Noynoy-Mar to formally announce tandem on Monday

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA – The formal announcement for the tandem of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II for president and vice president in the 2010 national elections is set to be made Monday.

A Liberal Party (LP) official on Sunday confirmed that Roxas has accepted Aquino’s invitation to run as his vice-president.

In an interview on ANC’s “Dateline Philippines,” LP spokesperson and Quezon 4th district Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III said Roxas and Aquino will make the formal announcement on Monday, Sept. 21. A media advisory has been sent by Roxas’s office for a press conference 11 a.m. Monday at Club Filipino.

The formal announcement will reportedly be made on the day when Muslims commemorate the Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Monday also marks the commemoration of the 37th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

Meanwhile, the LP official has confirmed several of its senatorial candidates for the 2010 elections: former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon, former Rep. Nereus Acosta and Akbayan Rep. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel.

Tañada added that talks are ongoing with other parties for the eight remaining slots in its senatorial slate.

“We don’t want [the] LP slate to be dominated by LP,” he told ANC, adding that the party aims to create a “people’s slate.”

Noynoy is the son of the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.

Roxas, meantime, is the grandson of former President Manuel Roxas and son of the late Sen. Gerardo “Gerry” Roxas.

Noynoy announced his presidential bid last Sept. 9

Mar earlier withdrew from the 2010 presidential race last Sept. 1. He also made known his support for Noynoy’s bid.

Both senators made their announcements at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City

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Noli as Villar's VP? 'Hindi nga!'

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - "Hindi nga! (No, I'm not!)"

This was Vice-President Noli de Castro's succinct reply to questions that he is being wooed to become Sen. Manuel Villar's running mate for the 2010 elections.

De Castro was visibly irritated during Thursday's commemoration of the 394th Founding Anniversary of Los Baños, Laguna. At least 50 militants conducted a protest rally in the area to remind de Castro of his failed promises in bringing adequate housing to citizens.

De Castro earlier turned down the invitation of the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats to become the party's standard-bearer for the 2010 polls.

Villar said he is open to inviting de Castro to be his running mate in the 2010 elections, but stressed that he will not preempt the vice-president's plans. He said that de Castro had previously indicated that he might run for president or return to the private sector.

"Kabayan [de Castro] and I have not talked...To be fair with him, I don't know if he wants to run for vice-president or if he wants to return to broadcasting or if he wants to run for president. I expect to talk to him in the coming days..Ayaw kong pangunahan kung ano ang kanyang magiging plano," Villar said in an ANC interview.

Villar visited Albay province on Thursday to lead the oath-taking of over 300 leaders in Bicol, including two incumbent vice-governors, at least 13 mayors and 12 vice-mayors, to the Nacionalista Party. Sen. Pia Cayetano, who is widely rumored to be one of those being considered to be Villar's running mate, was also at the oath-taking.

"I have always been a running mate of Sen. Manny Villar in a sense that I believe in his programs, but if you are referring to being the vice-president, nagulat ako when I first heard of it from him," she said.

She added that she is still mulling over Villar's offer.

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8 minutes needed to fill up 2010 election ballot: study

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - A voter needs almost 8 minutes to fill up the ballot to be used in the country's first automated elections in May 2010, initial results of a time-and-motion study conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other groups revealed Friday.

Students of the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities in Tanauan, Batangas on Friday participated in a mock poll in their school to test the electronic ballots to be used in the actual 2010 elections. A total of 1,000 2nd year to 4th year college students, all of voting age, used improvised ballots which had the names of 339 possible candidates for 32 electoral positions in the 2010 elections.

The mock poll is a joint project of Youth Vote Philippine, Former Senior Government Officials, Comelec and Politicalarena.com.

Organizers said the time-and-motion study is meant to determine how long it would take a person to fill up the ballot. This, in turn, would help Comelec determine if 11 hours is enough for an estimated 1,000 voters per clustered precinct to cast their ballots on election day.

"We will find out the actual average of all the voting times. This will help us determine if 11 hours is enough time for all voters in each clustered precinct to cast their ballots," Mildred Ople of Youth Vote Philippines said.

A TV Patrol World report said each student averaged about 7 minutes and 51 seconds or almost eight minutes to fill up the ballot, according to initial results of the time-and-motion study. One first-time voter said he was thrilled to use the new ballots, which only required voters to shade a circle beside the name of the candidate of their choice.

"I now have a glance or preview on how to vote in the elections," he said.

Organizers said the results showed that voting stations should allow at least 12 voters to fill up their ballots simultaneously to allow all 1,000 voters in each clustered precinct to cast their ballots before precincts close.

A brownout was also simulated during the mock poll to show if it would affect the process. During the actual election day, technology consortium Smartmatic-TIM is expected to provide generators to provide backup power.

The Comelec is expected to conduct a mock election using the Smartmatic-TIM machines on the second week of December.

Several groups earlier criticized Comelec for not conducting proper time-and-motion studies before approving the poll automation contract with Smartmatic-TIM

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Escudero wins UP mock poll; Villar places 2nd

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - Sen. Francis Escudero on Thursday topped a mock poll conducted by students from the University of the Philippines Diliman campus.

Dubbed the "Boto ng Iskolar ng Bayan", the campus-wide mock election was conducted by the Alpha Sigma fraternity last September 8 to 15. A total of 3,156 from 15 colleges in UP Diliman participated in the election.

Escudero, who received his law degree at the UP College of Law, got 690 or 21 percent of the total votes. He gained the most votes in all except in the UP College of Business Administration where Sen. Manuel Villar graduated. Villar placed second in the mock poll with 365 or 11.6 percent of the votes.

Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III placed third in the mock poll with 278 or 8.8 percent of the votes.

The complete results of the UP mock elections is as follows:

1. Sen Francis Escudero - 690 or 21.9%

2. Sen. Manny Villar - 365 or 11.6%

3. Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III - 278 or 8.8%

4. Sen. Jamby Madrigal - 258 or 8.2%

5. Sen. Manuel Roxas - 251 or 8%

6. Sen. Loren Legarda - 237 or 7.9%

7. MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando - 226 or 7.2%

8. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay - 162 or 5.1%

9. Sen. Richard Gordon - 151 or 4.8%

10. Vice President Noli De Castro - 107 or 3.4%

11. Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio - 53 or 1.7%

12. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro - 52 or 1.6%

13. Former president Joseph Estrada - 35 or 1.1%

14. Bro. Eddie Villanueva - 21 or .07%

15. Sen. Panfilo Lacson - 3 or .09%

16. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV - 1 or .03%

A total of 267 students or 8.5 percent of the students abstained from the mock election.

Officials of the Alpha Sigma fraternity said the mock poll is the first to be conducted by the fraternity ahead of the 2010 elections.

Fraternity spokesman Simon Salinas said the mock poll is meant to spread awareness of the importance of every vote during the country's electoral exercise.

Project head Marc Aguimatang said Escudero could win big among youth voters next year because of his age and general advocacies for the youth.

Alpha Sigma head Jayson Santiago, however, said the other candidates could also appeal to youth voters since the national election is still eight months away.

He said candidates who sincerely want to engage the youth should prioritize social issues such as quality and free education, accountability and transparency in governance, agrarian reform and reproductive health.

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Teodoro vows to quit post

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Akbayan warns against 'Hello Garci 2'

MANILA - Administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro has vowed to quit his post as defense secretary after he was chosen by the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD on Wednesday as its presidential candidate in the 2010 elections.

In an interview over ANC's The Big Picture hosted by Ricky Carandang, Teodoro said he will be resigning in "due time" after consulting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Teodoro said he would like to ensure an "orderly transition" at the Department of National Defense (DND) before leaving his post.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros urged Teodoro to resign from his post "in order to insulate the military from partisanship."

In a statement on Wednesday, Hontiveros said Teodoro's decision to run for president under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD would "add political color to his policies and actions as defense secretary."

She raised the possibility that another "Hello, Garci" scandal, wherein elements in the military and an elections commissioner allegedly conspired to help President Arroyo win in 2004, might happen again in 2010.

“His work as defense secretary and the credibility of the electoral process would suffer if he doesn’t resign. Either way, it’s bad for him,” Hontiveros said.

“His work as DND Secretary would be compromised because his candidacy would cast doubts on the motivation behind his policies and decisions in the Cabinet. It would also raise suspicions that he would use his clout in the military to mobilize the AFP for his campaign or to cheat for him," she said.

"For his own good and for the benefit of the country, he should resign.”

“People have not forgotten about ‘Hello Garci’ yet, so it is natural for the public to suspect that he or the people who support him might resort to the same strategy to win in the 2010 elections,” she added.

Cha-cha, parliamentary system

Meantime, in his interview over The Big Picture, Teodoro said Charter change (Cha-cha) would be one of his priorities if he becomes president.

Ever since he became a district representative of Tarlac, he said he has already been advocating for "structural reform," and that he has seen the "weakness of the [1987] Constitution."

Just like a dysfunctional corporation, Teodoro said that "if the structure doesn't work, we have to reorganize."

He said Congress would have to pass a law for a Constitutional convention so that the delegates that will amend the Charter would be "non-partisan."

Teodoro said he prefers a shift to a unicameral parliamentary system of government. He said it should be the legislature which should determine which regions should be given more power rather than "giving autonomy to areas which are not ready."

Since he will be campaigning for Charter change, Teodoro said people will not suspect that he has a hidden agenda in his advocacy for constitutional reform.

Asked about the prospect of him running against his cousin, Sen. Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III, Teodoro said they became friends when they were both district representatives in Congress.

He added that he will not "allow politics to destroy our friendship...and our being cousins."

Despite his getting the nod of an overwhelming majority of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive committee, Teodoro said his running is "not yet 100 percent sure."

"I think at this point, it's 99 percent," he said.

Teodoro said he has no one else in mind as his running mate other than Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

Another defense chief as president?

The former lawyer and three-term congressman aims to duplicate the political careers of two former presidents -- Ramon Magsaysay and Fidel Ramos -- who rose to the top after successes in the defense department.

Magsaysay, the first defense chief to be elected Philippine president, succeeded in breaking the back of the agrarian-based Huk rebellion in the early 1950s.

Ramos, a bemedalled retired general, was hailed as a hero of a popular revolt that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos from power in 1986. Six years later, he became the second defense chief to win the country's highest political post.

An Air Force colonel in the reserve force who flies light planes and keeps himself fit with daily shadow boxing, Teodoro is hoping his crackdown on Muslim and communist rebels will boost his image. He has been a vocal champion of more investment in defense.

For the election, he is also counting on the backing of his uncle Eduardo Cojuangco, who heads cash-rich San Miguel and is one of the wealthiest men in the country.

His wife, who used to be a commercial model, took over his Congress seat when Arroyo appointed him as defense secretary in 2007.

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Villar won't preempt Noli's plans

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - Senator and presidential aspirant Manuel Villar on Thursday said he is open to inviting Vice-President Noli de Castro to be his running mate in the 2010 elections, but stressed that he will not preempt de Castro's plans.

"Kabayan [de Castro] and I have not talked...To be fair with him, I don't know if he wants to run for vice-president or if he wants to return to broadcasting or if he wants to run for president. I expect to talk to him in the coming days..Ayaw kong pangunahan kung ano ang kanyang magiging plano," Villar said in an interview with ANC's Dateline.

He said that de Castro had previously indicated that he might run for president or return to the private sector.

Earlier reports said Villar has been trying to woo de Castro to become his running mate in the 2010 elections. De Castro earlier turned down the invitation of the Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats to become the party's standard bearer for the 2010 polls.

Villar, meanwhile, welcomed the Lakas-Kampi-CMD's decision to field Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as the party's standard-bearer for next year's election.

He refused to say, however, if he preferred to take on Teodoro or Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando in the elections next year. "They're both good but they have to catch up in popularity [surveys]," he said.

He also downplayed reports that he had lost the lead in the presidential race to Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, as shown in the latest popularity survey.

The recent Social Weather Stations survey showed that one out of every two voters in vote-rich areas of Luzon would have chosen Noynoy if presidential elections were held in early September 2009. Aquino was preferred by 50% of 1,200 respondents from a pre-selected list of five names that also included erstwhile survey leaders Villar, former President Joseph Estrada, Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero, and Vice-President Noli de Castro.

Villar said Noynoy's popularity increased dramatically after the death of his mother, former president Corazon Aquino, last August 1.

"I have not gone down in the surveys, it's Noynoy that has gone up. It's hard to fight against the sentiment since everybody respects Cory Aquino and there was a lot of coverage," he said.

He said he is currently busy going around the country to allow people to know him better ahead of the 2010 elections.

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Who is Gilbert Teodoro?

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - A bar topnotcher and Harvard-educated scion of the wealthy Cojuangco family, National Defense Secretary Gilbert Cojuangco Teodoro Jr. was born into politics.

His father, Gilbert Sr., was former Social Security System (SSS) administrator and his mother, Mercedes, was a former member of the Batasang Pambansa.

Former President Corazon Aquino was his aunt, while businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., founder of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) party, is his uncle.

The 45-year-old Teodoro entered politics in 1998 a year after finishing his Masters of Law in the US.

He served three terms as representative of the first district of Tarlac and was assistant minority leader in the 11th Congress.

He is best remembered not for the bills he authored, but for the political moves that he either initiated or supported in the House of Representatives.

In 2003, Teodoro led his NPC partymates in a controversial move to impeach then Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide that almost caused a constitutional crisis.

Teodoro was accused then of acting for the interests of his uncle Danding Cojuangco, who had pending cases with the high court.

As a congressman, Teodoro has consistently supported efforts to amend the Constitution and voted against all moves to impeach President Arroyo.

His loyalty paid off.

In 2007, at the age of 43, he was appointed national defense secretary, the youngest ever to hold the national defense portfolio.

As Department of National Defense chief, Teodoro pushed for reforms and called for more funds for the military's modernization program.

This year, he declared his intention to run for president and sought Mrs. Arroyo's endorsement.

His wife has said that there is nothing but the presidency for Teodoro.

And though he continues to perform dismally in presidential surveys, Teodoro enjoys the support of a number of administration members, including governors and party leaders.

He is also undaunted by the possibility of facing his cousin, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, in next year's elections.

With the administration machinery behind him, Teodoro is hoping to become the third national defense secretary to become president after Ramon Magsaysay in 1953 and Fidel V. Ramos in 1992.

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Lakas-Kampi picks Gibo

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - The Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) national executive committee on Wednesday chose Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as its standard-bearer in next year's presidential elections.

Teodoro was overwhelmingly chosen over his rival, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando, in the secret balloting conducted at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

"Subject to ratification by a national convention to be called by the party in accordance with law, the candidcate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD for the 2010 presidential election, as endorsed by the party's national executive committee, is the honorable Gilbert C. Teodoro," announced the party's secretary-general Gabriel Claudio.

Claudio also announced that the party's national executive committee expressed preference for Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno as the party's vice-presidential candidate.

The former lawyer and three-term congressman aims to duplicate the political careers of two former presidents -- Ramon Magsaysay and Fidel Ramos -- who rose to the top after successes in the defense department.

Magsaysay, the first defense chief to be elected Philippine president, succeeded in breaking the back of the agrarian-based Huk rebellion in the early 1950s.

Ramos, a bemedalled retired general, was hailed as a hero of a popular revolt that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos from power in 1986. Six years later, he became the second defense chief to win the country's highest political post.

An air force colonel in the reserve force who flies light planes and keeps himself fit with daily shadow boxing, Teodoro is hoping his crackdown on Muslim and communist rebels will boost his image. He has been a vocal champion of more investment in defense.

Teodoro belongs to one of the country's most powerful political families, the Cojuangco clan in Tarlac.

For the election, he may get backing of his uncle Eduardo Cojuangco, who heads cash-rich San Miguel and is one of the wealthiest men in the country.

He used to be a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), but quit in July after he joined the ruling party.

His wife, Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro, who used to be a commercial model, took over his Congress seat as representative of Tarlac when Arroyo appointed him as defense secretary in 2007.

Teodoro has shrugged off criticism about his low popularity, saying the party machinery will help him catch up with survey leaders who are mostly from the opposition.

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Teodoro says he's also been loyal to PGMA

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA – Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro does not want to keep his hopes up even is he is projected to be chosen as the standard bearer of the Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-Kampi-CMD).

The ruling party’s national executive committee meeting started Wednesday morning at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary-general and presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio told ABS-CBN’s “Umagang Kay Ganda” that they could come up with a decision by noontime.

Teodoro said in a separate interview that he is feeling somewhat tense before the meeting started.

“Pero nakakataba ng puso ang mga suporta ng mga miyembro na nakuha ko so ‘di ko makakalimutan iyon kahit kailanman yung tiwala nila sa akin,” he added.

A total of 84 Lakas-Kampi-CMD and party-list representatives have declared their support for Teodoro. Majority of governors in the League of Provinces of the Philippines also endorsed his presidential bid.

Teodoro believes that he was able to get the support of congressmen and governors because of his coordination with them as defense secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) chairman.

It has been reported that the party will choose between Teodoro and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando.

Claudio told ANC that Vice-President Noli de Castro did not join the selection process for the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer.

“Ako po ay nananalig na kung ano man ang maging pasiya ng national executive committee at ng buong partido ay pareho nilang susuportahan at tutulungan na maging matagumpay ang magiging kampanya kung sino man ang mahihirang sa araw na ito,” said Claudio.

President or nothing

Teodoro also mentioned that he is not happy that de Castro is not in the selection process.

“Ang gusto ko malawakan ang proseso kasi partido importante eh. So lahat ng puwedeng i-consider dapat i-consider ng partido kasi lagay naman ako sa sarili ko. Pag hindi ako mapili, marami naman akong options,” he said.

While it is clear that it is the presidency or nothing for him, Teodoro said it is difficult to draw conclusions right away.

“Kung hindi mangyari yung nominasyon ko eh ibang calculation na naman ang kailangang gawin. Kakausapin ko na naman ang pamilya ko kung ano ang mga options namin.”

The defense secretary remarked: “Hindi ako magpapakamatay bukas kung hindi ako mapili eh so lagay ako sa sarili ko.”

Loyalty

In a press conference on Tuesday, Fernando said the Lakas-Kampi-CMD should choose him because of his loyalty to the party.

While Fernando has been a true Lakas member, Teodoro, on the other had, recently joined the ruling party.

Teodoro, who came from the Nationalist’s Party Coalition (NPC), was sworn in as a Lakas member last July.

“Totoo yun, pero ako ay nanumpa sa Lakas-Kampi-CMD,” said Teodoro. “Ang paninilbihan ko sa administrasyon ay nakikita naman nila na tapat din naman.”

“At ang question ng loyalty ay importante din pero hindi lamang yun ang solo na criteria para pumili ng isang standard-bearer,” he noted.

Kiss of death

If he will be chosen as the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer, Teodoro would be endorsed by outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Critics have commented that such scenario would be a kiss of death for the defense secretary.

“Hindi naman kiss of death yun kasi parte kami ng administrasyon,” he pointed out. “Ngayon ang challenge diyan mapakita mo sa iyong sarili kung ikaw kandidato, ano bang ang gagawin mo para sa kinabukasan ng bansa?”

“Yun naman ang imporatante kaya tayo tumatakbo ng presidente. Hindi para tumingin sa nakaraan kung hindi tumingin sa kinabukasan,” he said.

“Ano ba ang kaya mong gawin para maingat ang bansa mo, gawin mong lider sa Asya, gawin mong progresibo, gawin mong matahimik? Yun ang importante.”

Teodoro also dispelled speculations that he would protect Arroyo from possible cases that would be filed against her if he succeeds her.

“Ang isang presidente, kung makialam sa isang proseso sa hukuman, hindi na hustisya yun, benggansa yun,” he noted.

”At oras na ang isang presidente makialam sa prosecution, wala ng magagawa ang presidente na iyan kasi 50 percent of the time nakatingin sa likod niya na huwag ding gawin sa kaniya.”

“Kaya dapat isantabi na natin yan. Gamutin na natin ang mga sugat natin at pagkaisahin natin ang ating bansa,” he stated. “Masyado ng benggansa sa pulitka eh, yung bawian. Itigil na natin yan wala na tayong panahon para diyan.”

Presidentiable

Teodoro did not name his preferred running mate if ever he becomes the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer.

He said he would have to do consultations first. Though he said he does not have a problem with having a tandem with Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, whose vice presidential bid is said to be final.

Meanwhile, he remains unfazed by his weak showing in political surveys. He is optimistic that his campaign will gain ground.

“Kung magkaisa na ang partido, nagsama-sama na lahat ng miyembro, hindi puwedeng hindi umakyat yun eh,” he claimed.

“At pagdating ng Nov. 30, sabay-sabay na naman kami na magkakandito kung sino man ang mag-file ng certificate of candidacy.”

When asked about what would be the first thing he would do if he becomes President, he said he would work for structural reform.

“Hihikayatin ko ang kongreso magpasa ng con-con [Constitutional Convention] law na partisan para puwede kaming mag-advocate para sa ganun pag-aralan na natin ang ating Saligang Batas na sa akin, yan ay sanhi ng maraming diperansya sa ating lipunan,” said Teodoro.

Healthy competition

For Teodoro, another consequence of being named as the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer is going against his kin.

His second cousin, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, has announced his presidential bid under the Liberal Party.

“Nung naging congressmen kami, naging magkaibigan kami. Ngayon very conscious sa amin na magkaibigan kami, magpinsan kami at di namin papayagan na masira ang pagkakaibigan namin sa pulitika,” noted Teodoro.

He added that a presidential race between himself and Aquino will even be good for Philippine politics.

“We will not resort to mudslinging,” he assured. “Kung kaming dalawa man na magkakatunggali, aasahan natin na mataas ang estado ng debate naming dalawa.”

He continued, “Si Noynoy ay hindi lamang Noynoy, Liberal Party member siya. Ako Lakas-Kampi-CMD. Partido at saka plataporma ang hinaharap namin sa taong-bayan.”

“Kaya maganda rin naman na kaming dalawa kung saka-sakali dahil issue talaga ang ihaharap namin.”

He said they will not allow themselves to take the fight personally. “We learned how to be friends and that’s precious to us.”

Teodoro shared that he and Noynoy did not know each other very well before they became congressmen because of their “different sides of the political fence then.”

Meantime, their uncle, Danding Cojuangco, is the NPC chairman emeritus.

“Iba rin ang pinaninindigan niya eh so dapat ihiwalay nalang yung personal sa professional,” Teodoro said of Cojuangco, who is also the chairman and chief executive officer of San Miguel Corp.

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Gibo, BF face-off in party meeting

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando on Wednesday delivered speeches and responded to questions at the Lakas-Kampi-CMD's national executive committee meeting on who its presidential candidate will be in next year's polls.

In his speech, Fernando threw a potential monkey-wrench in the plans of the Lakas-Kampi CMD to choose a standard bearer for the 2010 elections after he urged the party to implement a four-point criteria for the process.

Fernando said the Lakas-Kampi CMD leaders should consider tabling the selection process until the selection criteria he proposed is implemented.

The four-point criteria includes:
1. Every party member be informed of the selection process
2. Set a clear measure and criteria for candidate selection
3. Voting to be done by the party at large with duly designated party members
4. Involve as many party members as possible in the process

Pointing out that he had served the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party since its inception in 1991, Fernando said he would keep his options in case he is not chosen by the party to be its standard-bearer.

"Loyalty and love for party should come first before personal ambition...I'd like to see our party to be worth that loyalty that I have for it over the long years I am with it," he said.

For his part, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said he would leave it up to the collective wisdom and judgment of Lakas-Kampi-CMD leaders on who will be the party's standard bearer.

"This I pledge that I am committed to building and strengthening the party to be the leader once again and to continue its leader in Philippine politics because we mean reform and we mean change. We have delivered and we have done it to the best of our ability. No other government can match the achievements done by this administration," he said.

Teodoro and Fernando are both aspiring to be the Lakas-Kampi CMD standard bearer, with the defense chief believed to have a slight advantage over the MMDA chairman. On Tuesday, a total of 84 Lakas-Kampi-CMD and party-list representatives signed a manifesto supporting Teodoro as Lakas-Kampi-CMD's standard-bearer.

A majority of governors in the League of Provinces of the Philippines have also endorsed the presidential bid of Teodoro.

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Arroyo flies to Turkey ahead of Lakas-Kampi-CMD meeting

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the self proclaimed chairman of the ruling party Lakas-Kampi-CMD, left the country hours ahead of the party's announcement of its presidential candidate for 2010.

A report by ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda said President Arroyo flew to Turkey after midnight Wednesday.

In a statement before she left the airport, Mrs. Arroyo said she was invited by Turkey President Abdulla Gul to join him in commemorating the 60th anniversary of Turkey-Philippines diplomatic relations.

She said that she will also meet with Ekmeleddin Inhasnoglu, the Turkish secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, to discuss the organization's role in helping restore peace in Mindanao.

After Turkey, Mrs. Arroyo is also scheduled to visit leaders in United Kingdom where she will meet allies who have signified support for the Mindanao peace process, and then to Saudi Arabia to promote the welfare of Filipino women working in the oil-rich country.

"Our trips have helped secure important trade opportunities and foreign investments that have in turn helped us achieve 34 quarters -- or more than eight years -- of uninterrupted growth. It is this achievement that enables us to withstand thee recession that is now raging us.," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo, who was earlier reported as favoring Vice-President Noli de Castro for the endorsement, left despite the Lakas-Kampi-CMD's scheduled announcement of its standard bearer for the 2010 presidential election.

There were rumors that the ruling party was poised to announce Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as its standard bearer.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in an interview with ABS-CBN, declined to name who has been picked by the party's executive committee.

"Two are vying for presidency, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. We will have a feel from the membership from the executive committee on who the leadership might prefer as standard bearer," Ermita said.

He said that De Castro had been taken out of the list of possible standard bearers after the vice-president failed to join the party on Tuesday.

Ermita said that he would not preempt the executive committee's announcement set at 9:30 a.m. at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

He said he expects all Lakas-Kampi-CMD members to attend the event.

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Nograles, Iggy Arroyo back Gibo

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

33 out of 64 of Lakas-Kampi nat'l execom endorse Gibo

MANILA - A total of 84 congressmen, including House Speaker Prospero Nograles and President Arroyo's brother-in-law, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo on Tuesday morning signed a manifesto supporting Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro's bid to become the ruling party's standard-bearer in the 2010 presidential election.

“Now, therefore, we, the undersigned members of the House of Representatives, wholeheartedly and unequivocally endorse the Secretary of National Defense, the Hon. Gilberto 'Gibo' C. Teodoro Jr. to be the presidential candidate and standard-bearer of the administration for the May 10, 2010 elections,” the group said.

Most of the congressmen are members of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD. A few party-list representatives were also present.

The endorsement came a day before the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive committee meeting, where the ruling party is expected to announce its standard-bearer.

Also among the signatories are key administration allies House deputy speaker Occidental Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Iloilo Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr. (son of former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez), and Antipolo Rep. Roberto Puno (brother of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno).

“We congressmen should have a say in choosing our standard-bearer. We cannot allow the executive committee to make the decision for us. We are the foot soldiers. We have a better sense who should be the next president,” said Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay, who organized the 7 a.m. breakfast meeting with Teodoro at the Flapjacks restaurant at the Ayala Technohub in Quezon City.

Nograles, vice chairman of Lakas-Kampi CMD, said the manifesto will have a big weight on the national executive committee meeting on Wednesday. Congressmen make up a majority (33 members) of the 64-member national executive committee.

Teodoro vs Fernando

In an ANC interview, Teodoro thanked the Lakas-Kampi-CMD members who signed the manifeto.

"It's a very strong expression of support for me and it should carry significant weight, but there are still other factors. It ain't over until it's over," he told ABS-CBN News.

The Lakas-Kampi-CMD coalition is choosing between Teodoro and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando on who will be the party's official standard-bearer.

Vice-President Noli de Castro, who has also been invited to run under the administration party, has reportedly rejected the Lakas-Kampi's invitation.

Teodoro said he will leave it to the Lakas-Kampi national executive committee to declare the party's standard-bearer on Wednesday.

"Some of the congressmen are members of the NEC and I'll just leave it to them to make the appropriate representations. Being a prospective standard-bearer, I wouldn't want to place a monkey-wrench in whatever selection process has been done already," he said.

He also downplayed Fernando's allegation that he is more qualified to become Lakas-Kampi's standard-bearer because of his experience in government and his length of stay in the party.

"Well, if [Fernando's] being an original Lakas member translates into expressions of support from members of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, then why not? At the end of the day, it's who the majority wants," Teodoro said.

"Experience is relative. I've had experience as a legislator, he does not. Both of us have the requisite amount of experience. It's a question of who can inspire the members to bring the party forward both in electing a president and a whole slate and electing local congressmen and our government executives. It [must] be a unifying leadership," he said.

He said that if he is chosen as the party's standard-bearer, he would hit the ground running and campaign on a platform of "reform...and a healing presidency."

He also said the strong showing of his cousin, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, in the surveys is due to the "novelty" of his presidential bid. "Siyempre, the novelty of [Aquino's] coming in is spurring public awareness and attention," he said.

He added that he expects all the candidates to start again from square one after they declare their candidacies at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

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BF: Lakas-Kampi should pick most loyal bet

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando on Tuesday said loyalty to the party should be the biggest consideration in choosing the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer.

“From the very start, I am hoping that my party will choose me. First of all, I am a true Lakas party member. That can never be contested,” he said at a press conference in Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.

Fernando has been with Lakas-CMD since 1992, while his chief rival, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro joined only last July.

“Being a loyal party member—that is the most important condition to be considered for the party’s standard-bearer,” Fernando said. “This decision will reveal the true character of our party."

Survey ratings

Compared to Teodoro, Fernando said he has been getting higher ratings in internal surveys. If the party chooses him over Teodoro, given the ruling party's machinery, he said his 4% rating in these internal surveys would quintuple to 20%.

“Umaasa ako na sa pagkakataong ito maitataguyod ko ng higit pa ang partidong ito sa tagumpay (I am hoping that I could lead our party to victory),” he said.

“Sa kabilang banda, iyong aking katunggali sa pagpipilian na ito ay mayroon lang 0.2% sa nasabing mga survey na iyan. Limang doblehin mo man ang maidadagdag ng partido, aabot lang iyan ng isang pursyento (On the other hand, my opponent to be the party’s presidential bet only garnered 0.2% in the said survey. Even if you multiply that 5 times, it will only amount to one percent),” Fernando said.

He attributed his low ratings in the surveys of reputable polling outfits to people not seeing see him as pro-poor because of his work and policies as MMDA chair.

He also defended the way he governs, saying these are his answers to the country’s problems.

Fernando said the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive committee would meet on Wednesday to discuss who they will pick as the party’s presidential bet.

“The congress, leagues of governors, councilors and other leagues—must have no say as to who the party will pick,” he said, referring to the support of over 70 Lakas-Kampi-CMD congressmen for Teodoro’s bid to be the party’s standard bearer.

Fernando also argued that it is not only congressmen who will be choosing the ruling party's presidential candidate.

MMDA Chair

Fernando has been MMDA chairman since June 2002. Among his controversial measures have been the clearing of sidewalks and major roads of illegal vendors, structures, and illegally-parked vehicles.

According to Newsbreak research, Fernando violated MMDA Resolution 04-004 for displaying his tarpaulins without the consent of local government units.

As Marikina mayor from 1992 to 2001, he headed cleanliness and beautification projects that earned him leadership awards and awards for the city. Those projects are currently being continued by his wife, Marikina Mayor Lourdes Fernando.

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Villar threatened by Noynoy candidacy

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - Senator and presidential wannabe Manuel Villar on Tuesday admitted that he is threatened by the rising popularity of Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III after the latter declared his intention to run for president in 2010.

Asked if he feels threatened by Noynoy, Villar acknowledged: "Siyempre, si Noynoy ang malakas ngayon (Of course, because Noynoy is strong now)."

He added, however, that Noynoy's popularity may be shortlived since the other presidential candidates are equally strong. He said he himself was trailing in the surveys until recently.

Villar criticized Aquino while telling his supporters that he would not back down from his presidential bid.

"Ang tunay na demokrasya ay makakamit kung pagbibigyan ng tao na maging presidente ang isang anak ng mahirap at hindi kailangan maging anak ng presidente (True democracy can be achieved if men will allow a son of poor parents, not just a son of president, to become president)," he said in a political rally in Cavite.

He later said he was not criticizing Aquino since the incumbent President Arroyo is also the daughter of a former president, Diosdado Macapagal. Aquino is the son of former president and freedom icon Corazon Aquino.

Villar added that there was nothing inherently wrong with being the son or daughter of a former president.

Villar has centered his campaign on a pro-poor platform, anchored on the slogan "Ang taong galing sa hirap, tumutulong sa mahihirap (A person who comes from poverty helps the poor)."

Aquino, on the other hand, has been thrust into the national limelight after the death of his mother last August 1. He declared his candidacy earlier this month after his partymate, Liberal Party president Mar Roxas, backed out of the race and supported his bid.

Villar, meanwhile, said he has yet to choose a running mate for the 2010 polls. He said he would make a final decision once he files his candidacy in November.

He also told former president Joseph Estrada to "relax" after the latter was linked to smuggling, strong-arm and illegal numbers rackets during his protracted term as president. He said Estrada's accuser, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, should present evidence to back his claims.

Lacson had earlier accused Villar of profiting from a double-insertion for the C-5 road project.

Magdalo members back Villar

Meanwhile, some 300 members of the Partido Magdalo on Tuesday pledged their support for Villar's Nacionalista Party. Former Cavite vice-governor Jonvic Remulla led 18 out of 23 Cavite mayors in pledging their support for Villar, adding that they would deliver 1.5 million votes for the senator's 2010 presidential bid.

Among those who pledged their support for Villar was Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, a former spokesman of Estrada's Partido ng Masang Pilipino. In an interview, Remulla said Estrada gave his blessings when he told the forrmer president that he would join the Nacionalista Party.

He said he believes Villar would be the best candidate to support since Estrada "is not accepted by the rich" while Aquino is being supported by civil society, which he termed as a divisive force. "It's about time we find a middle ground," he said.

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Noynoy tops SWS survey in vote-rich Luzon areas

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - This is the result of the first presidential survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations that includes Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

The survey was taken between Sept. 5 and 6 and was commissioned by a number of private individuals, including some members of the business community.

It was not a national survey but it covers Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Region 3 and Region 4A, an area that covers an estimated 40 percent of registered voters.

10 percent of the respondents belonged to the A, B and C classes, or the wealthy and middle class, while 90 percent belong to the D and E classes, or the poor.

Despite having declared his candidacy after the survey, a whopping 50 percent of respondents said they would vote for Aquino, followed by 14 percent who said they would vote for Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar.

Statistically tied with Villar for second place is former president Joseph Estrada with 13 percent. Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero had 12 percent and vice president Noli de Castro came in last with 7 percent.

Liberal Party leaders expected Aquino to benefit from public sympathy over the death of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, but were surprised by how high his numbers are.

With 8 months to go before the election and his relatively late entry into the race Aquino is still putting his campaign together, but already he seems to have has become the front runner.

However, in an election season that is becoming full of surprises, the challenge is to keep those sky high numbers for falling back to earth.

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Roxas hints at accepting offer to be Noynoy’s running mate

Source: gmanews.tv

Senator Manuel Roxas II on Monday hinted his inclination to accept the offer to be Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III’s running mate in the 2010 elections.

“Wala namang dahilan kung bakit hindi [ko tatanggapin ang alok]. Pero gusto ko lang na mapag-isipan ng mabuti. Malaking pagbabago ito sa direksyon na tinatahak ko," Roxas told reporters Monday.

(There is no reason why I won’t accept [the offer]. But I’m still thinking things over, because this will definitely change the direction of my political plans.)

He reiterated his promise to be an ally of and to take part in Senator Aquino’s campaign for reform in the country.

"Sabi ko nga dati, hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Sen. Noynoy. Kabahagi ako sa isinusulong niyang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Ang 2010 polls ay [pagtutuos ng] tuwid kontra sa baluktot, tama kontra sa mali, kabutihan kontra sa kasamaan na nakikita natin sa ngayon; at kabahagi ako sa laban na yan," Roxas said.

(As I said, Sen. Noynoy and I will not part ways. I am part of his campaign for reforms. The 2010 elections will be marked by a contest between straight against crooked, right against wrong, good against evil; I am taking part in this fight.)

Asked when he is going to announce his decision, Roxas said, there is no set deadline yet, adding that the most important thing is that he is promoting the candidacy of Aquino.

On the other hand, Roxas said he was happy with the result of the recent Social Weather Stations survey showing that 50 percent of the respondents chose Aquino over other presidential candidates. [See: GMA News report here]

"Natutuwa ako na nakatulong ako para maisakatuparan at mabigyang daan ang matinding kauhawan ng ating mga kababayan para sa pagbabago, para sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala na nasa mga kamay ni Sen. Noynoy Aquino," the senator said.

(I’m happy that I was able to help in the realization of the people’s clamor for change, for honest governance which is in Sen Aquino.)

On September 1, Roxas announced that he made a sacrifice and gave way to Aquino to become the standard bearer of Liberal Party in the 2010 presidential election. [See: Mar gives way to Noynoy as Liberal Party standard bearer]

Shortly after announcing his decision to run for president, Aquino asked Roxas to be his running mate.

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Marcos son 'belittles' Noynoy's popularity

Source: gmanews.tv

Despite the perceived popularity of Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III, the 2010 presidential elections will likely be a race between two presidential aspirants other than him, the son of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos said Monday.

In a statement, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Aquino's announcement of his presidential bid came a little too late, and that each of former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Senator Manuel Villar Jr. already got a head-start in their respective campaigns among the masses and the professionals.

"There is no doubt that Noynoy has pure intentions and that he is really willing to serve the public with all his heart. But I think Erap and Manny are already miles ahead of him," said Bongbong.

Noynoy’s father, Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr. and Bongbong’s father were bitter political rivals during the 1970s and up until Ninoy’s assassination on Aug. 21, 1983.

Reconciliation among the two families appeared imminent when Bongbong and his sister Maria Imelda or Imee visited the wake of former President Corazon Aquino last August in a show of sympathy.

The congressman’s latest statement came on the heels of a television report saying that pollster Social Weather Stations found Aquino leading other presidential aspirants by a wide margin in some vote-rich Luzon provinces.



But Bongbong said: "Noynoy needs to double his efforts. He has to reach out to farmers and fishermen."

"I know he has strong appeal, and he should work on this more," he added.

For his part, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino congratulated Aquino for his reported lead in the surveys but said the senator should not let his guard down.

“Ang survey ay snapshot or litrato ng pangkasalukuyang sitwasyon at maaring magbago sa daan ng panahon (A survey is only a snapshot of the current situation, and it may change over time)," Angara said in a statement.

In response to clamors that intensified after his mother’s death, Noynoy announced that he would be running as the Liberal Party’s standard bearer in 2010.

The move came after LP President and Senator Manuel “Mar" Roxas II announced that he was giving up his own presidential ambition to support Noynoy.

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FVR's ‘no-el’ warning unfounded, Palace exec says

Source: gmanews.tv
Malacañang has branded as “unfounded" former President Fidel Ramos’ warning that the government might use the military to postpone next year's elections and extend President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s term beyond 2010.

“Those are unfounded, meaning to say they should be verified by the right authorities," said deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez, Jr. in a press briefing on Monday.

Ramos on Saturday cautioned members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978, of which President Arroyo is an adopted member, against staging a coup or putting up a military junta before May 2010 to prevent the conduct of an election.

Ramos, a former military officer, had served as Armed Forces chief before he became president in 1992. He was instrumental in toppling the Marcos regime in 1986 through the historic EDSA People Power revolution.

Golez said nobody could say the elections would not push through in 2010, noting that even President Arroyo has been consistent in saying that there will be one.

The official likewise assured that members of PMA Class of 1978 would not be involved in politics despite the key positions being held by some of its members in the military and police organizations.

Among the members of the class whom President Arroyo appointed to important positions were Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, commanding general of the Philippine Army; Maj. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp); and Police Director Roberto Rosales, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

The president of PMA Class of 1978, meanwhile, assured Ramos that they would not be participants in a no-election scenario, stressing that his classmates are loyal to the Constitution.

“We assure him that the members of the PMA Class 1978 are professionals and as professionals, we remain loyal to the Constitution and to the government," said Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali.

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Lakas exec: Party unsure to name presidential bet by Sep 16

Source: gmanews.tv

The ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party may put off its September 16 announcement on who will be its standard bearer in the 2010 elections, an official of the party hinted Monday.

"We are not sure yet kung September 16 makapagde-decide na kami (We are not sure yet if we will make a decision on September 16," said Prospero Pichay Jr., party vice president in an interview on radio dzXL.

But the choice for standard bearer will definitely be someone from inside the party, said Pichay, a defeated senatorial bet who is presently the head of the Local Water Utilities Administration.

He said the prospects will be given a chance to meet with delegates of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national directorate to convince them why they should be chosen as standard bearer.

Last week, deputy presidential spokesman on economic affairs Gary Olivar said the administration standard bearer will likely be known this coming Wednesday.

Ranking party officials are due to meet on Tuesday, he said.

“May selection process yan, pupulungin natin ang national directorate. Yan ang pipili sino ang kukunin naming presidential bet (We will follow a selection process. The national directorate will meet and select the standard bearer)," he said.

Pichay said that for now, they are considering two members of the party – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

On the other hand, deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. said last Saturday the ruling party is not giving up on recruiting Vice President Manuel “Noli" de Castro Jr.

De Castro has consistently been in the top five of recent surveys on prospective presidential bets, while Teodoro and Fernando usually fare below the top ten.

Meanwhile, Pichay belittled the move of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. to stop the party’s Tuesday meeting, saying De Venecia is not a Lakas-CMD member in good standing.

De Venecia was ousted as House Speaker in February 2008, after his son Jose III linked First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo to the $329.48-million ZTE broadband network deal mess.

"He is not a member of good standing. Let him go ahead with that. He cannot dictate (on the party)," Pichay said.

De Venecia branded as "illegal" the merger of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

Former President Fidel V. Ramos and De Venecia founded Lakas in the early 1990s. -

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Noli to settle 3 issues this week, says aide

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - The chief of staff of Vice President Noli de Castro on Monday said de Castro will make an announcement in a week if he'll run as president under the Lakas-Kampi party or as an independent or if he'll run at all in next year's elections.

Jesse Andres, chief of staff of de Castro, told ABS-CBN News that the vice-president will decide on these three issues within the week.

Lakas-Kampi has given de Castro and other politicians who want to run under the administration banner until September 15 to decide if they will join the party.

Speaking to ABS-CBN on Monday morning, Lakas-Kampi vice-president Prospero Pichay said de Castro won't be forced to join the administration coalition.

Pichay said de Castro will be a big loss if he won't join Lakas-Kampi, but he added that the party remains confident it still has strong presidential contenders in Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando.

"He will be a big loss, but hindi naman kami nagkukulang ng mga presidentiable," Pichay said.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD boasts of having a strong machinery with around 70% of local officials as members of the party.

The Lakas-Kampi-CMD bet is expected to announce its bet on Wednesday after a national executive committee meeting.

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Support for Noynoy a rejection of corruption

Source: abs-cbnnews.com


MANILA - Businessman Ramon del Rosario on Monday admitted to commissioning the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on voter preference for Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III, and said he was personally "stunned' by the result.

In an interview by Ricky Carandang over ANC's Dateline Philippines, del Rosario attributed the strong showing of Aquino in the September 5-6 SWS survey in four Luzon regions to public sympathy for the late President Cory Aquino and to what the Aquino name stands for.

"I have to admit we were stunned by the results of the survey. Quite honestly, we did not expect that the level of popularity or acceptance by the public [for Aquino] would be this high this early," he said.

"I think it's a rejection of everything that's going on, what I call the runaway corruption. I think it's a strong desire for very significant change in terms of quality of governance, particularly in terms of morality in government and honest, integrity, so, factors that I guess the Aquino name stands for," del Rosario, chairman of the influential Makati Business Club (MBC), said.

He added that the support for Noynoy Aquino also reflects the "outpouring of love and admiration and support and respect for President Cory when she passed away, like, you know, carrying those feelings forward."

Mrs. Aquino died August 1. Around 250,000 joined her funeral procession from Manila Cathedral to Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City. Millions of people paid their respects through the internet.

Aquino family friend made request

Del Rosario also disclosed that he was asked by a friend of the Aquino family to help raise funds for the survey, and that it was former Senator Sergio Osmeña who framed the "rider" questions.

"I was approached by a family friend of the Aquino family to ask if we could raise funds so that they could put a rider on a survey that was going to take place in these particular regions. And the idea was to see if we could probably give additional inputs to Noynoy so that he could make his decision based on some facts. And that's why the survey was done as quickly as possible, and it was conducted on the 5th and 6th of September," he said. "As things turned out, Noynoy made his announcement before the results were out."

Del Rosario, who served as finance secretary during the Ramos administration, said he wouldn't be surprised if support for Aquino would "get eroded somewhat" during the election campaign.

However, he added that Aquino's "base of support will probably continue to be very, very strong throughout."

In the SWS survey, 50% of 1,200 respondents in the National Capital Region, Pangasinan, central Luzon, and portions of the southern Tagalog region chose Aquino over erstwhile survey leaders Senator Manny Villar, former President Joseph Estrada, Francis 'Chiz' Escudero and Vice-President Noli de Castro. The survey has a margin of error of plus/minus 3%.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD can catch up

Meanwhile, a leader of the ruling Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) said on Monday that the administration candidate can still catch up with the survey leaders given its strong machinery.

In an interview on Umagang Kay Ganda (UKG), Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay said that once the administration bet is announced and the election campaign starts, the ruling party bet will be able to gain ground in the surveys.

Pichay cited his own experience in the 2007 elections where he caught up with the survey leaders by spending heavily on political ads.

"Ang halalan naman ay next year pa, malayo pa yon. I'll give you an example: in the last election, nang tumakbo ako, napakalayo ko, hindi ako binigyan talaga na makaabot sa itaas, but medyo umabot tayo ng number 15. Given a few more days, a few more weeks, baka I would have made it. That is just one example na kung tama yung mensahe mo sa taong bayan, tama yung packaging ads, radio, e makakahabol ka," he said.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD boasts of having a strong machinery with around 70% of local officials as members of the party.

The Lakas-Kampi-CMD bet is expected to announce its bet on Wednesday after a national executive committee meeting.

Noli not running?

Pichay also said he believes that Vice-President Noli de Castro will not be joining the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, and that he may not even run for president.

"Nakikita natin yung reluctance niya. Kasi kung ikaw talaga ay desididong maglingkod sa taong bayan, hindi ka na kailangan maghantay pa ng ganito katagal. You would have announced and said that I'm running for president at gusto kong maglingkod sa taong bayan. Kaya yung reluctance na yan, that's one of the signal that he is really not interested to run in the next election," Pichay said.

Even if de Castro does not run, he said the Lakas-Kampi-CMD has other aspirants, including Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Bayani Fernando.

"He will be a big loss, but hindi naman kami nagkukulang ng mga presidentiable," Pichay said.

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For The Service of the Filipino World Wide

This blog is intend to bring news for the upcoming Philippine Election next year 2010... Continue Entry»