Political News May 7, 2013

[lotis soriano]

07 May 2013

 

LP NEWS

 

Bam, as his own Aquino, is ready, willing to serve - Inquirer Contrary to what critics say, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, popularly known as Bam Aquino, earned a slot in the administration-backed Team PNoy through a wringer. He underwent a selection process that pitted him against some 40 other aspirants and had to wait for 2-3 months before being told he’s in.
Aquino, Binay back Legarda amid raps - Inquirer Reelectionist Sen. Loren Legarda on Monday received bipartisan support amid what she called efforts to malign her and dislodge her from the No. 1 spot in the surveys.
Team PNoy to focus on vote-rich provinces - Star  The Team PNoy senatorial ticket will focus on vote-rich provinces in the final stage of the campaign.
‘Magsaysay is Bayan Muna’s bet’ - Star  Bayan Muna party-list has endorsed the senatorial bid of Team PNoy candidate Ramon Magsaysay Jr.
Team PNoy to UNA: Stop making excuses - Star A spokesman for Team PNoy called on the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) to stop coming up with excuses for their impending defeat in the midterm senatorial elections, especially those that deal with a supposed plan to rig the results.
For Koko, it’s the principle that counts – Manila Times He fought for the Senate seat that he won in 2007 for four years, ditched his political allies and parried accusations during his reelection bid that he was a wife beater. Life has dealt some hard blows on Team PNoy Senate bet Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd, but he is not regretting anything.
Related News	Koko admits courting Iglesia vote – ABS-CBN News For Koko, it’s the principle that counts - Journal
PNoy: Loren ready to answer allegations – ABS-CBN News Senator Loren Legarda is prepared to answer all allegations regarding her ownership of a high-end condominium in Manhattan, New York, President Benigno Aquino said Monday.
Related News	PNoy backs Loren in NY condo unit issue GMA News Demolition job vs Loren assailed - Journal PNoy buo ang tiwala kay Loren – Abante Tonite
Sonny Angara's 'sex appeal' wins Miriam's endorsement – GMA News For being young, idealistic and "full of sex appeal," Team PNoy's senatorial candidate, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, has received the support of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.
Trillanes hits Php20-M black propaganda - Journal Team PNoy senatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV yesterday said that his long running political enemy is determined to crush his chance to be reelected.
Poe’s appeal: Don’t remove my posters - Journal Team  PNoy senatorial candidate Grace Poe yesterday made public appeal not to remove hercampaign materials in the homestretch of the May 13 midterm polls.
Magsaysay prioritizes health care - Journal As the campaign period heads to the homestretch, a senatorial candidate yesterday vowed to provide health care to the people and it would always be one of her priorities.
Lim: Pag-atake ng kalaban walang basehan - Journal ‘ANO ang susunod nilang ibibintang sa akin, pagpatay kay Dr. Jose Rizal?’ Ito ang natatawang reaksyon ni Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim nang ipagkibit-balikat ang umano ay panibagong serye ng pag-atake ni dating Pangulong Erap Estrada sa kanya, kung saan ay inaakusahan naman siya ngayon ng pagiging nasa likod ng pambabato diumano sa kanila nang magsagawa sila ng caucus sa Sampaloc kamakailan.
Teachers endorse Jun Magsaysay’s senatorial bid - Remate Act teachers  Party-List announced its support for the Senate reelection bid of Ramon Magsaysay, Jr.

 

UNA NEWS

 

UNA banks on CamSur advantage - Standard Vice President Jejomar Binay, head of the United Nationalist Alliance, has been assured of nine senatorial candidates in the winning list by National People’s Coalition regional chairman and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte.

Pinoys need jobs with livable wages – Enrile - Journal “Despite the constant reports regarding our country’s economic growth, this achievement has not translated into the creation of employment opportunities, particularly those that provide decent wages for majority of our work force,” United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidate for senator Jack Enrile said as he called on the administration to address the situation.

Enrile to Mancao: Yield peacefully - Journal United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidate Jack Enrile yesterday asked former police officer Cesar Mancao to surrender peacefully and return to the fold of the law.

Ambush: Mister ng UNA mayoralty bet tumba – Pilipino Star Ngayon Dalawa-katao kabilang ang mister ng  re-electionist mayor ng United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) ang iniulat na napaslang makaraang pagbabarilin ng mga armadong kalalakihan sa bayan ng Lemery, Iloilo kahapon ng umaga.

 

 

OTHER NEWS

 

INC picks 7 candidates from Team PNoy, 5 from UNA -  Inquirer The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is leaning toward a 7-5 senatorial slate favoring the administration coalition’s Team PNoy over the “opposition” United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), as the block-voting religious sect tries to appease both President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Related News	In the Know: INC’s voting-age members - Inquirer INC says it still has no list of senatorial bets to endorse - Star INC backs 7 Team PNoy, 5 UNA senatorial bets - Tribune
No peace guarantee in Masbate polls–PNP - Inquirer There is no guarantee, said Masbate’s top police officer, despite the nearly 3,000 police officers and soldiers who have been deployed to ensure the safe and peaceful conduct of election in the province tagged as an election hot spot by authorities.
Ebdane: An emerging force in Zambales politics - Inquirer Just into his first term, Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has started flexing his political muscle in the province that had been dominated by political families for many years.
Leave trees alone, Maguindanao candidate tells poster team - Inquirer Campaign posters are not as many for Annie Datumanong as other candidates, whose faces are all over, dotting interior roads and highways of Maguindanao’s second congressional district.
Poll execs in Pantabangan want power restored - Inquirer The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other government offices are exerting their best effort to have power restored, at least for Election Day, in nine of 14 villages of Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, the town’s election official said on Sunday.
Comelec eyes Taguig as election hot spot - Inquirer With just a few days left before May 13, political tensions are still running high in Taguig City with the two mayoral candidates announcing their intention to file charges against each other.
‘Avoid the 5Gs (guns, goons, gold, gin, garbage’ - Inquirer Pick a green candidate. Avoid the 5 Gs—guns, goons, gold, gin and garbage. These were among the tips offered Monday by an environmental watch group to voters.
Related News	Senate bets urged to back climate change legislation - Star Senatoriables urged: Bare climate stand - Bulletin Loren accused of corrupt acts - Standard
Say no to dynasty, Kris Aquino told - Inquirer A Catholic priest on Monday said President Aquino’s youngest sister Kris should forget about her supposed plan to seek an elective post in 2016 out of “delicadeza” (sense of propriety).
Related News	Kris told: Stay away from politics - Star
PCOS machines did good overall–Comelec - Inquirer The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said the number of glitches reported during the final testing and sealing of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines were minimal.
Related News	Comelec to finally get source code but review to come later–Brillantes - Inquirer ‘Minor’ glitches mar final PCOS testing - Inquirer ‘No pre-poll review of PCOS source code’ - Star Fears raised as ‘prequel’ to ‘hocus-PCOS’ is seen - Bulletin Poll body agrees to release PCOS source code - Standard
Aquino: End Maguindanao massacre trial by 2016 - Inquirer To ensure convictions by the time he steps down from office in 2016, President Aquino has ordered state prosecutors handling the case to oppose the dilatory tactics being employed by the alleged masterminds of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, Malacañang said on Monday.
Samson Alcantara: Age doesn’t matter in war vs political dynasties - Inquirer Despite being 77 years old, the second oldest senatorial candidate in the May 2013 elections, and instead of retiring or resting, lawyer-teacher Samson Alcantara wants to bring his expertise and wisdom to the Senate to wage a battle against political dynasties and to make “social justice” a reality instead of just being a slogan.
Comelec OKs 24 partylist groups for May polls, bars 11 others - Inquirer The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has allowed 24 partylist groups to run in the May 13 elections and disqualified 11 others after the Supreme Court (SC) remanded their cases to the Comelec.
Related News	12 of 39 PLs not helped by SC guidelines - Malaya
SWS, Pulse Asia ask Comelec to put resolution on subscriber disclosure on hold - Inquirer Survey firms have appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Monday to defer the implementation of its resolution ordering them to disclose their subscribers.
Related News	Comelec won't force pollsters to name subscribers – ABS-CBN News
NPC to dump Team PNoy senatorial bet behind smear campaign on Legarda - Inquirer Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) stalwarts hinted at a possible withdrawal of support for the political party and allies of the Team PNoy candidate harassing Senator Loren Legarda.
Related News	Loren smells of roses - Malaya NPC stays in Aquino team despite attack vs. Legarda – Manila Times Graft raps filed against Loren; endorsements, support pour in - Tribune NPC backs Legarda - Journal Paninira ng LP kay Legarda, pinalagan - Remate NPC, Team PNoy pumalag na para kay Loren - Abante
SC asks Comelec to comment on Gordon’s plea for source code scrutiny - Inquirer The Supreme Court on Monday gave the Commission on Elections (Comelec) until Wednesday noon to comment on the bid filed by United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial bet Richard Gordon to compel Comelec to allow political party or group to examine source code of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines to be used in the upcoming elections.
Ilocos Sur gubernatorial bet files case vs Singsons for alleged vote-buying - Inquirer  A candidate for governor in Ilocos Sur province filed a disqualification case against his rival Ryan Singson and other local officials Monday for alleged vote buying during a fiesta event.
Election violence: 35 killed so far - Star In the 112 days since the start of the election period, 58 cases of suspected election-related violent incidents have been recorded, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.
Related News	Cops go on election red alert – Business Mirror Iloilo, Basilan attacks in poll violence tally – Business World
‘Pork barrel use should be transparent’ - Star  Re-electionist Senator Francis Escudero said lawmakers should open for public scrutiny the use of their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel.
Congress oversight committee on polls urged to meet - Star The congressional oversight committee on the May 13 elections was urged yesterday to convene to assess preparations for Monday’s balloting.
Gov't, MILF to sign comprehensive peace pact before Congress opens in July - Star  The comprehensive peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government may be signed before Congress officially opens in July, a senior official said today.
Incumbent challenged - Bulletin Antique gubernatorial candidate Lawyer Cornelio Aldon is challenging incumbent Governor Exequiel B. Javier to a debate.
Bicol solon is deemed elected – SC – Manila Times The Supreme Court has upheld the decision of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal that declared Elmer Panotes as duly elected congressman for the second district of Camarines Norte in the May 10, 2010 mid-term polls.
Related News	High court affirms Panotes’ win in 2010 Camarines Norte polls - Tribune
Yosi break saves Erap from stoning incident - Tribune While the elderly and the government are consistent in reminding the general public of health dangers of smoking, it turns out that lighting a cigarette sometimes saves lives.
NPC vows all-out support to UNA bets in Bicol region - Tribune Practically a week to go before election day, and with recent political developments in Camarines Sur, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) expressed confidence that the coalition will remain strong in the Bicol region.
Related News	NPC-Bicol vows to go all out for UNA bets – Journal
Maliksi widens survey lead - Journal As the election campaign headed into the homestretch, Cavite’s 1.7 million voters appeared favoring Liberal Party’s Ayong Maliksi with more or less 748,000 convertible votes against reelectionist Jonvic Remulla’s about 547,000, or a margin of as much as 220,000 votes as shown in StratPolls Track 3’s theoretical conversion of votes (TCV)  for  the province’s gubernatorial race.
Taguig mayor scores ‘irresponsible’ rival - Journal Irresponsible. This, in one word, was how Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano described the move by her political rival, mayoral candidate Rica Tiñga, to storm Taguig City Hall last Saturday and instigate violence between the two camps.
Cajayon to win - Journal Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Mary “Mitch” Cajayon  is expected to trounce her rivals if the election was held today, according to an independent pre-poll survey in the city commissioned by a group of local business leaders.
Bets advised to face detractors squarely - Journal Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz yesterday advised candidates to address the accusationsagainst them squarely and honestly to avoid public perception that branding them as mere blackpropaganda is just their way to evade legitimate issues hurled against them.
Casiño to hold miting de avance tomorrow - Remate The Makabayan Coalition is expecting an outpouring of support as thousands have committed to attend their miting de avance for senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño at the historic Plaza Miranda. The miting de avance will start at around 5 p.m. and is expected to draw thousands of people from different sectors and groups.
Bro. Eddie No. 1 sa social media – Pilipino Star Ngayon  Kung pagbabasehan lang ang mga boto sa social media ng mga netizens ay tiyak na ang pag-upo sa senado nina Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Grace Poe at Bam Aquino sa magaganap na  senatorial race sa  May 13 elections.

 

EDITORIAL

 

Fighting windmills by Conrado de Quiros, Inquirer That’s the likely reaction of most Filipino voters to those names. They’re in fact Rizalito David, Marwil Llasos, and Juan Carlos “JC” de los Reyes, Ang Kapatiran candidates for senator. Except for JC de los Reyes, who ran for president three years ago, the two others will resound as loudly as a pin dropping in a rock concert. JC himself probably won’t make a much louder noise either. In his presidential bid in 2010, he finished last in a field of nine, getting 45,000 votes compared to the eventual winner, P-Noy, who got 15.2 million.

Women voting for women by Rina Jimenez David, Inquirer Joining the ranks of political endorsers is Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who recently announced her support for two members of Team PNoy: Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and former Rep. Risa Hontiveros.

Choosing candidates by Ariem Venezuela Cinco, Inquirer The elections are just around the corner. In fact, the  trapo  (traditional politicians),  bagong  pulitiko  (new breed), and   bimpo  (batang  isinubo  ng  magulang  sa  pulitika) alike are winding down on their campaign sorties, leaving our sidewalks festooned with the sleaze posters of  epal  brandishing their messiah complex. Radio and television are airing too-good-to-be-true political ads and candidates are strutting in the streets in an effort to win the  masa  vote. Some have engaged in public debates, and not without the old mudslinging. There is just too much politicking.

Politics as business by Edward John Nebosa, Inquirer Since the election campaign started I have been thinking of who I should vote for, from senators down to councilors. I checked the background of most of the candidates, and found that a number of them are not practicing their real professions and are just keeping their positions in the government.

8 days before Election Day by Domini Torrevillas, Star t isn’t going to be Christmas Day eight days from today, but it feels like it, what with the hustle and bustle, the tingling sensation about who and what gifts to give, about coffers boiling over and running dry.  Those  of us who have not yet given up on electing people to public office, can’t wait to cast our votes, even as we go to the polls with questioning minds  over the accuracy of PCOS machines in receiving votes  and transmitting election results, over the possible victory of candidates we want to win, and the winning of those we feel should never be elected to office.

Wanted: worthy parties, officials, candidates, voters by Rafael Alunan, Business World Elections are next Monday. We will troop to the polls to once again choose those who will represent us in the national legislature and local governments. At this late stage, these are some thoughts in the minds of discriminating voters.

When vote-buying doesn’t work anymore by Mabel Villarica Mamba, Manila Times Elections bring out the creativity in people. Television ads vary from the serious, to the witty, to the inane. Campaign paraphernalia are no longer limited to leaflets and comic books, posters and tarpaulin streamers, t-shirts and caps. Now there are ballers, balls and ballpens; aprons, reusable bags and fans.

Chief campaigner – Editorial, Standard President Benigno Aquino III is either confused about which hat to wear during this campaign season, or just too hell-bent in his desire to get his entire team elected to the Senate.

A proxy war between Aquino and Binay by Emil Jurado, Standard With seven days to go until Election Day, anything can happen to the senatorial race.  There are just so many imponderable factors at play.

Not so fast, Sixto by Jojo Robles, Standard And just like that, a week before the May 13 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections declares that it will get a reviewable source code for its precinct count optical scan machines, after its outsourced technology provider Smartmatic supposedly settled its legal dispute with the original author of the software, Canada-based Dominion Voting Systems.

The facts on political dynasties by Dean Tony La Vina, Standard In developed political democracies, the political parties are the organization of note. They represent ideologies and aggregate interests; they serve as focal points for competition for power and influence, incubators of future government leaders, and generators and advocates of policies and social action programs.

The final push by Bong Austerio, Standard Because we’re now at the home stretch of the campaign, I am not sure any last effort would still make a major impact.  But it seems there are many out there who cling to the belief that this week is still going to be critical in terms of marshalling the required votes.

No smooth ride for polls – Editorial, Tribune Election day is a week from now but the Commission on Elections (Comelec) continues to have no answers to the questions raised on the source code of the software for use in the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines. Candidates, particularly from outside the administration coalition, are increasingly worried that the Comelec has been purposely withholding the review of the code as required under the Automated Elections Law to allow automated cheating. Either that or there really is absolutely no source code.

Cheating, Inc. by Ninez Cacho Olivarez, Tribune When  the election count is done, the nation will know just how potent the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) vote as well as the White Movement vote is, or is not.

Who’s to blame by Charlie Manalo, Tribune The  other day, I ran across a new article wherein a group of supporters of a mayoralty bet in Taguig City claimed they were mauled by employees and guards of the Taguig City Hall. A video was even posted by a supporter of mayoralty bet Rica Tinga in an effort to picture the City Hall employees and guards as the culprit. Of course, the “victims” were pointing to incumbent City Mayor Lani Cayetano as the one behind the incident.

Elections in a developing country by Ken Fuller, Tribune As this election campaign period draws to a close, it may be of interest for Filipino readers to learn of the manner in which elections were conducted in the UK two hundred or so years ago — when, of course, the UK was in today’s terms a developing country. For the following, I rely largely upon Elie Halevy’s A History of the English People in 1815.

Self-affirming senator - Journal In modern elections we get the chance to see and hear what a candidate is really like, and this intimate scrutiny makes voting an increasingly personal decision. We root for the guy running against the ‘suits’, the guy we can imagine suitless himself. — Chris Matthews in Now, Let Me Tell You What I Really Think.

Jobs and livelihood program ni Erap sa Maynila by former Sen. Loi Estrada, Pilipino Star Ngayon “Ang mga Manileño ay masipag at may angking talento at kasanayan. Alam kong ‘yung mga residente ng lungsod na kayang magtrabaho ay magiging produktibo at uunlad sa buhay basta mabigyan ng sapat na oportunidad at suporta.” Ito ang sinabi ni Manila mayoralty candidate Joseph “Erap” Estrada kaugnay ng napansing paglobo ng bilang ng mga Manilenyo na walang trabaho.

Sino ang dapat iboto? by Horacio Paredes, Abante Sa pagpili natin sa mga ibobotong senador, ang dapat na hinahanap natin ay kung meron itong matinding paninindigan.

Rock the Vote: Huling hirit para sa mga kandidatong matuwid by Harvey Keh, Abante Anim na araw na lang at eleksyon na. Tandaan nating lahat na ang iboboto nating mga kandidato ay siyang manunungkulan sa atin ng tatlo hanggang anim na taon.

Halimaw na mukha ng eleksyon – Editoral, Abante Tonite Ngayon pa lamang ay siguradong nakaporma na ang limpak na salapi mula sa ilang mga kandidatong nagnanais bumili ng boto para sa nalalapit na 2013 midterm elections sa darating na Lunes.