Sen. Miriam Santiago became the first female from a developing Asian country to win a seat as a judge in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
She got 79 votes in the first round of the election, which automatically got her one of the 6 seats. She is set to take her oath as an ICC judge in March 2012, a post that has a 9-year term. She will eventually have to resign from the Senate to fullfill her new role.
“I will remain as senator until the ICC calls me to report for duty. I still want to play an active role in the impeachment case [of SC CJ Renato Corona],” Santiago tweeted.
Showing posts with label Politics Latest News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics Latest News. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Lacson back in Manila after over a year in hiding
Sen. Panfilo Lacson finally resurfaced after leaving the country over 14 months ago to evade arrest when he was tagged as the mastermind in the Dacer-Corbito murder case.
Lacson arrived in Cebu City on Saturday aboard a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong. Flight CX 921 landed at the Mactan International Airport at 11:42 a.m.
He later flew to Manila in the evening. Authorities from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport confirmed that Lacson arrived via RPC 2711, a Baron-type, twin-engine plane.
The private plane landed at 6:40 p.m. and taxied to the General Aviation area, away from other airport terminals for commercial airlines and out of sight of mediamen.
Airport authorities said Lacson's son Allan and 4 escorts met the senator at the private hangar.
The senator will spend time with family, according to Gerry de Belen, a staff of Lacson.
Lacson reportedly went staight home to Ayala Alabang village in Muntinlupa City.
De Belen said Lacson will hold a press conference on Monday.
Impeachment
Lacson is expected to join his 22 colleagues at the Senate on May 9 when Congress convenes again.
The senators will act as senator-justices in the impeachment trial of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
The Aquino government, which is supporting the impeachment, needs a two-thirds vote from allies in the Senate for a guilty verdict.
Based on present political alliances, 7 senators are expected to support the Presdident's call to impeach. Lacson is being eyed as the 8th.
But in a statement on Saturday, Malacañang focused on Lacson's legal standing.
“We welcome the return of Sen. Ping Lacson so that he can put closure to the accusations hurled against him,” said Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.
Lacson arrived in Cebu City on Saturday aboard a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong. Flight CX 921 landed at the Mactan International Airport at 11:42 a.m.
He later flew to Manila in the evening. Authorities from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport confirmed that Lacson arrived via RPC 2711, a Baron-type, twin-engine plane.
The private plane landed at 6:40 p.m. and taxied to the General Aviation area, away from other airport terminals for commercial airlines and out of sight of mediamen.
Airport authorities said Lacson's son Allan and 4 escorts met the senator at the private hangar.
The senator will spend time with family, according to Gerry de Belen, a staff of Lacson.
Lacson reportedly went staight home to Ayala Alabang village in Muntinlupa City.
De Belen said Lacson will hold a press conference on Monday.
Impeachment
Lacson is expected to join his 22 colleagues at the Senate on May 9 when Congress convenes again.
The senators will act as senator-justices in the impeachment trial of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
The Aquino government, which is supporting the impeachment, needs a two-thirds vote from allies in the Senate for a guilty verdict.
Based on present political alliances, 7 senators are expected to support the Presdident's call to impeach. Lacson is being eyed as the 8th.
But in a statement on Saturday, Malacañang focused on Lacson's legal standing.
“We welcome the return of Sen. Ping Lacson so that he can put closure to the accusations hurled against him,” said Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Pangilinan, Villar in tight battle for Senate presidency
The battle for the Senate presidency is on, with Senators Manuel "Manny" Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party and Francis Pangilinan of Liberal Party (LP) tightly competing for the support of their fellow senators.
Villar is seeking the support of the so-called deciding block in the Senate, led by Senator Edgardo Angara.
Joining Angara are Senators Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., and Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.
They join the members of the Senate who are already Villar allies: Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Miriam Defensor Santiago, and Joker Arroyo.
Among these senators, Villar is said to be already certain of the support of Legarda, his running mate in the May polls.
Angara said Villar has been in talks with their group for quite some time.
But Angara's group will not make a decision, until it has talked to Pangilinan.
Angara added party affiliations will not be a factor in their decision.
Meanwhile, Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada confirmed he has signed a resolution supporting Pangilinan.
It is likely Pangilinan will also get the support of Estrada's party-mate, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
If Pangilinan gets Enrile's support, he will have a total of 9 senators backing his bid.
These include his LP party-mates, Senators Frank Drilon, Teofisto "TG" Guingona III and Ralph Recto, and their allies, Senators Serge Osmeña, Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Estrada.
Villar, meanwhile, has seven votes.
While the battle for the Senate Presidency is tight, Quezon City Representative Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. is almost sure to get the House Speakership.
Quezon 4th district Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III said over 150 congressmen have already pledged their support for Belmonte
Belmonte, being in the LP, is also the bet of President Benigno Aquino III.
Villar is seeking the support of the so-called deciding block in the Senate, led by Senator Edgardo Angara.
Joining Angara are Senators Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., and Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.
They join the members of the Senate who are already Villar allies: Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Miriam Defensor Santiago, and Joker Arroyo.
Among these senators, Villar is said to be already certain of the support of Legarda, his running mate in the May polls.
Angara said Villar has been in talks with their group for quite some time.
But Angara's group will not make a decision, until it has talked to Pangilinan.
Angara added party affiliations will not be a factor in their decision.
Meanwhile, Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada confirmed he has signed a resolution supporting Pangilinan.
It is likely Pangilinan will also get the support of Estrada's party-mate, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
If Pangilinan gets Enrile's support, he will have a total of 9 senators backing his bid.
These include his LP party-mates, Senators Frank Drilon, Teofisto "TG" Guingona III and Ralph Recto, and their allies, Senators Serge Osmeña, Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Estrada.
Villar, meanwhile, has seven votes.
While the battle for the Senate Presidency is tight, Quezon City Representative Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. is almost sure to get the House Speakership.
Quezon 4th district Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III said over 150 congressmen have already pledged their support for Belmonte
Belmonte, being in the LP, is also the bet of President Benigno Aquino III.
The race for the Senate presidency
Senator Edgardo J. Angara and the so-called "Magnificent 7," his bloc in the Senate, have yet to choose whom to back for the Senate presidency.
The seven -- Senators Angara, Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Loren Legarda, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Lito Lapid, Gregorio Honasan, Vicente "Tito" Sotto III -- say, the Senate cannot have a president who is too close to the incumbent president.
"We have not made up our mind," Angara says in an interview with ANC's Rundown on Monday night. "Whether we're 6 or 2 or 4, that's going to be a crucial number."
Seen to be a deciding force in the choice for the next Senate president, Angara says their group is looking for key qualifications in a candidate, such as autonomy and openness to reform.
"That's the outlook of every senator, that autonomy is uppermost. We're looking for a leader who will defend and uphold that independence," Angara says. "If we don't move to change and we don't have political will, we stagnate. And we don't want to be an obstructionist."
Liberal Party (LP) bet Francis Pangilinan and the Nacionalista Party's Manny Villar are both in the running, each of them trying to muster the needed 13 votes to clinch the top Senate seat.
Angara says Senator Legarda seems inclined to support Villar, her running mate in the 2010 elections.
Angara adds Senator Sotto has committed to support the choice of his Senate bloc. Sotto and Honasan have also made a pact to vote as one.
Personal appeal
Pangilinan, who assures he will follow the rule on separation of powers and uphold the autonomy of the Senate over the executive, is counting on allies of President Aquino to back his bid.
Angara now says Pangilinan may have to make it a personal appeal to senators.
"I'm more concerned about the set-up where we've got a leader who'll lead reform in the Senate. So I'll suggest to Kiko, after we talk, I'll talk to my group but better that you talk directly to every single one of them."
Short of urging the ruling party to withdraw its own candidate, Angara calls on President Aquino to reach out to all political parties.
"President Noynoy must do a Lincoln," Angara says, referring to the 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln. "The secret of Lincoln, that's why he became very successful, he managed the Civil War and yet succeeded in unifying the nation, freeing slaves. When he won, he recruited his rivals."
A third candidate?
Amid the race between Villar and Pangilinan comes another prospect, that of a third candidate for Senate president, possibly rising to break any stand-off.
Angara believes, in the event of a tight race between Villar and Pangilinan, there may just be room for re-elected Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to make his own bid for the top Senate seat.
"He never solicited support from any of us," Angara says. "We don't want a vacuum to occur, a vacuum could happen if two sides stuck to their guns and no one crosses over. That's an occasion when a person of prominence like Enrile might emerge as a compromise. Then all bets are off."
The seven -- Senators Angara, Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Loren Legarda, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Lito Lapid, Gregorio Honasan, Vicente "Tito" Sotto III -- say, the Senate cannot have a president who is too close to the incumbent president.
"We have not made up our mind," Angara says in an interview with ANC's Rundown on Monday night. "Whether we're 6 or 2 or 4, that's going to be a crucial number."
Seen to be a deciding force in the choice for the next Senate president, Angara says their group is looking for key qualifications in a candidate, such as autonomy and openness to reform.
"That's the outlook of every senator, that autonomy is uppermost. We're looking for a leader who will defend and uphold that independence," Angara says. "If we don't move to change and we don't have political will, we stagnate. And we don't want to be an obstructionist."
Liberal Party (LP) bet Francis Pangilinan and the Nacionalista Party's Manny Villar are both in the running, each of them trying to muster the needed 13 votes to clinch the top Senate seat.
Angara says Senator Legarda seems inclined to support Villar, her running mate in the 2010 elections.
Angara adds Senator Sotto has committed to support the choice of his Senate bloc. Sotto and Honasan have also made a pact to vote as one.
Personal appeal
Pangilinan, who assures he will follow the rule on separation of powers and uphold the autonomy of the Senate over the executive, is counting on allies of President Aquino to back his bid.
Angara now says Pangilinan may have to make it a personal appeal to senators.
"I'm more concerned about the set-up where we've got a leader who'll lead reform in the Senate. So I'll suggest to Kiko, after we talk, I'll talk to my group but better that you talk directly to every single one of them."
Short of urging the ruling party to withdraw its own candidate, Angara calls on President Aquino to reach out to all political parties.
"President Noynoy must do a Lincoln," Angara says, referring to the 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln. "The secret of Lincoln, that's why he became very successful, he managed the Civil War and yet succeeded in unifying the nation, freeing slaves. When he won, he recruited his rivals."
A third candidate?
Amid the race between Villar and Pangilinan comes another prospect, that of a third candidate for Senate president, possibly rising to break any stand-off.
Angara believes, in the event of a tight race between Villar and Pangilinan, there may just be room for re-elected Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to make his own bid for the top Senate seat.
"He never solicited support from any of us," Angara says. "We don't want a vacuum to occur, a vacuum could happen if two sides stuck to their guns and no one crosses over. That's an occasion when a person of prominence like Enrile might emerge as a compromise. Then all bets are off."
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Roxas: Call me the President's water boy
Defeated vice-presidential candidate Mar Roxas shrugs off the importance of his role in the Aquino administration.
He described his job merely as the President Benigno Aquino's water boy who runs errands for the President and follows his orders. "Water boy, water boy lang yun.. kung ano lang iutos," he said after Aquino's statement that Roxas will be one of his chief troubleshooters.
Roxas said he is just helping President Aquino in whatever capacity.
Aquino earlier said he will tap Roxas's services in an official capacity when the one-year ban against appointing losing candidates in the elections ends.
The president did not name the exact position he will give to Roxas, saying the defeated vice-presidential bet will serve as one of his top “troubleshooters.”
“I-the-thresh out pa ang details. It will take effect June 30, yung end of the ban. Pero I will really be tapping his expertise on so many aspects. He might be one of my chief troubleshooters. If there’s something that needs more intense attention, I might ask him to do that, if he is willing,” President Aquino told reporters after hosting the traditional New Year’s vin d’ honneur in Malacañang.
Roxas, however, downplayed his role saying there's nothing to fix in the Aquino Cabinet.
"Wala namang trouble eh. Napaka-husay ng takbo ng gobyerno kaya kung ano man lang ang iutos ng Pilipino ay tutulong tayo. Lahat tayo ay interesado at tutulong sa tagumpay ng gobyerno ni Pangulong Aquino," he said.
He described his job merely as the President Benigno Aquino's water boy who runs errands for the President and follows his orders. "Water boy, water boy lang yun.. kung ano lang iutos," he said after Aquino's statement that Roxas will be one of his chief troubleshooters.
Roxas said he is just helping President Aquino in whatever capacity.
Aquino earlier said he will tap Roxas's services in an official capacity when the one-year ban against appointing losing candidates in the elections ends.
The president did not name the exact position he will give to Roxas, saying the defeated vice-presidential bet will serve as one of his top “troubleshooters.”
“I-the-thresh out pa ang details. It will take effect June 30, yung end of the ban. Pero I will really be tapping his expertise on so many aspects. He might be one of my chief troubleshooters. If there’s something that needs more intense attention, I might ask him to do that, if he is willing,” President Aquino told reporters after hosting the traditional New Year’s vin d’ honneur in Malacañang.
Roxas, however, downplayed his role saying there's nothing to fix in the Aquino Cabinet.
"Wala namang trouble eh. Napaka-husay ng takbo ng gobyerno kaya kung ano man lang ang iutos ng Pilipino ay tutulong tayo. Lahat tayo ay interesado at tutulong sa tagumpay ng gobyerno ni Pangulong Aquino," he said.
Oust-Roxas plot in LP parried
The President’s "chief troubleshooter" is no longer in trouble with his partymates, for now.
Malacañan and House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte shot down attempts by allies to replace former senator Mar Roxas as head of the administration Liberal Party.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said: “Roxas remains chairman of the party. There’s no reason for him to be replaced.”
In a separate text message, Belmonte said: “ I am 100 percent Mar Roxas.”
Laciera and Belmonte were separately sought for comment on attempts by Belmonte’s recruits from the Lakas-Kampi CMD to oust Roxas as LP chairman.
Belmonte brought at least 41 congressmen into LP in the run up to the May 2010 presidential election.
LP 1st termer, Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo, said Belmonte has a very good chance of unseating Roxas if elections were held within the party since Belmonte brought many of them in.
He said factions within the party are pushing for Belmonte to prevent Roxas from using the party for his future campaigns, possibly for senator in 2013 and President in 2016.
"Belmonte has no intention to run for president while Mar has desire to run for president….There are some quarters pushing for presidency of Speaker Sonny Belmonte because with advent of speakership elections and speaker Belmonte recruited a big chunk of LPs into LP bloc, fresh, new LPs also wanted to push him as next president," the congressman said.
Castelo, however, said Belmonte is not likely to be drawn into an election confrontation with Roxas and will only accept the party presidency with Roxas’ consent.
“The Speaker will not go against Mar Roxas as president unless given to him," he said.
The Quezon City congressman said this is part of the party’s preparations for the next elections, saying whoever tops the 2013 senatorial elections will be the frontrunner for the 2016 presidential elections.
“Whoever number 1 senator will be strongest contender for presidency. Toss up between Chiz (Francis Escudero) and Mar and other personalities. Whoever will garner highest votes sa Senate will be serious for presidency. Ngayon pa lang may intramurals na," he said.
Malacañan and House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte shot down attempts by allies to replace former senator Mar Roxas as head of the administration Liberal Party.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said: “Roxas remains chairman of the party. There’s no reason for him to be replaced.”
In a separate text message, Belmonte said: “ I am 100 percent Mar Roxas.”
Laciera and Belmonte were separately sought for comment on attempts by Belmonte’s recruits from the Lakas-Kampi CMD to oust Roxas as LP chairman.
Belmonte brought at least 41 congressmen into LP in the run up to the May 2010 presidential election.
LP 1st termer, Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo, said Belmonte has a very good chance of unseating Roxas if elections were held within the party since Belmonte brought many of them in.
He said factions within the party are pushing for Belmonte to prevent Roxas from using the party for his future campaigns, possibly for senator in 2013 and President in 2016.
"Belmonte has no intention to run for president while Mar has desire to run for president….There are some quarters pushing for presidency of Speaker Sonny Belmonte because with advent of speakership elections and speaker Belmonte recruited a big chunk of LPs into LP bloc, fresh, new LPs also wanted to push him as next president," the congressman said.
Castelo, however, said Belmonte is not likely to be drawn into an election confrontation with Roxas and will only accept the party presidency with Roxas’ consent.
“The Speaker will not go against Mar Roxas as president unless given to him," he said.
The Quezon City congressman said this is part of the party’s preparations for the next elections, saying whoever tops the 2013 senatorial elections will be the frontrunner for the 2016 presidential elections.
“Whoever number 1 senator will be strongest contender for presidency. Toss up between Chiz (Francis Escudero) and Mar and other personalities. Whoever will garner highest votes sa Senate will be serious for presidency. Ngayon pa lang may intramurals na," he said.
No accord in Binay-Roxas poll protest meet
No common issue or common ground was agreed upon by the parties of former vice presidential bet Manuel "Mar" Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay during the preliminary conference of the electoral protest lodged by the losing candidate on Monday.
Roxas, represented by lead counsel Joe Tenefrancia, contended that the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) should first subject the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines, Automated Election System (AES) source code and Compact Flash (CF) cards to forensic examination before the retrieval of ballot boxes should be ordered by the Tribunal for the revision/recount of votes.
Tenefrancia also asked for another Random Manual Audit (RMA) of election results in more than the 1,145 clustered precincts nationwide already covered by the RMA.
Tenefrancia held that these were necessary in order to make sure that the automated election results were accurate and credible.
"We are saying that the system itself is flawed and therefore the need for the forensic examination and the more comprehensive Random Manual Audit. We pray that before the revision, forensic analysis should be done first by independent technical experts and that an RMA should be conducted with greater sample size and better manner of selecting samples," Tenefrancia said.
Atty. Felicitas Arroyo, lead counsel for Binay, however, objected to the Roxas camp's pleadings insisting that the conduct of forensic examination and RMA were not part of the 2010 Rules of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) and therefore something that the Tribunal cannot do.
"What the protestant wants us to do now is to invite the PET to do a surgery on a cadaver, to resuscitate a corpse, and reassign the position of organs to suit their purpose! They don't have the facts that such irregularities happened and throwing the burden on the PET because they have not built their case," Arroyo told Hearing Commissioner Bernardo Pardo, who was designated by the Supreme Court sitting as the PET to hear the preliminary conference.
"If we were to allow the PET to oblige the invitation of protestant, we are actually inviting the Court to commit a violation of its very Rules which cannot be sanctioned by the Constitution," Arroyo said.
To this, Pardo asked Arroyo if she was referrring to the absence of Cause of Action for the protest, to which Arroyo said "Yes, Your Honor".
For his part, Hearing Commissioner Pardo told Roxas' counsel that asking the PET to first conduct forensic examination of the AES as well as an RMA would delay the process, which is "beneficial to the other side who is already sitting".
Specifically on the RMA, Pardo also commented that it can only be done by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in accordance with Republic Act 9369, more commonly known as the automation law. Pardo, meantime, told Binay's counsel that her pleading for the PET to require Roxas to pay a cash deposit of at least P135 million for the revision/recount of votes may not be necessary at this time since each of the parties deposited an initial P200,000, which is not yet depleted.
Among issues the parties failed to agree upon was the issue of witnesses common to both their protest and counter-protest including, but not limited to, COMELEC officials and SMARTMATIC officers.
The issues raised by the Roxas camp include::
* "high incidence" of "null votes" which total 2,612,207 in areas where Roxas won and less in areas where Binay won
* delays in the preparations of the COMELEC and SMARTMATIC-TIM;
* errors in the configuration of CF cards nationwide a week before the May 10 polls leading to their subsequent recall and reconfiguration;
* erroneous storing of results of the Final Testing and Sealing process of the PCOS machines in the backup CF card by the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI); transmission of said results to the Canvassing Centers and the subsequent official canvass of such results by the Board of Canvassers.
Issues raised by the Binay camp include::
* supposed "null votes" as claimed by Roxas camp not sufficient to affect the outcome of the polls as manifested in a Resolution by the Joint Canvassing Committee of both chambers of Congress;
* Binay Counter-protest limited to matters extraneous to the conduct of automated elections:vote-buying, disenfranchisement due to confusion of voters, illegal printing of ballots and election returns in localities;
* Binay Counter-protest specified areas:Aklan, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur.
Roxas was not present in the conference and had to enter a Special Power of Attorney authorizing his legal team to represent him. Binay meantime attended the proceeding but refused to be interviewed beyond saying both protestant and protestee have to be physically present.
Roxas, represented by lead counsel Joe Tenefrancia, contended that the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) should first subject the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines, Automated Election System (AES) source code and Compact Flash (CF) cards to forensic examination before the retrieval of ballot boxes should be ordered by the Tribunal for the revision/recount of votes.
Tenefrancia also asked for another Random Manual Audit (RMA) of election results in more than the 1,145 clustered precincts nationwide already covered by the RMA.
Tenefrancia held that these were necessary in order to make sure that the automated election results were accurate and credible.
"We are saying that the system itself is flawed and therefore the need for the forensic examination and the more comprehensive Random Manual Audit. We pray that before the revision, forensic analysis should be done first by independent technical experts and that an RMA should be conducted with greater sample size and better manner of selecting samples," Tenefrancia said.
Atty. Felicitas Arroyo, lead counsel for Binay, however, objected to the Roxas camp's pleadings insisting that the conduct of forensic examination and RMA were not part of the 2010 Rules of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) and therefore something that the Tribunal cannot do.
"What the protestant wants us to do now is to invite the PET to do a surgery on a cadaver, to resuscitate a corpse, and reassign the position of organs to suit their purpose! They don't have the facts that such irregularities happened and throwing the burden on the PET because they have not built their case," Arroyo told Hearing Commissioner Bernardo Pardo, who was designated by the Supreme Court sitting as the PET to hear the preliminary conference.
"If we were to allow the PET to oblige the invitation of protestant, we are actually inviting the Court to commit a violation of its very Rules which cannot be sanctioned by the Constitution," Arroyo said.
To this, Pardo asked Arroyo if she was referrring to the absence of Cause of Action for the protest, to which Arroyo said "Yes, Your Honor".
For his part, Hearing Commissioner Pardo told Roxas' counsel that asking the PET to first conduct forensic examination of the AES as well as an RMA would delay the process, which is "beneficial to the other side who is already sitting".
Specifically on the RMA, Pardo also commented that it can only be done by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in accordance with Republic Act 9369, more commonly known as the automation law. Pardo, meantime, told Binay's counsel that her pleading for the PET to require Roxas to pay a cash deposit of at least P135 million for the revision/recount of votes may not be necessary at this time since each of the parties deposited an initial P200,000, which is not yet depleted.
Among issues the parties failed to agree upon was the issue of witnesses common to both their protest and counter-protest including, but not limited to, COMELEC officials and SMARTMATIC officers.
The issues raised by the Roxas camp include::
* "high incidence" of "null votes" which total 2,612,207 in areas where Roxas won and less in areas where Binay won
* delays in the preparations of the COMELEC and SMARTMATIC-TIM;
* errors in the configuration of CF cards nationwide a week before the May 10 polls leading to their subsequent recall and reconfiguration;
* erroneous storing of results of the Final Testing and Sealing process of the PCOS machines in the backup CF card by the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI); transmission of said results to the Canvassing Centers and the subsequent official canvass of such results by the Board of Canvassers.
Issues raised by the Binay camp include::
* supposed "null votes" as claimed by Roxas camp not sufficient to affect the outcome of the polls as manifested in a Resolution by the Joint Canvassing Committee of both chambers of Congress;
* Binay Counter-protest limited to matters extraneous to the conduct of automated elections:vote-buying, disenfranchisement due to confusion of voters, illegal printing of ballots and election returns in localities;
* Binay Counter-protest specified areas:Aklan, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur.
Roxas was not present in the conference and had to enter a Special Power of Attorney authorizing his legal team to represent him. Binay meantime attended the proceeding but refused to be interviewed beyond saying both protestant and protestee have to be physically present.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Pangilinan, Villar in tight battle for Senate presidency
The battle for the Senate presidency is on, with Senators Manuel "Manny" Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party and Francis Pangilinan of Liberal Party (LP) tightly competing for the support of their fellow senators.
Villar is seeking the support of the so-called deciding block in the Senate, led by Senator Edgardo Angara.
Joining Angara are Senators Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., and Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.
They join the members of the Senate who are already Villar allies: Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Miriam Defensor Santiago, and Joker Arroyo.
Among these senators, Villar is said to be already certain of the support of Legarda, his running mate in the May polls.
Angara said Villar has been in talks with their group for quite some time.
But Angara's group will not make a decision, until it has talked to Pangilinan.
Angara added party affiliations will not be a factor in their decision.
Meanwhile, Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada confirmed he has signed a resolution supporting Pangilinan.
It is likely Pangilinan will also get the support of Estrada's party-mate, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
If Pangilinan gets Enrile's support, he will have a total of 9 senators backing his bid.
These include his LP party-mates, Senators Frank Drilon, Teofisto "TG" Guingona III and Ralph Recto, and their allies, Senators Serge Osmeña, Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Estrada.
Villar, meanwhile, has seven votes.
While the battle for the Senate Presidency is tight, Quezon City Representative Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. is almost sure to get the House Speakership.
Quezon 4th district Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III said over 150 congressmen have already pledged their support for Belmonte
Belmonte, being in the LP, is also the bet of President Benigno Aquino III.
Villar is seeking the support of the so-called deciding block in the Senate, led by Senator Edgardo Angara.
Joining Angara are Senators Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., and Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.
They join the members of the Senate who are already Villar allies: Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Miriam Defensor Santiago, and Joker Arroyo.
Among these senators, Villar is said to be already certain of the support of Legarda, his running mate in the May polls.
Angara said Villar has been in talks with their group for quite some time.
But Angara's group will not make a decision, until it has talked to Pangilinan.
Angara added party affiliations will not be a factor in their decision.
Meanwhile, Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada confirmed he has signed a resolution supporting Pangilinan.
It is likely Pangilinan will also get the support of Estrada's party-mate, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
If Pangilinan gets Enrile's support, he will have a total of 9 senators backing his bid.
These include his LP party-mates, Senators Frank Drilon, Teofisto "TG" Guingona III and Ralph Recto, and their allies, Senators Serge Osmeña, Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Estrada.
Villar, meanwhile, has seven votes.
While the battle for the Senate Presidency is tight, Quezon City Representative Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. is almost sure to get the House Speakership.
Quezon 4th district Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III said over 150 congressmen have already pledged their support for Belmonte
Belmonte, being in the LP, is also the bet of President Benigno Aquino III.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Members of the Aquino Cabinet
Here is a list of the members of the Cabinet of President-elect Benigno Aquino III, announced on June 29, 2010.
Paquito Ochoa Jr., Executive Secretary
Julia Abad, Presidential Management Staff
Edwin Lacierda, Presidential Spokesperson
Eduardo de Mesa, Presidential Legal Counsel
Sec. Alberto Romulo, retained for Foreign Affairs
Cesar Purisima, Finance
Leila de Lima, Justice
Voltaire Gazmin, National Defense
Cayetano Paderanga, NEDA
Br. Armin Luistro, Education
Florencio Abad, Budget and Management
Rep. Proceso Alcala, Agriculture
Usec. Ramon Paje, Environment and Natural Resources
Jose de Jesus, Transportation and Communication
Rosalinda Baldoz, Labor and Employment
Dr. Enrique Ona, Health
Gregory Domingo, Trade and Industry
Alberto Lim, Tourism
Corazon Soliman, Social Welfare and Development
Mario Montejo, Science and Technology
Jose Almendras, Energy
Rogelio Singson, Public Works and Highways
Virgilio delos Reyes, Agrarian Reform
Teresita Deles, Adviser on the Peace Process
Patricia Licuanan, Commission on Higher Education
Kim Henares, Bureau of Internal Revenue
Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide will lead a "Truth Commission" which will "collate data on who committed what."
Aquino will handle the Department of Interior and Local Government, pending talks with three nominees for the portfolio.
Maj. Gen. Ric David will become Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff; Gen. Jesus Verzosa is retained as Philippine National Police chief.
Paquito Ochoa Jr., Executive Secretary
Julia Abad, Presidential Management Staff
Edwin Lacierda, Presidential Spokesperson
Eduardo de Mesa, Presidential Legal Counsel
Sec. Alberto Romulo, retained for Foreign Affairs
Cesar Purisima, Finance
Leila de Lima, Justice
Voltaire Gazmin, National Defense
Cayetano Paderanga, NEDA
Br. Armin Luistro, Education
Florencio Abad, Budget and Management
Rep. Proceso Alcala, Agriculture
Usec. Ramon Paje, Environment and Natural Resources
Jose de Jesus, Transportation and Communication
Rosalinda Baldoz, Labor and Employment
Dr. Enrique Ona, Health
Gregory Domingo, Trade and Industry
Alberto Lim, Tourism
Corazon Soliman, Social Welfare and Development
Mario Montejo, Science and Technology
Jose Almendras, Energy
Rogelio Singson, Public Works and Highways
Virgilio delos Reyes, Agrarian Reform
Teresita Deles, Adviser on the Peace Process
Patricia Licuanan, Commission on Higher Education
Kim Henares, Bureau of Internal Revenue
Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide will lead a "Truth Commission" which will "collate data on who committed what."
Aquino will handle the Department of Interior and Local Government, pending talks with three nominees for the portfolio.
Maj. Gen. Ric David will become Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff; Gen. Jesus Verzosa is retained as Philippine National Police chief.
Aquino names Cabinet members
President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Tuesday named the members of his Cabinet. He also announced he would establish a "truth commission" headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide.
Aquino himself will take over the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) pending negotiations with three candidates.
Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa Jr. will be Aquino's executive secretary, also known as the "Little President."
Aquino campaign spokesman and lawyer Edwin Lacierda was named presidential spokesman.
Current Meralco President Jose "Ping" de Jesus and former public works secretary of Cory Aquino was named secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications.
Engineer Mario Montejo of the UP College of Engineering was named secretary of the Department of Science and Technology
Corazon "Dinky" Soliman returns to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Gregory Domingo was named secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. He was formerly trade and industry undersecretary and Board of Investments (BOI) chief when Sen. Mar Roxas was at the DTI.
Domingo will likely will head the department for a year after which Roxas will take over.
Ramon Paje, a former DENR undersecretary, will head the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Alberto "Bertie" Lim, executive director of the influential Makati Business Club (MBC), will be secretary of Department of Tourism (DOT).
Lim was president of Ten Knots Development Corporation, owners and managers of El Nido resorts, before he became executive director of the MBC in 2006.
Jose Rene D. Almendras, president of the Manila Water Co., was named secretary of the Department of Energy (DoE). Before joining the Ayala Group, Almendras was treasurer of Aboitiz & Co., and Aboitiz Equity Ventures.
Outgoing Quezon 2nd district Rep. Proceso Alcala was named secretary of the Department of Agriculture. Alcala has established a foundation for farmers and fishermen in Quezon province, raising their incomes.
Lawyer Kim Jacinto Henares, former deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), is the new chief of the tax agency.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, a long-time ally and supporter of the Aquino family, will stay in his post.
Romulo, a long-time family friend and supporter of the Aquinos, has been foreign affairs secretary of the Arroyo government since 2004. He had expressed his personal support for Aquino in the 2010 elections.
Romulo was the late former President Corazon Aquino's budget minister before he ran and won a seat in the Senate in 1987.
Former Education Secretary and Aquino campaign manager Florencio "Butch" Abad will be secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.
Aquino's Senate chief of staff Julia Abad, daughter of Butch Abad, will head the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) office.
Former Philippine Army commanding general and former Presidential Security Guard (PSG) chief during the Cory Aquino administration Voltaire Gazmin was named secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND).
Former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima will return to his old post.
Guillermo Parayno will return as Bureau of Customs commissioner.
Leila de Lima, chair of the Commission on Human Rights, was named secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will be involved in any investigation into allegations of corruption against President Arroyo and her administration, as well as cases such as the election-related massacre of at least 57 people on Mindanao last year.
"At least the justice secretary can be his partner in pursuing some of the initiatives he wants to take. The president and his new Cabinet are very encouraging signs," Ramon del Rosario, a former finance secretary and head of the lobby group Makati Business Club, earlier told Reuters.
Rosalinda Baldoz, former administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), was named secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Maynilad Water Services, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rogelio "Babes" L. Singson was named secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Singson joined Maynilad after its reprivatization in 2007 under new owners, DMCI-Metro Pacific Consortium.
Prior to joining the country’s largest water concessionaire, Singson was the chairman and president of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).
He was involved in the conceptualization and implementation of the country's biggest property privatization—Fort Bonifacio.
He also helped monitor foreign-assisted Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects during the transition from the Marcos government to the Cory government.
For the Department of Health (DOH). Aquino named Dr. Enrique Ona, currently executive director of the National Kidney and Transplantation Institute.
De La Salle University President Rev. Armin Luistro was named of secretary of the Department of Education.
A statement released by De La Salle last week said Luistro arrived at the decision after consulting with the university's stakeholders.
Luistro was among those who called for President Arroyo's resignation in 2005 after she was accused of rigging the 2004 presidential election.
University of the Philippines (UP) Economics Professor Cayetano "Dondon" Paderanga was appointed socio-economic planning secretary.
Paderanga takes over as director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) from acting NEDA chief Augusto Santos, a career officer.
Paderanga headed the same agency in the last 3 years (1990-1992) of the first Aquino government.
He was also member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monetary Board from 1993 to 1999. He was executive director for the Philippines in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) from 2001 to 2003.
Paderanga's appointment also signals the return of the economic planning agency to professors of the University of the Philippines.
From 1986 to 2002, faculty from the UP and the prestigious UP School of Economics led the NEDA, among them, Solita 'Winnie' Monsod, Prof. Dante Canlas, Prof. Felipe Medalla and Prof. Cielito Habito.
In 2002, President Arroyo named Romulo Neri, a marketing graduate of the UP School of Business Administration, as NEDA director-general. Neri eventually got involved in the overpriced National Broadband Network (NBN)-ZTE telecommunications deal and was replaced by former Senator Ralph Recto in July 2008.
Virgilio de los Reyes was named secretary of Department of Agrarian Reform.
Teresita Quintos-Deles returns as presidential adviser on the peace process.
Lawyer Eduardo de Mesa, will be Aquino's chief Presidential Legal Counsel.
After leaving the Villaraza Cruz Marcelo and Angangco Law Office, de Mesa and incoming executive secretary Ochoa decided to form their own law firm.
Dr. Patricia Licuanan was named chair of the Commission on Higher Education. She is president of Miriam College.
Major General Ric David will be the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Aquino himself will take over the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) pending negotiations with three candidates.
Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa Jr. will be Aquino's executive secretary, also known as the "Little President."
Aquino campaign spokesman and lawyer Edwin Lacierda was named presidential spokesman.
Current Meralco President Jose "Ping" de Jesus and former public works secretary of Cory Aquino was named secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications.
Engineer Mario Montejo of the UP College of Engineering was named secretary of the Department of Science and Technology
Corazon "Dinky" Soliman returns to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Gregory Domingo was named secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. He was formerly trade and industry undersecretary and Board of Investments (BOI) chief when Sen. Mar Roxas was at the DTI.
Domingo will likely will head the department for a year after which Roxas will take over.
Ramon Paje, a former DENR undersecretary, will head the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Alberto "Bertie" Lim, executive director of the influential Makati Business Club (MBC), will be secretary of Department of Tourism (DOT).
Lim was president of Ten Knots Development Corporation, owners and managers of El Nido resorts, before he became executive director of the MBC in 2006.
Jose Rene D. Almendras, president of the Manila Water Co., was named secretary of the Department of Energy (DoE). Before joining the Ayala Group, Almendras was treasurer of Aboitiz & Co., and Aboitiz Equity Ventures.
Outgoing Quezon 2nd district Rep. Proceso Alcala was named secretary of the Department of Agriculture. Alcala has established a foundation for farmers and fishermen in Quezon province, raising their incomes.
Lawyer Kim Jacinto Henares, former deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), is the new chief of the tax agency.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, a long-time ally and supporter of the Aquino family, will stay in his post.
Romulo, a long-time family friend and supporter of the Aquinos, has been foreign affairs secretary of the Arroyo government since 2004. He had expressed his personal support for Aquino in the 2010 elections.
Romulo was the late former President Corazon Aquino's budget minister before he ran and won a seat in the Senate in 1987.
Former Education Secretary and Aquino campaign manager Florencio "Butch" Abad will be secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.
Aquino's Senate chief of staff Julia Abad, daughter of Butch Abad, will head the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) office.
Former Philippine Army commanding general and former Presidential Security Guard (PSG) chief during the Cory Aquino administration Voltaire Gazmin was named secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND).
Former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima will return to his old post.
Guillermo Parayno will return as Bureau of Customs commissioner.
Leila de Lima, chair of the Commission on Human Rights, was named secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will be involved in any investigation into allegations of corruption against President Arroyo and her administration, as well as cases such as the election-related massacre of at least 57 people on Mindanao last year.
"At least the justice secretary can be his partner in pursuing some of the initiatives he wants to take. The president and his new Cabinet are very encouraging signs," Ramon del Rosario, a former finance secretary and head of the lobby group Makati Business Club, earlier told Reuters.
Rosalinda Baldoz, former administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), was named secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Maynilad Water Services, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rogelio "Babes" L. Singson was named secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Singson joined Maynilad after its reprivatization in 2007 under new owners, DMCI-Metro Pacific Consortium.
Prior to joining the country’s largest water concessionaire, Singson was the chairman and president of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).
He was involved in the conceptualization and implementation of the country's biggest property privatization—Fort Bonifacio.
He also helped monitor foreign-assisted Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects during the transition from the Marcos government to the Cory government.
For the Department of Health (DOH). Aquino named Dr. Enrique Ona, currently executive director of the National Kidney and Transplantation Institute.
De La Salle University President Rev. Armin Luistro was named of secretary of the Department of Education.
A statement released by De La Salle last week said Luistro arrived at the decision after consulting with the university's stakeholders.
Luistro was among those who called for President Arroyo's resignation in 2005 after she was accused of rigging the 2004 presidential election.
University of the Philippines (UP) Economics Professor Cayetano "Dondon" Paderanga was appointed socio-economic planning secretary.
Paderanga takes over as director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) from acting NEDA chief Augusto Santos, a career officer.
Paderanga headed the same agency in the last 3 years (1990-1992) of the first Aquino government.
He was also member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monetary Board from 1993 to 1999. He was executive director for the Philippines in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) from 2001 to 2003.
Paderanga's appointment also signals the return of the economic planning agency to professors of the University of the Philippines.
From 1986 to 2002, faculty from the UP and the prestigious UP School of Economics led the NEDA, among them, Solita 'Winnie' Monsod, Prof. Dante Canlas, Prof. Felipe Medalla and Prof. Cielito Habito.
In 2002, President Arroyo named Romulo Neri, a marketing graduate of the UP School of Business Administration, as NEDA director-general. Neri eventually got involved in the overpriced National Broadband Network (NBN)-ZTE telecommunications deal and was replaced by former Senator Ralph Recto in July 2008.
Virgilio de los Reyes was named secretary of Department of Agrarian Reform.
Teresita Quintos-Deles returns as presidential adviser on the peace process.
Lawyer Eduardo de Mesa, will be Aquino's chief Presidential Legal Counsel.
After leaving the Villaraza Cruz Marcelo and Angangco Law Office, de Mesa and incoming executive secretary Ochoa decided to form their own law firm.
Dr. Patricia Licuanan was named chair of the Commission on Higher Education. She is president of Miriam College.
Major General Ric David will be the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
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