The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) board is backing Liberal Party (LP) bets Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for president and Sen. Mar Roxas for vice president.
The PMA board chose to endorse the 2 candidates to ensure the successful implementation of PMA’s various health programs, according to Dr. Mike Aragon, PMA chairman for media affairs.
The 2 candidates deserve the PMA’s endorsement because they have a legislative program that “protects the medical profession” and health of the country, the PMA secretary general said.
Aside from Aquino and Roxas, the PMA board has also decided to support several candidates for senator from different political parties.
They are:
former Senator Franklin Drilon (LP);
Sen. Pilar “Pia” Cayetano of the Nacionalista Party (NP);
Dr. Martin Bautista (LP);
Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico of Lakas-Kampi-CMD (Lakas);
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago of the People’s Reform Party (PRP);
lawyer Gwendolyn Pimentel (NP);
Adel Tamano (NP);
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile of the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP);
Sergio Osmeña III (LP);
Ralph Recto (LP);
Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (Lakas);
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (PMP).
Showing posts with label Endorsers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Endorsers. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Church enlists Villar, de los Reyes in drive vs RH bill
One week before the May 10 elections, the Catholic Church has sought to enlist candidates running for public office in its campaign against a controversial reproductive health (RH) bill that seeks to curb a runaway population growth blamed for creeping poverty.
At least two presidential candidates—Sen. Manny Villar and Councilor JC de los Reyes of Olongapo—Sunday signed the covenant to protect life and to oppose the RH bill that both the Senate and the House of Representatives failed to enact at the close of their regular session in February.
A sprinkling of senatorial candidates was also on hand for the event that followed a Mass said by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
But Rosales later told reporters that the candidates’ signing the covenant did not mean that the Church would support or campaign for them.
“Probably, you will give it a political innuendo, saying that those who signed will be the candidates of the Church or who will be campaigned for by the Church,” he said.
“I don’t think that’s the essence of the covenant. They are really intent on preserving the sacredness, unity, quality of the Filipino family that we have now.”
In his homily, Rosales reiterated the stand of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) against the reproductive health bill and spoke at length against its sex education component beginning at Grade 5.
“There is a basic reverence and dignity that life demands, at whatever stage it is found,” he said. “No one should insult the value of both love and life and the values of the Filipino families and the fidelity they put in both.”
Rosales said this was why there was no need to teach the young the use of contraceptives and that sooner or later they would know how these devices worked.
The Constitution, Rosales said, states that the government should support the parents’ right and duty to rear the youth for the development of their moral character.
“Shall we say now that teaching the young how to put on those contraptions is developing moral character?” he asked.
“There is something wrong here. Let us pray that we have better thinkers for the country,” he added.
Vote pro-life candidates
Rosales also warned against the “power, the lobby and the money” behind those pushing contraceptives. “Do not sell the Filipino family down the drain. There are more people outside our country who welcome our values, our traditions and our faith,” he said.
Rosales’ Mass at Manila Cathedral was followed by the signing of the covenant for life wherein candidates pledged to block the RH bill as well as measures that will push for divorce, euthanasia, abortion, tyrannical population control and homosexual unions.
Before the Mass ended, Council of the Laity national president Edgardo Tria Tirona called on Catholic voters to elect only those who follow the Church’s pro-life position.
“We reiterate our solidarity with our Church leaders on the imperative of protecting the sanctity of life … Let us elect only those who have made clear their belief in the sacredness of life and vow to protect it,” Tirona said.
“We have always been pro-life. This (covenant) is an affirmation of our pro-life position,” Villar later told reporters.
“Of course, we will implement this. This is my belief and it will be my guide if I’m elected president,” Villar said. “I will not make it law. You decide for yourself. In other words, you have the right to do what you want.”
“I’ve always been pro-life,” he said, pointing out that he opposed the RH bill, along with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.
Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Commission on the Family and Life, said other presidential candidates had signaled their intention to sign the covenant.
Aquino position
However, Edwin Lacierda, spokesperson for Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the leading presidential candidate in the surveys, said that the Liberal Party standard-bearer did not get an invitation to the signing.
Aquino has been criticized by Catholic groups for his stand on the RH bill, but Lacierda said that Aquino did not support the measure in its present form.
He explained that Aquino maintained that the country’s high population growth “must be addressed.”
“The state should inform and educate the public, especially the poor, of their choices of family planning, both natural and modern,” Lacierda said.
“We should leave it to the parents to choose the size of their family and the method. So, our end-position respects the conscience of each individual,” he added.
Lacierda said Aquino would not restrict the public’s choice only to natural family planning, the only method approved by the Church.
“If you are Catholic and you choose only natural family planning methods, then that’s OK. But the government should not restrict the choices of the public,” he said.
Other politicians present at the Mass were Pimentel, his daughter Gwendolyn, who is running for the Senate, former Sen. Francisco Tatad, and Ang Kapatiran senatorial candidates Jo Imbong, Adrian Sison, Rizalito David and Manuel Valdehuesa.
Bill proquality life
Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay, the bill’s principal author, has said that the measure seeks to provide information and access to both natural and modern family planning methods which are medically safe and legally permissible.
“The bill is not anti-life. It is pro-quality life,” Lagman said. “It will empower couples with information and opportunity to plan and space their children.”
He denied that the bill would lead to legalization of abortion. He said that many Catholic countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Ireland, banned abortion while vigorously promoting the use of contraceptives.
The bill does not claim to be a cure for poverty, Lagman said.
“It simply recognizes the verifiable link between a huge population and poverty. Unbridled population growth stunts socioeconomic development and aggravates poverty,” he said, pointing to a 2004 study by the Asian Development Bank.
The National Statistics Office estimates that there were 92.2 million Filipinos as of 2009, a third of them surviving on a dollar a day, the poverty threshold defined by the World Bank. The population is projected to hit the 100-million mark by 2015
At least two presidential candidates—Sen. Manny Villar and Councilor JC de los Reyes of Olongapo—Sunday signed the covenant to protect life and to oppose the RH bill that both the Senate and the House of Representatives failed to enact at the close of their regular session in February.
A sprinkling of senatorial candidates was also on hand for the event that followed a Mass said by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
But Rosales later told reporters that the candidates’ signing the covenant did not mean that the Church would support or campaign for them.
“Probably, you will give it a political innuendo, saying that those who signed will be the candidates of the Church or who will be campaigned for by the Church,” he said.
“I don’t think that’s the essence of the covenant. They are really intent on preserving the sacredness, unity, quality of the Filipino family that we have now.”
In his homily, Rosales reiterated the stand of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) against the reproductive health bill and spoke at length against its sex education component beginning at Grade 5.
“There is a basic reverence and dignity that life demands, at whatever stage it is found,” he said. “No one should insult the value of both love and life and the values of the Filipino families and the fidelity they put in both.”
Rosales said this was why there was no need to teach the young the use of contraceptives and that sooner or later they would know how these devices worked.
The Constitution, Rosales said, states that the government should support the parents’ right and duty to rear the youth for the development of their moral character.
“Shall we say now that teaching the young how to put on those contraptions is developing moral character?” he asked.
“There is something wrong here. Let us pray that we have better thinkers for the country,” he added.
Vote pro-life candidates
Rosales also warned against the “power, the lobby and the money” behind those pushing contraceptives. “Do not sell the Filipino family down the drain. There are more people outside our country who welcome our values, our traditions and our faith,” he said.
Rosales’ Mass at Manila Cathedral was followed by the signing of the covenant for life wherein candidates pledged to block the RH bill as well as measures that will push for divorce, euthanasia, abortion, tyrannical population control and homosexual unions.
Before the Mass ended, Council of the Laity national president Edgardo Tria Tirona called on Catholic voters to elect only those who follow the Church’s pro-life position.
“We reiterate our solidarity with our Church leaders on the imperative of protecting the sanctity of life … Let us elect only those who have made clear their belief in the sacredness of life and vow to protect it,” Tirona said.
“We have always been pro-life. This (covenant) is an affirmation of our pro-life position,” Villar later told reporters.
“Of course, we will implement this. This is my belief and it will be my guide if I’m elected president,” Villar said. “I will not make it law. You decide for yourself. In other words, you have the right to do what you want.”
“I’ve always been pro-life,” he said, pointing out that he opposed the RH bill, along with Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.
Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Commission on the Family and Life, said other presidential candidates had signaled their intention to sign the covenant.
Aquino position
However, Edwin Lacierda, spokesperson for Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the leading presidential candidate in the surveys, said that the Liberal Party standard-bearer did not get an invitation to the signing.
Aquino has been criticized by Catholic groups for his stand on the RH bill, but Lacierda said that Aquino did not support the measure in its present form.
He explained that Aquino maintained that the country’s high population growth “must be addressed.”
“The state should inform and educate the public, especially the poor, of their choices of family planning, both natural and modern,” Lacierda said.
“We should leave it to the parents to choose the size of their family and the method. So, our end-position respects the conscience of each individual,” he added.
Lacierda said Aquino would not restrict the public’s choice only to natural family planning, the only method approved by the Church.
“If you are Catholic and you choose only natural family planning methods, then that’s OK. But the government should not restrict the choices of the public,” he said.
Other politicians present at the Mass were Pimentel, his daughter Gwendolyn, who is running for the Senate, former Sen. Francisco Tatad, and Ang Kapatiran senatorial candidates Jo Imbong, Adrian Sison, Rizalito David and Manuel Valdehuesa.
Bill proquality life
Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay, the bill’s principal author, has said that the measure seeks to provide information and access to both natural and modern family planning methods which are medically safe and legally permissible.
“The bill is not anti-life. It is pro-quality life,” Lagman said. “It will empower couples with information and opportunity to plan and space their children.”
He denied that the bill would lead to legalization of abortion. He said that many Catholic countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Ireland, banned abortion while vigorously promoting the use of contraceptives.
The bill does not claim to be a cure for poverty, Lagman said.
“It simply recognizes the verifiable link between a huge population and poverty. Unbridled population growth stunts socioeconomic development and aggravates poverty,” he said, pointing to a 2004 study by the Asian Development Bank.
The National Statistics Office estimates that there were 92.2 million Filipinos as of 2009, a third of them surviving on a dollar a day, the poverty threshold defined by the World Bank. The population is projected to hit the 100-million mark by 2015
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Ang Presidente Ko, Chiz Escudero Noynoy Ads
Here is the TV Ads entitled "Ang Presidente Ko", the Chiz Escudero Noynoy Ads.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Razon thanks rivals Lim, Atienza for endorsement
DON’T LOOK NOW BUT AVELINO Razon, the dark horse in the race for Manila mayor, has been getting endorsements from his toughest rivals for the post—incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim and former Environment Secretary Lito Atienza.
Razon himself would not believe it at first but the stories about how Lim and Atienza, who have long been at odds with each other, would openly declare that they would rather see the former Philippine National Police chief win over the other have become too many to ignore.
“I was pleasantly surprised. At first I would not believe it but there have been too many occasions where different persons would tell me they heard Mayor Lim say, ‘If you don’t like me, don’t vote for Mayor Atienza. Vote for Razon,’” the Nationalist People’s Coalition bet told the Inquirer in a recent interview.
“Mayor Atienza was also heard saying, ‘To those who don’t like me, just don’t vote for Lim. I’d rather you go for Razon.’ I really want to thank both of them,” said Razon, erstwhile presidential adviser on the peace process.
He added that it was possible that he has remained in the good graces of the two politicians since he served them both as the city’s chief of police.
Razon headed the Western Police District (now known as the Manila Police District or MPD) during Lim’s second term as mayor from 1996 to 1998. When Atienza took over as mayor from 1998 to 2001, Razon was MPD director.
Razon lamented that his rivals’ campaigns have turned bloody following several instances of violence between their supporters.
“Because of this culture of political vengeance, the city has been left behind by Makati, Pasig, Pasay and even Taguig,” he said.
Should he be elected mayor, Razon said he would do away with “personal and political patronage.”
Razon himself would not believe it at first but the stories about how Lim and Atienza, who have long been at odds with each other, would openly declare that they would rather see the former Philippine National Police chief win over the other have become too many to ignore.
“I was pleasantly surprised. At first I would not believe it but there have been too many occasions where different persons would tell me they heard Mayor Lim say, ‘If you don’t like me, don’t vote for Mayor Atienza. Vote for Razon,’” the Nationalist People’s Coalition bet told the Inquirer in a recent interview.
“Mayor Atienza was also heard saying, ‘To those who don’t like me, just don’t vote for Lim. I’d rather you go for Razon.’ I really want to thank both of them,” said Razon, erstwhile presidential adviser on the peace process.
He added that it was possible that he has remained in the good graces of the two politicians since he served them both as the city’s chief of police.
Razon headed the Western Police District (now known as the Manila Police District or MPD) during Lim’s second term as mayor from 1996 to 1998. When Atienza took over as mayor from 1998 to 2001, Razon was MPD director.
Razon lamented that his rivals’ campaigns have turned bloody following several instances of violence between their supporters.
“Because of this culture of political vengeance, the city has been left behind by Makati, Pasig, Pasay and even Taguig,” he said.
Should he be elected mayor, Razon said he would do away with “personal and political patronage.”
Escudero all out for ‘Noy-Bi’
Roxas denies blocking Chiz ad on Binay
Ang Ladlad, which aspires to be the first gay group in Asia to hold a legislative office, on Wednesday endorsed Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, but not his running mate, Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.
Ladlad is supporting Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, vice presidential candidate of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).
The “Noy-Bi” combination is also being pushed by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who earlier backed out of the presidential race.
Escudero was instrumental in securing Ang Ladlad’s support for Aquino and Binay, according to the group’s chair Danton Remoto.
Reached for comment in Cagayan de Oro City, Aquino said this was not the time to get jealous especially with interest groups endorsing candidates from different parties, such as the Noy-Bi pairing.
“We have to be more open-minded. This is not the time to harbor ill feelings. We can’t afford to be ill-tempered. There is no point in that. We have to be calm especially in the last few days when the nightmare scenarios could happen. We cannot be hotheaded,” Aquino said at a press conference.
He said he had assured supporters that Roxas remained his vice presidential candidate. “If I can’t convince (a supporter to back up Roxas), I told Mar he should look for others. In the same token, if there is someone who only likes Mar, I have to find others for me,” Aquino said.
The LP standard-bearer said he had taken up the matter with Roxas. “We are transparent on this,” he added.
‘That’s democracy’
Aquino said he asked Roxas if there was an issue on this about commitment. “There may be areas where Mar has a long-standing relationship (with somebody else) but I will never object to the support he is getting,” he said.
Roxas said he was cool to Ang Ladlad’s decision not to go solid LP. “That is the point of democracy.”
As to the similar endorsements made by Escudero, Roxas said: “I am friends with Senator Chiz. We have different political views. I am glad that he is supporting my candidate for president, and for me that is enough.”
“For me, what is most important is that all powers for Senator Noynoy will join forces,” Roxas added.
Aquino said Escudero was his kumpare and one of his closest friends. He said they have been together through many issues when they were both members of the House of the Representatives, including the impeachment case against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“It’s a huge thing to get an endorsement from a friend,” Aquino added. “But I’ve always asked the members of my coalition to focus on one goal and that is bringing about change after nine years of the Arroyo government.”
At a press conference in Quezon City, Remoto said Ang Ladlad considered Aquino the “Mr. Clean of Philippine politics.”
Remoto added that the group also admired Binay for his stand as a human rights lawyer during the Marcos dictatorship and for his pro-poor programs in Makati.
Remoto ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Congress under Binay’s PDP-Laban party and has been a card-carrying member of the party.
Binay was a loyal supporter of Noynoy’s mother, the late former President Cory Aquino. Both men had adopted her trademark campaign color, yellow, in casting their own political image.
Asked why the group did not pick Aquino’s running mate, Remoto said Roxas’ campaign was “too slow” in responding to Ang Ladlad’s request for support.
Remoto once worked for Roxas as a communications consultant. “Mar is a kind and decent man and we are still friends. But we had to make up for lost time,” he said.
Roxas blocking ad?
Binay does not mind if the TV ad showing Escudero endorsing his candidacy for vice president remains off the air. Roxas is reportedly blocking Escudero’s ad endorsing Binay.
As far as Binay is concerned, half the battle against Roxas, who has been leading poll surveys in the vice presidential race, is already won.
“They’re just making me even more popular,” the Makati mayor running with former President Joseph Estrada’s PMP told the Inquirer on the phone Wednesday.
“Are we upset? We’re not upset. We’re secretly happy that it has caused this furor,” Binay’s spokesperson Lito Anzures added.
Binay’s camp had apparently received reports that Roxas was keeping a TV station from airing the Escudero endorsement of the mayor.
In the 30-second ad, Escudero is shown “enumerating the good points of Jojo Binay,” such as his humble beginnings and his track record as a longtime local government official, according to Anzures.
Binay said he had not seen the ad, but was told about it by Escudero last week.
Roxas denies the accusation.
“Senator Escudero has every right to endorse any candidate he wants. He is not a member of LP and thus not bound by party discipline,” Roxas said in a text message.
Escudero has also been quietly working as a key member of Binay’s campaign team, which does not necessarily sit well with some supporters of Estrada.
Escudero is backing Aquino despite his being the spokesperson of the late Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 presidential election. Poe was a close friend of Estrada.
Asked about this arrangement in a recent interview, Estrada said: “That’s politics.”
Anzures said the attention being generated by the Escudero ad would only work to the advantage of Binay, who was locked in third place in surveys.
Major threat
“Even assuming the worst that the endorsement would never come out, at least, it has been talked about already, thanks to media people,” Anzures said. “It has done its damage already. But, of course, it would still be better if it would be aired.”
Assuming that Roxas and the LP were indeed blocking the ad, he said it would show that Binay was considered a major threat.
“It’s not surprising for them to try to stop it,” Binay’s spokesperson said. “They feel now who their real opponent is. We’re gaining ground.”
Ang Ladlad, which aspires to be the first gay group in Asia to hold a legislative office, on Wednesday endorsed Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, but not his running mate, Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.
Ladlad is supporting Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, vice presidential candidate of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).
The “Noy-Bi” combination is also being pushed by Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who earlier backed out of the presidential race.
Escudero was instrumental in securing Ang Ladlad’s support for Aquino and Binay, according to the group’s chair Danton Remoto.
Reached for comment in Cagayan de Oro City, Aquino said this was not the time to get jealous especially with interest groups endorsing candidates from different parties, such as the Noy-Bi pairing.
“We have to be more open-minded. This is not the time to harbor ill feelings. We can’t afford to be ill-tempered. There is no point in that. We have to be calm especially in the last few days when the nightmare scenarios could happen. We cannot be hotheaded,” Aquino said at a press conference.
He said he had assured supporters that Roxas remained his vice presidential candidate. “If I can’t convince (a supporter to back up Roxas), I told Mar he should look for others. In the same token, if there is someone who only likes Mar, I have to find others for me,” Aquino said.
The LP standard-bearer said he had taken up the matter with Roxas. “We are transparent on this,” he added.
‘That’s democracy’
Aquino said he asked Roxas if there was an issue on this about commitment. “There may be areas where Mar has a long-standing relationship (with somebody else) but I will never object to the support he is getting,” he said.
Roxas said he was cool to Ang Ladlad’s decision not to go solid LP. “That is the point of democracy.”
As to the similar endorsements made by Escudero, Roxas said: “I am friends with Senator Chiz. We have different political views. I am glad that he is supporting my candidate for president, and for me that is enough.”
“For me, what is most important is that all powers for Senator Noynoy will join forces,” Roxas added.
Aquino said Escudero was his kumpare and one of his closest friends. He said they have been together through many issues when they were both members of the House of the Representatives, including the impeachment case against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“It’s a huge thing to get an endorsement from a friend,” Aquino added. “But I’ve always asked the members of my coalition to focus on one goal and that is bringing about change after nine years of the Arroyo government.”
At a press conference in Quezon City, Remoto said Ang Ladlad considered Aquino the “Mr. Clean of Philippine politics.”
Remoto added that the group also admired Binay for his stand as a human rights lawyer during the Marcos dictatorship and for his pro-poor programs in Makati.
Remoto ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Congress under Binay’s PDP-Laban party and has been a card-carrying member of the party.
Binay was a loyal supporter of Noynoy’s mother, the late former President Cory Aquino. Both men had adopted her trademark campaign color, yellow, in casting their own political image.
Asked why the group did not pick Aquino’s running mate, Remoto said Roxas’ campaign was “too slow” in responding to Ang Ladlad’s request for support.
Remoto once worked for Roxas as a communications consultant. “Mar is a kind and decent man and we are still friends. But we had to make up for lost time,” he said.
Roxas blocking ad?
Binay does not mind if the TV ad showing Escudero endorsing his candidacy for vice president remains off the air. Roxas is reportedly blocking Escudero’s ad endorsing Binay.
As far as Binay is concerned, half the battle against Roxas, who has been leading poll surveys in the vice presidential race, is already won.
“They’re just making me even more popular,” the Makati mayor running with former President Joseph Estrada’s PMP told the Inquirer on the phone Wednesday.
“Are we upset? We’re not upset. We’re secretly happy that it has caused this furor,” Binay’s spokesperson Lito Anzures added.
Binay’s camp had apparently received reports that Roxas was keeping a TV station from airing the Escudero endorsement of the mayor.
In the 30-second ad, Escudero is shown “enumerating the good points of Jojo Binay,” such as his humble beginnings and his track record as a longtime local government official, according to Anzures.
Binay said he had not seen the ad, but was told about it by Escudero last week.
Roxas denies the accusation.
“Senator Escudero has every right to endorse any candidate he wants. He is not a member of LP and thus not bound by party discipline,” Roxas said in a text message.
Escudero has also been quietly working as a key member of Binay’s campaign team, which does not necessarily sit well with some supporters of Estrada.
Escudero is backing Aquino despite his being the spokesperson of the late Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 presidential election. Poe was a close friend of Estrada.
Asked about this arrangement in a recent interview, Estrada said: “That’s politics.”
Anzures said the attention being generated by the Escudero ad would only work to the advantage of Binay, who was locked in third place in surveys.
Major threat
“Even assuming the worst that the endorsement would never come out, at least, it has been talked about already, thanks to media people,” Anzures said. “It has done its damage already. But, of course, it would still be better if it would be aired.”
Assuming that Roxas and the LP were indeed blocking the ad, he said it would show that Binay was considered a major threat.
“It’s not surprising for them to try to stop it,” Binay’s spokesperson said. “They feel now who their real opponent is. We’re gaining ground.”
Friday, April 16, 2010
Ramos backs Joey de Venecia
Former President Fidel Ramos has endorsed the candidacy of one of ex-President Joseph Estrada’s senatorial candidates—the son and namesake of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.
Ramos raised the hand of Jose “Joey” de Venecia III after a forum on Philippine and German cooperation organized by the Hans Seidel Foundation in Makati City.
“Matino, matapang, magaling at matuwid (Upright, courageous, competent and straight),” Ramos said when asked why he was supporting the candidacy of the son of his most loyal ally in Congress during his administration.
Joey de Venecia thanked Ramos for his endorsement.
“I’m sad that I’m not part of the original (Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats) party but my view is that I’m honored to be part of the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino,” the younger De Venecia said.
The PMP is the party which carried Estrada to victory against Joey’s father in 1998. The elder De Venecia was Ramos’ handpicked presidential candidate under the Lakas party which they founded in 1992.
Joey de Venecia said that, while remaining loyal to Estrada’s PMP, he’d like to be part of Lakas “if the internal squabbling gets all arranged and maybe if Kampi splits already.”
Lakas-CMD merged with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s party, the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), in a move that the elder De Venecia, the former Lakas president, is questioning before the Supreme Court.
Speaker De Venecia was ousted from the party presidency after his son exposed the involvement of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in the allegedly overpriced ZTE-NBN contract.
In a press statement, Joey de Venecia said he was both humbled and challenged by Ramos’ endorsement.
“President Ramos is the epitome of a true statesman, and I will work relentlessly to meet his expectations and those of the rest of our countrymen if I’m elected to the 15th Senate,” the senatorial candidate said.
De Venecia is the second senatorial candidate endorsed by Ramos, who had earlier backed the candidacy of Raul Lambino of Lakas-Kampi.
Ramos raised the hand of Jose “Joey” de Venecia III after a forum on Philippine and German cooperation organized by the Hans Seidel Foundation in Makati City.
“Matino, matapang, magaling at matuwid (Upright, courageous, competent and straight),” Ramos said when asked why he was supporting the candidacy of the son of his most loyal ally in Congress during his administration.
Joey de Venecia thanked Ramos for his endorsement.
“I’m sad that I’m not part of the original (Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats) party but my view is that I’m honored to be part of the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino,” the younger De Venecia said.
The PMP is the party which carried Estrada to victory against Joey’s father in 1998. The elder De Venecia was Ramos’ handpicked presidential candidate under the Lakas party which they founded in 1992.
Joey de Venecia said that, while remaining loyal to Estrada’s PMP, he’d like to be part of Lakas “if the internal squabbling gets all arranged and maybe if Kampi splits already.”
Lakas-CMD merged with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s party, the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), in a move that the elder De Venecia, the former Lakas president, is questioning before the Supreme Court.
Speaker De Venecia was ousted from the party presidency after his son exposed the involvement of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in the allegedly overpriced ZTE-NBN contract.
In a press statement, Joey de Venecia said he was both humbled and challenged by Ramos’ endorsement.
“President Ramos is the epitome of a true statesman, and I will work relentlessly to meet his expectations and those of the rest of our countrymen if I’m elected to the 15th Senate,” the senatorial candidate said.
De Venecia is the second senatorial candidate endorsed by Ramos, who had earlier backed the candidacy of Raul Lambino of Lakas-Kampi.
Mar Roxas is Noli's Vice President
Vice President Noli de Castro virtually relinquished his post to Senator Mar Roxas as he publicly endorsed the Liberal Party vice-presidential candidate over his radio dzMM program on Saturday morning.
"Vice President Mar Roxas," De Castro said before opening his radio dzMM program "Para Sa 'Yo Bayan."
Roxas was the lone guest at radio dzMM's "Magandang Morning" program and was about to leave the station when De Castro made the remark.
The incumbent vice-president said, while on air, that he was planning to include a portrait of Roxas in the vice presidents’ gallery.
"Ang gumawa kasi ng gallery sa Office of the Vice President, namatay na iyon eh. Pagagawan ko sana ng painting ito," De Castro announced, but jokingly added, "Hindi. Just in case lang."
Roxas was supposed to run for president under the Liberal Party ticket, but opt out of the race to give way to Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
Roxas was lagging behind pre-election surveys for presidentiables, but his voting preference went up when he declared his vice-presidential run.
The senator has been leading vice-presidential surveys.
Nacionalista Party's guest vice-presidential candidate, Sen. Loren Legarda, who is consistently placed 2nd in vice-presidential surveys, is Roxas's and De Castro's common denominator.
Legarda actively pursued an election protest against De Castro after losing in the 2004 vice-presidential race.
Almost confident
Despite his wide lead in the surveys, Roxas said he and LP presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who has also been leading the surveys, could not relax in the campaign.
He said they would still go around the country to lay down their platform of government to the voters.
The tandem is advocating change and a corrupt-free government.
“No. Actually last night [we went around Quezon and Laguna], presenting our platform of government to the people,” Roxas said.
The senator said that people have been warmly welcoming them wherever they went.
He urged their supporters to be vigilant during the May 10 elections.
"Vice President Mar Roxas," De Castro said before opening his radio dzMM program "Para Sa 'Yo Bayan."
Roxas was the lone guest at radio dzMM's "Magandang Morning" program and was about to leave the station when De Castro made the remark.
The incumbent vice-president said, while on air, that he was planning to include a portrait of Roxas in the vice presidents’ gallery.
"Ang gumawa kasi ng gallery sa Office of the Vice President, namatay na iyon eh. Pagagawan ko sana ng painting ito," De Castro announced, but jokingly added, "Hindi. Just in case lang."
Roxas was supposed to run for president under the Liberal Party ticket, but opt out of the race to give way to Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
Roxas was lagging behind pre-election surveys for presidentiables, but his voting preference went up when he declared his vice-presidential run.
The senator has been leading vice-presidential surveys.
Nacionalista Party's guest vice-presidential candidate, Sen. Loren Legarda, who is consistently placed 2nd in vice-presidential surveys, is Roxas's and De Castro's common denominator.
Legarda actively pursued an election protest against De Castro after losing in the 2004 vice-presidential race.
Almost confident
Despite his wide lead in the surveys, Roxas said he and LP presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who has also been leading the surveys, could not relax in the campaign.
He said they would still go around the country to lay down their platform of government to the voters.
The tandem is advocating change and a corrupt-free government.
“No. Actually last night [we went around Quezon and Laguna], presenting our platform of government to the people,” Roxas said.
The senator said that people have been warmly welcoming them wherever they went.
He urged their supporters to be vigilant during the May 10 elections.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
CBCP hits Villar's 'womanizer' endorsers
The Catholic Church on Tuesday criticized Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party (NP) for tapping celebrity endorsers who are reputed “womanizers.”
Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, media affairs director of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said he disapproved of some of Villar's endorsers namely Dolphy, Willie Revillame and Manny Pacquiao.
Dolphy has several children from different women, while Pacquiao has been rumored to be keeping an illicit affair with a young sexy actress. Revillame, on the other hand, has been romantically linked to several women.
Quitorio wondered how voters can support a presidential candidate who is purportedly not putting any value on the issue of morality. He said candidates should get endorsers who are good role models themselves.
“Dapat mag-reflect po yan sa kandidatura ng kandidato. Sinasabi ng simbahan at civil society na dapat piliin ang mas OK ang buhay ng kandidato," he said.
“Why should we select a person na immoral kung ang ating pakay ay mag-build ng bansa?" he added.
When sought for reaction, Willie Revillame merely brushed off Quitorio’s remarks.
“Hindi [ako galit]. Wala akong kinagagalitan. Basta ang sinasabi ko lang mahirap manghusga ng kapwa mo, hindi ba? Dapat nga diyan kapag may nadadapa ay tinatayo natin. Hindi ‘yong binabagsak pa natin,” he told abs-cbnNEWS.com.
He also told radio dzMM that those who judge him should first get a good look at themselves in the mirror.
When pressed about the womanizer tag, the “Wowowee” host replied: “Hindi, nagsha-share lang ako.”
In the dzMM interview, Revillame continued to criticize ABS-CBN for not showing the number of people who attend the "Wowowili" rallies that he hosts for Villar. "I just want things to be fair...If you don't show what is happening, then there is bias," he said.
He also downplayed the results of pre-election surveys showing Villar ranking second behind Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
NP’s senatorial bet Adel Tamano, meanwhile, hit back at CBCP for criticizing Villar's celebrity endorsers.
Tamano pointed out that it is hard to judge the morals of Dolphy, Revillame and Pacquiao. He also expressed sadness that political mudslinging has gone this low. "Huwag sana tayong lumihis sa mga tunay na isyu ng halalan," he said.
Come Election Day, Tamano said Villar should be judged based on his qualifications as a leader.
He also noted that Villar is not a womanizer.
Meanwhile, Villar said what is important is his background, not the lifestyle of his endorsers.
"Ang mahalaga ay yung aking buhay. Alam naman ng mga kababayan na ang aking buhay ay simple lamang," he said.
He said the people clearly love his endorsers as reflected in their campaign sorties.
"Sila po ay mahal na mahal ng mga Pilipino saan man kami dumako," Villar said. "Minamahal sila for what they are. Somehow yan ay ginagalang ko at dapat igalang ng lahat."
Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, media affairs director of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said he disapproved of some of Villar's endorsers namely Dolphy, Willie Revillame and Manny Pacquiao.
Dolphy has several children from different women, while Pacquiao has been rumored to be keeping an illicit affair with a young sexy actress. Revillame, on the other hand, has been romantically linked to several women.
Quitorio wondered how voters can support a presidential candidate who is purportedly not putting any value on the issue of morality. He said candidates should get endorsers who are good role models themselves.
“Dapat mag-reflect po yan sa kandidatura ng kandidato. Sinasabi ng simbahan at civil society na dapat piliin ang mas OK ang buhay ng kandidato," he said.
“Why should we select a person na immoral kung ang ating pakay ay mag-build ng bansa?" he added.
When sought for reaction, Willie Revillame merely brushed off Quitorio’s remarks.
“Hindi [ako galit]. Wala akong kinagagalitan. Basta ang sinasabi ko lang mahirap manghusga ng kapwa mo, hindi ba? Dapat nga diyan kapag may nadadapa ay tinatayo natin. Hindi ‘yong binabagsak pa natin,” he told abs-cbnNEWS.com.
He also told radio dzMM that those who judge him should first get a good look at themselves in the mirror.
When pressed about the womanizer tag, the “Wowowee” host replied: “Hindi, nagsha-share lang ako.”
In the dzMM interview, Revillame continued to criticize ABS-CBN for not showing the number of people who attend the "Wowowili" rallies that he hosts for Villar. "I just want things to be fair...If you don't show what is happening, then there is bias," he said.
He also downplayed the results of pre-election surveys showing Villar ranking second behind Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
NP’s senatorial bet Adel Tamano, meanwhile, hit back at CBCP for criticizing Villar's celebrity endorsers.
Tamano pointed out that it is hard to judge the morals of Dolphy, Revillame and Pacquiao. He also expressed sadness that political mudslinging has gone this low. "Huwag sana tayong lumihis sa mga tunay na isyu ng halalan," he said.
Come Election Day, Tamano said Villar should be judged based on his qualifications as a leader.
He also noted that Villar is not a womanizer.
Meanwhile, Villar said what is important is his background, not the lifestyle of his endorsers.
"Ang mahalaga ay yung aking buhay. Alam naman ng mga kababayan na ang aking buhay ay simple lamang," he said.
He said the people clearly love his endorsers as reflected in their campaign sorties.
"Sila po ay mahal na mahal ng mga Pilipino saan man kami dumako," Villar said. "Minamahal sila for what they are. Somehow yan ay ginagalang ko at dapat igalang ng lahat."
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Aquino unfazed by El Shaddai’s reported support for Villar
Who will be El Shaddai's chosen one?
El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde may have given hints in Hong Kong two months ago that he supports Sen. Manuel Villar but this has not stopped his rival Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III from attending El Shaddai's Easter service scheduled for later Saturday night.
Aquino, who led Villar by nine points in the last Social Weather Stations survey, was expected to attend and give a speech at the Catholic charismatic group's overnight Easter service in Parañaque, in an apparent bid to secure the support of Velarde and his followers, who reportedly number in the millions.
Velarde said in Hong Kong that he and his flock would know by Easter Sunday whom to vote for in the May 10 presidential election.
"Senator Aquino will be attending the Mass and also give a five-minute talk. The service is expected to last overnight," Edwin Lacierda, Aquino's spokesperson, said on Saturday.
Villar and deposed President Joseph Estrada were also expected to attend the prayer rally with the former scheduled to arrive at 8 p.m. Aquino was expected at 10 p.m.
"Senator Aquino respects our religious leaders and he wants to talk to them. And according to Brother Mike, there was no official (El Shaddai) endorsement (of Villar in Hong Kong)," Lacierda said.
Villar attended an El Shaddai prayer rally in Hong Kong’s Central district in which Velarde gave hints that he favored Villar. Villar was the only presidential candidate invited to that gathering.
"Senator Aquino wants to talk to our religious leaders because he wants their advice. He has already talked to Pastor (Apollo) Quiboloy and he is also talking with Catholic bishops," Lacierda said.
Aquino reportedly met with Velarde even before the Hong Kong prayer rally. Candidates have long sought Velarde's blessings because of the belief that El Shaddai followers vote for the candidates he endorses.
In the Hong Kong rally, Velarde said that El Shaddai "does not endorse" candidates but added that he expected El Shaddai members to "vote as one" in May.
“For us in El Shaddai during elections, we don’t really endorse. We just vote. So, you have promised God we are going to vote as one this election… we are going to examine all the candidates for president and vice president," Velarde told his followers.
Velarde said during the same gathering that the group would make up its mind on whom to vote for by Easter Sunday.
“We will still evaluate the candidates. We should check their background if they are capable and have already complied something,” he said in February.“But without favoring anybody, we know that our guest today (Villar) has a heart for (Filipinos) in other countries. He is approachable…(but) we will choose until Easter Sunday. By that time, I will know and all of us will know (whom to vote for). Maybe those of you here in Hong Kong already know.”
Many in that crowd wore orange and white clothes, the campaign colors of Villar and his running-mate, Senator Loren Legarda.
Velarde and Villar have been friends because both were active in the real estate business. Villar said he has known Velarde from even before he founded El Shaddai.
On the other hand, Lacierda emphasized that Aquino's presence at the Easter service was "not campaigning" because he was just joining his fellow Catholics in celebrating Easter.
"This is not campaigning. The senator also wants to be with his fellow Filipinos in this Easter vigil," Lacierda said.
El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde may have given hints in Hong Kong two months ago that he supports Sen. Manuel Villar but this has not stopped his rival Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III from attending El Shaddai's Easter service scheduled for later Saturday night.
Aquino, who led Villar by nine points in the last Social Weather Stations survey, was expected to attend and give a speech at the Catholic charismatic group's overnight Easter service in Parañaque, in an apparent bid to secure the support of Velarde and his followers, who reportedly number in the millions.
Velarde said in Hong Kong that he and his flock would know by Easter Sunday whom to vote for in the May 10 presidential election.
"Senator Aquino will be attending the Mass and also give a five-minute talk. The service is expected to last overnight," Edwin Lacierda, Aquino's spokesperson, said on Saturday.
Villar and deposed President Joseph Estrada were also expected to attend the prayer rally with the former scheduled to arrive at 8 p.m. Aquino was expected at 10 p.m.
"Senator Aquino respects our religious leaders and he wants to talk to them. And according to Brother Mike, there was no official (El Shaddai) endorsement (of Villar in Hong Kong)," Lacierda said.
Villar attended an El Shaddai prayer rally in Hong Kong’s Central district in which Velarde gave hints that he favored Villar. Villar was the only presidential candidate invited to that gathering.
"Senator Aquino wants to talk to our religious leaders because he wants their advice. He has already talked to Pastor (Apollo) Quiboloy and he is also talking with Catholic bishops," Lacierda said.
Aquino reportedly met with Velarde even before the Hong Kong prayer rally. Candidates have long sought Velarde's blessings because of the belief that El Shaddai followers vote for the candidates he endorses.
In the Hong Kong rally, Velarde said that El Shaddai "does not endorse" candidates but added that he expected El Shaddai members to "vote as one" in May.
“For us in El Shaddai during elections, we don’t really endorse. We just vote. So, you have promised God we are going to vote as one this election… we are going to examine all the candidates for president and vice president," Velarde told his followers.
Velarde said during the same gathering that the group would make up its mind on whom to vote for by Easter Sunday.
“We will still evaluate the candidates. We should check their background if they are capable and have already complied something,” he said in February.“But without favoring anybody, we know that our guest today (Villar) has a heart for (Filipinos) in other countries. He is approachable…(but) we will choose until Easter Sunday. By that time, I will know and all of us will know (whom to vote for). Maybe those of you here in Hong Kong already know.”
Many in that crowd wore orange and white clothes, the campaign colors of Villar and his running-mate, Senator Loren Legarda.
Velarde and Villar have been friends because both were active in the real estate business. Villar said he has known Velarde from even before he founded El Shaddai.
On the other hand, Lacierda emphasized that Aquino's presence at the Easter service was "not campaigning" because he was just joining his fellow Catholics in celebrating Easter.
"This is not campaigning. The senator also wants to be with his fellow Filipinos in this Easter vigil," Lacierda said.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Pacquiao endorses Loren Legarda
Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has officially endorsed vice-presidential candidate Loren Legarda, the running mate of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar.
The 7-division champ made the endorsement on a plane ride to General Santos City from Manila. Both Legarda and Villar joined him on the flight.
“Manny Pacquiao is a national treasure, and I am grateful for his endorsement,” said Legarda.
“Manny Pacquiao makes me proud to be Pinoy, and even prouder that he is with us in the campaign. He has shown us what good old-fashioned hard work and determination can achieve. Kaya ako sumasaludo kay Manny ‘di lamang bilang isang kumare at kaibigan, kundi bilang Pilipino,” she added.
Legarda is one of Pacquiao’s “kumare” or godmother to his youngest daughter Queen Elizabeth.
The Villar-Legarda team is set to campaign in General Santos City, Maasim, Kiamba, and Maitum on a chariot ride.
The sortie culminates in a rally at the Kiamba gym.
Pacquiao earlier endorsed Villar.
Pacquiao is running for the lone congressional seat of Sarangani province.
He lost in his first attempt to represent the district of South Cotabato in 2007 against Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
The 7-division champ made the endorsement on a plane ride to General Santos City from Manila. Both Legarda and Villar joined him on the flight.
“Manny Pacquiao is a national treasure, and I am grateful for his endorsement,” said Legarda.
“Manny Pacquiao makes me proud to be Pinoy, and even prouder that he is with us in the campaign. He has shown us what good old-fashioned hard work and determination can achieve. Kaya ako sumasaludo kay Manny ‘di lamang bilang isang kumare at kaibigan, kundi bilang Pilipino,” she added.
Legarda is one of Pacquiao’s “kumare” or godmother to his youngest daughter Queen Elizabeth.
The Villar-Legarda team is set to campaign in General Santos City, Maasim, Kiamba, and Maitum on a chariot ride.
The sortie culminates in a rally at the Kiamba gym.
Pacquiao earlier endorsed Villar.
Pacquiao is running for the lone congressional seat of Sarangani province.
He lost in his first attempt to represent the district of South Cotabato in 2007 against Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Lim welcomes Magdalo endorsement
Former Brigadier General Danilo Lim on Wednesday welcomed the support of the Magdalo group of soldiers for his senatorial bid.
"I am grateful that they have endorsed my candidacy and have pledged to continue to do so," the detained former military general said in a statement.
"However, their support for Senator Manny Villar's presidency runs counter to my present situation having been adopted and supported by another party," Lim said.
The former military official is a guest candidate of the Liberal Party, whose standard-bearer is Senator Benigno Aquino III.
Lim said however that he "respects" the Magdalo's right to choose the presidential candidate to support.
"I have always insisted on doing the right thing. One of these is to defend the right to choose. I respect the Magdalo's right to choose a candidate different from my own choice," Lim said.
"I have always felt an affinity for my brothers in arms. It is this affinity and our common purpose and principles that led us to Manila Pen on November 29, 2007," he added.
Lim is among the 12 senatorial aspirants endorsed by the Magdalo group.
The other senatorial candidates the Magdalo group has endorsed are Colonel Ariel Querubin, Senators Pia Cayetano and Jinggoy Estrada, Representatives Ruffy Biazon, Bongbong Marcos and Gilbert Remulla, former Senator Tito Sotto, Susan Ople, Atty. Adel Tamano, Atty. JV Bautista and Joey de Venecia III.
For the vice president, the Magdalo group endorsed the candidacy of Senator Mar Roxas.
"I am grateful that they have endorsed my candidacy and have pledged to continue to do so," the detained former military general said in a statement.
"However, their support for Senator Manny Villar's presidency runs counter to my present situation having been adopted and supported by another party," Lim said.
The former military official is a guest candidate of the Liberal Party, whose standard-bearer is Senator Benigno Aquino III.
Lim said however that he "respects" the Magdalo's right to choose the presidential candidate to support.
"I have always insisted on doing the right thing. One of these is to defend the right to choose. I respect the Magdalo's right to choose a candidate different from my own choice," Lim said.
"I have always felt an affinity for my brothers in arms. It is this affinity and our common purpose and principles that led us to Manila Pen on November 29, 2007," he added.
Lim is among the 12 senatorial aspirants endorsed by the Magdalo group.
The other senatorial candidates the Magdalo group has endorsed are Colonel Ariel Querubin, Senators Pia Cayetano and Jinggoy Estrada, Representatives Ruffy Biazon, Bongbong Marcos and Gilbert Remulla, former Senator Tito Sotto, Susan Ople, Atty. Adel Tamano, Atty. JV Bautista and Joey de Venecia III.
For the vice president, the Magdalo group endorsed the candidacy of Senator Mar Roxas.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Villar seeking for Bro. Mike Velarde and El Shaddai Endorsement
NACIONALISTA PARTY (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar arrived in Hon Kong Saturday afternoon to meet with Filipino migrants and influential lay Catholic leaders, including Bro. Mariano “Mike” Velarde of the charismatic group El Shaddai.
Villar was to meet with Couples for Christ leader Frank Padilla and other CFC elders Saturday night. On Sunday he is to attend the Chinese New Year celebration of El Shaddai’s Hong Kong chapter.
Shortly before she herself flew to the former Crown Colony, Villar’s running mate, Sen. Loren Legarda, said the two of them were “the only ones invited by Brother Mike.”
Legarda told the Inquirer by phone that Velarde had personally extended the invitation to her and Villar to attend Sunday’s gathering in Hong Kong, which hosts nearly 100,000 Filipino voters.
The gathering is to be held on Chater Road at the central business district, where Filipino domestics congregate on Sundays.
Politicians running for national or local posts always seek the support of religious groups such as El Shaddai and Iglesia ni Cristo, which is known to vote as a bloc during elections.
Long friendship
On the phone with the Inquirer in Manila, Velarde’s spokesperson Mel Robles confirmed that among the presidential candidates, only Villar was invited by the El Shaddai leader to join him at Sunday’s gathering.
Robles, who was also in Hong Kong to take part in the Chinese New Year celebration, left it to Velarde to say whether he would endorse Villar and Legarda.
But he confirmed that among the candidates in past and coming elections, the NP standard-bearer was the closest to Velarde.
Robles, the administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority, also chairs Buhay, the El Shaddai party-list group.
“Their friendship goes a long, long way. Compared to all others in the past, this one has the longest friendship with him,” Robles told the Inquirer on the phone.
According to Robles, Villar has enjoyed Velarde’s support since he first ran for congressman up to the time he became Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President.
Explaining the friendship, Robles said Velarde was one of the pioneers of mass housing in the country, and Villar used to supply sand to his business.
Velarde reportedly ventured into the residential subdivision business in the 1980s after graduating from the University of the East with a degree in geodetic engineering.
Like Villar, Velarde’s property was also deemed to have benefited from the controversial C-5 road extension project. But the Senate decided not to include the politically influential church leader in its investigation.
Verbal, nonverbal clues
In a statement sent to the Inquirer through Robles later Saturday, Velarde confirmed that Villar was the only presidential candidate invited to join him at Sunday’s gathering.
But when asked if he was supporting Villar’s candidacy over the others, Velarde merely said: “We go a long way back and we’re very close friends.”
Short of confirming that his boss was inclined to back Villar, Robles said the invitation for Villar to join Velarde in an El Shaddai event was “out of the ordinary.”
But he added that as a matter of policy, Velarde did not openly endorse candidates but merely gave verbal or nonverbal clues for his flock to “discern” during El Shaddai prayer rallies in Parañaque City close to Election Day.
Robles also said that if there was someone Velarde was “openly and wholeheartedly endorsing,” it would be the Buhay party-list group, of which his son Rene is a representative.
Villar arrived on board a Cathay Pacific flight at around 2:40 p.m. with his wife, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.
The senator is expected to attend Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Tsuen Wan district before having dinner with Padilla and other CFC leaders.
He is to also meet Sunday with leaders of the militant group Migrante before attending the El Shaddai celebration.
Villar’s NP has allied with the militant Makabayan alliance, which has a strong presence in the Filipino community in Hong Kong.
According to Migrante, Hong Kong has one of the highest number of registered voters among overseas Filipino workers, and had the highest voter turnout overseas during the 2004 and 2007 elections.
Loren’s adviser
Legarda disclosed to the Inquirer that it was Velarde himself who had advised her to run with Villar.
“I was consulting him last year on who to run with after Chiz (Sen. Francis Escudero) bolted the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC),” Legarda said.
“Chiz is gone,” she quoted Velarde as saying. “Don’t look too far. You should be with Manny (Villar).”
Escudero had earlier been groomed to be the NPC’s standard-bearer, with Legarda as his running mate. But he backed out at the last minute.
Legarda said she and Velarde meet for lunch almost every month.
“The last time we had lunch together, he was with his daughter and son,” she said.
Villar was to meet with Couples for Christ leader Frank Padilla and other CFC elders Saturday night. On Sunday he is to attend the Chinese New Year celebration of El Shaddai’s Hong Kong chapter.
Shortly before she herself flew to the former Crown Colony, Villar’s running mate, Sen. Loren Legarda, said the two of them were “the only ones invited by Brother Mike.”
Legarda told the Inquirer by phone that Velarde had personally extended the invitation to her and Villar to attend Sunday’s gathering in Hong Kong, which hosts nearly 100,000 Filipino voters.
The gathering is to be held on Chater Road at the central business district, where Filipino domestics congregate on Sundays.
Politicians running for national or local posts always seek the support of religious groups such as El Shaddai and Iglesia ni Cristo, which is known to vote as a bloc during elections.
Long friendship
On the phone with the Inquirer in Manila, Velarde’s spokesperson Mel Robles confirmed that among the presidential candidates, only Villar was invited by the El Shaddai leader to join him at Sunday’s gathering.
Robles, who was also in Hong Kong to take part in the Chinese New Year celebration, left it to Velarde to say whether he would endorse Villar and Legarda.
But he confirmed that among the candidates in past and coming elections, the NP standard-bearer was the closest to Velarde.
Robles, the administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority, also chairs Buhay, the El Shaddai party-list group.
“Their friendship goes a long, long way. Compared to all others in the past, this one has the longest friendship with him,” Robles told the Inquirer on the phone.
According to Robles, Villar has enjoyed Velarde’s support since he first ran for congressman up to the time he became Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President.
Explaining the friendship, Robles said Velarde was one of the pioneers of mass housing in the country, and Villar used to supply sand to his business.
Velarde reportedly ventured into the residential subdivision business in the 1980s after graduating from the University of the East with a degree in geodetic engineering.
Like Villar, Velarde’s property was also deemed to have benefited from the controversial C-5 road extension project. But the Senate decided not to include the politically influential church leader in its investigation.
Verbal, nonverbal clues
In a statement sent to the Inquirer through Robles later Saturday, Velarde confirmed that Villar was the only presidential candidate invited to join him at Sunday’s gathering.
But when asked if he was supporting Villar’s candidacy over the others, Velarde merely said: “We go a long way back and we’re very close friends.”
Short of confirming that his boss was inclined to back Villar, Robles said the invitation for Villar to join Velarde in an El Shaddai event was “out of the ordinary.”
But he added that as a matter of policy, Velarde did not openly endorse candidates but merely gave verbal or nonverbal clues for his flock to “discern” during El Shaddai prayer rallies in Parañaque City close to Election Day.
Robles also said that if there was someone Velarde was “openly and wholeheartedly endorsing,” it would be the Buhay party-list group, of which his son Rene is a representative.
Villar arrived on board a Cathay Pacific flight at around 2:40 p.m. with his wife, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.
The senator is expected to attend Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Tsuen Wan district before having dinner with Padilla and other CFC leaders.
He is to also meet Sunday with leaders of the militant group Migrante before attending the El Shaddai celebration.
Villar’s NP has allied with the militant Makabayan alliance, which has a strong presence in the Filipino community in Hong Kong.
According to Migrante, Hong Kong has one of the highest number of registered voters among overseas Filipino workers, and had the highest voter turnout overseas during the 2004 and 2007 elections.
Loren’s adviser
Legarda disclosed to the Inquirer that it was Velarde himself who had advised her to run with Villar.
“I was consulting him last year on who to run with after Chiz (Sen. Francis Escudero) bolted the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC),” Legarda said.
“Chiz is gone,” she quoted Velarde as saying. “Don’t look too far. You should be with Manny (Villar).”
Escudero had earlier been groomed to be the NPC’s standard-bearer, with Legarda as his running mate. But he backed out at the last minute.
Legarda said she and Velarde meet for lunch almost every month.
“The last time we had lunch together, he was with his daughter and son,” she said.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Law covers all celebrities endorsing candidates
Dolphy, Kris Aquino and Willie Revillame will have to go on leave from their television shows if they continue to endorse candidates, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said Wednesday.
The PPCRV said the Fair Election Act made it mandatory for actors, columnists and other mass media personalities endorsing candidates to resign or take a leave from their TV shows or media outfits during the campaign period.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it was prepared to implement this provision of the law.
The Comelec will ask media personalities who are campaigning for a politician to take a leave from work, or compel their employers to make them take some time off, according to the poll body’s law department director, Ferdinand Rafanan.
Asked if being an endorser was equivalent to working for a candidate, Rafanan said “endorsing is campaigning.”
Section 6 (6.6) of the Fair Election Act or Republic Act No. 9006 states: “Any mass media columnist, commentator, announcer, reporter, on-air correspondent or personality who is a candidate for any elective public office or is a campaign volunteer for or employed or retained in any capacity by any candidate or political party shall be deemed resigned, if so required by their employer, or shall take a leave of absence from his/her work as such during the campaign period.”
The Comelec essentially repeated the same provision in its Feb. 4 resolution that provided the implementing rules of RA 9006.
The provision is intended to prevent any candidate from benefiting unduly from the exposure of the media personality endorsing him or her.
In effect next week
PPCRV lawyer Howard Calleja Wednesday said that since the Comelec’s resolution implementing RA 9006 was promulgated only recently, the law would be in effect by next week.
Violation of the Fair Election Act is punishable by one to six years’ imprisonment.
Calleja called attention to this requirement of the Fair Election Act, saying he was just reminding media personalities that they have to abide by it by leaving their shows or media outfits.
“They’re saying they want change, so they should follow the law. They should not ask for an exception,” Calleja said.
Staple in campaigns
Celebrities have become a staple in campaigns, with aspiring public officials using their endorsements to boost their name. Some even say that support from actors was the secret weapon of victorious candidates.
The two leading contenders for the presidency, Senators Benigno Aquino III and Manuel Villar, have tapped many popular actors for their campaign.
Aquino’s first TV commercial featured a bevy of TV stars from the top two networks, including his sister, TV host Kris Aquino.
One of Villar’s popular advertisements featured comedy king Dolphy. Villar has also tapped TV host Willie Revillame and popular singer-actress Sarah Geronimo to endorse him.
Stop airing shows
The media outfit also has to stop airing the shows of the entertainer, or the column of the columnist, according to Calleja.
He added that media personalities and actors could also not claim that they had shot the endorsement commercial before the campaign period began, because the advertisement could still be aired in rallies or uploaded on the Internet, and thus could still be used to boost a candidate’s profile.
At the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s presidential forum last Monday, Sen. Jamby Madrigal took a jab at Villar’s heavy use of celebrities. Reminded that she, too, used Judy Ann Santos to win a Senate seat in 2004, her comeback was quick: “I have seen the folly of my ways. I’ll not do it again.”
The PPCRV said the Fair Election Act made it mandatory for actors, columnists and other mass media personalities endorsing candidates to resign or take a leave from their TV shows or media outfits during the campaign period.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it was prepared to implement this provision of the law.
The Comelec will ask media personalities who are campaigning for a politician to take a leave from work, or compel their employers to make them take some time off, according to the poll body’s law department director, Ferdinand Rafanan.
Asked if being an endorser was equivalent to working for a candidate, Rafanan said “endorsing is campaigning.”
Section 6 (6.6) of the Fair Election Act or Republic Act No. 9006 states: “Any mass media columnist, commentator, announcer, reporter, on-air correspondent or personality who is a candidate for any elective public office or is a campaign volunteer for or employed or retained in any capacity by any candidate or political party shall be deemed resigned, if so required by their employer, or shall take a leave of absence from his/her work as such during the campaign period.”
The Comelec essentially repeated the same provision in its Feb. 4 resolution that provided the implementing rules of RA 9006.
The provision is intended to prevent any candidate from benefiting unduly from the exposure of the media personality endorsing him or her.
In effect next week
PPCRV lawyer Howard Calleja Wednesday said that since the Comelec’s resolution implementing RA 9006 was promulgated only recently, the law would be in effect by next week.
Violation of the Fair Election Act is punishable by one to six years’ imprisonment.
Calleja called attention to this requirement of the Fair Election Act, saying he was just reminding media personalities that they have to abide by it by leaving their shows or media outfits.
“They’re saying they want change, so they should follow the law. They should not ask for an exception,” Calleja said.
Staple in campaigns
Celebrities have become a staple in campaigns, with aspiring public officials using their endorsements to boost their name. Some even say that support from actors was the secret weapon of victorious candidates.
The two leading contenders for the presidency, Senators Benigno Aquino III and Manuel Villar, have tapped many popular actors for their campaign.
Aquino’s first TV commercial featured a bevy of TV stars from the top two networks, including his sister, TV host Kris Aquino.
One of Villar’s popular advertisements featured comedy king Dolphy. Villar has also tapped TV host Willie Revillame and popular singer-actress Sarah Geronimo to endorse him.
Stop airing shows
The media outfit also has to stop airing the shows of the entertainer, or the column of the columnist, according to Calleja.
He added that media personalities and actors could also not claim that they had shot the endorsement commercial before the campaign period began, because the advertisement could still be aired in rallies or uploaded on the Internet, and thus could still be used to boost a candidate’s profile.
At the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s presidential forum last Monday, Sen. Jamby Madrigal took a jab at Villar’s heavy use of celebrities. Reminded that she, too, used Judy Ann Santos to win a Senate seat in 2004, her comeback was quick: “I have seen the folly of my ways. I’ll not do it again.”
Presidentiables Showbiz Endorsers
Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, standard-bearer of the Liberal Party, has the longest list of show biz supporters, due mainly to the influence of his sister Kris, an actress and a TV host of ABS-CBN Channel 2.
Kris’ best friend, talent manager Boy Abunda, who used to be a supporter of Manny Villar, is now part of the Aquino campaign. Villar is the presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party.
Singer-actor Ogie Alcasid composed the song “Hindi Ka Nag-iisa,” which is being used as the theme song of Aquino’s campaign. Regine Velasquez, Alcasid’s long-time girlfriend, recorded the song.
Among those who also expressed their support for Aquino were Abunda’s wards Gretchen Barretto, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Mariel Rodriguez, Sitti and Pooh.
Popular actors Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis, Kim Chiu, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Kris Bernal and Aljur Abrenica have also committed to campaigning for Aquino.
Thank you to Estradas
Actress Lorna Tolentino recently announced that she would help in the campaign of deposed president Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Puwersa ng Masa standard-bearer.
Tolentino’s late husband, actor Rudy Fernandez, was the best friend of Erap’s son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is running for reelection. The actress said this was her way of showing her gratitude to the Estradas, who had helped her family while Fernandez was still battling cancer.
Singer-actress Sarah Geromino recently joined the list of personalities supporting Villar. Like veteran comedian Dolphy and TV host Willie Revillame, Geronimo has agreed to represent Villar, this time, to the youth sector.
Geronimo is also endorsing Joy Belmonte, running mate of former actor Herbert Bautista, who is running for mayor of Quezon City.
The TVC, which features pop-rock band Rivermaya singing “Harapin ang Bagong Hamon ng Pag-asa” for administration candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, premiered last week.
This came on the heels of a protest from former Rivermaya front man, Rico Blanco, who accused Teodoro’s team of failing to ask his permission for the use of the song “Posible” in the latter’s previous TVC.
Blanco is claiming ownership of “Posible,” which also served as the official theme song of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.
Gary V for Bro. Ed
The family of multi-awarded artist Gary Valenciano said it would support the candidacy of evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Bangon Pilipinas Party standard-bearer.
In a text message to the Inquirer, Valenciano’s wife, Angeli Pangilinan, said: “If [Villanueva] needs performers, we will be here for [him] if schedule permits. I have known Bro. Eddie since 1988. I will support him in whatever way I can. We share the same faith. I also respect his leadership and convictions.”
Kris’ best friend, talent manager Boy Abunda, who used to be a supporter of Manny Villar, is now part of the Aquino campaign. Villar is the presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party.
Singer-actor Ogie Alcasid composed the song “Hindi Ka Nag-iisa,” which is being used as the theme song of Aquino’s campaign. Regine Velasquez, Alcasid’s long-time girlfriend, recorded the song.
Among those who also expressed their support for Aquino were Abunda’s wards Gretchen Barretto, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Mariel Rodriguez, Sitti and Pooh.
Popular actors Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis, Kim Chiu, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Kris Bernal and Aljur Abrenica have also committed to campaigning for Aquino.
Thank you to Estradas
Actress Lorna Tolentino recently announced that she would help in the campaign of deposed president Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Puwersa ng Masa standard-bearer.
Tolentino’s late husband, actor Rudy Fernandez, was the best friend of Erap’s son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is running for reelection. The actress said this was her way of showing her gratitude to the Estradas, who had helped her family while Fernandez was still battling cancer.
Singer-actress Sarah Geromino recently joined the list of personalities supporting Villar. Like veteran comedian Dolphy and TV host Willie Revillame, Geronimo has agreed to represent Villar, this time, to the youth sector.
Geronimo is also endorsing Joy Belmonte, running mate of former actor Herbert Bautista, who is running for mayor of Quezon City.
The TVC, which features pop-rock band Rivermaya singing “Harapin ang Bagong Hamon ng Pag-asa” for administration candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, premiered last week.
This came on the heels of a protest from former Rivermaya front man, Rico Blanco, who accused Teodoro’s team of failing to ask his permission for the use of the song “Posible” in the latter’s previous TVC.
Blanco is claiming ownership of “Posible,” which also served as the official theme song of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.
Gary V for Bro. Ed
The family of multi-awarded artist Gary Valenciano said it would support the candidacy of evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Bangon Pilipinas Party standard-bearer.
In a text message to the Inquirer, Valenciano’s wife, Angeli Pangilinan, said: “If [Villanueva] needs performers, we will be here for [him] if schedule permits. I have known Bro. Eddie since 1988. I will support him in whatever way I can. We share the same faith. I also respect his leadership and convictions.”
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