, bata ka pa, marami pa’ng pagkakataon.
Bad news for women
Daniel Escurel Occeno, Sorsogon: Somebody else is helping Chiz Escudero find Excalibur. The Metro Manila ladies could not do that. I was hoping the Millennium Development Goals Leaders Forum would inspire the understanding of the difference between a special interest president and a king of the people. The UN explained its theory to end poverty with the goals set to be achieved by 2015. Unless Chiz dislikes Loren Legarda, as comments on TV and the Internet say, he has just sent a clear message that he will not represent the majority of the voters, women that is, by leaving the NPC. Even though the Philippines has had two women presidents, gender inequality still exists in the Philippines and according to the UN, it is the cause of poverty. My father says that Gilberto Teodoro wanting a woman running mate might just benefit from this. Loren Legarda did not want to leave her political party, but because she lacks a strong presidential candidate, NPC can merge with Lakas, making the teamup of Gibo and Loren possible. Sounds like a movie script.
He’s testing the waters
Leandro Tolentino, Batangas: As one of the first young advocates of change, that might be the Senator’s program of change in this country: Changing parties or changing minds!
Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro: Political realities are hard to swallow, but must be taken fast to avoid the bitter taste. Hitching a free ride to Malacañang is very difficult, especially if you start from Bicol. Walking is good, but you will not get there anytime soon.
Eduardo de Jesus, Metro Manila: Is Escudero testing the waters? Well, you’ll never know what you can get away with, unless you try!
Bolting the party was a treacherous act
Durbin Rantael, Metro Manila: Escudero won the senatorial slate with the NPC. Bolting was a selfish and treacherous act. It manifested his being a traitor to his own political party.
Danding is not supporting him
Robert Young Jr., San Juan: “Being attached to vested groups that might weigh down (his) commitment to public service” was the reason Escudero gave for bolting the NPC. Sen. Chiz has been in politics for almost two decades; he should know that it’s part of the game. I still believe he bolted the NPC because Danding Cojuangco won’t give his full support and is planning to back up Noynoy. Danding is a businessman; he will bet his money on the winning horse.
Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: According to Chiz, the party head Danding Cojuangco did not support him or give him any financial support, so it could either be nagtatampo siya, he doesn’t want the NPC or Danding Cojuangco to benefit from his possible victory, or he has a radical mind and does not want to be dictated upon, or bata pa talaga si Chiz and he did not mind talking to his supposed VP (Legarda) before announcing his decision. This is the kind of leader he is. Mapusok. Ingat tayo.
C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: Chiz won’t admit it, but it must be because Danding won’t support him with P2 billion for his campaign kitty. It’s even rumored that Danding hasn’t been taking his calls for quite some time now. Better to quit now.
Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Escudero is not rating well in any survey and Danding Cojuangco is a shrewd businessman who knows that investing in Chiz Escudero is not a good idea.
Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Blood is thicker than water. I believe Danding Cojuangco will eventually support either Ninoy or Gibo. Chiz saw this; thus, his decision to bolt the NPC.
Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: He bolted the NPC because he sensed that party founder and chairman, Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. is out to support his presidentiable nephews.
Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Escudero bolted the NPC because he knows that “blood is thicker than water”, so much so that Danding would surely support either Gibo or Noynoy.
Osmundo Lim, Caloocan City: Escudero must have realized that he could not get the funds he needs from the NPC to finance his presidential bid. He should just concentrate on his job as senator. By the way, during the live interview on TV Patrol, I noticed that the senator was drunk.
Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Running for the highest position in the government requires substantial campaign funds. Candidates with liquidity problems have to sell their soul to political investors. However, the situation has changed. Sources of campaign financing are scarce, not only because of the economic chaos, but because political investors are more realistic now. I cannot believe, however, that the scarcity of campaign funds is the reason Escudero changed his plans, because if it were, he would not resign from his party. Escudero’s backer probably told him the real truth, which made his heart bleed and hurt his ego.
He couldn’t take traditional politics anymore
Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Being a young idealist, Chiz Escudero must have been disappointed by the practice of traditional politics, where powerful political leaders manipulate the decisions of elective public servants. May other politicians learn from him that every elective public servant must be his own man and not a robot of those in power.
Elsa Mendoza, Quezon City: This young blood just couldn’t take it anymore from the trapos in the NPC. Siguro, ‘yun lang. In hindsight, after Noynoy Aquino threw his hat into the presidential bid ring, Chiz knew his goose was cooked.
Let’s wait and see
Johann Lucas, Quezon City: I was quite surprised with his announcement. With that, it would be very difficult to continue aiming for the presidency, unless another political party adopts him. Anyway, he should first review his proposals on programs and governance before trying to picture himself as the next president.
David Velasco, Marinduque: It may be the result of discernment or a gimmick for Escudero, but let’s wait until he pronounces his political vision for the country before we opine.
Who would take him in?
Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: Escudero bolting the NPC was pitiful, not praiseworthy. He was alone, wasn’t he? Who would take him in? Escudero’s political gambit to raise funds didn’t work. He can either run for governor of Sorsogon and lose or campaign for his friend Adel Tamano to become senator so that by next presidential elections, we can elect Tamano as the first president from Mindanao.
No independent bet has ever won
Randolph Hallasgo, Misamis Oriental: He will not win even if he bolted the NPC. FPJ ran as an independent candidate, but what happened?
Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: We really don’t know the reason why Sen. Escudero bolted his party. While other candidates try to get the endorsement and support of a political party, he did the opposite. I’m sure he knows that no presidential candidate running independently has ever won an election in this country, except perhaps FVR, who formed his own party after losing to Mitra in the LDP convention. But that was under a very different situation. The then sitting president Cory Aquino was with him and the euphoria of Cory dislodging the Marcos dictatorship was still very much in the air. Only time will tell whether he made the right decision or not.
Chiz is showing emotional immaturity
Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: The decision is a tantrum act on the part of Escudero. He is like a spoiled brat who was denied what he wanted.
C.B. Manalstas, Manila: Swell-headed Escudero acted like a baby who couldn’t get his candy from moneyman Danding Cojuangco. Now he is sarcastically fighting back.
Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: When the going gets tough, the tough gets going, my wife would always say. Obviously, spoiled brat Chiz abandoned the NPC when they didn’t give him what he wanted. Good; now we all know how immature he really is. Behind the fighting Chiz facade is cheesy Chiz Whiz. Loren is smiling. Now, her dream of becoming the third woman president or VP is getting much clearer than ever.
Rene Poder, Manila: He is a brat throwing a tantrum because of the measly P200-million allowance for his desired Malacañang toy.
Why did he have to wait so long?
Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: The NPC is pro-GMA. He should have resigned from it during the height of the “Hello, Garci” scandal. Di ako boboto sa isang bungangerong pulitiko.
M. Sunico, Caloocan City: Escudero should have known earlier that his party affiliation meant they have the same political ideologies. His feeling of being shackled by his party means he has never shared their common political ideals in the first place and must have only joined the NPC for his personal ends.
It’s all about the money
Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: The guy is just sulking after failing to enlist all-out financial backing from Danding. However, the billionaire is a shrewd businessman and won’t just throw away billions only to feed the ego and caprices of a self-rated politician. Being throaty in radio and TV interviews is insufficient for claiming a birthright to the presidency. His vaunted IQ should be translated into exceptional legislations, which the public won’t fail to appreciate.
Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: Escudero came to realize that the NPC could not fund fully his presidential ambition after the NPC found his chances of winning slim.
Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: The youthful Sen. Chiz Escudero must have sensed that the lights in the tunnel are so dim, he can hardly analyze the faces of his financial supporters.
He can make the VP debates exciting
Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Here’s another case of enlightenment, coming from the blabbermouth himself. If he settles on running for VP, it would be exciting to watch him slugging it out with erstwhile party mate Loren and Senate colleague Mar.
He’s being too idealistic
Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: No political machinery, limited funds, and no party to back him, it will be an uphill run for Chiz. But the reason is noble and idealistic run. I wish him the best of luck.
That’s political power play
Cris Rivera, Rizal: Nothing can shackle Escudero and his political ideals, for fawning servility is not his brand of public service. He is a blue-chip oppositionist.
Dandy Lacuesta, Las Piñas City: Whether it was Chiz’s or the NPC’s fault, Escudero’s bolting doesn’t speak well of the party, of Sen. Legarda, and how it takes care of its people.
Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: That is political power play because, as they say, in politics it’s always personal interest that matters.
Let’s go back to the two-party system
Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: Business interests and personal gains do not promote loyalty and good governance for the Filipino people. The two-party system is the best solution to choosing likeable presidential candidates in a democratic country like the Philippines.
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: So, what else is new? It’s the name of the game in politics. There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.
Bax Cadiogan, La Union: Finally, a new brand of politics has emerged. What he did is commendable and should put all trapos to shame.
Good decision, Chiz!
Richard Decena, Quezon City: Sen. Escudero did the right thing. Loyalty to the people should come first. Ang mga political parties po ngayon ay ginagamit lang ang mga politician.
Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna: I do believe that Chiz Escudero’s decision to bolt the NPC was made out of his goal to be independent in planning his political career.
Ed Alawi, Davao City: Chiz made the right decision. Why would he be subservient to a group with vested interests which are not for the country and for us poor Pinoys?
Tom Valdez, Cebu City: Chiz bolting the NPC caught the ire of some, but earned the admiration of millions. Count me in.
Chiz is saving face
Rey Onate, Palayan City: I totally agree with the analysis of Alex Magno in his column that Escudero’s quitting from the NPC is a herald of change from party politics to opportunist populism. A good trapo move, it appeared as a principled decision but kwidaw. Drama lang.
Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Chiz is a wise kid. The prevailing situation gives him no chance of winning. That’s why he improvised. Just wait and see.
Durbin Rantael, Quezon City: Escudero’s decision to bolt the NPC deserves to be respected, even if it only shows that there are no true allies in all Philippine political parties.
Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: No choice; save face na lang siya. It’s Noynoy come 2010.
Felix Ramento, Manila: Chiz Escudero’s bolting the NPC proved to be a naive decision to cover up his misadventures as a fledgling trapo.
It could usher in a new era in politics
Dennis Acop, Benguet: Chiz Escudero’s decision to bolt the NPC appears to speak well of his character, if what I read about his motivations for doing so is to be believed. The article I read said that Chiz didn’t want to be beholden to some powerful individuals bankrolling and controlling his candidacy. As an independent, Chiz would be able to better pursue his agenda to help alter the course of Philippine politics, which as it currently stands is nothing but a road to perdition. If this is true, even I am impressed. You see, Chiz did not impress me despite his youth, brilliance, and some tinge of idealism. I therefore support Chiz in his decision to bolt the NPC. And if he keeps going down the road he is on now, I may just campaign for him when the time is right. Old-school politicians who wish to treat their party candidates like puppets just don’t get it. This brings a little bit of hope in a land already consumed by cynicism and hopelessness.
Loi Castillo, Davao City: His loyalty to the party ends where his loyalty to the Republic begins. Chiz might just be the answer to the age-old Philippine practice of political patronage, where the old political godfathers always put influence on all young, risk-taking, and aggressive politicos. Hopefully, he will usher in a new era in RP politics.
Jose Parco, Aklan: Politicians are never to be trusted. However, who knows where this will lead? It could be the beginning of the end of an abomination, which is political patronage. If he is true to his word, then he’s back on my list of people to admire most!
It’s political suicide
Leonard Villa, Batac City: Party intramurals and Escudero’s misplaced principles caused him to bolt NPC, turning off many of his supporters. He has committed political suicide.
Norberto Robles, Taguig: In leaving NPC, Chiz blew a fighting chance for a crack at the presidency in 2010 and further beclouded his political career. Ego got the better of him, wanting too much, too soon.
Jim Veneracion, Naga City: My hunch is he’s being courted by Lakas to be Gibo’s VP candidate, but what he did was more of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Maling diskarte.
His true colors are showing
G. de Gregorio, Metro Manila: Chiz showed his true colors when he quit the NPC. Why would he suddenly find his party of 11 years so objectionable? This is nothing more than a spoiled brat’s temper tantrums after not getting what he wants. We should not vote for him because he has just shown that he cannot be trusted.
G.M. Caguioa, Dagupan City: Chiz wants to shed off his Danding and Marcos stink, forgetting that his father is a Marcos crony.
Elpidio Que, Vigan: Escudero’s jumping ship from the NPC disclosed him to be of the trapo breed. When a presidential wannabe is banking on contributions from businessmen, be they good or evil, it reveals himself to be not truly for the country, but for his mercenary money and/or the vanity, protection, and perpetuation of evil businessmen. In the “Bayan at Dios” program of Brother Eddie Villanueva on Q Channel on February 24, during which Gen. Jose Almonte was a guest, the general inferred that President Erap admitted having accepted P1.5 billion for his campaign kitty when he ran for president in 1998, which he regretted so much later when he was ousted. With or without financial help, Chiz should pursue bringing about change in the country, if he is truly for the country.
L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: After 11 years with the NPC, he bolted the party to deliver a political statement about a brand-new people’s politics that would contradict party politics, blah, blah, blah.
We should respect his decision
Fe Lintag, Pampanga: Everybody is entitled to his own opinion and perhaps Senator Chiz feels that quitting the NPC is good for him. We should respect his decision.
Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Everyone should respect his decision. Perhaps he has another plan in mind. He knows what is best for him.
Pat Cuilan, Benguet: That’s democracy in action.
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Whatever his reasons, it is better to let go of his presidential ambition for now as he’s still young anyway. Otherwise, he’ll self-destruct.
Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Well, it’s Sen. Chiz decision, so we should respect it. A little birdie is probably whispering in his ears, may panalo ka. He should be careful because if he fails in his first attempt, chances are, he will experience the same fate as Sen. Loren Legarda na hirap makaahon. My unsolicited advice to Sen. Chiz, relax muna, malalakas ang kalaban, bata ka pa, marami pa’ng pagkakataon.
Bad news for women
Daniel Escurel Occeno, Sorsogon: Somebody else is helping Chiz Escudero find Excalibur. The Metro Manila ladies could not do that. I was hoping the Millennium Development Goals Leaders Forum would inspire the understanding of the difference between a special interest president and a king of the people. The UN explained its theory to end poverty with the goals set to be achieved by 2015. Unless Chiz dislikes Loren Legarda, as comments on TV and the Internet say, he has just sent a clear message that he will not represent the majority of the voters, women that is, by leaving the NPC. Even though the Philippines has had two women presidents, gender inequality still exists in the Philippines and according to the UN, it is the cause of poverty. My father says that Gilberto Teodoro wanting a woman running mate might just benefit from this. Loren Legarda did not want to leave her political party, but because she lacks a strong presidential candidate, NPC can merge with Lakas, making the teamup of Gibo and Loren possible. Sounds like a movie script.
He’s testing the waters
Leandro Tolentino, Batangas: As one of the first young advocates of change, that might be the Senator’s program of change in this country: Changing parties or changing minds!
Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro: Political realities are hard to swallow, but must be taken fast to avoid the bitter taste. Hitching a free ride to Malacañang is very difficult, especially if you start from Bicol. Walking is good, but you will not get there anytime soon.
Eduardo de Jesus, Metro Manila: Is Escudero testing the waters? Well, you’ll never know what you can get away with, unless you try!
Bolting the party was a treacherous act
Durbin Rantael, Metro Manila: Escudero won the senatorial slate with the NPC. Bolting was a selfish and treacherous act. It manifested his being a traitor to his own political party.
Danding is not supporting him
Robert Young Jr., San Juan: “Being attached to vested groups that might weigh down (his) commitment to public service” was the reason Escudero gave for bolting the NPC. Sen. Chiz has been in politics for almost two decades; he should know that it’s part of the game. I still believe he bolted the NPC because Danding Cojuangco won’t give his full support and is planning to back up Noynoy. Danding is a businessman; he will bet his money on the winning horse.
Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: According to Chiz, the party head Danding Cojuangco did not support him or give him any financial support, so it could either be nagtatampo siya, he doesn’t want the NPC or Danding Cojuangco to benefit from his possible victory, or he has a radical mind and does not want to be dictated upon, or bata pa talaga si Chiz and he did not mind talking to his supposed VP (Legarda) before announcing his decision. This is the kind of leader he is. Mapusok. Ingat tayo.
C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: Chiz won’t admit it, but it must be because Danding won’t support him with P2 billion for his campaign kitty. It’s even rumored that Danding hasn’t been taking his calls for quite some time now. Better to quit now.
Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Escudero is not rating well in any survey and Danding Cojuangco is a shrewd businessman who knows that investing in Chiz Escudero is not a good idea.
Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Blood is thicker than water. I believe Danding Cojuangco will eventually support either Ninoy or Gibo. Chiz saw this; thus, his decision to bolt the NPC.
Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: He bolted the NPC because he sensed that party founder and chairman, Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. is out to support his presidentiable nephews.
Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Escudero bolted the NPC because he knows that “blood is thicker than water”, so much so that Danding would surely support either Gibo or Noynoy.
Osmundo Lim, Caloocan City: Escudero must have realized that he could not get the funds he needs from the NPC to finance his presidential bid. He should just concentrate on his job as senator. By the way, during the live interview on TV Patrol, I noticed that the senator was drunk.
Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Running for the highest position in the government requires substantial campaign funds. Candidates with liquidity problems have to sell their soul to political investors. However, the situation has changed. Sources of campaign financing are scarce, not only because of the economic chaos, but because political investors are more realistic now. I cannot believe, however, that the scarcity of campaign funds is the reason Escudero changed his plans, because if it were, he would not resign from his party. Escudero’s backer probably told him the real truth, which made his heart bleed and hurt his ego.
He couldn’t take traditional politics anymore
Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Being a young idealist, Chiz Escudero must have been disappointed by the practice of traditional politics, where powerful political leaders manipulate the decisions of elective public servants. May other politicians learn from him that every elective public servant must be his own man and not a robot of those in power.
Elsa Mendoza, Quezon City: This young blood just couldn’t take it anymore from the trapos in the NPC. Siguro, ‘yun lang. In hindsight, after Noynoy Aquino threw his hat into the presidential bid ring, Chiz knew his goose was cooked.
Let’s wait and see
Johann Lucas, Quezon City: I was quite surprised with his announcement. With that, it would be very difficult to continue aiming for the presidency, unless another political party adopts him. Anyway, he should first review his proposals on programs and governance before trying to picture himself as the next president.
David Velasco, Marinduque: It may be the result of discernment or a gimmick for Escudero, but let’s wait until he pronounces his political vision for the country before we opine.
Who would take him in?
Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: Escudero bolting the NPC was pitiful, not praiseworthy. He was alone, wasn’t he? Who would take him in? Escudero’s political gambit to raise funds didn’t work. He can either run for governor of Sorsogon and lose or campaign for his friend Adel Tamano to become senator so that by next presidential elections, we can elect Tamano as the first president from Mindanao.
No independent bet has ever won
Randolph Hallasgo, Misamis Oriental: He will not win even if he bolted the NPC. FPJ ran as an independent candidate, but what happened?
Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: We really don’t know the reason why Sen. Escudero bolted his party. While other candidates try to get the endorsement and support of a political party, he did the opposite. I’m sure he knows that no presidential candidate running independently has ever won an election in this country, except perhaps FVR, who formed his own party after losing to Mitra in the LDP convention. But that was under a very different situation. The then sitting president Cory Aquino was with him and the euphoria of Cory dislodging the Marcos dictatorship was still very much in the air. Only time will tell whether he made the right decision or not.
Chiz is showing emotional immaturity
Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: The decision is a tantrum act on the part of Escudero. He is like a spoiled brat who was denied what he wanted.
C.B. Manalstas, Manila: Swell-headed Escudero acted like a baby who couldn’t get his candy from moneyman Danding Cojuangco. Now he is sarcastically fighting back.
Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: When the going gets tough, the tough gets going, my wife would always say. Obviously, spoiled brat Chiz abandoned the NPC when they didn’t give him what he wanted. Good; now we all know how immature he really is. Behind the fighting Chiz facade is cheesy Chiz Whiz. Loren is smiling. Now, her dream of becoming the third woman president or VP is getting much clearer than ever.
Rene Poder, Manila: He is a brat throwing a tantrum because of the measly P200-million allowance for his desired Malacañang toy.
Why did he have to wait so long?
Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: The NPC is pro-GMA. He should have resigned from it during the height of the “Hello, Garci” scandal. Di ako boboto sa isang bungangerong pulitiko.
M. Sunico, Caloocan City: Escudero should have known earlier that his party affiliation meant they have the same political ideologies. His feeling of being shackled by his party means he has never shared their common political ideals in the first place and must have only joined the NPC for his personal ends.
It’s all about the money
Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: The guy is just sulking after failing to enlist all-out financial backing from Danding. However, the billionaire is a shrewd businessman and won’t just throw away billions only to feed the ego and caprices of a self-rated politician. Being throaty in radio and TV interviews is insufficient for claiming a birthright to the presidency. His vaunted IQ should be translated into exceptional legislations, which the public won’t fail to appreciate.
Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: Escudero came to realize that the NPC could not fund fully his presidential ambition after the NPC found his chances of winning slim.
Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: The youthful Sen. Chiz Escudero must have sensed that the lights in the tunnel are so dim, he can hardly analyze the faces of his financial supporters.
He can make the VP debates exciting
Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Here’s another case of enlightenment, coming from the blabbermouth himself. If he settles on running for VP, it would be exciting to watch him slugging it out with erstwhile party mate Loren and Senate colleague Mar.
He’s being too idealistic
Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: No political machinery, limited funds, and no party to back him, it will be an uphill run for Chiz. But the reason is noble and idealistic run. I wish him the best of luck.
That’s political power play
Cris Rivera, Rizal: Nothing can shackle Escudero and his political ideals, for fawning servility is not his brand of public service. He is a blue-chip oppositionist.
Dandy Lacuesta, Las Piñas City: Whether it was Chiz’s or the NPC’s fault, Escudero’s bolting doesn’t speak well of the party, of Sen. Legarda, and how it takes care of its people.
Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: That is political power play because, as they say, in politics it’s always personal interest that matters.
Let’s go back to the two-party system
Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: Business interests and personal gains do not promote loyalty and good governance for the Filipino people. The two-party system is the best solution to choosing likeable presidential candidates in a democratic country like the Philippines.
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
A President without any strings attached
By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
I had a long talk with Sen. Chiz Escudero at a Quezon City restaurant last week, during which Chiz revealed why he left his party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), which was about to anoint him as its presidential standard-bearer, and other perplexing things most of which were, however, off the record.
Is he still running for President?
Chiz said he will make his decision, and announce it at a press conference, on November 15.
If he does run, it would be as an independent. Basically, what he wanted was a President without any strings attached.
Every President we had, he said, was backed by financiers, business groups and vested interests. So that when he becomes President, he has a lot of baggage weighing him down. The pressures from all sides prevent him from making wise decisions sometimes.
Is it not possible to have a President without any strings attached? he asked.
I answered his question with another question: Is it not possible for a President to forget everything in the past, financiers and all, and think only of what is best for the people?
Gratitude, “utang na loob,” is an ingrained virtue of the Filipino, he replied. Filipinos who are not grateful are described with epithets like “walang utang na loob!” which is a very strong insult indeed. Donors to campaign funds expect the winner to observe this gratitude virtue. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t donate at all. The strings can be so many and so tight as to hobble the person in Malacañang. I don’t want that.
Indeed, the belief that Chiz would be but a surrogate of Danding Conjuangco in Malacañang was already out in the open before Chiz declared his independence.
Chiz does not have his own wealth like Manny Villar or Gibo Teodoro or Erap Estrada. All he has is his party, the NPC. And what is the NPC without Danding Cojuangco’s billions?
“If Chiz wins, it would not be him who would be President,” goes one comment. “Danding would be the de facto President.”
There you have the dilemma. It would be difficult for a presidential candidate not to have a party. But having a party, especially the NPC of Danding, is a double-edged sword. It is good but it is also bad.
So what road should he take? Like Robert Frost, Chiz chose the road less taken. The road where a presidential candidate is not weighed down by extra baggage.
And like Martin Luther King, Chiz has a dream. He said what follows in Filipino but I have translated it into English:
“There are those who say it is madness to leave one’s party when running for President. Nobody has ever done this before. For me there is nothing wrong with dreams and dreaming. That’s free. And doesn’t everything start from dreams? Man dreamed of flying, dreamed of flying to the moon, dreamed of talking to one’s loved one wherever he or she is, etc. All of that [is] possible now.
“Is it wrong to dream to go to the presidency by a different and better way? Is it wrong to do what should be done to our nation without any strings attached?
“Is it wrong to believe that it is in the hands of every Filipino, rich or poor, the power to choose the next leader of the nation because we all have only one vote each anyway?
“In truth, if there is one thing that I want to do, it is to prove that, no matter how difficult life is, we should not stop dreaming for a better nation. If not now, I believe that we will achieve that in the near future. No matter what others say now, we should not stop dreaming.”
Well said. I know now what Chiz’s favorite song is. It is Don Quixote’s song, “The Impossible Dream.”
It it true that Danding refused to bankroll your campaign? I asked.
That’s not true at all, he replied. We did not talk about money matters.
Was your parting difficult?
No, we are still friends. In fact, many party members will still support my presidential run.
As an independent?
Why not? he replied. When Ramos and Miriam finished one-two in the presidential elections that left party candidates way behind, they were basically independent. Erap was basically an independent when he won a landslide victory against the administration party candidate.
Yes, but look what they did to him.
His fault, on hindsight.
What will make you decide to run or not to run?
Difficult to say. Chiz said his dilemma is to run now without a party or wait six years and try again. What do you think?
Better the latter, I replied.
He seemed to agree. In Philippine politics, if you lose once for the presidency, it’s very, very difficult to reverse that. You better win the first time, or else ...
Richard Nixon won after losing to John F. Kennedy, I said.
That’s in the US. But it has never been done here.
There’s always a first time, I said.
Chiz was cheered up by that. In fact, he carries in his cellphone interesting facts about a perennial loser who eventually won. He showed it to me:
“At 31 this man failed in business. At 32 he was defeated in a legislative race. At 34, he failed again in business. At 35, his girl friend died. At 35, he had a nervous breakdown. At 38, he lost another election. At 43, 46,and 48, he lost congressional races. At 55, he lost a senatorial race. At 56, he failed in a bid to become vice president of the United States. At 58, he lost in another senatorial race. But at 60, he was elected President of the US.
“He is Abraham Lincoln.”
Lincoln became not only President, but one of the most famous and best loved of American Presidents. But he did not finish his term. He was shot and killed by an actor, John Wilkes Booth. Neither did Richard Nixon finish his second term. He had to resign because of Watergate.
Anyway, Chiz is only 40 years old. He has many more years ahead of him.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
I had a long talk with Sen. Chiz Escudero at a Quezon City restaurant last week, during which Chiz revealed why he left his party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), which was about to anoint him as its presidential standard-bearer, and other perplexing things most of which were, however, off the record.
Is he still running for President?
Chiz said he will make his decision, and announce it at a press conference, on November 15.
If he does run, it would be as an independent. Basically, what he wanted was a President without any strings attached.
Every President we had, he said, was backed by financiers, business groups and vested interests. So that when he becomes President, he has a lot of baggage weighing him down. The pressures from all sides prevent him from making wise decisions sometimes.
Is it not possible to have a President without any strings attached? he asked.
I answered his question with another question: Is it not possible for a President to forget everything in the past, financiers and all, and think only of what is best for the people?
Gratitude, “utang na loob,” is an ingrained virtue of the Filipino, he replied. Filipinos who are not grateful are described with epithets like “walang utang na loob!” which is a very strong insult indeed. Donors to campaign funds expect the winner to observe this gratitude virtue. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t donate at all. The strings can be so many and so tight as to hobble the person in Malacañang. I don’t want that.
Indeed, the belief that Chiz would be but a surrogate of Danding Conjuangco in Malacañang was already out in the open before Chiz declared his independence.
Chiz does not have his own wealth like Manny Villar or Gibo Teodoro or Erap Estrada. All he has is his party, the NPC. And what is the NPC without Danding Cojuangco’s billions?
“If Chiz wins, it would not be him who would be President,” goes one comment. “Danding would be the de facto President.”
There you have the dilemma. It would be difficult for a presidential candidate not to have a party. But having a party, especially the NPC of Danding, is a double-edged sword. It is good but it is also bad.
So what road should he take? Like Robert Frost, Chiz chose the road less taken. The road where a presidential candidate is not weighed down by extra baggage.
And like Martin Luther King, Chiz has a dream. He said what follows in Filipino but I have translated it into English:
“There are those who say it is madness to leave one’s party when running for President. Nobody has ever done this before. For me there is nothing wrong with dreams and dreaming. That’s free. And doesn’t everything start from dreams? Man dreamed of flying, dreamed of flying to the moon, dreamed of talking to one’s loved one wherever he or she is, etc. All of that [is] possible now.
“Is it wrong to dream to go to the presidency by a different and better way? Is it wrong to do what should be done to our nation without any strings attached?
“Is it wrong to believe that it is in the hands of every Filipino, rich or poor, the power to choose the next leader of the nation because we all have only one vote each anyway?
“In truth, if there is one thing that I want to do, it is to prove that, no matter how difficult life is, we should not stop dreaming for a better nation. If not now, I believe that we will achieve that in the near future. No matter what others say now, we should not stop dreaming.”
Well said. I know now what Chiz’s favorite song is. It is Don Quixote’s song, “The Impossible Dream.”
It it true that Danding refused to bankroll your campaign? I asked.
That’s not true at all, he replied. We did not talk about money matters.
Was your parting difficult?
No, we are still friends. In fact, many party members will still support my presidential run.
As an independent?
Why not? he replied. When Ramos and Miriam finished one-two in the presidential elections that left party candidates way behind, they were basically independent. Erap was basically an independent when he won a landslide victory against the administration party candidate.
Yes, but look what they did to him.
His fault, on hindsight.
What will make you decide to run or not to run?
Difficult to say. Chiz said his dilemma is to run now without a party or wait six years and try again. What do you think?
Better the latter, I replied.
He seemed to agree. In Philippine politics, if you lose once for the presidency, it’s very, very difficult to reverse that. You better win the first time, or else ...
Richard Nixon won after losing to John F. Kennedy, I said.
That’s in the US. But it has never been done here.
There’s always a first time, I said.
Chiz was cheered up by that. In fact, he carries in his cellphone interesting facts about a perennial loser who eventually won. He showed it to me:
“At 31 this man failed in business. At 32 he was defeated in a legislative race. At 34, he failed again in business. At 35, his girl friend died. At 35, he had a nervous breakdown. At 38, he lost another election. At 43, 46,and 48, he lost congressional races. At 55, he lost a senatorial race. At 56, he failed in a bid to become vice president of the United States. At 58, he lost in another senatorial race. But at 60, he was elected President of the US.
“He is Abraham Lincoln.”
Lincoln became not only President, but one of the most famous and best loved of American Presidents. But he did not finish his term. He was shot and killed by an actor, John Wilkes Booth. Neither did Richard Nixon finish his second term. He had to resign because of Watergate.
Anyway, Chiz is only 40 years old. He has many more years ahead of him.
Chiz statement gets bishops fired up
by Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com)
MANILA, Philippines - Opposition Sen. Francis Escudero has earned the ire of Church officials over his recent statement that "there are no angels and saints in politics."
"Does he admit the corruptibility of all politicians like him? The Church stands for politics of common good and social transformation, to leave behind patronage politics and elite politics. Hopefully we cand find politicians who will embody and pursue these ideals this coming election," Catarman bishop Emmanuel Trance told Church-run Radyo Veritas.
For his part, Sorsogon bishop Arturo Bastes said in these days, people should breed "saintly politicians."
"Thomas Moore was a politician and a saint. We must have saintly politicians nowadays. We need holy people to lead our nation," Bastes said.
Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez meanwhile said to have so-called "politician saints" people must pray for the conversion of corrupt politicans.
"So like King David, they would accept their guilt and penance," the bishop said.
MANILA, Philippines - Opposition Sen. Francis Escudero has earned the ire of Church officials over his recent statement that "there are no angels and saints in politics."
"Does he admit the corruptibility of all politicians like him? The Church stands for politics of common good and social transformation, to leave behind patronage politics and elite politics. Hopefully we cand find politicians who will embody and pursue these ideals this coming election," Catarman bishop Emmanuel Trance told Church-run Radyo Veritas.
For his part, Sorsogon bishop Arturo Bastes said in these days, people should breed "saintly politicians."
"Thomas Moore was a politician and a saint. We must have saintly politicians nowadays. We need holy people to lead our nation," Bastes said.
Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez meanwhile said to have so-called "politician saints" people must pray for the conversion of corrupt politicans.
"So like King David, they would accept their guilt and penance," the bishop said.
The audacity of Chiz
—AMADO F. CABAERO, amacabsenior1@yahoo.com
10 Espina Village, B. Rodriguez St., Cebu City
daring of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero to pursue his presidential ambition without the entangling support of a political party marks the first time in our political history that a young man without a political party is seeking to overthrow a corrupt government through the ballot—a task comparable in its immensity to a black man’s aspiring to be president of the United States.
It may appear quixotic but with the present public distrust of and anger at the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Chiz might just pull it off, just as Barack Obama did against the unpopular President George Bush.
And with a spectacular difference, too: Chiz, if he keeps it up, will not be bound or hamstrung by “utang na loob” [or debt of gratitude] to any political party, politician or businessman, big or small, and thus be more free than any other presidential candidate to do all that needs to be done for a better government.
Not to mention that as a person, this presidential candidate is not known to be involved in any racket or any immoral, illegal or dishonest activity; on the other hand, he is an experienced lawmaker, a lawyer, and as glib and knowledgeable as one could wish of a presidential candidate.
And best of all, he is young. Thus, he is the personification of Rizal’s dream of the youth being the “hope of the fatherland.”
Thus, the presidential election of 2010 will be remarkable in the size of the youth vote for Chiz. Feel in your veins the surge of enthusiasm among the youth, from the big number of young people lining up for hours to register to vote in 2010. Already the Commission on Elections has run out of forms and the deadline for registration has passed, but still they are there in line, clamoring for extension.
Talk of a coming storm. Talk of a coming flood. It is coming in 2010, presaged by storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.” It will be an act of God!
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
10 Espina Village, B. Rodriguez St., Cebu City
daring of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero to pursue his presidential ambition without the entangling support of a political party marks the first time in our political history that a young man without a political party is seeking to overthrow a corrupt government through the ballot—a task comparable in its immensity to a black man’s aspiring to be president of the United States.
It may appear quixotic but with the present public distrust of and anger at the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Chiz might just pull it off, just as Barack Obama did against the unpopular President George Bush.
And with a spectacular difference, too: Chiz, if he keeps it up, will not be bound or hamstrung by “utang na loob” [or debt of gratitude] to any political party, politician or businessman, big or small, and thus be more free than any other presidential candidate to do all that needs to be done for a better government.
Not to mention that as a person, this presidential candidate is not known to be involved in any racket or any immoral, illegal or dishonest activity; on the other hand, he is an experienced lawmaker, a lawyer, and as glib and knowledgeable as one could wish of a presidential candidate.
And best of all, he is young. Thus, he is the personification of Rizal’s dream of the youth being the “hope of the fatherland.”
Thus, the presidential election of 2010 will be remarkable in the size of the youth vote for Chiz. Feel in your veins the surge of enthusiasm among the youth, from the big number of young people lining up for hours to register to vote in 2010. Already the Commission on Elections has run out of forms and the deadline for registration has passed, but still they are there in line, clamoring for extension.
Talk of a coming storm. Talk of a coming flood. It is coming in 2010, presaged by storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.” It will be an act of God!
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Don't count Chiz out in 2010 presidential race, Enrile says
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday said Senator Francis “Chiz" Escudero should not be counted out of the presidential race despite his decision to quit the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
Enrile said that even as an independent candidate, Escudero, who is yet to announce his plans for next year’s elections, can still win the presidency.
“I will not count him out, but I will not say his edge over other candidates. That is unfair to other candidates," said Enrile, who is seeking re-election under the ticket of former President Joseph Estrada.
The Senate leader is the chairman emeritus of Partido ng Masang Pilipino, which was founded by Estrada.
Escudero, in a surprise move, left NPC last week despite reports that he is being groomed by the party to be its standard-bearer in the 2010 elections.
The neophyte senator said he left the party so that he could have a free hand in deciding on his political plans.
Chiz to push through
Enrile believes Escudero will push through with his presidential bid even without the backing of any political group.
“I think Chiz at this point is a personality unto himself, meaning that he will do it alone," he said.
Asked if Escudero can win if he will wage an independent campaign given the fact that no independent candidate has won a presidential race before, Enrile said, “There is always a first time."
He also said there were no talks between Estrada and Escudero in case the former is disqualified from the race.
“The possible substitutions are people who have Estrada surnames," he said, referring to Estrada’s wife former Senator Luisa Estrada, and sons Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy" Estrada and San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito Estrada.
Estrada was convicted of plunder in September 2007 but was pardoned a month later by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was dethroned in 2001 after less than three years in office amid charges of corruption.
Estrada’s intention to seek re-election has fueled legal debates, as the 1987 Constitution does not allow the president to run for the same post again.
Enrile said they are confident Estrada will not be disqualified. - GMANews.TV
Enrile said that even as an independent candidate, Escudero, who is yet to announce his plans for next year’s elections, can still win the presidency.
“I will not count him out, but I will not say his edge over other candidates. That is unfair to other candidates," said Enrile, who is seeking re-election under the ticket of former President Joseph Estrada.
The Senate leader is the chairman emeritus of Partido ng Masang Pilipino, which was founded by Estrada.
Escudero, in a surprise move, left NPC last week despite reports that he is being groomed by the party to be its standard-bearer in the 2010 elections.
The neophyte senator said he left the party so that he could have a free hand in deciding on his political plans.
Chiz to push through
Enrile believes Escudero will push through with his presidential bid even without the backing of any political group.
“I think Chiz at this point is a personality unto himself, meaning that he will do it alone," he said.
Asked if Escudero can win if he will wage an independent campaign given the fact that no independent candidate has won a presidential race before, Enrile said, “There is always a first time."
He also said there were no talks between Estrada and Escudero in case the former is disqualified from the race.
“The possible substitutions are people who have Estrada surnames," he said, referring to Estrada’s wife former Senator Luisa Estrada, and sons Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy" Estrada and San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito Estrada.
Estrada was convicted of plunder in September 2007 but was pardoned a month later by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was dethroned in 2001 after less than three years in office amid charges of corruption.
Estrada’s intention to seek re-election has fueled legal debates, as the 1987 Constitution does not allow the president to run for the same post again.
Enrile said they are confident Estrada will not be disqualified. - GMANews.TV
Escudero plans to do a Lacson, go it alone
IF Senator Francis Escudero runs for president in 2010, he will do so without a running mate, a senatorial slate or local officials following Senator Panfilo Lacson’s footsteps in 2004.
“I don’t intend to find a running mate, but I might have guest senatorial candidates,” said Escudero, who has yet to announce if he is still running next year.
Escudero, who resigned from the Nationalist People’s Coalition last month, has inherited not only Lacson’s campaign style but also his campaign manager and a platform calling for the abolition of pork barrel, which has isolated him from his peers and party mates.
Escudero’s supporters scoffed at reports that his former running mate, Senator Loren Legarda, might run with Senator Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party as coalition talks got under way.
“Chiz [Escudero] is no longer with the NPC, so the NPC has lost Chiz, so the NPC has become another NP,” one Escudero supporter said.
But Escudero was more conciliatory to his party of 11 years, saying he still hoped to count on its support.
“I did not desert and turn my back on my party. I hope they will still be with me should I go ahead [with the presidential campaign],” he told a radio interview.
Escudero said he saw a people’s movement and multi-sectoral groups carrying him to the presidency.
He said these groups included militant leftist organizations and the Magdalo, which launched a botched mutiny in July 2003.
The Magdalo, led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who is still detained on rebellion charges, has endorsed Escudero’s presidential bid. Escudero called the mutineers and rebel soldiers “patriots.”
Escudero also inherited from Lacson the latter’s campaign manager and chief of staff, former postmaster general Angelito Banayo.
It is unclear if the Chinese community that bankrolled Lacson’s presidential campaign would also back Escudero in 2010.
And like Lacson, Escudero refused to slide down to number two when he was courted by Villar to be a running mate so that the fragmented opposition would unite against administration candidate and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who won the nomination as standard-bearer of the Lakas-Kampi CMD.
Teodoro’s nomination will be made official during the Lakas-Kampi CMD national convention on Nov. 19.
Lacson’s fellow opposition and presidential rival, the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., had tried to convince him to run as his vice president.
The negotiations fell through because Lacson reportedly demanded that he be reimbursed P100 million for his campaign expenses and be given five major Cabinet portfolios, including the departments of budget, finance, and interior and local governments.
Both ended up losing to President Gloria Arroyo, who beat Poe by a million votes and Lacson who placed a far third with only three million votes.
Escudero is hoping his popularity in the past polls will help him avoid the same fate.
In the 2007 mid-term elections, Escudero ranked second behind Legarda in the senatorial race, with Lacson coming in third, Villar in fourth, Senator Francis Pangilinan in fifth, and Senator Benigno Aquino III in sixth.
But the militant Bayan Muna and Gabriela did not seem too keen on Escudero’s solo flight.
Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said that even with Escudero gone from the NPC, Bayan continued to negotiate with Legarda and Villar.
Before Escudero left the NPC, he negotiated an alliance with Bayan Muna that gave the party-list group two slots in the NPC senatorial slate.
In separate negotiations with the NP, party spokesman Gilbert Remulla said the party could allot one seat to Bayan Muna.
If Villar and Legarda join forces, that would give Bayan Muna three senatorial slots in next year’s elections.
But Ocampo said Bayan Muna could settle for two seats in the Senate—one for himself and the other for Gabriela Rep. Liza Largoza-Maza.
“We factor the option that [Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro] Teddy [Casiño] will head the Bayan Muna nominees and take over my role in the House of Representatives,” Ocampo told Standard Today.
Casiño has one term left in the House.
Among the issues that Escudero had with the NPC was its support for wage boards as a means to set the minimum wage. Like his leftist allies, Escudero supported legislated wage increases.
But NPC insiders said the most contentious issue that “marginalized and isolated” Escudero from the NPC was his position to carry in his campaign platform a call to abolish the pork barrel, which Lacson also supported in 2004.
Lacson carried the same platform and made good his promise when he was reelected to the Senate in 2007. Since then, he has not identified any projects and has not drawn from his annual allocation of P130 million in pork barrel.
“Of course, no one wanted to give up his or her pork barrel allocations,” said Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian. “I, for one, am not agreeable because the annual P70-million pork barrel allocation for congressmen helps my district in a big way, particularly in infrastructure projects.”
Gatchalian confirmed that the pork barrel issue was among the serious differences in ideology and platform that made Escudero part ways with the NPC.
Escudero, who denied reports that he left the party over differences in campaign funding, said he resigned because he did not want to be beholden to any political party. With Fel V. Maragay
“I don’t intend to find a running mate, but I might have guest senatorial candidates,” said Escudero, who has yet to announce if he is still running next year.
Escudero, who resigned from the Nationalist People’s Coalition last month, has inherited not only Lacson’s campaign style but also his campaign manager and a platform calling for the abolition of pork barrel, which has isolated him from his peers and party mates.
Escudero’s supporters scoffed at reports that his former running mate, Senator Loren Legarda, might run with Senator Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party as coalition talks got under way.
“Chiz [Escudero] is no longer with the NPC, so the NPC has lost Chiz, so the NPC has become another NP,” one Escudero supporter said.
But Escudero was more conciliatory to his party of 11 years, saying he still hoped to count on its support.
“I did not desert and turn my back on my party. I hope they will still be with me should I go ahead [with the presidential campaign],” he told a radio interview.
Escudero said he saw a people’s movement and multi-sectoral groups carrying him to the presidency.
He said these groups included militant leftist organizations and the Magdalo, which launched a botched mutiny in July 2003.
The Magdalo, led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who is still detained on rebellion charges, has endorsed Escudero’s presidential bid. Escudero called the mutineers and rebel soldiers “patriots.”
Escudero also inherited from Lacson the latter’s campaign manager and chief of staff, former postmaster general Angelito Banayo.
It is unclear if the Chinese community that bankrolled Lacson’s presidential campaign would also back Escudero in 2010.
And like Lacson, Escudero refused to slide down to number two when he was courted by Villar to be a running mate so that the fragmented opposition would unite against administration candidate and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who won the nomination as standard-bearer of the Lakas-Kampi CMD.
Teodoro’s nomination will be made official during the Lakas-Kampi CMD national convention on Nov. 19.
Lacson’s fellow opposition and presidential rival, the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., had tried to convince him to run as his vice president.
The negotiations fell through because Lacson reportedly demanded that he be reimbursed P100 million for his campaign expenses and be given five major Cabinet portfolios, including the departments of budget, finance, and interior and local governments.
Both ended up losing to President Gloria Arroyo, who beat Poe by a million votes and Lacson who placed a far third with only three million votes.
Escudero is hoping his popularity in the past polls will help him avoid the same fate.
In the 2007 mid-term elections, Escudero ranked second behind Legarda in the senatorial race, with Lacson coming in third, Villar in fourth, Senator Francis Pangilinan in fifth, and Senator Benigno Aquino III in sixth.
But the militant Bayan Muna and Gabriela did not seem too keen on Escudero’s solo flight.
Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said that even with Escudero gone from the NPC, Bayan continued to negotiate with Legarda and Villar.
Before Escudero left the NPC, he negotiated an alliance with Bayan Muna that gave the party-list group two slots in the NPC senatorial slate.
In separate negotiations with the NP, party spokesman Gilbert Remulla said the party could allot one seat to Bayan Muna.
If Villar and Legarda join forces, that would give Bayan Muna three senatorial slots in next year’s elections.
But Ocampo said Bayan Muna could settle for two seats in the Senate—one for himself and the other for Gabriela Rep. Liza Largoza-Maza.
“We factor the option that [Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro] Teddy [Casiño] will head the Bayan Muna nominees and take over my role in the House of Representatives,” Ocampo told Standard Today.
Casiño has one term left in the House.
Among the issues that Escudero had with the NPC was its support for wage boards as a means to set the minimum wage. Like his leftist allies, Escudero supported legislated wage increases.
But NPC insiders said the most contentious issue that “marginalized and isolated” Escudero from the NPC was his position to carry in his campaign platform a call to abolish the pork barrel, which Lacson also supported in 2004.
Lacson carried the same platform and made good his promise when he was reelected to the Senate in 2007. Since then, he has not identified any projects and has not drawn from his annual allocation of P130 million in pork barrel.
“Of course, no one wanted to give up his or her pork barrel allocations,” said Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian. “I, for one, am not agreeable because the annual P70-million pork barrel allocation for congressmen helps my district in a big way, particularly in infrastructure projects.”
Gatchalian confirmed that the pork barrel issue was among the serious differences in ideology and platform that made Escudero part ways with the NPC.
Escudero, who denied reports that he left the party over differences in campaign funding, said he resigned because he did not want to be beholden to any political party. With Fel V. Maragay
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Chiz still undecided on 2010 plan
MANILA, Philippines - A week after bolting the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Sen. Francis Escudero remains undecided on his political plans for next year.
“There is no formal decision yet. But my appeal is to give me more time to weigh my options because it’s only been a few days since I became free from being a member of a (political) party,” Escudero said.
Escudero told the weekly Kapihan sa Senado yesterday that he would still seek the presidency “but not at the cost of being eaten up by the system.”
“The question now is if this is timely and if this is the right time, that’s what I am weighing at this time. There is nothing wrong if we can have a leader whose hands are not tied, not indebted and someone who has freedom to do what he needs to do,” he said.
Escudero said he remains unperturbed by the increasing preparation by other candidates.
He said the preparations by political rivals would not affect his plans even as the deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy is at the end of the month.
Escudero added nothing is final until the filing of candidacy on Nov. 30, 2009.
“I am thinking deeply to be able to decide 100 percent. Not 99 percent,” he said.
Escudero, who quit the NPC last Oct. 28, noted that no presidential candidate ever won without party support.
He conceded running and winning without party machinery would remain a farfetched dream.
“As of now, that remains a dream. That’s the truth. What is wrong with a dream if this (choice) is a better one, more proper and right? Everything starts with a dream,” he said.
Escudero drew parallelism between his political dream and the invention of an airplane or the mission to reach the moon, both of which were then considered impossible goals.
Escudero also clarified that he is not applying to be the running mate of any presidential candidate, virtually discounting any possible team up with Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr.
Neither were there any talks with administration standard-bearer Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., he said.
“These are all reports, all rumors because there are no direct talks,” Escudero said.
Escudero added that it would be unfair to Villar if he would confirm any talks because there was actually none.
Escudero reiterated his decision to withhold any announcement of his political plans since it has been barely a week since he resigned from NPC.
When Escudero made the surprise announcement, his reason was to break free from any political pressure and party politics.
Escudero’s move left the NPC without a standard-bearer and only Sen. Loren Legarda as the vice-presidential candidate.
Asked on the possibility of pairing up with Villar, Escudero said the former Senate president should first clear up the issues against him.
He said Villar must explain his role on the C5 road controversy.
“This (issue) should be clarified before any talks are made,” Escudero said.
Escudero also belied reports that he might choose Sen. Panfilo Lacson as a running mate.
Escudero noted the reports of a possible “Chiz-Ping” tandem came through after Lacson’s political strategist Lito Banayo joined Escudero’s camp as senior political adviser.
Source: PhilStar
“There is no formal decision yet. But my appeal is to give me more time to weigh my options because it’s only been a few days since I became free from being a member of a (political) party,” Escudero said.
Escudero told the weekly Kapihan sa Senado yesterday that he would still seek the presidency “but not at the cost of being eaten up by the system.”
“The question now is if this is timely and if this is the right time, that’s what I am weighing at this time. There is nothing wrong if we can have a leader whose hands are not tied, not indebted and someone who has freedom to do what he needs to do,” he said.
Escudero said he remains unperturbed by the increasing preparation by other candidates.
He said the preparations by political rivals would not affect his plans even as the deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy is at the end of the month.
Escudero added nothing is final until the filing of candidacy on Nov. 30, 2009.
“I am thinking deeply to be able to decide 100 percent. Not 99 percent,” he said.
Escudero, who quit the NPC last Oct. 28, noted that no presidential candidate ever won without party support.
He conceded running and winning without party machinery would remain a farfetched dream.
“As of now, that remains a dream. That’s the truth. What is wrong with a dream if this (choice) is a better one, more proper and right? Everything starts with a dream,” he said.
Escudero drew parallelism between his political dream and the invention of an airplane or the mission to reach the moon, both of which were then considered impossible goals.
Escudero also clarified that he is not applying to be the running mate of any presidential candidate, virtually discounting any possible team up with Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr.
Neither were there any talks with administration standard-bearer Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., he said.
“These are all reports, all rumors because there are no direct talks,” Escudero said.
Escudero added that it would be unfair to Villar if he would confirm any talks because there was actually none.
Escudero reiterated his decision to withhold any announcement of his political plans since it has been barely a week since he resigned from NPC.
When Escudero made the surprise announcement, his reason was to break free from any political pressure and party politics.
Escudero’s move left the NPC without a standard-bearer and only Sen. Loren Legarda as the vice-presidential candidate.
Asked on the possibility of pairing up with Villar, Escudero said the former Senate president should first clear up the issues against him.
He said Villar must explain his role on the C5 road controversy.
“This (issue) should be clarified before any talks are made,” Escudero said.
Escudero also belied reports that he might choose Sen. Panfilo Lacson as a running mate.
Escudero noted the reports of a possible “Chiz-Ping” tandem came through after Lacson’s political strategist Lito Banayo joined Escudero’s camp as senior political adviser.
Source: PhilStar
Villar’s NP talking to Escudero, Legarda, De Castro for VP slot
MANILA, Philippines—Who still wants Chiz?
Despite Senator Francis Escudero's rejection of a team up with Senator Manuel Villar, the Nacionalista Party is still talking to the young lawmaker about the possibility of him becoming its vice presidential bet, according to the party's spokesperson.
NP spokesperson Adel Tamano listed Escudero, Senator Loren Legarda and Vice President Noli de Castro as the top options for the party’s vice presidential slot.
“Let's put it this way. I wish I can say it directly. What I know is there are negotiations. We're talking with everyone... and Chiz is one of those people we're talking to,” Tamano said in a forum.
Tamano, who said anything could happen in politics, counted Escudero's youth, strength in terms of name recall and intelligence as plus points.
Asked about Escudero's earlier statement that he stood for good governance and could not run with Villar, who has been accused of irregularities in the C-5 road project, Tamano said nothing was final yet.
“In politics anything is possible, let's not make it something personal,” he said.
But getting Legarda as Villar's running mate would also be “wonderful” and would pave the way for a reunion between the NP and the NPC, which had stemmed from one party, he added.
On the other hand, a Lakas Kampi official shot down the possibility of Escudero teaming up with the administration's bet, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, since the former had been vocal in rejecting political parties.
“It seems he's going down a different path. Chiz would be a good candidate but even his former party mates are puzzled. Where is he going? He has rejected party affiliations and party alliances so we cannot adopt him because he seems to be going on a solo flight,” said Reginald Velasco, the party's deputy secretary general.
Escudero is now without a party after resigning from the Nationalist People's Coalition, which was expected to field him as its candidate for President. He had said that he still intended to run for President.
The NPC is still deciding on the party to ally itself with after Escudero's departure left it without a standard bearer. It is choosing among the NP and the Lakas-Kampi administration's party.
Velasco believes members of the NPC would likely choose Teodoro if asked who they wanted to work with. Teodoro used to be a member of the NPC, which was founded by his uncle, business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.
Velasco pointed out that Teodoro has retained good ties with his former party mates since he had shown good leadership when he was still with the NPC. He added that the alliance between Lakas Kampi and the NPC in the House of Representatives continued to work for both parties.
In choosing an ally, the NPC is taking into account the members' comfort level with the team up and the party's platform, according to its spokesperson Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian.
Gatchalian said the welfare of its local candidates would bd another big concern.
An NPC supporter, Camarines Sur Representative Luis Villafuerte, earlier told the Inquirer that the NPC and its new adherents would be a crucial factor in the May 2010 elections since their members included politicians who would be involved in field operations and could provide the swing vote.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Despite Senator Francis Escudero's rejection of a team up with Senator Manuel Villar, the Nacionalista Party is still talking to the young lawmaker about the possibility of him becoming its vice presidential bet, according to the party's spokesperson.
NP spokesperson Adel Tamano listed Escudero, Senator Loren Legarda and Vice President Noli de Castro as the top options for the party’s vice presidential slot.
“Let's put it this way. I wish I can say it directly. What I know is there are negotiations. We're talking with everyone... and Chiz is one of those people we're talking to,” Tamano said in a forum.
Tamano, who said anything could happen in politics, counted Escudero's youth, strength in terms of name recall and intelligence as plus points.
Asked about Escudero's earlier statement that he stood for good governance and could not run with Villar, who has been accused of irregularities in the C-5 road project, Tamano said nothing was final yet.
“In politics anything is possible, let's not make it something personal,” he said.
But getting Legarda as Villar's running mate would also be “wonderful” and would pave the way for a reunion between the NP and the NPC, which had stemmed from one party, he added.
On the other hand, a Lakas Kampi official shot down the possibility of Escudero teaming up with the administration's bet, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, since the former had been vocal in rejecting political parties.
“It seems he's going down a different path. Chiz would be a good candidate but even his former party mates are puzzled. Where is he going? He has rejected party affiliations and party alliances so we cannot adopt him because he seems to be going on a solo flight,” said Reginald Velasco, the party's deputy secretary general.
Escudero is now without a party after resigning from the Nationalist People's Coalition, which was expected to field him as its candidate for President. He had said that he still intended to run for President.
The NPC is still deciding on the party to ally itself with after Escudero's departure left it without a standard bearer. It is choosing among the NP and the Lakas-Kampi administration's party.
Velasco believes members of the NPC would likely choose Teodoro if asked who they wanted to work with. Teodoro used to be a member of the NPC, which was founded by his uncle, business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.
Velasco pointed out that Teodoro has retained good ties with his former party mates since he had shown good leadership when he was still with the NPC. He added that the alliance between Lakas Kampi and the NPC in the House of Representatives continued to work for both parties.
In choosing an ally, the NPC is taking into account the members' comfort level with the team up and the party's platform, according to its spokesperson Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian.
Gatchalian said the welfare of its local candidates would bd another big concern.
An NPC supporter, Camarines Sur Representative Luis Villafuerte, earlier told the Inquirer that the NPC and its new adherents would be a crucial factor in the May 2010 elections since their members included politicians who would be involved in field operations and could provide the swing vote.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Escudero not shutting doors on Villar but...
Senator Francis Escudero is not shutting his doors on the possible partnership with Senator Manny Villar in next year’s elections provided that the latter will explain his alleged involvement in the C-5 road anomaly.
“Sana ipaliwanang niya hindi sa akin kundi sa Senado at sa sambayanan ang mga isyu na ibinato sa kanya kaugnay ng kontrobersiyang binanggit ni Senator Madrigal para mabigyang linaw ang mga ito bago ang anumang pag-uusap o pakikipag-usap para sa akin," Escudero said Wednesday during a weekly news forum at the Senate.
(He should explain not to me but to the Senate and the public the issues mentioned by Senator Madrigal against him before talking about a team-up with me.)
Escudero was referring to Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby" Madrigal’s accusation that Villar profited in the C-5 road extension project last year.
Villar, the Nacionalista Party’s most likely presidential bet in the 2010 elections, has repeatedly denied the allegation but refused to appear before the Senate committee of the whole's hearings on the ethics complaint filed against him by Madrigal.
The committee is now preparing its report on Villar’s case.
Villar had earlier said that he is open to the idea of having Escudero, currently independent after leaving the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) late last month, as his running mate. This is despite the fact that Escudero has yet to announce his political plans for next year.
Escudero said he is taking his time on deciding on his political plans, adding that he is not worried that his coyness may result to an exodus of his supporters.
“Kung talagang sa ‘yo sila, talagang hihintayin nila ang tamang panahon hanggang ika’y magpasya (Real supporters are willing to wait)," he said.
He said he had already talked with his supporters and they understand the situation.
Among Escudero’s supporters who are willing to wait for his announcement are the Filipino for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM), one of the groups that supported the presidential candidacy of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. in 2007; and the Samahang Magdalo.
“We’re still anticipating Senator Escudero’s announcement," said Francisco Ashley Acedillo of Samahang Magdalo. - GMANews.TV
“Sana ipaliwanang niya hindi sa akin kundi sa Senado at sa sambayanan ang mga isyu na ibinato sa kanya kaugnay ng kontrobersiyang binanggit ni Senator Madrigal para mabigyang linaw ang mga ito bago ang anumang pag-uusap o pakikipag-usap para sa akin," Escudero said Wednesday during a weekly news forum at the Senate.
(He should explain not to me but to the Senate and the public the issues mentioned by Senator Madrigal against him before talking about a team-up with me.)
Escudero was referring to Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby" Madrigal’s accusation that Villar profited in the C-5 road extension project last year.
Villar, the Nacionalista Party’s most likely presidential bet in the 2010 elections, has repeatedly denied the allegation but refused to appear before the Senate committee of the whole's hearings on the ethics complaint filed against him by Madrigal.
The committee is now preparing its report on Villar’s case.
Villar had earlier said that he is open to the idea of having Escudero, currently independent after leaving the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) late last month, as his running mate. This is despite the fact that Escudero has yet to announce his political plans for next year.
Escudero said he is taking his time on deciding on his political plans, adding that he is not worried that his coyness may result to an exodus of his supporters.
“Kung talagang sa ‘yo sila, talagang hihintayin nila ang tamang panahon hanggang ika’y magpasya (Real supporters are willing to wait)," he said.
He said he had already talked with his supporters and they understand the situation.
Among Escudero’s supporters who are willing to wait for his announcement are the Filipino for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM), one of the groups that supported the presidential candidacy of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. in 2007; and the Samahang Magdalo.
“We’re still anticipating Senator Escudero’s announcement," said Francisco Ashley Acedillo of Samahang Magdalo. - GMANews.TV
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
'NPC can deliver swing vote in 2010'
MANILA - The country’s second biggest political party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), can play an influential role in the May 2010 polls despite the resignation of its supposed standard-bearer Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero, party officials and an analyst said.
If the party can unify to support another presidential candidate, the NPC can spell that candidate’s victory, said political analyst Ramon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Economic Reform (IPER).
“They can lend weight to any presidential candidate as a major ally. If it's Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III, it will cement his victory. If it's Senator Manuel Villar, it will give him a real crack at winning,” Casiple said.
The NPC is backed by its founder and chair emeritus, businessman Eduardo 'Danding' Cojuangco, Jr., who is also chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corp. (SMC).
Reports are rife that NPC vice-presidential candidate Sen. Loren Legarda will be the running mate of Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar.
NPC secretary-general Rizal Rep. Michael John “Jack” Duavit told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak party members have yet to come up with a consensus on what to do as far the presidential election is concerned.
Loren’s consultations
NPC spokesperson Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian said Senator Legarda and party members are separately holding consultations.
“She, being the presumptive vice presidential candidate, she is doing her own consultations. We will all sit down later together to decide,” Gatchalian said.
In an emergency meeting following Escudero’s announcement last October 28 that he was leaving the party, the NPC agreed to keep “all options open” in 2010. They also reiterated support for Legarda's vice-presidential bid.
Swing vote?
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, chairman of the NPC's political task force, is in favor of coalescing with other parties.
“We believe very strongly, if we take a consolidated position from the NPC originals, the new adherents, and other prospective allies, we can deliver the swing vote that will bring victory to whoever we will endorse. We have enough numbers and voting support,” he told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak in a phone interview.
If the electoral race will be a close one, the NPC can deliver a swing vote. Villafuerte estimates that the NPC can influence 20% to 30% of the voting population.
However, Casiple downplayed Villafuerte’s projections. “Not as a swing vote. They can become a major block if still unified,” he said.
Villafuerte was formerly president of President Arroyo's party, Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi). He opted not to join the merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD and planned to support the presidential bid of Escudero.
As head of NPC’s political task force, Villafuerte will be in charge of political mapping nationwide.
Free for all
But Duavit said the party may also repeat their strategy in the 2004 presidential elections, when their local politicians were given a free hand in choosing the presidential aspirant to support.
The party was split between supporting President Arroyo and the leading opposition candidate, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr..
“We’re all out for Senator Loren. There is no question about that. But as far as going for a bigger coalition, we will have to hear the sentiments of our members,” Duavit said.
Escudero’s pending decision on whether to pursue his presidential ambition in 2010 may affect the party stand, too.
Villafuerte said several members may opt to support Escudero in their individual capacities.
If the party can unify to support another presidential candidate, the NPC can spell that candidate’s victory, said political analyst Ramon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Economic Reform (IPER).
“They can lend weight to any presidential candidate as a major ally. If it's Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III, it will cement his victory. If it's Senator Manuel Villar, it will give him a real crack at winning,” Casiple said.
The NPC is backed by its founder and chair emeritus, businessman Eduardo 'Danding' Cojuangco, Jr., who is also chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corp. (SMC).
Reports are rife that NPC vice-presidential candidate Sen. Loren Legarda will be the running mate of Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar.
NPC secretary-general Rizal Rep. Michael John “Jack” Duavit told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak party members have yet to come up with a consensus on what to do as far the presidential election is concerned.
Loren’s consultations
NPC spokesperson Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian said Senator Legarda and party members are separately holding consultations.
“She, being the presumptive vice presidential candidate, she is doing her own consultations. We will all sit down later together to decide,” Gatchalian said.
In an emergency meeting following Escudero’s announcement last October 28 that he was leaving the party, the NPC agreed to keep “all options open” in 2010. They also reiterated support for Legarda's vice-presidential bid.
Swing vote?
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, chairman of the NPC's political task force, is in favor of coalescing with other parties.
“We believe very strongly, if we take a consolidated position from the NPC originals, the new adherents, and other prospective allies, we can deliver the swing vote that will bring victory to whoever we will endorse. We have enough numbers and voting support,” he told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak in a phone interview.
If the electoral race will be a close one, the NPC can deliver a swing vote. Villafuerte estimates that the NPC can influence 20% to 30% of the voting population.
However, Casiple downplayed Villafuerte’s projections. “Not as a swing vote. They can become a major block if still unified,” he said.
Villafuerte was formerly president of President Arroyo's party, Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi). He opted not to join the merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD and planned to support the presidential bid of Escudero.
As head of NPC’s political task force, Villafuerte will be in charge of political mapping nationwide.
Free for all
But Duavit said the party may also repeat their strategy in the 2004 presidential elections, when their local politicians were given a free hand in choosing the presidential aspirant to support.
The party was split between supporting President Arroyo and the leading opposition candidate, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr..
“We’re all out for Senator Loren. There is no question about that. But as far as going for a bigger coalition, we will have to hear the sentiments of our members,” Duavit said.
Escudero’s pending decision on whether to pursue his presidential ambition in 2010 may affect the party stand, too.
Villafuerte said several members may opt to support Escudero in their individual capacities.
Monday, November 2, 2009
A rumored possible running mate of now independent Senator Francis “Chiz" Escudero on Monday expressed his support for the latter’s decision to bolt the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
Senator Panfilo Lacson said Escudero’s decision to leave the NPC should be respected and emulated.
“Ako mismo ay sang-ayon at handang itaguyod ang adhikain tungo sa bagong pamamalakad sa pulitika – ang ‘people politics’ (I myself am in favor and ready to support his aspiration for new politics – for people politics)," Lacson said in a text message.
He added that Escudero’s move should not be seen as a political suicide.
“It could work both ways. Hindi political suicide na maituturing kung ang ginawa niya ay magmumulat ng kaisipan ng mga mamamayan na talikuran na ang dumi ng takbo ng pulitika sa bansa (It cannot be considered as a political suicide if his action will open the mind of the people to turn their back on dirty politicking)," the senator added.
Lacson said he himself had been a victim of dirty politics in the country, referring to his failed presidential bid in 2004 when he ran as an independent after his party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), chose to support the candidacy of Fernando Poe Jr. over him.
Both Lacson and Poe lost to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Lacson also welcomed Escudero’s statement against receiving his Priority Development Fund (PDF) allotment, more commonly known as pork barrel.
He believed the pork barrel is the main cause of corruption in the Congress and the reason some senators and congressmen refused to be on Malacanang’s bad side.
“Sana ay magsama kami ni Chiz (Escudero’s nickname) sa tuwirang hindi pagtanggap sa P200 million pork barrel para sa susunod na budget year nang sa ganun ay P400 million na ang mababawas sa budget deficit natin na pambawas din sa uutangin ng ating pamahalaan (I hope Chiz and I are on the same side each time we refuse to receive the P200 million pork barrel for the next budget year, so that the budget deficit is reduced by P400 million, which also means a reduction in our government’s debts)," Lacson said.
For his part, Escudero thanked his colleague’s “kind words and expression of support for the decision I made."
“I look forward to working with him in our common fight to rid the government of corruption and in enlightening our people that they can dream and they have a choice," he said in a text message to GMANews.TV.
He said he had not been receiving his pork barrel since he filed the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2005.
Asked if he is considering Lacson as his possible running mate in 2010 polls, Escudero said: “(I) haven’t even decided to run yet. It’s premature to discuss it."
Talks were rife that Lacson could be Escudero’s partner in next year’s polls as Lacson’s former campaign manager, Lito Banayo, is now handling the Escudero’s campaign.
In an earlier interview with GMANews.TV, Banayo said that Escudero "will definitely run" for presidency. Escudero was being groomed as the NPC's standard bearer before he resigned from the party. - Amita O. Legaspi, GMANews.TV
Senator Panfilo Lacson said Escudero’s decision to leave the NPC should be respected and emulated.
“Ako mismo ay sang-ayon at handang itaguyod ang adhikain tungo sa bagong pamamalakad sa pulitika – ang ‘people politics’ (I myself am in favor and ready to support his aspiration for new politics – for people politics)," Lacson said in a text message.
He added that Escudero’s move should not be seen as a political suicide.
“It could work both ways. Hindi political suicide na maituturing kung ang ginawa niya ay magmumulat ng kaisipan ng mga mamamayan na talikuran na ang dumi ng takbo ng pulitika sa bansa (It cannot be considered as a political suicide if his action will open the mind of the people to turn their back on dirty politicking)," the senator added.
Lacson said he himself had been a victim of dirty politics in the country, referring to his failed presidential bid in 2004 when he ran as an independent after his party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), chose to support the candidacy of Fernando Poe Jr. over him.
Both Lacson and Poe lost to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Lacson also welcomed Escudero’s statement against receiving his Priority Development Fund (PDF) allotment, more commonly known as pork barrel.
He believed the pork barrel is the main cause of corruption in the Congress and the reason some senators and congressmen refused to be on Malacanang’s bad side.
“Sana ay magsama kami ni Chiz (Escudero’s nickname) sa tuwirang hindi pagtanggap sa P200 million pork barrel para sa susunod na budget year nang sa ganun ay P400 million na ang mababawas sa budget deficit natin na pambawas din sa uutangin ng ating pamahalaan (I hope Chiz and I are on the same side each time we refuse to receive the P200 million pork barrel for the next budget year, so that the budget deficit is reduced by P400 million, which also means a reduction in our government’s debts)," Lacson said.
For his part, Escudero thanked his colleague’s “kind words and expression of support for the decision I made."
“I look forward to working with him in our common fight to rid the government of corruption and in enlightening our people that they can dream and they have a choice," he said in a text message to GMANews.TV.
He said he had not been receiving his pork barrel since he filed the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2005.
Asked if he is considering Lacson as his possible running mate in 2010 polls, Escudero said: “(I) haven’t even decided to run yet. It’s premature to discuss it."
Talks were rife that Lacson could be Escudero’s partner in next year’s polls as Lacson’s former campaign manager, Lito Banayo, is now handling the Escudero’s campaign.
In an earlier interview with GMANews.TV, Banayo said that Escudero "will definitely run" for presidency. Escudero was being groomed as the NPC's standard bearer before he resigned from the party. - Amita O. Legaspi, GMANews.TV
Saturday, October 31, 2009
No way: Legarda slams door on Escudero
MANILA, Philippines--He had not bothered to call her.
Sen. Loren Legarda, asked if there was a chance the team-up between her and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero in 2010 might still push through, indicated the possibility was practically nil.
“Will it be logical for me to continue to run with him when he left me and the NPC (Nationalist People’s Coalition) without informing us and has not communicated with me up to this time,” Legarda said.
Legarda said she last talked to Escudero about two weeks ago, and up until the last minute before he announced his decision to abandon the party on Wednesday, he had not bothered to call her.
On Oct. 23, Legarda had gone ahead and announced her bid for the vice presidency without Escudero’s presence at her Luneta rally. She hinted openly about being courted by other presidential candidates.
On Oct. 28, Escudero abruptly announced he was bolting the NPC. “It’s the presidency but not at all costs,” Escudero had said, adding: “If on your way there you will be eaten up by the system, then what for? You can’t do what needs to be done anyway.”
Legarda said Escudero, a gifted public speaker and lawyer, should know by now the implications of his actions.
The NPC is led by business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, once a crony of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and one of the richest men in the country.
“I expect him to know the ramifications of his actions,” said Legarda, echoing reports reaching the NPC that Escudero would be teaming up with Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former military officer.
“I have not heard from Senator Chiz from the time that he left the party, so I don’t know about his official plans. As I’ve said, I respect his decision and I wish him well,” Legarda said.
As for speculation the NPC would still support Escudero’s presidential run, Legarda said party leaders were “still in the process of consultation.”
“At the proper time our political alliances that would be based on my platform will be revealed,” she said.
She refused to say if she had given her nod to Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., the standard-bearer of the Nacionalista Party, who has not announced a running mate.
Until Wednesday, Legarda said she had no inkling whatsoever that Escudero, then the presumptive standard-bearer of the NPC, would bolt the party, leaving her without a presidential running mate.
In a phone interview yesterday, NPC spokesperson Rep. Rex Gatchalian denied he had said the NPC would support Escudero even after he left the party.
Gatchalian said that “to set things straight” he did not utter “verbatim” the words attributed to him.
He was quoted as saying: “His departure, while shocking, does not mean an end to his ties with our members … Anything is possible including the NPC eventually supporting him as president.”
“How can I say that when right now, we’re still consulting our members? I do not wish to preempt the consultation process,” he said.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Sen. Loren Legarda, asked if there was a chance the team-up between her and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero in 2010 might still push through, indicated the possibility was practically nil.
“Will it be logical for me to continue to run with him when he left me and the NPC (Nationalist People’s Coalition) without informing us and has not communicated with me up to this time,” Legarda said.
Legarda said she last talked to Escudero about two weeks ago, and up until the last minute before he announced his decision to abandon the party on Wednesday, he had not bothered to call her.
On Oct. 23, Legarda had gone ahead and announced her bid for the vice presidency without Escudero’s presence at her Luneta rally. She hinted openly about being courted by other presidential candidates.
On Oct. 28, Escudero abruptly announced he was bolting the NPC. “It’s the presidency but not at all costs,” Escudero had said, adding: “If on your way there you will be eaten up by the system, then what for? You can’t do what needs to be done anyway.”
Legarda said Escudero, a gifted public speaker and lawyer, should know by now the implications of his actions.
The NPC is led by business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, once a crony of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and one of the richest men in the country.
“I expect him to know the ramifications of his actions,” said Legarda, echoing reports reaching the NPC that Escudero would be teaming up with Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former military officer.
“I have not heard from Senator Chiz from the time that he left the party, so I don’t know about his official plans. As I’ve said, I respect his decision and I wish him well,” Legarda said.
As for speculation the NPC would still support Escudero’s presidential run, Legarda said party leaders were “still in the process of consultation.”
“At the proper time our political alliances that would be based on my platform will be revealed,” she said.
She refused to say if she had given her nod to Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., the standard-bearer of the Nacionalista Party, who has not announced a running mate.
Until Wednesday, Legarda said she had no inkling whatsoever that Escudero, then the presumptive standard-bearer of the NPC, would bolt the party, leaving her without a presidential running mate.
In a phone interview yesterday, NPC spokesperson Rep. Rex Gatchalian denied he had said the NPC would support Escudero even after he left the party.
Gatchalian said that “to set things straight” he did not utter “verbatim” the words attributed to him.
He was quoted as saying: “His departure, while shocking, does not mean an end to his ties with our members … Anything is possible including the NPC eventually supporting him as president.”
“How can I say that when right now, we’re still consulting our members? I do not wish to preempt the consultation process,” he said.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Workers welcome Escudero’s pro-labor stands
MANILA, Philippines—Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s break from big business and his avowed pro-labor and pro-people stands on specific issues makes him a viable presidential candidate, the militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno said in a statement.
“In the context of the rotten and elitist party system in the Philippines, Chiz is saying the right thing. He has consistently taken pro-people stands during Arroyo’s reign, but we have always had this reservation that he is being controlled by Mr. Cojuangco,” said KMU chairman Elmer Labog of Escudero’s resignation from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), which was founded by business tycoon and former Marcos crony Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.
KMU praised Escudero for his stand against labor contractualization and the Oil Deregulation Law.
Labor contractualization is a chief form by which “capitalists exploit workers,” and while the Oil Deregulation Law allows the oil cartel “to suck the Filipinos dry,” Labog said.
“His record in actively opposing Gloria’s lying, stealing, and cheating regime already sets a standard by which other candidates should be measured. His recent statements raise the bar even higher. Slogans of ‘change’ should be anchored on a concrete record of opposing this anti-people regime and on concrete stands on issues,” he said, referring to the President by her given name.
While the labor center has still not cast its lot with any specific presidential candidate, Labog said the KMU and other progressive organizations are still holding dialogues with candidates and deliberating among themselves about the possibility of endorsing a candidate in the coming 2010 elections.
“Pro-people and pro-worker stands and a willingness to cooperate with progressive organizations are our main considerations. With his statements, Chiz is back on the agenda,” Labog said.
On analyses that Escudero may have committed political suicide with his departure from the NPC, the KMU chief said he believes otherwise.
“We believe that he has just revived his presidential campaign with his stands,” Labog said noting that other presidential aspirants should follow suit in clarifying their stands on issues “close to the heart of the people.”
Source: INQUIRER.net
“In the context of the rotten and elitist party system in the Philippines, Chiz is saying the right thing. He has consistently taken pro-people stands during Arroyo’s reign, but we have always had this reservation that he is being controlled by Mr. Cojuangco,” said KMU chairman Elmer Labog of Escudero’s resignation from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), which was founded by business tycoon and former Marcos crony Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.
KMU praised Escudero for his stand against labor contractualization and the Oil Deregulation Law.
Labor contractualization is a chief form by which “capitalists exploit workers,” and while the Oil Deregulation Law allows the oil cartel “to suck the Filipinos dry,” Labog said.
“His record in actively opposing Gloria’s lying, stealing, and cheating regime already sets a standard by which other candidates should be measured. His recent statements raise the bar even higher. Slogans of ‘change’ should be anchored on a concrete record of opposing this anti-people regime and on concrete stands on issues,” he said, referring to the President by her given name.
While the labor center has still not cast its lot with any specific presidential candidate, Labog said the KMU and other progressive organizations are still holding dialogues with candidates and deliberating among themselves about the possibility of endorsing a candidate in the coming 2010 elections.
“Pro-people and pro-worker stands and a willingness to cooperate with progressive organizations are our main considerations. With his statements, Chiz is back on the agenda,” Labog said.
On analyses that Escudero may have committed political suicide with his departure from the NPC, the KMU chief said he believes otherwise.
“We believe that he has just revived his presidential campaign with his stands,” Labog said noting that other presidential aspirants should follow suit in clarifying their stands on issues “close to the heart of the people.”
Source: INQUIRER.net
Erap to stick with Binay
Former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada, standard-bearer of the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP)-Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP)-Laban coalition, will not drop Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay as his running mate to give way to Senator Loren Legarda in the vice presidential race in the May, 2010 elections.
“It would be difficult for me to take Senator Loren because I and my party have already committed ourselves to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay to be my running mate,” Estrada said.
Estrada issued the statement in the wake of speculations that Legarda, a known opposition figure in the Senate, will team up with the former president after her party mate – Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero – left the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) last October 26 to do away with party decisions and let himself decide on his future political plans.
Political observers noted that Legarda, a staunch campaigner of environmental protection programs, is far better off than Binay in terms of survey results among vice presidential bets.
“And besides, we have already established a coalition between my party, PMP, and the PDP-Laban and there is no good reason to break this alliance,” the 72-year-old Estrada emphasized.
Shortly after Escudero, 40, decided to bolt the NPC, Legarda announced that she will pursue her vice presidential bid under the same political organization “with or without a presidential tandem.”
Faustino Dy Jr., NPC chairman, and party mate Rep. Mark Cojuangco of Tarlac expressed their full support to Legarda’s vice presidential aspiration.
Both Dy and Cojuangco, son of NPC chairman emeritus and influential businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., also declared that they will push through with their line up for the May, 2010 polls even if they fail to choose a formidable standard-bearer.
Escudero, who first joined the NPC in 1998 when he ran for a seat in Congress, forged an alliance with Estrada’s group in supporting the candidacy of the late movie king Fernando Poe Jr. when he ran in the May, 2004 presidential derby.
When asked about his reaction on Chiz’s resignation from the NPC, Erap said: “It is something internal between his party and himself. We have to respect his decision.”
Meanwhile, medical experts gave Estrada, considered the most senior among the presidential hopefuls in next year’s election, a clean bill of health to be able to survive the rigors of the campaign trail in the May, 2010 polls.
Estrada, now 72 years old, said his doctors from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Greenhills, San Juan, have given him the “go signal” to engage in political activities after he was subjected to an extensive check-up less than a month ago.
“It would be difficult for me to take Senator Loren because I and my party have already committed ourselves to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay to be my running mate,” Estrada said.
Estrada issued the statement in the wake of speculations that Legarda, a known opposition figure in the Senate, will team up with the former president after her party mate – Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero – left the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) last October 26 to do away with party decisions and let himself decide on his future political plans.
Political observers noted that Legarda, a staunch campaigner of environmental protection programs, is far better off than Binay in terms of survey results among vice presidential bets.
“And besides, we have already established a coalition between my party, PMP, and the PDP-Laban and there is no good reason to break this alliance,” the 72-year-old Estrada emphasized.
Shortly after Escudero, 40, decided to bolt the NPC, Legarda announced that she will pursue her vice presidential bid under the same political organization “with or without a presidential tandem.”
Faustino Dy Jr., NPC chairman, and party mate Rep. Mark Cojuangco of Tarlac expressed their full support to Legarda’s vice presidential aspiration.
Both Dy and Cojuangco, son of NPC chairman emeritus and influential businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., also declared that they will push through with their line up for the May, 2010 polls even if they fail to choose a formidable standard-bearer.
Escudero, who first joined the NPC in 1998 when he ran for a seat in Congress, forged an alliance with Estrada’s group in supporting the candidacy of the late movie king Fernando Poe Jr. when he ran in the May, 2004 presidential derby.
When asked about his reaction on Chiz’s resignation from the NPC, Erap said: “It is something internal between his party and himself. We have to respect his decision.”
Meanwhile, medical experts gave Estrada, considered the most senior among the presidential hopefuls in next year’s election, a clean bill of health to be able to survive the rigors of the campaign trail in the May, 2010 polls.
Estrada, now 72 years old, said his doctors from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Greenhills, San Juan, have given him the “go signal” to engage in political activities after he was subjected to an extensive check-up less than a month ago.
Comelec: No listup extension save for those in line
MANILA, Philippines--The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it would not extend the deadline for the registration of new voters, but would process next week the applications of those who were in line but could not be accommodated due to the blackouts that hit Luzon Saturday.
Comelec Chair Jose Melo said he had received reports that local election offices in “Metro Manila and southern Luzon” were unable to process the registration applications of eligible voters because of the power outages caused by Typhoon “Santi.”
In consideration of the applicants who had lined up to register despite the typhoon, Melo said the Comelec en banc had directed local election officers to collect the registrants’ forms and list down their names.
The applicants can then come back on Tuesday to have their biometric data recorded on the data capturing machine.
But Melo ruled out any extension of the Oct. 31 deadline.
Several groups have been seeking an extension of the voter registration deadline.
“Those who were listed are the ones who can apply on Tuesday. If they don’t appear, then they won’t be able to register,” Melo said.
“No more special registration,” he added.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said applicants should make sure their forms have the stamp of the election officer, a sign that they were in line on Saturday.
Otherwise, they would not be entertained on Tuesday, he said.
In other regions not affected by Santi, the registration ended on Saturday at midnight, Melo said.
The last week of registration saw local election offices swamped with last-minute registrants who want to participate in the May 2010 national elections.
To accommodate more applicants, the Comelec extended the office hours of local election offices and ordered them to work on weekends.
As of July, the Comelec said it had removed about five million dead voters and multiple registrants and added nearly 3 million voters to the list.
The Comelec said it expected 48 million registered voters at the end of the registration period.
In Baguio City, exhausted employees of the Comelec reported an increase of people lining up to register Saturday, the last day of registration for new voters.
A few of the people told the Inquirer that they were sent there by their barangay captains.
But the Comelec employees just smiled, apologized to the crowd of villagers and then turned them away.
“We’re looking forward to sleeping on All Saints’ Day,” said lawyer Modesto Bahul, Baguio election officer.
The seven employees manning the makeshift registration area at the Baguio Convention Center had been struggling through the days with only five hours of sleep, Bahul said. With a report from Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon
Comelec Chair Jose Melo said he had received reports that local election offices in “Metro Manila and southern Luzon” were unable to process the registration applications of eligible voters because of the power outages caused by Typhoon “Santi.”
In consideration of the applicants who had lined up to register despite the typhoon, Melo said the Comelec en banc had directed local election officers to collect the registrants’ forms and list down their names.
The applicants can then come back on Tuesday to have their biometric data recorded on the data capturing machine.
But Melo ruled out any extension of the Oct. 31 deadline.
Several groups have been seeking an extension of the voter registration deadline.
“Those who were listed are the ones who can apply on Tuesday. If they don’t appear, then they won’t be able to register,” Melo said.
“No more special registration,” he added.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said applicants should make sure their forms have the stamp of the election officer, a sign that they were in line on Saturday.
Otherwise, they would not be entertained on Tuesday, he said.
In other regions not affected by Santi, the registration ended on Saturday at midnight, Melo said.
The last week of registration saw local election offices swamped with last-minute registrants who want to participate in the May 2010 national elections.
To accommodate more applicants, the Comelec extended the office hours of local election offices and ordered them to work on weekends.
As of July, the Comelec said it had removed about five million dead voters and multiple registrants and added nearly 3 million voters to the list.
The Comelec said it expected 48 million registered voters at the end of the registration period.
In Baguio City, exhausted employees of the Comelec reported an increase of people lining up to register Saturday, the last day of registration for new voters.
A few of the people told the Inquirer that they were sent there by their barangay captains.
But the Comelec employees just smiled, apologized to the crowd of villagers and then turned them away.
“We’re looking forward to sleeping on All Saints’ Day,” said lawyer Modesto Bahul, Baguio election officer.
The seven employees manning the makeshift registration area at the Baguio Convention Center had been struggling through the days with only five hours of sleep, Bahul said. With a report from Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon
Friday, October 30, 2009
'Santi' forces 'extension' of voters' registration
No thanks to Typhoon Santi, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was forced to extend its registration for the 2010 elections by a day, at least for areas affected by power outages.
Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said power outages caused by Santi rendered useless their registration centers, which rely on electricity-powered data capture machines.
“Nakapagbigay tayo ng order sa affected areas lalo sa walang kuryente yung mga taong nariyan bibigyan sila ng form, lista nila. These people can come back sa Martes, ang kanilang registration bibigyan ng bisa (I ordered registration centers in affected areas)," Melo said in an interview on dzRH radio.
The Comelec had initially set to midnight Saturday the deadline for voters’ registration for the 2010 polls. The early deadline is in preparation for the country’s first automated polls.
Melo said registrants will then return to the registration centers on Tuesday to complete the process, which includes taking their biometric data such as digital photos.
Comelec registration centers affected by the power outages will be open until midnight Tuesday to accommodate the "late" registrants, he said.
But Melo stressed those who are given the forms will have to return on Tuesday, as the forms they will get on Saturday do not automatically make them registered voters.
“Kailangan nila magbalik pero kung di sila bumalik 'di sila makapa-register (They have to return on Tuesday, else they will not be able to register)," he said.
Meanwhile, he said he also instructed Comelec registration center personnel not to leave their posts, and to accommodate registrants once power is restored within the day.
“Kung ma-restore ang power natin at anytime today ang Comelec people tatanggapin ang gusto mag-register (Once power is restored, Comelec personnel should accommodate those who want to register)," he said.
Meanwhile, Melo said downplayed a petition lodged before the Supreme Court to have the Comelec extend the registration to January 1.
While he said the Comelec will respect the Supreme Court’s decision, he warned there will be no time to prepare the voters’ lists for automation.
“We will respect the Supreme Court’s decision but if we extend this to January our Board of Election Inspectors will have no lists to work with, and voters will not know their assignments," he said. - GMANews.TV
Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said power outages caused by Santi rendered useless their registration centers, which rely on electricity-powered data capture machines.
“Nakapagbigay tayo ng order sa affected areas lalo sa walang kuryente yung mga taong nariyan bibigyan sila ng form, lista nila. These people can come back sa Martes, ang kanilang registration bibigyan ng bisa (I ordered registration centers in affected areas)," Melo said in an interview on dzRH radio.
The Comelec had initially set to midnight Saturday the deadline for voters’ registration for the 2010 polls. The early deadline is in preparation for the country’s first automated polls.
Melo said registrants will then return to the registration centers on Tuesday to complete the process, which includes taking their biometric data such as digital photos.
Comelec registration centers affected by the power outages will be open until midnight Tuesday to accommodate the "late" registrants, he said.
But Melo stressed those who are given the forms will have to return on Tuesday, as the forms they will get on Saturday do not automatically make them registered voters.
“Kailangan nila magbalik pero kung di sila bumalik 'di sila makapa-register (They have to return on Tuesday, else they will not be able to register)," he said.
Meanwhile, he said he also instructed Comelec registration center personnel not to leave their posts, and to accommodate registrants once power is restored within the day.
“Kung ma-restore ang power natin at anytime today ang Comelec people tatanggapin ang gusto mag-register (Once power is restored, Comelec personnel should accommodate those who want to register)," he said.
Meanwhile, Melo said downplayed a petition lodged before the Supreme Court to have the Comelec extend the registration to January 1.
While he said the Comelec will respect the Supreme Court’s decision, he warned there will be no time to prepare the voters’ lists for automation.
“We will respect the Supreme Court’s decision but if we extend this to January our Board of Election Inspectors will have no lists to work with, and voters will not know their assignments," he said. - GMANews.TV
2016 NOT AN OPTION Chiz: Presidency or nothing
MANILA, Philippines – It’s the presidency or nothing for Sen. Francis Escudero.
Escudero, who made the improbable decision to bolt the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), said he was running for the highest post, ending speculations that he would be willing to run as the No. 2 to one of the presidential aspirants.
“It’s the presidency but not at all cost,” Escudero said in a phone interview Friday.
“If on your way there you will be eaten up by the system then what for? You can’t do what needs to be done anyway,” he said, by way of explaining his sudden decision to quit the second largest political party in the country and run for president as an independent.
Dismissing doubts about his chances without a political party vehicle, he dared his rivals to do the same.
“They should ask themselves that same question. For example, can they take a position vs pork barrel, can they openly fight contractualization?” he said.
Escudero shocked his party mates when he resigned last Wednesday from the NPC, which had been grooming him for months to be its standard-bearer for 2010, in order to ponder whether he should run for the presidency without a party.
Window of opportunity
A Waray party-list member Florencio Noel, a friend of Escudero, said his friend has not given a thought to running for vice president and that waiting for 2016 was an unlikely option.
“Another Chiz could emerge in the next six years and his window of opportunity would have passed him by,” said Noel.
If anyone could run an independent campaign, Noel said Escudero was the best man to do it based on his resilient popularity, especially among the youth.
Noel said Escudero has gained more followers in resigning from the NPC.
“There is no bad blood between him and his former party-mates. He gained a lot of elbow room to pursue his dream of being the president of this country,” said Noel.
Indeed, NPC spokesperson Rep. Rex Gatchalian said the NPC could still support Escudero should he decide to run for president.
“His departure, while shocking, does not mean an end to his ties with our members whom he worked with fondly all these years. Anything is possible including NPC eventually supporting him as president,” he said.
Gatchalian said the NPC would field a complete team, from the vice president (Sen. Loren Legarda) down to city and town councilors in 2010.
Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, the son of Eduardo Cojuangco, the founder and chair emeritus of the NPC, remains an avid supporter of Escudero despite his abrupt departure from the party.
“Speaking purely for myself, Chiz has not changed because he left us. He is still the same person, who stands for the same set of principles, who has the same aspirations for the people, that he had one week ago. I thought that he would make a great president then. Why would he not make a great president now?,” Cojuangco said in a text message.
Biding its time
With its mind-set on snagging Legarda for its own vice presidential candidate, the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD is giving the NPC all the time to regroup but not forget that a possible coalition is on the table.
The NPC is still licking its wounds after losing presumptive presidential candidate, and the ruling party isn’t rushing it to go to the table, said Prospero Pichay, Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice president for accreditation and membership.
“He [Escudero] has just announced that he was bolting the party. They’re still trying to assess their position,” he said.
According to Pichay, informal talks among House legislators for a national coalition between the ruling party and the NPC were going on but have not progressed to the next level.
“There are informal talks, but we’ve not sat down for the formal talks. The congressmen are still talking,” he said.
But once the NPC gives the go-signal for formal talks, Lakas-Kampi-CMD is ready to draw up “concrete talking points” for a coalition, which for now is merely confined to the House of Representatives, he said.
Not an option
But Cojuangco said that while the NPC was still studying its options post-Escudero, merging with another political party was not being considered.
“In any and all cases, we will retain our identity. Merger is not an option,” he said.
Cojuangco also denied that the NPC was now open to poaching by other political parties.
“There is no indication of such. Again, it is speculation. All parties will have some realignments because of preference, but we have a solid core that is thoroughly NPC,” he said.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Escudero, who made the improbable decision to bolt the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), said he was running for the highest post, ending speculations that he would be willing to run as the No. 2 to one of the presidential aspirants.
“It’s the presidency but not at all cost,” Escudero said in a phone interview Friday.
“If on your way there you will be eaten up by the system then what for? You can’t do what needs to be done anyway,” he said, by way of explaining his sudden decision to quit the second largest political party in the country and run for president as an independent.
Dismissing doubts about his chances without a political party vehicle, he dared his rivals to do the same.
“They should ask themselves that same question. For example, can they take a position vs pork barrel, can they openly fight contractualization?” he said.
Escudero shocked his party mates when he resigned last Wednesday from the NPC, which had been grooming him for months to be its standard-bearer for 2010, in order to ponder whether he should run for the presidency without a party.
Window of opportunity
A Waray party-list member Florencio Noel, a friend of Escudero, said his friend has not given a thought to running for vice president and that waiting for 2016 was an unlikely option.
“Another Chiz could emerge in the next six years and his window of opportunity would have passed him by,” said Noel.
If anyone could run an independent campaign, Noel said Escudero was the best man to do it based on his resilient popularity, especially among the youth.
Noel said Escudero has gained more followers in resigning from the NPC.
“There is no bad blood between him and his former party-mates. He gained a lot of elbow room to pursue his dream of being the president of this country,” said Noel.
Indeed, NPC spokesperson Rep. Rex Gatchalian said the NPC could still support Escudero should he decide to run for president.
“His departure, while shocking, does not mean an end to his ties with our members whom he worked with fondly all these years. Anything is possible including NPC eventually supporting him as president,” he said.
Gatchalian said the NPC would field a complete team, from the vice president (Sen. Loren Legarda) down to city and town councilors in 2010.
Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, the son of Eduardo Cojuangco, the founder and chair emeritus of the NPC, remains an avid supporter of Escudero despite his abrupt departure from the party.
“Speaking purely for myself, Chiz has not changed because he left us. He is still the same person, who stands for the same set of principles, who has the same aspirations for the people, that he had one week ago. I thought that he would make a great president then. Why would he not make a great president now?,” Cojuangco said in a text message.
Biding its time
With its mind-set on snagging Legarda for its own vice presidential candidate, the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD is giving the NPC all the time to regroup but not forget that a possible coalition is on the table.
The NPC is still licking its wounds after losing presumptive presidential candidate, and the ruling party isn’t rushing it to go to the table, said Prospero Pichay, Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice president for accreditation and membership.
“He [Escudero] has just announced that he was bolting the party. They’re still trying to assess their position,” he said.
According to Pichay, informal talks among House legislators for a national coalition between the ruling party and the NPC were going on but have not progressed to the next level.
“There are informal talks, but we’ve not sat down for the formal talks. The congressmen are still talking,” he said.
But once the NPC gives the go-signal for formal talks, Lakas-Kampi-CMD is ready to draw up “concrete talking points” for a coalition, which for now is merely confined to the House of Representatives, he said.
Not an option
But Cojuangco said that while the NPC was still studying its options post-Escudero, merging with another political party was not being considered.
“In any and all cases, we will retain our identity. Merger is not an option,” he said.
Cojuangco also denied that the NPC was now open to poaching by other political parties.
“There is no indication of such. Again, it is speculation. All parties will have some realignments because of preference, but we have a solid core that is thoroughly NPC,” he said.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
If you run, quit, UP prof dares GMA
MANILA, Philippines – Resign if you’re running for public office.
To level the playing field, President Macapagal-Arroyo should resign from the presidency and hand over power once she files her certificate of candidacy (CoC) to run for a seat in Congress, University of the Philippines Professor Randy David said Friday.
If Ms Arroyo opts to stay in Malacañang after filing her CoC, David said he would rather forgo his planned run, and mount a national crusade to expose Ms Arroyo’s “scheme’’ at self-perpetuation and campaign against local and national candidates allied with her.
“She has to be prepared, out of a sense of propriety and decency, to give up power and allow the vice president to be acting president after she files her certificate of candidacy,’’ he told the Inquirer by phone.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 8678 issued this week, Ms Arroyo can participate in next year’s congressional election in her hometown in Pampanga without first having to resign the presidency.
David, a professor at the UP College of Social Science and Philosophy, had declared he would challenge Ms Arroyo if she seeks a congressional seat in Pampanga’s second district to keep her grip on power.
Ms Arroyo has been making nearly weekly visits to her hometown of Lubao and other parts of the second district, fueling speculations she was barnstorming for her candidacy.
On Friday afternoon, she motored to Guagua for a climate change briefing, the so-called Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Day of the Common Tao and the inspection of the barangay road improvement projects, shrugging off the speculations.
“That’s speculative,’’ Press Secretary Cerge Remonde curtly said when asked about the challenge posed by David.
Ms Arroyo’s ally, Prospero Pichay of the Local Water Utilities Administration argued that the President has the mandate to serve until June 30, 2010.
David said that if ever he decides to file his CoC, he would quit from his work in UP and give up his column at the Inquirer.
Undue advantage
“I expect her to step down from the presidency, and give up her powers and control over resources that she has been using in the last five months to control the political field in Pampanga,’’ he said.
Unless she does that, Ms Arroyo will have an undue advantage over David, who said that once he files his CoC, he’s prohibited from campaigning and is virtually “gagged’’ until the campaign period starts in late March.
A militant group yesterday said it wasn’t true that Pampanga folk were clamoring for President Arroyo to run for Congress, as claimed by Malacañang spokespersons.
“That’s a bit of a stretch. It’s as if the Palace spokesmen are from another planet... People would rather clamor for another typhoon than clamor for Mrs. Arroyo to run for office again,” said Renato M. Reyes Jr., secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).
Bayan said this was probably “a crude way of conditioning people to accept” Ms Arroyo’s reported bid to stay in public office.
“It [also] shows that Mrs. Arroyo is going to do everything to buy herself some immunity or protection from suit once she is no longer President,” Reyes said.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
To level the playing field, President Macapagal-Arroyo should resign from the presidency and hand over power once she files her certificate of candidacy (CoC) to run for a seat in Congress, University of the Philippines Professor Randy David said Friday.
If Ms Arroyo opts to stay in Malacañang after filing her CoC, David said he would rather forgo his planned run, and mount a national crusade to expose Ms Arroyo’s “scheme’’ at self-perpetuation and campaign against local and national candidates allied with her.
“She has to be prepared, out of a sense of propriety and decency, to give up power and allow the vice president to be acting president after she files her certificate of candidacy,’’ he told the Inquirer by phone.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 8678 issued this week, Ms Arroyo can participate in next year’s congressional election in her hometown in Pampanga without first having to resign the presidency.
David, a professor at the UP College of Social Science and Philosophy, had declared he would challenge Ms Arroyo if she seeks a congressional seat in Pampanga’s second district to keep her grip on power.
Ms Arroyo has been making nearly weekly visits to her hometown of Lubao and other parts of the second district, fueling speculations she was barnstorming for her candidacy.
On Friday afternoon, she motored to Guagua for a climate change briefing, the so-called Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Day of the Common Tao and the inspection of the barangay road improvement projects, shrugging off the speculations.
“That’s speculative,’’ Press Secretary Cerge Remonde curtly said when asked about the challenge posed by David.
Ms Arroyo’s ally, Prospero Pichay of the Local Water Utilities Administration argued that the President has the mandate to serve until June 30, 2010.
David said that if ever he decides to file his CoC, he would quit from his work in UP and give up his column at the Inquirer.
Undue advantage
“I expect her to step down from the presidency, and give up her powers and control over resources that she has been using in the last five months to control the political field in Pampanga,’’ he said.
Unless she does that, Ms Arroyo will have an undue advantage over David, who said that once he files his CoC, he’s prohibited from campaigning and is virtually “gagged’’ until the campaign period starts in late March.
A militant group yesterday said it wasn’t true that Pampanga folk were clamoring for President Arroyo to run for Congress, as claimed by Malacañang spokespersons.
“That’s a bit of a stretch. It’s as if the Palace spokesmen are from another planet... People would rather clamor for another typhoon than clamor for Mrs. Arroyo to run for office again,” said Renato M. Reyes Jr., secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).
Bayan said this was probably “a crude way of conditioning people to accept” Ms Arroyo’s reported bid to stay in public office.
“It [also] shows that Mrs. Arroyo is going to do everything to buy herself some immunity or protection from suit once she is no longer President,” Reyes said.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Poll exclusion of young voters
By Amando Doronila
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Up to a million voters face exclusion from the May 2010 election unless the registration of new voters speeds up to catch the registration deadline on Saturday.
Ten days before the deadline, Comelec Chair Jose Melo admitted that only 2.8 million of the 4 million new voters had registered, raising fears that new entrants to the electoral roll, composed mainly of young voters who have reached the voting age of 18, would be disfranchised. The Catholic Church-sponsored Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting said last week that it would be able to have 3 million voters registered, on top of the 2.8 million, but Comelec resources are stretched, and thousands who have trooped to its field offices to sign up have been turned back and told to try because, according to Comelec officials, the Comelec has run out of registration documents and their data capturing machines (DCM) often broke down.
The DCM, which records the voter’s fingerprints, photograph and pertinent information, can only process 300 applications a day. This shortage has caused longer queues that started to build up since the voter registration started on Dec. 2 last year. The Comelec has started blaming voters for enrolling at the last hour. “The problem with some of us is that we wait until the last minute,” Melo said.
Non-governmental groups have been campaigning for a larger registration of young voters to give them a more influential voice in the country’s next generation of leaders.
Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Richard Gordon and Francis Pangilinan have expressed concern over the possible exclusion of a huge chunk of voters, pointing out that only about 200,000 people could register now at the rate the Comelec is processing the applications.
The large turnout, albeit at the last hour, is one indication of the high level of interest among the young in politics as the country moves toward electing a new generation of leaders. As of last July, the Comelec reported 45 million registered voters, and it expects 48 million registered voters in the May 2010 election. The demographic breakdown of the national population in 2000, according to age, reveals a young electoral base. Of the total population of 76,504,077, there were 7 million in the 20-24 age group; 6 million in the 25-29 age group; 5.5 million in the 30-34 age group; 5 million in the 35-39 group; 4.1 million in the 40-44 age group; and 3.3 million in the 45-49 age group.
The exclusion of a large segment of young voters from electoral participation could spark frustration and cynicism among the youth over the electoral process as a medium for political renewal at a time when there is an apparent clamor for a leadership change spearheaded by young and idealistic people.
While the Comelec does not appear to be up to the task of opening up the electoral list to young entrants, it has struck a blow to a devious attempt of young rebellious military officers to enter the political stream through the electoral route. In a recent resolution, the Comelec rejected an application of Magdalo, a group of soldiers who staged a coup in July 2003 against the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to launch a political party and seek legislative and local positions in the May election.
The coup, led by Navy Lt. Antonio Trillanes IV, was crushed after the dissident soldiers seized the Oakwood Hotel in the heart of the Makati business center. The coup makers have been imprisoned, but its ring leader, Trillanes, ran for senator in 2007, and won, but the Supreme Court barred him from taking his Senate seat. In its resolution, the Comelec pointed out that the Magdalo group undermined civilian supremacy over the military. The resolution said there was no assurance that its leaders would not engage in another mutiny.
“All the foregoing show that the principal founders of the Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago Party remain unrepentant and that they still harbor the propensity to engage in another illegal adventure similar to the failed 2003 Oakwood (mutiny) should they fail again to achieve their goal,” the decision said.
Nicodemo Ferrer, presiding commissioner of the Comelec’s Second Division, said the poll body was concerned about the fact that majority of the group’s members were former military officers, and feared the group could use a “political party status to recruit and indoctrinate disciplined followers who may become their blind followers.”
Magdalo is fielding two jailed senior officers, an Army general and a Marine colonel who figured in another coup attempt against the Arroyo government in February 2005, and four junior officers for congressional and local government posts. This is the first time that dissident soldiers have formed a political party to enter the parliamentary stream, although a number of officers engaged in coup attempts against the government of President Corazon Aquino had been elected individually to government positions, notably former Col. Gregorio Honasan, who was elected to the Senate. Honasan, a leader of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), led several coup attempts against the Aquino government from 1986 to 1989. His election to the Senate did not seem to have dampened his ardor for plotting coups, and did not stop him from acting as adviser to the Magdalo group during its coup attempts.
This record was not lost on the Comelec when it decided not to take any risks by giving legitimacy to the Magdalo Party to enter the parliamentary stream.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Up to a million voters face exclusion from the May 2010 election unless the registration of new voters speeds up to catch the registration deadline on Saturday.
Ten days before the deadline, Comelec Chair Jose Melo admitted that only 2.8 million of the 4 million new voters had registered, raising fears that new entrants to the electoral roll, composed mainly of young voters who have reached the voting age of 18, would be disfranchised. The Catholic Church-sponsored Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting said last week that it would be able to have 3 million voters registered, on top of the 2.8 million, but Comelec resources are stretched, and thousands who have trooped to its field offices to sign up have been turned back and told to try because, according to Comelec officials, the Comelec has run out of registration documents and their data capturing machines (DCM) often broke down.
The DCM, which records the voter’s fingerprints, photograph and pertinent information, can only process 300 applications a day. This shortage has caused longer queues that started to build up since the voter registration started on Dec. 2 last year. The Comelec has started blaming voters for enrolling at the last hour. “The problem with some of us is that we wait until the last minute,” Melo said.
Non-governmental groups have been campaigning for a larger registration of young voters to give them a more influential voice in the country’s next generation of leaders.
Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Richard Gordon and Francis Pangilinan have expressed concern over the possible exclusion of a huge chunk of voters, pointing out that only about 200,000 people could register now at the rate the Comelec is processing the applications.
The large turnout, albeit at the last hour, is one indication of the high level of interest among the young in politics as the country moves toward electing a new generation of leaders. As of last July, the Comelec reported 45 million registered voters, and it expects 48 million registered voters in the May 2010 election. The demographic breakdown of the national population in 2000, according to age, reveals a young electoral base. Of the total population of 76,504,077, there were 7 million in the 20-24 age group; 6 million in the 25-29 age group; 5.5 million in the 30-34 age group; 5 million in the 35-39 group; 4.1 million in the 40-44 age group; and 3.3 million in the 45-49 age group.
The exclusion of a large segment of young voters from electoral participation could spark frustration and cynicism among the youth over the electoral process as a medium for political renewal at a time when there is an apparent clamor for a leadership change spearheaded by young and idealistic people.
While the Comelec does not appear to be up to the task of opening up the electoral list to young entrants, it has struck a blow to a devious attempt of young rebellious military officers to enter the political stream through the electoral route. In a recent resolution, the Comelec rejected an application of Magdalo, a group of soldiers who staged a coup in July 2003 against the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to launch a political party and seek legislative and local positions in the May election.
The coup, led by Navy Lt. Antonio Trillanes IV, was crushed after the dissident soldiers seized the Oakwood Hotel in the heart of the Makati business center. The coup makers have been imprisoned, but its ring leader, Trillanes, ran for senator in 2007, and won, but the Supreme Court barred him from taking his Senate seat. In its resolution, the Comelec pointed out that the Magdalo group undermined civilian supremacy over the military. The resolution said there was no assurance that its leaders would not engage in another mutiny.
“All the foregoing show that the principal founders of the Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago Party remain unrepentant and that they still harbor the propensity to engage in another illegal adventure similar to the failed 2003 Oakwood (mutiny) should they fail again to achieve their goal,” the decision said.
Nicodemo Ferrer, presiding commissioner of the Comelec’s Second Division, said the poll body was concerned about the fact that majority of the group’s members were former military officers, and feared the group could use a “political party status to recruit and indoctrinate disciplined followers who may become their blind followers.”
Magdalo is fielding two jailed senior officers, an Army general and a Marine colonel who figured in another coup attempt against the Arroyo government in February 2005, and four junior officers for congressional and local government posts. This is the first time that dissident soldiers have formed a political party to enter the parliamentary stream, although a number of officers engaged in coup attempts against the government of President Corazon Aquino had been elected individually to government positions, notably former Col. Gregorio Honasan, who was elected to the Senate. Honasan, a leader of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), led several coup attempts against the Aquino government from 1986 to 1989. His election to the Senate did not seem to have dampened his ardor for plotting coups, and did not stop him from acting as adviser to the Magdalo group during its coup attempts.
This record was not lost on the Comelec when it decided not to take any risks by giving legitimacy to the Magdalo Party to enter the parliamentary stream.
Villar hints on possible running mate
With barely a month before the deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy, Nationalista Party President Senator Manny Villar said his party is still in the stage of searching for his possible running mate in the May 2010 polls but reiterated his willingness to accept any potential vice presidential candidate including Senators Loren Legarda and Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
“There is a committee in our party (NP) that will study, finalize and select my possible running mate,” Villar said in response to a question about his running mate during an open forum at the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) Presidential Series last Thursday night at the Intercon Hotel where he was the guest speaker.
Nevertheless, the Senator from Las Piñas emphasized that choosing his running mate is not a matter of great concern to him adding that the NP selection committee hopes to come up with his tandem by November 15. He added that choosing his senatorial line up will also be available in two weeks time.
Lately, a lot of speculations are spreading that Villar's running mate is narrowed down to Legarda and Escudero.
Asked what role or Cabinet post he would give to his vice president in case he wins the presidency, Villar said he likes his running mate to lead the crusade to save the environment. “I like someone who’s pro environment because you know I like trees, said Villar. This statement elicited laughter and applause, hinting that Villar was probably more interested to have Legarda as his running mate.
Senator Legarda is very popular about her advocacies about environment particularly on climate change. She boasted of having responsible for the planting of over one million trees nationwide behind her Clean and Green Program.
Pressed whom he likes to be his running mate between Legarda and Escudero, Villar simply smiled and said both senators are very qualified to become vice president.
Source: mb.com.ph
“There is a committee in our party (NP) that will study, finalize and select my possible running mate,” Villar said in response to a question about his running mate during an open forum at the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) Presidential Series last Thursday night at the Intercon Hotel where he was the guest speaker.
Nevertheless, the Senator from Las Piñas emphasized that choosing his running mate is not a matter of great concern to him adding that the NP selection committee hopes to come up with his tandem by November 15. He added that choosing his senatorial line up will also be available in two weeks time.
Lately, a lot of speculations are spreading that Villar's running mate is narrowed down to Legarda and Escudero.
Asked what role or Cabinet post he would give to his vice president in case he wins the presidency, Villar said he likes his running mate to lead the crusade to save the environment. “I like someone who’s pro environment because you know I like trees, said Villar. This statement elicited laughter and applause, hinting that Villar was probably more interested to have Legarda as his running mate.
Senator Legarda is very popular about her advocacies about environment particularly on climate change. She boasted of having responsible for the planting of over one million trees nationwide behind her Clean and Green Program.
Pressed whom he likes to be his running mate between Legarda and Escudero, Villar simply smiled and said both senators are very qualified to become vice president.
Source: mb.com.ph
Magdalo mulls adopting Chiz as standard bearer
The Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago (Magdalo) expressed openness on Friday to the idea of adopting Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero as their standard bearer in the May 2010 elections.
“We’re not closing the door on that idea, although we have yet to formally talk about it,” Magdalo spokesman Ashley Acedillo told reporters in a press briefing.
“We have to know first if he (Escudero) is willing to join us,” he added.
The former serviceman, however, admitted that before they could adopt Escudero, their accreditation should first be reconsidered by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Last Monday, the Comelec’s Second Division junked the petition of Magdalo to become a regional political party based in the National Capital Region (NCR), saying the group remains unrepentant for their illegal adventure during the infamous Oakwood mutiny in 2003.
Acedillo called the Comelec’s reason for disqualifying their group unfair and baseless.
“The resolution preempts the Court trying the case, which is now being heard at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148. The resolution unfairly jumped at the conclusion that the founders of the Magdalo ‘employed violence’ and ‘used unlawful means’ and ‘in the process defied the laws of organized society’ during the Oakwood incident when the court hearing the case has yet to issue its ruling,” the group said in a statement.
The Magdalo said this ultimately violates the constitutional provision on the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Acedillo then appealed to the Comelec to reconsider its petition once they file their motion for reconsideration next week.
“We are appealing to the Comelec en banc, especially to Comelec Chairman Jose Melo to reconsider (our petition), and if possible, revise their resolution,” he said.
“In fact, it is in the best interest of the country for Comelec to encourage the Magdalo group to join the mainstream of Filipino society and allow it to participate in the democratic process, especially in elections, by approving its application for accreditation as a political party instead of isolating us and pushing us to the fringes by junking our petition,” added Acedillo.
Source: mb.com.ph
“We’re not closing the door on that idea, although we have yet to formally talk about it,” Magdalo spokesman Ashley Acedillo told reporters in a press briefing.
“We have to know first if he (Escudero) is willing to join us,” he added.
The former serviceman, however, admitted that before they could adopt Escudero, their accreditation should first be reconsidered by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Last Monday, the Comelec’s Second Division junked the petition of Magdalo to become a regional political party based in the National Capital Region (NCR), saying the group remains unrepentant for their illegal adventure during the infamous Oakwood mutiny in 2003.
Acedillo called the Comelec’s reason for disqualifying their group unfair and baseless.
“The resolution preempts the Court trying the case, which is now being heard at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148. The resolution unfairly jumped at the conclusion that the founders of the Magdalo ‘employed violence’ and ‘used unlawful means’ and ‘in the process defied the laws of organized society’ during the Oakwood incident when the court hearing the case has yet to issue its ruling,” the group said in a statement.
The Magdalo said this ultimately violates the constitutional provision on the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Acedillo then appealed to the Comelec to reconsider its petition once they file their motion for reconsideration next week.
“We are appealing to the Comelec en banc, especially to Comelec Chairman Jose Melo to reconsider (our petition), and if possible, revise their resolution,” he said.
“In fact, it is in the best interest of the country for Comelec to encourage the Magdalo group to join the mainstream of Filipino society and allow it to participate in the democratic process, especially in elections, by approving its application for accreditation as a political party instead of isolating us and pushing us to the fringes by junking our petition,” added Acedillo.
Source: mb.com.ph
Youth groups ask SC for extension of voters’ registration
MANILA, Philippines—Various youth groups have asked the Supreme Court for an extension of voters’ registration as they assail the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of “unconstitutional exercise of legislative power” when it set October 31 as deadline.
The petitioners led by Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino told the high court that Comelec Resolution 8585, setting October 31 as deadline for registration of voters, violates election laws and the Constitution.
It will also disenfranchise first time registrants, they said, asking the high court to order the Comelec to extend the registration of voters until January 9 next year.
In their petition, the youth groups said the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 provides that the filing of application of registration of voters shall be conducted daily until 120 days before a regular election or 90 days before a special election is held.
Therefore they said the start of the 120-day prohibitive period before the May 10, 2010 elections is on January 10, next year.
“Thus, the deadline of application of registration of voters should be on January 9, 2010, not October 31, 2009 which is 70 days earlier than is prescribed by the statute,” the petitioners said.
But while they recognize the Comelec’s authority to promulgate its own rules and regulations, they said the poll body must not go beyond what has been provided for under the law.
“Thus, it cannot be gainsaid that by providing a period different than that prescribed under Section 8 of the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996, respondent Comelec has actually amended the said statute,” they said.
“And this is manifestly an unconstitutional exercise of legislative power, it is beyond the province of administrative agencies, thus a serious and grave violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” the petitioners said.
Aside from Palatino, petitioners include National Union of Students of the Philippines president Alvin Peters, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines chairperson Ma. Cristina Angela Guevarra, Kabataan Party-List secretary general Vencer Mari E. Crisostomo, College Editors Guild of the Philippines president Vijae Alquisola, and Kabataan Artista Para sa Tunay na Kalayaan secretary general Dianne Kristel Asuelo.
Source: INQUIRER.net
The petitioners led by Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino told the high court that Comelec Resolution 8585, setting October 31 as deadline for registration of voters, violates election laws and the Constitution.
It will also disenfranchise first time registrants, they said, asking the high court to order the Comelec to extend the registration of voters until January 9 next year.
In their petition, the youth groups said the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 provides that the filing of application of registration of voters shall be conducted daily until 120 days before a regular election or 90 days before a special election is held.
Therefore they said the start of the 120-day prohibitive period before the May 10, 2010 elections is on January 10, next year.
“Thus, the deadline of application of registration of voters should be on January 9, 2010, not October 31, 2009 which is 70 days earlier than is prescribed by the statute,” the petitioners said.
But while they recognize the Comelec’s authority to promulgate its own rules and regulations, they said the poll body must not go beyond what has been provided for under the law.
“Thus, it cannot be gainsaid that by providing a period different than that prescribed under Section 8 of the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996, respondent Comelec has actually amended the said statute,” they said.
“And this is manifestly an unconstitutional exercise of legislative power, it is beyond the province of administrative agencies, thus a serious and grave violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” the petitioners said.
Aside from Palatino, petitioners include National Union of Students of the Philippines president Alvin Peters, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines chairperson Ma. Cristina Angela Guevarra, Kabataan Party-List secretary general Vencer Mari E. Crisostomo, College Editors Guild of the Philippines president Vijae Alquisola, and Kabataan Artista Para sa Tunay na Kalayaan secretary general Dianne Kristel Asuelo.
Source: INQUIRER.net
Legarda rejects calls for presidential bid in 2010
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Loren Legarda rejected on Friday calls for her to join the presidential race in 2010, saying she will stick to her decision to seek the vice presidential post.
Legarda claimed that her partymates in the People’s Nationalist Coalition (NPC) have been pushing her to run for president after its presumptive standard-bearer, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero left the party.
“Nagsabi na ako, pag ako’y nagsalita pinanindigan ko [I have spoken. Once I’ve done that, that’s it. I gave my word],” said Legarda, who declared her vice presidential bid last week.
“I have spoken and made my announcement before the people that I will run for vice president. We are still young and can wait. Why will I change my mind. They will only get confused,” she said in an interview over ABS-CBN’s morning show, “Umagang Kay Ganda.”
But while Legarda closed the door on the idea of running for president, the senator indicated that she was now open to be the running mate of either Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro or Senator Manny Villar.
Teodoro is the standard-bearer of the administration’s Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats while Villar is the presidential bet of the Nacionalista Party.
“Maaari na sigurong mag-usap pero hindi naman ako mauuna di ba [Maybe we can talk now but I wont be the first to mention it, right]?” she said.
Legarda said she had not talked with any presidential candidate before because all the while she thought was that Escudero would be her tandem.
“Bakit naman ako makikipag-usap, meron na akong ka-tandem? Pero nasabi ko na nga na nirerespeto ko yung ginawa ni Chiz bagamat hindi nagpaalam [Why will I be negotiating when I am already part of a tandem? But like I said, I respect what Chiz did even when he did not inform us about his decision to leave],” she said.
Legarda had repeatedly stated that she would only run under the opposition ticket but with Escudero’s departure from NPC, she now seemed to have opened her doors even for the administration’s bet.
“If I answered your question, it’s like announcing what I would do,” Legarda said in Filipino when asked by TV host Pinky Webb about the possibility of a Teodoro-Legarda tandem in 2010.
“My answer here is my color is white, the color of white is neutrality and peace. What I really want is peace,” she said, adding that Teodoro and Villar were both good and competent.
Source: NQUIRER.net
Legarda claimed that her partymates in the People’s Nationalist Coalition (NPC) have been pushing her to run for president after its presumptive standard-bearer, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero left the party.
“Nagsabi na ako, pag ako’y nagsalita pinanindigan ko [I have spoken. Once I’ve done that, that’s it. I gave my word],” said Legarda, who declared her vice presidential bid last week.
“I have spoken and made my announcement before the people that I will run for vice president. We are still young and can wait. Why will I change my mind. They will only get confused,” she said in an interview over ABS-CBN’s morning show, “Umagang Kay Ganda.”
But while Legarda closed the door on the idea of running for president, the senator indicated that she was now open to be the running mate of either Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro or Senator Manny Villar.
Teodoro is the standard-bearer of the administration’s Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats while Villar is the presidential bet of the Nacionalista Party.
“Maaari na sigurong mag-usap pero hindi naman ako mauuna di ba [Maybe we can talk now but I wont be the first to mention it, right]?” she said.
Legarda said she had not talked with any presidential candidate before because all the while she thought was that Escudero would be her tandem.
“Bakit naman ako makikipag-usap, meron na akong ka-tandem? Pero nasabi ko na nga na nirerespeto ko yung ginawa ni Chiz bagamat hindi nagpaalam [Why will I be negotiating when I am already part of a tandem? But like I said, I respect what Chiz did even when he did not inform us about his decision to leave],” she said.
Legarda had repeatedly stated that she would only run under the opposition ticket but with Escudero’s departure from NPC, she now seemed to have opened her doors even for the administration’s bet.
“If I answered your question, it’s like announcing what I would do,” Legarda said in Filipino when asked by TV host Pinky Webb about the possibility of a Teodoro-Legarda tandem in 2010.
“My answer here is my color is white, the color of white is neutrality and peace. What I really want is peace,” she said, adding that Teodoro and Villar were both good and competent.
Source: NQUIRER.net
The Chiz Escudero Gambit
By PatricioMangubat
A friend and colleague in this political analysis ek-ek, Pedestrian Observer has a pretty good analysis about Chiz Escudero. Read it, as well as Leslie Bocobo's piece.
Yep. Chiz is neither a haciendero nor a bilyonaryo, but he's surely a beneficiary of the Marcos regime. His father, Salvador, was a staunch pro-Marcos. And by Chiz association with Danding, yep, he probably benefited from the coconut levy fund which Danding is still using to prop his hold over as SMC.
It does not necessarily conclude that Chiz would be all-out Marcosian. I mean, the sins of the Father should not be blamed on the son. If Salvador Escudero erred on the side of dogged allegiance to a false prophet, he was simply, and probably did it out of fear or trepidation. And we don't expect the son to follow suit right?
Chiz's gambit, as what Senator Aquilino Pimentel described his "bold move" was, for me, a test of how far and how strong the progressives are in pursuing their cause. Chiz just lost a sizeable base of support coming from the traditionals, but the prospect of carving something out of the progressives or the middle class is higher than when he was with the NPC.
The question really is---are the progressives, or some term, reformist groups really ready to flex its muscles come May 2010? People are hoping that Chiz replicates the "miracle win" of Trillianes. Trillianes was losing in the survey game months prior to the 2004 elections when his stock suddenly climbed to the magic 12.
Political analysts were caught with their feet in their mouths. Many predicted defeat; but the contrary happened. Trillianes won, as some believe, without machinery.
That observation is surely not correct. Trillianes had his electoral machine which came from reformist groups within traditional political parties. Trapos also assisted Trillianes to win and some say, his victory also got the go-ahead from inside the palace. But, that's another story.
Now, let me go back to this gambit which Chiz took.
If Chiz pushes through, he needs the backing of the reformists and the progressives. Let me just clump them in one political creature---the middle forces. Right now, majority of the middle forces are aligned with Noynoy Aquino under the mistaken notion that Ninoy's son deserves to lead them. These middle forces constitute the bulk of Noynoy's mass base support. They are educated, idealists and really want changes in Philippine society.
Based on a very confidential poll survey research which I have, they comprise 78% of the total electorate. They are a cross-section of the economic classes. They are well informed and politically aware. They classify politicians in simple trapo and non-trapo terms. Obviously, they disdain trapos and want non-trapos to ascend to power.
What is going on right now (and which the Liberals surely know) is that even they cannot seem to get the full backing of the middle forces. Yes, majority are behind them but there is a sizeable chunk, which I call the "ideologically astute" and "political organizers" who command respect in the urban poor and middle class constituencies that reserve their support. These organizers are spread among different political parties, ready to be tapped when an ideal non-trapo enters the political fray.
This is what Chiz and his handlers want to tap. Doing so means weakening Noynoy's base, damaging the grassroots base of Erap's and slowing down organizing efforts of the Manny Villar camp. When this happens, the possibility of garnering at least 23-25% of the electorate votes is high. A candidate who gets 25% of the votes come May 2010 is a sure winner, particularly in a four or five corner fight.
Chiz has just positioned himself as a non-trapo candidate and poised to assume leadership of this category. All he needs to do is convince those belonging to Noynoy's camp, those ideologically astute and political organizers to shift and form an independent movement.
This is possible since Chiz now has the FPJM, the Samahang Magdalo, Ping Lacson's group and his own ChizNation organizations. If he gets the support of the Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), Sanlakas, BayanMuna (now aligned with Villar's), unions, people's organizations such as the PRRM, Code NGO and the People's Primaries, he stands on firmer ground. Now, should Eddie Villanueva's group align with him and Grace Padaca's group suddenly bolts out of the Liberal Party, then Chiz has his independent third force movement.
Likewise, what is the possibility of Senator Jamby Madrigal throwing her billions out for Chiz? High, if you ask me.
Now, what is the possibility of forming a broad coalition of progressives and reformist groups under one candidacy? Grace Padaca would surely stick with Mar. JIL is one open window. BayanMuna has their own political aggrupation, but probably open to talks, same goes to PLM-Sanlakas. Code NGO has been fractured already but many of them are aligned with the Liberals.
What would happen really is that Chiz will split this group in half, further diluting the chances of progressives ascending the top of the power structure post-May 2010. Chiz is doing what Ping Lacson did in 2004---splitting the progressives by positioning as the best alternative candidate. Chiz is like a monkey wrench thrown in the political pond to confuse and befuddle the political forces.
And the target seems to be Noynoy Aquino. Wittingly or unwittingly, Chiz just played sweetly in the hands of the administration.
Source: http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com/2009/10/chiz-escudero-gambit.html
Yep. Chiz is neither a haciendero nor a bilyonaryo, but he's surely a beneficiary of the Marcos regime. His father, Salvador, was a staunch pro-Marcos. And by Chiz association with Danding, yep, he probably benefited from the coconut levy fund which Danding is still using to prop his hold over as SMC.
It does not necessarily conclude that Chiz would be all-out Marcosian. I mean, the sins of the Father should not be blamed on the son. If Salvador Escudero erred on the side of dogged allegiance to a false prophet, he was simply, and probably did it out of fear or trepidation. And we don't expect the son to follow suit right?
Chiz's gambit, as what Senator Aquilino Pimentel described his "bold move" was, for me, a test of how far and how strong the progressives are in pursuing their cause. Chiz just lost a sizeable base of support coming from the traditionals, but the prospect of carving something out of the progressives or the middle class is higher than when he was with the NPC.
The question really is---are the progressives, or some term, reformist groups really ready to flex its muscles come May 2010? People are hoping that Chiz replicates the "miracle win" of Trillianes. Trillianes was losing in the survey game months prior to the 2004 elections when his stock suddenly climbed to the magic 12.
Political analysts were caught with their feet in their mouths. Many predicted defeat; but the contrary happened. Trillianes won, as some believe, without machinery.
That observation is surely not correct. Trillianes had his electoral machine which came from reformist groups within traditional political parties. Trapos also assisted Trillianes to win and some say, his victory also got the go-ahead from inside the palace. But, that's another story.
Now, let me go back to this gambit which Chiz took.
If Chiz pushes through, he needs the backing of the reformists and the progressives. Let me just clump them in one political creature---the middle forces. Right now, majority of the middle forces are aligned with Noynoy Aquino under the mistaken notion that Ninoy's son deserves to lead them. These middle forces constitute the bulk of Noynoy's mass base support. They are educated, idealists and really want changes in Philippine society.
Based on a very confidential poll survey research which I have, they comprise 78% of the total electorate. They are a cross-section of the economic classes. They are well informed and politically aware. They classify politicians in simple trapo and non-trapo terms. Obviously, they disdain trapos and want non-trapos to ascend to power.
What is going on right now (and which the Liberals surely know) is that even they cannot seem to get the full backing of the middle forces. Yes, majority are behind them but there is a sizeable chunk, which I call the "ideologically astute" and "political organizers" who command respect in the urban poor and middle class constituencies that reserve their support. These organizers are spread among different political parties, ready to be tapped when an ideal non-trapo enters the political fray.
This is what Chiz and his handlers want to tap. Doing so means weakening Noynoy's base, damaging the grassroots base of Erap's and slowing down organizing efforts of the Manny Villar camp. When this happens, the possibility of garnering at least 23-25% of the electorate votes is high. A candidate who gets 25% of the votes come May 2010 is a sure winner, particularly in a four or five corner fight.
Chiz has just positioned himself as a non-trapo candidate and poised to assume leadership of this category. All he needs to do is convince those belonging to Noynoy's camp, those ideologically astute and political organizers to shift and form an independent movement.
This is possible since Chiz now has the FPJM, the Samahang Magdalo, Ping Lacson's group and his own ChizNation organizations. If he gets the support of the Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), Sanlakas, BayanMuna (now aligned with Villar's), unions, people's organizations such as the PRRM, Code NGO and the People's Primaries, he stands on firmer ground. Now, should Eddie Villanueva's group align with him and Grace Padaca's group suddenly bolts out of the Liberal Party, then Chiz has his independent third force movement.
Likewise, what is the possibility of Senator Jamby Madrigal throwing her billions out for Chiz? High, if you ask me.
Now, what is the possibility of forming a broad coalition of progressives and reformist groups under one candidacy? Grace Padaca would surely stick with Mar. JIL is one open window. BayanMuna has their own political aggrupation, but probably open to talks, same goes to PLM-Sanlakas. Code NGO has been fractured already but many of them are aligned with the Liberals.
What would happen really is that Chiz will split this group in half, further diluting the chances of progressives ascending the top of the power structure post-May 2010. Chiz is doing what Ping Lacson did in 2004---splitting the progressives by positioning as the best alternative candidate. Chiz is like a monkey wrench thrown in the political pond to confuse and befuddle the political forces.
And the target seems to be Noynoy Aquino. Wittingly or unwittingly, Chiz just played sweetly in the hands of the administration.
Source: http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com/2009/10/chiz-escudero-gambit.html
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