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.

Continue Entry»

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.

Continue Entry»

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.

Continue Entry»

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.

Continue Entry»