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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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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