SC upholds delisting of 10 party-list groups

The Supreme Court has upheld the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec’s) resolutions disqualifying at least 10 party-list groups from seeking representation in Congress in this year’s congressional elections.
The disqualified groups include the organization of Fernando Poe Jr.’s supporters in the 2004 elections, the Freedom, Peace, Justice and Progress Movement, and the amusing group of cockfight aficionados Alyansa Sabungero.
Other groups whose appeals of their disqualification by the Comelec the Supreme Court dismissed include Alab ng Pusong Pinoy, Abag sa Kalikupan, Koalisyon at Aksyon Nag-iimpok Para sa Ekonomiya at Gabay ng mga Organisasyon or 1-Kanegosyo, Alyansa Alay sa Adhikain ng Beterano, Anak sa Pantalan, Agro-Industrial Productivity Exponents, 1-Angkan Party, and Alyansa ng Sambayanang Pilipino.
Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, the Supreme Court spokesperson, told reporters that the Court dismissed the petitions for certiorari either because the groups failed to show abuse of discretion on the part of the Comelec or because they failed to comply with the rules on such appeals.
Marquez said the Supreme Court also dismissed the petition for certiorari filed by one Richard Recto against the Comelec’s resolution disqualifying him from the senatorial elections for being a nuisance candidate.

source: inquirer.net

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Congress looking into delays in poll machines delivery.

Congress is now looking into possible violations in the P7.2 billion poll automation contract after several adjustments have been made in the delivery schedules of machines to be used in the first ever national automated elections.

Senator Fancis “Chiz” Escudero said the changes made on the delivery date of the machines have exceeded the maximum 30-day adjustment period specified in the contract between the Commission and Elections and technology provider Smartmatic inc.

“They say there’s no delay but that’s because they keep on changing the delivery date. It is indicated in the contract that they can’t adjust for more than 30 days from the original contract date,” Escudero told reporters after a hearing by the joint congressional oversight committee on automated election system on Wednesday.

“The lawyers are looking into the first date set and they would like to know if they have exceeded the 30 day maximum adjustment period considering they are already delayed for almost three months,” said Escudero, co-chairman of the committee.

If there were indeed violations committed in the contract, the senator said, the committee would point this out to the Comelec or file necessary actions in court.

In cases of delay, the poll automation contract provides that a portion of the total amount, specifically one tenth of one percent, or about P7 million , will be deducted for each day of delay from the amount due Smartmatic.

“My problem, Atty. Tolentino, is that in the contract , although you can move deadlines, you can’t move the deadline beyond 30 days from what was originally stated in the contract but some of the adjustments made exceed already 30 days,” he said.

The senator was referring to Jose Tolentino, executive director of the Comelec.

But Tolentino attributed the changes in the delivery of machines to the delay in the awarding of the contract to Smartmatic.

The contract should have been awarded in May 2009 but because of some delays in the release of money for the poll automation project, it was only awarded to Smartmatic two months after.

There was another delay of about 51 days, Tolentino said, when a case was filed against the poll automation system.

“That’s the reason why the Comelec pursuant to the provision of the contract had to make adjustments,” he told the committee.

“The Comelec allows the parties to make changes because not all delivery schedules indicated in the contract , not al the problems had been foreseen by all the parties. So the parties may now amend them but they have to make sure the last deadline like for example in the delivery of the PCOS (precinct count optical scan), which is February 28, should still be met,” he pointed out.

Based on the last date of delivery, Tolentino said, “Everything is still on time.”

As of Wednesday, Comelec chairman Jose Melo reported to the committee that more than 50, 000 of the 82,000 machines had been either delivered or ready for shipment to the country.

“We have the 28,900 in the warehouse in Cabuyao and 12,000 are awaiting release by the Bureau of Customs and 8,000 are in transit. 7, 200 are awaiting shipment in Shanghai so 26,000 are awaiting advise whether they are already finished and ready to be shipped,’ Melo told the committee.

Courtesy of Inquirer

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Supporters of Noynoy Aquino created a video in youtube to support his candidacy.

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Teodoro to benefit from Villar, Aquino word war

INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Administration candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro might just make headway out of the mudslinging between leading presidential candidates Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manuel Villar, his camp said Friday.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice presidential candidate Edu Manzano, Teodoro’s running-mate, said voters are seeing that Teodoro has an untarnished reputation among the aspirants for the presidency.

“Gibo is coming out clean, with no potential issues involving his integrity and character,” said Manzano, an actor and television host and former vice mayor of Makati City.

Because of this, he said Teodoro’s ratings could even surge in the coming weeks.

Teodoro is fourth in various presidential surveys, behind Aquino, Villar and former president Joseph Estrada.

Villar of the Nacionalista Party and Aquino of the Liberal Party began trading barbs two weeks ago over the result of a survey that showed a two-percentage point drop in Aquino’s ratings.

Aquino expressed doubts on the survey of the Social Weather Stations, which was commissioned by Villar’s campaign.

Aquino further taunted Villar, saying he did not take the lead in questioning the scandals hounding the present administration.

Villar retorted, calling Aquino a “liar” and stressing that it was during his leadership in the Senate when major investigations against the administration were initiated by his party-mates.

Manzano said the public has become tired of negative campaigning.

“The more the LP and the NP drag each other’s standard-bearer down, the more Gibo is emerging as the superior candidate with an unsullied personal track record,” he said in a statement.

Manzano said they are currently making the rounds in campuses, where they are welcomed overwhelmingly by the youth voters.

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Are we READY for an automated election this May 2010?

Automation of the Election has been an issue since last year and specially these days. Comelec has made the deal and we will have a new election process this May, an Automated Election. We just now have 4 months before the election, the question is are we ready? I have read in the news that the Comelec is having a hard time implementing the new process. The time allocated is not enough to get it done. The vulnerability of the machines, time to educate the people or voters, testing, implementation and security has been an issue.

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LADLAD Party List Joins Election on May - A network of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender Filipinos

ANG LADLAD (formerly Ang Lunduyan) was formed on September 1, 2003 as a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Filipinos. The members can either be LGBT organizations or individuals, or their heterosexual supporters.

In Filipino, "magladlad" means to unfurl the cape that used to cover one's body as a shield. It means to come out of the closet, to assert one's human rights as equal to that of the next Filipino. Thus, it means to take one's place in the sun, with dignity intact.

Platforms

1. Support for the Anti-Discrimination Bill that gives LGBT Filipinos equal opportunities in employment and equal treatment in schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, entertainment centers, and government offices.

2. Re-filing of the bill to repeal the Anti-Vagrancy Law that some unscrupulous policemen use to extort bribes from gay men without ID cards;

3. Setting up of micro-finance and livelihood projects for poor and handicapped LGBT Filipinos;

4. Setting up of centers for Golden Gays, or old and abandoned LGBTs, as well as young ones driven out of their homes. The centers will also offer legal aid and counseling, as well as information about LGBT issues, HIV-AIDS, and reproductive health. These centers will be set up initially in the key cities/metropolitan areas of the Philippines -- Baguio, National Capital Region, Cebu and Davao.

The platforms of ANG LADLAD are like laser beams -- clear and focused only in one direction. We aim to restore our pride and dignity as LGBT Filipinos as well as give ourselves a chance to lead kinder and gentler lives.

source: http://www.angladlad.org

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Comelec approves 144 Party-list Groups

The Comission on Election approves a total of 144 party-list groups to join the national election in May.

“We have accredited a total of 144 party lists out of 306 that filed manifestations to participate in the party list system of representation in the May elections. Of the total, one is included the gay party list Ang Ladlad as per the Supreme Court ruling that ordered Comelec to include it in the ballot with pre-printed names of candidates pending the result of its petition,” said Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.

The controversial gay rights group Ang Ladlad has made it to the list but not 162 other party-list aspirants.In its 33-page Resolution No. 8744, the Comelec said the groups’ petitions for accreditation have been approved on the recommendation of the agency’s law department.

The Comelec said the accredited party-list groups have been carefully scrutinized for their track records, programs of action, and nationwide
visibility and influence.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said Ang Ladlad’s inclusion in the list was on orders of the Supreme Court.



Party-list groups accredited by the Commission on Elections:

1. 1-AANI

2. 1-Aangat Pilipino (1-AK)

3. 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1-CARE)

4. 1-Ako Babaeng Astig Aasenso (1-ABAA)

5. 1Guardians Nationalist of the Philippines Inc. (1Ganap/Guardians)

6. 1st Kabalikat ng Bayan Ginhawang Sangkatauhan (1st KABAGIS)

7. A Blessed Federation of Farmers and Fishermen International inc. (A Blessed)

8. Aangat Tayo (AT)

9. Abakada Guro (ABAKADA)

10. Abang Lingkod Inc. (Abang Lingkod)

11. Abante Ilonggo (aba Ilongg)

12. Abante Katutubo Inc. (Abante Ka)

13. Abante Mindanao (Abamin)

14. Abante Tribung Makabayan (ATM)

15. Abono

16. Action Brotherhood for Active Dreamers Inc. (Abroad)

17. Action for Democracy and Development for the Tribal People (Add Tribal)

18. Action for Dynamic Development Inc. (ADD)

19. Act Teachers

20. Action League of Indigenous Masses (ALIM)

21. Adhikain at Kilusan ng Ordinaryong Tao para sa Lupa, Pabahay, Hanapbuhay at Kaunlaran (Ako)

22. Adhikain ng mga Dakilang Anak ng Maharlika (ADAM)

23. Adhikaing Alay ng Marino sa Sambayanan Inc. (Alon)

24. Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng Kooperatiba (ATING KOOP)

25. Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment Through Action Cooperation and Harmony Towards Education Reform (A Teacher)

26. Advocates for Special Children and the Handicapped Movement (Asahan Mo)

27. Agapay ng Indigenous Peoples Right Alliance (A-IPRA)

28. Agbiag Timpuyog Ilokano (AGBIAG)

29. Agila Pwersa ng Nagkakaisang Magsasaka (AGILA)

30. Agila ng Katutubong Pilipino (AGILA)

31. Agri-Agra na Reporma para sa Magsasaka ng Pilipinas Movement (AGRI)

32. Agrarian Development Association (ADA)

33. Agricultural Section Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP)

34. Ahon Pinoy (AHON)

35. Akap Bata

36. Akbay Pinoy OFW-National (APOI)

37. Akbayan Citizens Action Party (Akbayan)

38. Ako Ayoko sa Bawal na Droga (Ako)

39. Ako Bicol Political Party (AKB)

40. Aksyon Magsasaka Partido Tinig ng Masa (AKMA-PTM)

41. Aksyon ng Mamamayang Nagkakaisa (Amana)

42. Alagaan Natin Ating Kalusugan (Anakalusugan)

43. Alagad

44. Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation (Alay Buhay)

45. Alay sa Bayan ng malayang Propesyunal at Repormang Kalakal (Abay Parak)

46. Alliance of Advocates in Mining Advancement for Nation Progress (AAMA)

47. Alliance for Barangay Concerns Party (ABC)

48. Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD)

49. Alliance for Philippines Security Guards Cooperative (AFPSEGCO)

50. Alliance for Rural Concerns (ARC)

51. Alliance for Association of Accredited Workers in the Water Sector (1-TUBIG formerly AAWAS)

52. Alliance for Bicolnon Party (ABP-Bicolnon)

53. Alliance for National Urban Poor Organizations Assembly Inc. (ANUPA)

54. Alliance for People’s Organizations (APO)

55. Alliance of Regional Coalitions Against People’s Povery (ARCAPP)

56. Alliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE)

57. Alliance Transport Sector (ATS)

58. Alma sa Paghihikahos at Ignorasya (ALMA)

59. Alyansa ng Mamamayang Naghihirap (ALMANA)

60. Alyansa ng Media at Showbiz (AMS)

61. Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan Inc. (AGHAM)

62. Alyansa ng Bayanihan ng Magsasaka, manggagawang Bukid at Mangingisda (ABA)

63. An Waray

64. Anak Mindanao (AMIN)

65. Anak Pawis (AP)

66. Ang Agrikultura Natin Isulong (AANI)

67. Ang Asosayon Sang Mangunguma Bisaya-Owa Mangunguman (AAMBIS-OWA)

68. Ang Galing Pinoy (AG)

69. Ang Laban ng Indigong Filipino (ALIF)

70. Ang Ladlad LGBT Party (ANG LADLAD)

71. Ang Mata’y Alagaan (AMA)

72. Ang Tao Muna at Bayan (A TAMBAY)

73. Angat Ating Kabuhayan Filipinas (ANAK)

74. Arts Business and Science Professionals (ABS)

75. Atong Paglaum

76. Asosasyon ng mga Maliliit na Negos-yanteng Gumaganap (AMANG)

77. Association for Righteousness Advocacy in Leadership (ARAL)

78. Association of Laborers and Employess (ALE)

79. Association of Administrators and Professionals and Seniors (AAPS)

80. Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC)

81. Babae Para sa Kaunlaran (BABAE KA)

82. Bago National Cultural Society of the Philippines (BAGO)

83. Bagong Bayan na nagtataguyod ng Demokratikong Ideolohiya at Layunin (BANDILA)

84. Bagong Henerasyon (BH)

85. Barangay Association for National Advancement and Transparency (BANAT)

86. Bayan Muna

87. Bayani

88. Batang Iwas sa Droga Foundation (BIDA)

89. Bigkis Pinoy Movement (BIGKIS)

90. Binhi-Partido ng mga Magsasaka Para sa mga Magsasaka (BINHI)

91. Biyaheng Pinoy Labor Association (Biyaheng Pinoy)

92. Biyayang Bukid

93. Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (Buhay)

94. Butil Farmers Party (Butil)

95. Champions for Innovative Employment (CHINOY)

96. Citizen Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC)

97. Citizen Power Movement (CPM)

98. Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the Country (SENIOR CITIZENS)

99. Cocofed-Philippine Coconut Producers Federation (COCOFED)

100. Coconut Farmers Association of Linamon Lanao del Sur (COFA)

101. Confederation of Nonstock Savings and Loan Association Inc. (CONSLA)

102. Cooperative Natcco Network (COOP-NATCCO)

103. Democratic Independent Workers’ Association (DIWA)

104. Filipino Muslim Organization (FIL-MUS)

105. Firm 24-K Association (FIRM 24-K)

106. First People’s Representative for Indigent Student Athletes (1ST PRISA)

107. Gabriella Women’s Party-List (GABRIELLA)

108. Green Force for the Environment Sons and Daughters of the Mother Earth

109. Itenerant Vendors Alliance of the Philippines (IVAP)

110. Kababaihang Lingkod Bayan sa Pilipinas (KLBP)

111. Kabalikat ng Mamamayan (KABAYAN)

112. Kabataan party-list

113. Kabukluran ng mga Kababaihang Filipina sa Timog Katagalugan (BUKLOD FILIPINA)

114. Kalahi Sectoral Party (KALAHI)

115. Kalinga Advocacy for Social Empowerment and Nation-Building Through Easing Poverty (KALINGA)

116. Kapatiran ng mga Nakakulong na Walang Sala (KAKUSA)

117. Kasangga sa Kaunlaran (ANG KASANGGA)

118. Kasosyo Producer-Consumer Exchange Association (AA-KASOSYO PARTY)

119. Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan All Filipino Democratic Movement (KAAKBAY)

120. Katribu Indigenous Peoples’ Sectoral Party (KATRIBU)

121. Kaunlaran ng Agrikultura Asensadong Bayan Probinsiya Angat ng Bayan (KAAGAPAY)

122. Koalisyon ng Katutubong Samahan ng Pilipinas (KASAPI)

123. One Advocacy for Health Progress and Opportunity (1-AHAPO)

124. Organization of Regional Advocates for Good Governance Onward Nation Building (ORAGON)

125. Pamilyang OFW-SME Network Foundation (OPO)

126. Parents Enabling Parents Coalition (PEP)

127. Partido Katutubong Pilipino (KATUTUBO)

128. Partido Manggagawa (PM)

129. Pilipimo Association for Country – Urban Poor Youth Advancement and Welfare (PACYAW)

130. Pro-active in Climate Change Leaders (PCL)

131. Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA)

132. Social Movement for Active Reform and Transparency (SMART)

133. Sulong Barangay Movement (SB)

134. The True Marcos Loyalist (For God, Country and People) Association of the Phils. (BANTAY)

135. Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)

136. Una ang Pamilya (1 ANG PAMILYA), which is formerly Alliance of Neo-Conservatives (ANC)

137. United Movement Against Drugs Foundation (UNI-MAD)

138. United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK)

139. Vendors and Traders of the Philippines

140. Veterans Freedom Party (VFP)

141. Women Power (WPI)

142. Yes We Can

143. You Against Corruption and Poverty (YACAP)

144. Youth Leagues for Peace Advancement (LYPAD)

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Just one wife, simple life, says Villar in broadsides at 2010 rivals

January 14, 2010 14:48:00
Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—On the warpath these past days with his rivals for the presidency, Senator Manny Villar came out subtle on Thursday as he told a presidential forum why having only one wife and living simply are of essence to the choice for the country’s next President.

At the same time, the Nacionalista Party’s presidential aspirant vowed not to appoint any relatives in the bureaucracy should he win in this election in May.

“Number one, let me say that I will not be appointing any relative of mine in the government,” Villar said at a presidential forum in Makati City, in response to a question by former president Fidel Ramos.

“Number two, Sir, I am known as Mr. Sipag at Tiyaga. I realize that aside from being a multi-tasker, you have to work 24/7. That is why I am working 26/7,” he said.

And getting personal, Villar said he only has one wife and they have been together for 40 years now.

Listed as one of the richest men in the country, the senator also promised to live a simple life.




“On simple living, kapag tiningnan n’yo po ang aking pamilya, simpleng-simple lang. ‘Yong aking misis, isa lang. (When you look at our family, we are very simple. I only have one wife). We were classmates. We've been together for about 40 years,” he said.

“Kung magiging pangulo, napakahalaga na maging halimbawa siya sa bagay na ito (If you’re going to become a President, it is important that he or she becomes a good example in this regard),” Villar said.

Most importantly, Villar said the next President must be able to manage the country from Day One as he would be confronting “problems, tremendous amounts of problems, when he becomes president.”

“There is no time for OJT or on-the-job training. There is no time for consultants,” he said, “He must hit the ground running, multitask and manage Day One.”

“Napakatagal naghihintay ang ating mga kababayan sa pagkakataong makaahon. Ito na lamang ang kanilang pagkakataon, hindi natin sila dapat biguin (Our countrymen has been waiting for long to get out of poverty, we should not fail them).”

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Villar cuts Aquino lead in presidential race—survey

Senator Manny Villar has narrowed down the lead of the frontrunner in the 2010 elections, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, according to a survey by the Social Weather Station (SWS) commissioned by an ally.

Villar cut Aquino's lead by eight points – from 19 to 11 percentage points, said the survey sought by San Juan representative Ronaldo Zamora, and conducted from December 27 to 28.

Of the 2, 100 respondents asked by the SWS in Filipino as to who on its list would they most likely vote for if elections were held today, 44 percent said they would go for Aquino while 33 percent for Villar. Full Story..

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DOJ files murder raps vs Lacson as slay brains

Senator not surprised by Dacer-Corbito charges

By Dona Pazzibugan, Philip Tubeza
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:14:00 01/08/2010

MANILA, Philippines—After nearly a decade, the alleged brains behind the Dacer-Corbito killings is facing trial and may have to defend himself behind bars.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson has been charged in court with two counts of murder in connection with the killing of top public relations man Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito on Nov. 24, 2000.

A panel of prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) found credible the affidavit and court testimony of former Senior Supt. Cezar Mancao II, who said it was Lacson, his former boss, who had masterminded the twin murders.

The DOJ panel filed the charges against Lacson at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Thursday morning.

No bail was recommended.

In a statement issued by Lacson’s office, the senator’s lawyers said the DOJ decision was not surprising because it had “prejudged” their client.

“From the very start, Senator Lacson made it clear that the DOJ, through then Secretary Raul Gonzalez and through acting Secretary Agnes Devanadera, had prejudged the case against him and that the DOJ was going to indict him at any cost to silence him and to punish him for his exposés against the administration,” said Alexander Poblador, one of Lacson’s lawyers.

It was Mancao’s affidavit that had prompted Dacer’s children to ask the DOJ to reopen the investigation and include Lacson among the accused.

In the affidavit he executed on Feb. 13, 2009, at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the United States before he was extradited, Mancao said that about a month before the murders, he heard Lacson tell former Senior Supt. Michael Ray Aquino, Lacson’s then most loyal aide, to have Dacer killed.

At the time, Lacson was the chief of the Philippine National Police and concurrent head of the now defunct elite team Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).

Aquino was then the operations chief of the PAOCTF, and Mancao, the head of its Task Force Luzon.

‘Nothing political’

The three-member DOJ panel recommended that the case against Lacson be consolidated with the ongoing case being heard by the Manila RTC Branch 18 against 21 accused, including Aquino and former PAOCTF officials and operatives.

“We based our findings on the documents submitted by the family of Dacer, which are mainly those already existing in the case before the RTC Branch 18, plus the Feb. 13, 2009, affidavit executed by Mancao in Florida,” Senior State Prosecutor Peter Ong, the head of the panel, told reporters in a news conference.

Mancao’s claim was corroborated by another former Lacson aide, ex-Senior Supt. Glenn Dumlao, who was also extradited last year from the United States where he, Mancao and Aquino fled before they could be arrested back in 2001.

Dumlao has been discharged as an accused and is now a state witness, and the government has also asked the court to discharge Mancao as an accused. But they are now both covered by the DOJ Witness Protection Program.

The panel dismissed Lacson’s claim that he was under “political persecution” by virtue of his being a member of the opposition.

“There is nothing political in this case,” Ong said. “This is about bringing justice to the victims of a heinous crime and stopping others from committing the same.”

Ong said Lacson’s “defense hinges primarily on persecution, to which we didn’t give consideration. He insisted that the testimony of Mancao is not believable, but we didn’t give weight to it.”

Devanadera had called the news conference to announce that charges had been filed against Lacson. Also present were Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño, Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon, and the other panel members, State Prosecutors Marmarie Satin-Vivas and Mari Elvira Herrera.

“Senator Lacson is not precluded from availing [himself] of all remedies available to him under the law,” Devanadera said.

No complaint vs Estrada

Although Mancao also implicated former President Joseph Estrada in his affidavit, the DOJ did not include the latter in the preliminary investigation because the Dacer family had yet to file a formal complaint against him.

But Ong quoted the Dacer siblings’ lawyer as saying that they would file a complaint against Estrada.

Asked to comment, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said he was glad his father was not charged.

“Let justice take its own course. Of course, we are relieved that President Erap was not included. It only shows that they have no evidence against him,” the senator said at a press conference.

He added: “They do not have direct or testimonial evidence against the former President. ... It’s all hearsay. This only shows the wheels of justice [are turning] in this country.”

Senator Estrada also said Lacson would now get his day in court.

“He’s old enough or man enough to defend himself in court. At least, he was given a chance to prove his innocence in court,” Senator Estrada said. read more..

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Comelec office ransacked

200 troops guarded Maguindanao facility
By Charlie Señase
Inquirer Mindanao


Filed Under: Elections, Robbery and theft, Crime, Eleksyon 2010, Security (general)

SHARIFF AGUAK, MAGUINDANAO, Philippines—Suspected thieves broke into and ransacked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in this capital town, but police officials were surprised over the report, saying the place was heavily secured.

“They (thieves) could have [entered] … the premises during the holidays because we learned of [it] … only on Monday when we reported for work,” Estelita Orbase, provincial election supervisor, said late Tuesday.

In Manila, two senators on Wednesday raised suspicions about the theft and urged the Comelec head office to investigate. They said it might be part of cleaning up the cheating mess committed there during the 2004 and 2007 elections.

“The suspicion is very strong that they’re clearing the office of incriminatory documents,” said Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Orbase said the intruders gained entry to the Comelec office through the windows by detaching the jalousies. They took the water dispenser and some kitchen utensils, but Orbase said some documents might be missing .

“We are still trying to find out what are the other missing articles, which might be of significant value to the coming polls,” she said.

Senior Supt. Alex Lineses, provincial police chief, said the Comelec had not reported the robbery to police authorities and was baffled that the robbers could easily enter the Comelec office because it was being heavily secured.

“We have our men and the military securing the perimeter, both inside and outside, and it is impossible that robbers were able to penetrate [the office],” Lineses said.

At least 200 soldiers and policemen are deployed at the provincial capitol compound, which is also surrounded by a concrete fence. Employees must write their names at the gates before they can enter the compound and their offices.

Heavy troop deployment

The heavy troop deployment was prompted by the election-related massacre of 57 people, including 30 journalists, at Ampatuan town in Maguindanao last Nov. 23. Several top civilian officials, mostly members of the Ampatuan clan, were arrested.

A few days after the military takeover of the province on Dec. 5, lawmen seized election-related documents from a warehouse allegedly owned by the Ampatuan clan in Shariff Aguak. The documents, including voter’s registration forms and voter’s IDs, were dug up along with firearms and ammunition.

Orbase had confirmed that the recovered documents were authentic and were issued by the Comelec. She could not say why it ended up being buried at the warehouse.

Last Dec. 11, more voter’s IDs were found near the house of acting Maguindanao Gov. Sajid Ampatuan.

‘Revelations’

The poll officer of Shariff Aguak at that time, Allan Obpon, was to be invited to explain why the election-related documents were taken out of the Comelec office. But he died on Dec. 11 of heatstroke while on an Islamic pilgrimage in Mecca.

The documents were moved to the Comelec provincial office pending investigation.

In a phone interview, Pimentel said it was possible that some people were “worried about the revelations of what really happened in the 2004 presidential election, as well as in the 2007 elections.”

For his part, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said authorities should identify the people behind the latest break-in as it would appear that it was related to the massive cheating committed there in 2004 and 2007.

The robbery could have been committed by people “who may be compromised to whatever pieces of evidence that had been carted away,” said Biazon. With a report from Christine O. Avendaño in Manila

source: Inquirer.net

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Election gun ban starts next week

January 05, 2010 11:33:00

Cebu Daily News

STARTING Jan. 10, bringing licensed guns outside the residence will get you into trouble for violation of the election gun ban.

Chief Supt. Lani O. Nerez, chief of Police Regional Office (PRO-7) yesterday told reporters that only state forces and private security personnel in official uniform will be allowed to carry firearms.

Nerez, however, said the PNP plans to ask the Commission on Election (Comelec) to exempt off-duty policemen who need their weapons to respond to emergencies.

In an earlier agrement between PNP and the Comelec, political candidates are allowed to have two police escorts. This was intended to insulate policemen from partisan politics.

Starting Jan. 10, more checkpoints will be added by the police with approval by the Comelec.

Yesterday, Nerez led the inspection of his men’s firearms at Camp Sergio Osmena to check the taped nozzles of their guns. None of the issued firearms went off during New Year's Eve. Correspondent Chito O. Aragon

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Official List of Candidates National Election

Nacionalista Party (NP)

President: Senator Manny Villar
Vice President: Senator Loren Legarda

Senators:
reelectionist Sen. Pia Cayetano,
detained Col. Ariel Querubin,
lawyer Adel Tamano,
former opposition Rep. Gilbert Remulla of Cavite
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo.
Miriam Defensor-Santiago (a guest candidate)
Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.(guest candidate)

Liberal Party (LP)

President: Senator Noynoy Aquino
Vice-President: Senator Mar Roxas

Senators:
former Senate President Franklin Drilon
former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus Acosta
Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon
Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel
Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III
former Sen. Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III (independent)
former Senator and NEDA chairman Ralph Recto


Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP)

President: Former President JOseph Erap Estrada
Vice President: Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay

Senators:
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile
reelectionist Senators Jinggoy Estrada
Miriam Defensor-Santiago
Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez,
Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr.
businessman Jose de Venecia III
detained Brig. Gen. Danny Lim.



Lakas-Kampi-CMD Party

President: Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro
Vice President: former Optical Media Board (OMB) chair Edu Manzano

Senators:
reelectionist senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
reelectionist senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid
reelectionist senator Richard Gordon


Other Presidentiables

President: Senator Richard Gordon
Vice-President: MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando

President: Senator Jamby Madrigal

Bangon Pilipinas
President: Brother Eddie Villanueva

President: Nicanor Perlas (independent)

Ang Kapatiran
President: JC de los Reyes (independent)

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Teodoro gains ground among youth—Quezon execs.

LUCENA CITY – Presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. is fast emerging as the favored choice in Quezon, especially among the youth, his party mates at the Lakas-Kampi-CMD said.

San Francisco town Mayor Hernani Tan (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), president of Quezon Mayors League, vowed to work hard to ensure the victory of his party’s candidates in the province.

“I admired him [Teodoro] more when he publicly declared that there’s nothing to be ashamed of being part of the Arroyo administration,” said Tan. “That is truly a remarkable character trait of a leader.”

Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez, one of key officials of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, predicted that once Teodoro reached double digit ratings, “it would be a different ball game.”

“With almost 60 percent of reelectionist local officials belonging to Lakas-Kampi-CMD, we have the most organized political machinery all over the country,” said Suarez. “That would deliver the votes to Gibo.”

Acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, former mayors’ league president, said results of surveys and mock elections in the province showed Teodoro leading among students.

“They see Gibo as the best among presidential candidates. I believe that would start the surge of support for him,” she said in a phone interview.

Devanadera was former mayor of Sampaloc, Quezon, and also former president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines during the time of president Fidel V. Ramos.

Last week, Devanadera, who is running in the congressional race in the province’s first district, joined Teodoro in a meeting with Quezon officials of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD here.

At the meeting, Teodoro urged party mates to strive hard for the victory of all administration candidates.

Teodoro and his wife, Tarlac Representative Nikki Prieto-Teodoro, went market-hopping accompanied by Suarez and Lucena Mayor Ramon Talaga Jr.

Administration vice presidential candidate Edu Manzano also came with the Teodoros in the market sortie but spent more time in the dry goods section.

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Ex-Arroyo’s defense chief now defending Noynoy’s votes.

MANILA, Philippines – Former defense secretary Avelino "Nonong" Cruz, Jr. has a new job: defending Noynoy's votes.

Cruz has been tapped to head the legal team that would help protect the votes of Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Aquino campaign manager Butch Abad said in an interview.

He would also oversee the training of 500,000 volunteers that the Liberal Party has been working to mobilize on election day, said Abad.

"Right now, Nonong Cruz is heading our vote protection team, our army of lawyers who will also train our volunteers," Abad said.

"Our target is to have half a million volunteers so that by election day, we can cover almost all of the precincts, starting with the most fraud-ridden provinces," he added.

Cruz was once one of President Macapagal-Arroyo's trusted advisers but he left the Cabinet after differences over administration moves to overhaul the Constitution and over an alleged aborted plan of Ms. Arroyo to declare martial law in 2005. In July 2009, he urged soldiers to "defy illegal orders" that would allow the present administration to perpetuate itself in power beyond what the Constitution allows.

Cruz was a founding partner of "the Firm," or the law offices of Villaraza and Angangco, which was once the private legal counsel of Arroyo and was considered as the most influential in the country. Another founding partner now sits on the Supreme Court: Justice Antonio Carpio.

Asked if the firm was supporting Aquino, campaign spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said: "As far as I know, Nonong Cruz is for Noynoy. I don't know about the other partners of The Firm. (Cruz) was with (Senator) Mar (Roxas) even before so it was a natural consequence that he went for Noynoy after Mar stepped aside."

Lacierda said that Cruz's team has been training election watchers and volunteer lawyers about the intricacies of the new election technology and on how to spot cheating and prevent it from succeeding.

"They appraise us about the automation law and the possible scenarios that could happen. We have a lot of volunteer lawyers joining all over the country. They joined because they also believe in Noynoy and are tired of the corruption. They're not paid," Lacierda said.

Abad said the election watchers would have to watch how the automated counting machines would be used at the precincts for pre-testing seven days before the elections.

"After the pre-testing, they will still have to be present until election day. Their watch should be non-stop. They have to be there 24/7," Abad said, adding that they plan to deploy three volunteers a day who will have eight hours shifts to guard the automated machines.

Come election day, the Aquino campaign would deploy at least two election watchers in all of the country's 75,000 precincts that would each have an estimated 1,000 voters, Abad said.

Outside the precincts, the campaign would field three to four watchers to help ensure Aquino supporters find their voting precincts and cast their votes, he said.

"The volunteers will help the voters find their names on the voters' list and make sure that they'll know what to do next," Abad added.

With Aquino's numbers averaging at a high of 40 plus percent in the surveys during the last four months, Abad said that the son of the revered late President Corazon Aquino could get at least 400 votes in each precinct.

"So each of the four watchers would have to help around 100 voters. We really have to build up our watchers," Abad said.

Another task for the volunteers would be to identify potential Aquino voters in their communities.

Abad said that the efforts to muster half a million volunteers for Aquino was being handled by civil society groups and NGOs and formed part of a two-pronged approach by the Aquino camp to build up its candidate's political machinery.

The other half is the effort of the Liberal Party (LP) to recruit new members from the ranks of country's influential politicians. Abad said more new recruits were coming in.

"They also see the (poll) numbers so they know, even in their own backyard, who is the leading candidate so they are lining up," Abad said.

He said the LP has been able to get the support of the Osmeñas of Cebu and even Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

On the financial front, Abad said donors have expressed interest in helping Aquino’s campaign due to the high public support he received after Corazon Aquino’s death in August.

"We are generating a lot of interest from donors...like in Cebu, we have a group who told us we don't have to worry about anything. They'll take care of the sorties, the vehicles, the logistics," he said.

And while Senator Manuel Villar—who is in second place in the surveys—said that he was closing the gap between him and Aquino, Abad said that he was confident that Aquino's lead would grow further, especially after the launching of Aquino’s own TV and radio ads.

http://politics.inquirer.net

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PNP chief orders quick solution to poll-related violence

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa has directed all regional police directors to quickly solve election-related incidents of violence in their areas of jurisdiction after a series of ambuscades in Northern Luzon and Eastern Mindanao this week, which killed four people.

“It is imperative for the PNP to determine politically-motivated killings in order for the police to lay down appropriate interventions up to the run up of the national and local elections next year,” Verzosa said in his directive Friday.

The order came after at least four people were killed and nine others wounded in separate attacks in various provinces within a span of a week.

Verzosa directed police officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Caraga in Mindanao, and Ilocos region in Northern Luzon to identify those responsible for the attacks in Lanao del Sur, the shooting of a vice mayoral candidate in Surigao del Norte and the murder of another local candidate in Ilocos Norte, all of which happened in a span of five days.

Verzosa said he instructed police officials to establish the motives for these killings to separate those that were politically motivated, “especially at this time when the PNP is finalizing its preparations of its operational and security plans for the national elections next year.”

In the Ilocos region, police have deployed a company of the elite Regional Mobile Group (RMG) in Ilocos Norte to avert any more attacks following the killing of village chief Joen Caniete on Monday. Caniete was vying for a seat in the Dingras town council in the 2010 elections.

Caniete was killed when his convoy was waylaid by at least 10 suspects in Dingras, Ilocos Norte. Eight other persons were wounded in the incident.

Chief Superintendent Constante Azares, Ilocos regional police director, said that the primary motive for the attack was politics.

Azares said that follow-up operations have led to the confiscation of several unlicensed firearms, which are now being tested for ballistics examinations.

source: http://politics.inquirer.net

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Teodoro brushes aside low ranking in surveys

MANILA, Philippines - Administration standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro, who is rating poorly in surveys of presidential candidates
, has dismissed opinion polls as mere guides that don’t reflect the choice of the people.

“We are making excellent progress,” Teodoro said when asked whether he was disturbed by the strong lead of rivals Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manny Villar, and former President Joseph Estrada.

“Voting results and not poll surveys will determine the victors in next year’s presidential race,” said the former defense chief, stressing that the election is four months away and a lot of things could happen.

Barely a month after being named by the Lakas-Kampi-CMD as its standard-bearer, Teodoro’s rating has climbed to five percent in the latest Pulse Asia survey, up by three percentage points from the previous survey in October.

Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, spokesperson for Teodoro, said she is confident of Teodoro’s chances in 2010.

read more: PhilStar.com

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2 more may run for president in 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now screening the motions for reconsideration filed by disqualified candidates and the petitions of two more presidential aspirants in the 2010 elections might be approved.

Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said the number of senatorial bets might also increase, while the list of candidates for vice president would remain at eight.

“Maybe for president, there would be two more,” Ferrer said, but refused to identify the two presidential bets.

A total of 99 certificates of candidacy (COC) for president had been filed with the Comelec but only eight were approved.

The Comelec also only approved eight out of the 20 vice presidential aspirants, while 150 senatorial bets were approved.

Of all the disqualified candidates for president, the most popular include environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, lawyers Elly Pamatong and Oliver Lozano and former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, who all listed themselves as independent candidates.

“Perlas claims that he is now supported by several parties. He has to show that to us and maybe we’ll be convinced that he has the capacity to wage a nationwide campaign,” he added.

Jimenez has been claiming that he has enough funds to launch a nationwide campaign but he has to prove that he has people in the field.

“When they filed their COC, they were independent. But eventually some of those who have been disqualified were adopted by political parties,” Ferrer said.

The Comelec has been rushing the review of the motions for reconsideration filed by those disqualified as it is set to start printing ballots by January 2010.

The Comelec had earlier approved the presidential candidacies of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party, Olongapo City Councilor Juan Carlos de los Reyes, former President Joseph Estrada, Sen. Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan party, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Sen. Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

The vice presidential bets approved by the poll body include Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Ang Kapatiran bet Dominador Chipeco Jr., former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando, Sen. Loren Legarda, actor Edu Manzano, Sen. Manuel Roxas, broadcaster Jay Sonza, and former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto Yasay Jr.


source: PhilStar.com

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Erap says rivals' lead in surveys may not translate into votes

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada has expressed confidence his top rivals’ lead in surveys of presidential candidates will not translate to votes come May 2010.

“They are still weighing everything. It’s still five months from election day. Two months before the election, I think they will be decided on who to vote for,” Estrada said in an interview at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros which was hearing a disqualification case filed against him.

Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manny Villar have consistently topped the surveys. In the latest Pulse Asia survey, Aquino’s rating was at 44 percent, followed by Villar at 23 percent, and Estrada at 19 percent.

“The people have seen my performance even if it’s just two and a half years. None of my Cabinet officials have been involved in scam,” he added.

A battery of lawyers accompanied Estrada yesterday at the hearing of the Comelec’s Second Division on the three disqualification cases filed against him by lawyer Evillo Pormento and Elly Pamatong, and one Mary Lou Estrada.

The three claimed that Estrada should not be allowed to seek the presidency, citing constitutional provision against re-election of a president.

“It’s baseless. The ban is only for incumbent president, a president who served complete six years. I served only for two and a half years so I’m qualified to run,” he added.

During the hearing, Estrada’s lead counsel George Garcia moved for the consolidation of the three cases but this was opposed by Romulo Macalintal, lawyer of President Arroyo.

In seeking the country’s highest post, Estrada said he wants to be remembered as a leader who championed the cause of the masses.

Estrada, standard bearer of the United Opposition, said his return to Malacañang would enable him to finish his pro-poor programs that got stalled when he was ousted in 2001.

“I have always said that in the twilight of my life, I just want to be remembered as the man who championed the cause of the Filipino masses,” he said.

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Aquino ahead of rivals in Facebook campaign.

MANILA, Philippines—They may be older than most Facebook users, but the perceived frontrunners in the presidential race—Benigno Aquino III, Manuel Villar, Gilbert Teodoro, Joseph Estrada and Richard Gordon—have joined the social networking bandwagon on the Internet with the single objective of wooing voters in the run-up to the May 10 elections.

In the digital race to get as much “fans” and “supporters,” Aquino, standard-bearer of the Liberal Party, seems to be ahead of the pack.

So far on their official Facebook pages, Aquino has 210,988 supporters; Villar (Nationalista Party) has 158,016 fans plus 2,756 in two other Facebook public profiles; Gilbert Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) managed to have 26,907 fans and 3,100 supporters; while Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan) and Joseph Estrada (Partido ng Masang Pilipino) have 2,894 and 4,050 supporters, respectively.

The former president has another Facebook account with 421 fans.

Sen. Jamby Madrigal (independent) has 201 fans, while JC Delos Reyes' two youth group accounts have 861 and 71 members, respectively.

The Inquirer made the count as of 3 p.m. Saturday, but the figures continued to go up at presstime.

Aquino breached the 200,000 mark when, in the first hours of the New Year, one Abygail Salcedo clicked the “supporter” button in Aquino's site.

Salcedo responded to the campaign waged by the the volunteer-run “Noynoy (Aquino) New Media Team,” which launched a 20-day online drive in the run-up to 2010 to parallel the wide lead Aquino has been enjoying in recent polls.

The Aquino camp welcomed this development by issuing a statement saying that “201,000th fan marks beginning of 2010 for Noynoy's online supporters.”

It said that the continuing surge showed “unwavering momentum” for Aquino's presidential bid.

Building on a base of 116,000 supporters, the Noynoy New MediaTeam went into overdrive during the holidays.

Supporters from around the world rallied friends and family by initiating impromptu sign-up brigades, personally inviting friends, forwarding e-mails and painting their profile pictures yellow.

Some supporters also donated a few dollars a day to widen their reach and advertise their support on the social network.

“The breaching of our goal cements what the polls have been consistently saying for the last four months,” said New Media Bureau Head Enteng Romano III.

“The momentum is unbroken, Filipinos are steadfastly heeding our call for genuine change in this country,” he said. “This only proves that if we work together and put our hearts into it, we can accomplish great things.”

The fan page amassed more than 80,000 new supporters in 20 days. After midnight, the 201,000 target was easily surpassed, further widening the gap between Aquino and his rivals by more than 50,000 supporters.

It remains to be seen, however, if online fans and supporters would translate into votes come election day.

All five candidates uploaded photoshop-edited pictures, but only Villar was smiling; the rest were in a pensive or serious mood.



Sporting the slogan “Gordon, bayani (hero),” the photo of the senator shows him hugging a baby while holding a megaphone. The picture was taken while he was mobilizing volunteers and rescuers during the Mt. Pinatubo calamity in the 1990s.

Gordon’s campaign theme: "Leadership must be earned, not bought nor inherited."

Donning his orange campaign color, Villar's profile shot has a green backdrop, a subtle way of reminding voters that his running mate is Sen. Loren Legarda, who has championed environmental causes for over two decades.

His campaign theme: "Galing sa mahirap, para sa mahirap."

Teodoro's slogan, emblazoned at the bottom of his main picture, is: “Galing Talino: para sa mabilis na pagbabago.”

Estrada is shown wearing a Barong Tagalog in his profile picture.

His slogan is: "Walang tutulong sa Pilipino kung hindi ang kapwa Pilipino."

The political operators and strategists of all the presidential candidates might have been inspired by United States President Barack Obama, who raised half a billion dollars online in his 21-month campaign for the presidency.

The digital campaign—the use of e-mail, text messages and social networking sites like Facebook and Multiply—was a big factor in Obama's victory in 2008.

Facebook defines itself as a social utility that connects people with friends and others, and in election time, others include voters.

All five presidential candidates intentionally put “currently running for president” or “presidential standard-bearer” in their profile information.

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Manny Villar

Political Party

NP

Status

Decided

Hometown

Moriones, Tondo, Manila

Short Description

The public life of Manny Villar straddles both the worlds of business and politics. He is one of the few who managed to excel in both.

Civil Status

Married

Gender

Male

Nationality

Filipino

Birthday

December 13, 1949

Spouse

Cynthia A. Villar

Children

Profession

Businessman, Politician

Company

Philippines

Religion

Roman Catholic

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Noynoy Aquino

Political Party

LP

Hometown

Manila

Short Description

TANGGALIN ANG TIWALI, ITAMA ANG MALI. "Corruption is the single biggest threat to our democracy. It deprives the poor of the social services they badly need. I destroys the very moral fiber of our society. No reform agenda will succeed without a determined program to eradicate corruption."

Civil Status

Single

Gender

Male

Nationality

Filipino

Birthday

February 08, 1960

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Eddie Villanueva

Political Party

Bangon Pilipinas

Status

Decided

Hometown

Bulacan

Short Description

"This world is too poor to buy my convictions and principles

Civil Status

Married

Gender

Male

Nationality

Filipino

Birthday

October 06, 1946

Spouse

Dr. Adoracion "Dory" Villanueva

Children

Eduardo Jr., Emmanuel Joel, Eleanor, and Edelisha.

Profession

Professor, Economist, Broadcaster, Freedom-fighter, Evangelist

Company

ZOE TV

Religion

Filipino Christian

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About Eddie Villanueva

"This world is too poor to buy my convictions and principles"

Bro. Eddie: A radical student reformist during the 70’s, professor of economics, finance and political economy in PUP and Christian evangelist that has helped transform the lives of millions of Filipinos here and abroad.

ACADEMIC RECORD

Tertiary : Philippine College of Commerce (PCC), now Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) 1969
Student leader and consistent academic scholar, 1969-1976
Course : Bachelor of Science in Commerce
Major : Economics
Minor : Finance

Adjudged : Best Debater of the Year College of Law, University of the Philippines SY 1971-1972
Adjudged : Best Debater of the Year Polytechnic University of the Philippines SY. 1967-1968

PRESENT POSITIONS

• President, Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Worldwide Movement (already resigned)
• President and Chairman, ZOE Broadcasting Network (franchise holder and licensee to operate VHF Channel 11 and UHF Channel 33)
• Chancellor, Jesus Is Lord Colleges Foundation (JILCF), Inc.
• Chairman, Bagong Pilipinas, Bagong Pilipino Movement
• National Chairman, Philippines for Jesus Movember (PJM)
• Member, Board of Trustees International Bible Society-Philippines
• Chairman, International Christian Solidarity on Religious Freedom (a global coalition of Christian churches fighting for religious equality and freedom for all nations of the world)
• Vice-Chairman of Executive Council, Christ for Asia (formerly Charismatic Fellowship of Asia, CFA) 1989 to date; Bangkok, Thailand
• TV Host, Jesus the Healer, ZOE TV 11/ GMA 7; Diyos At Bayan, ZOE TV 11/ GMA 7
• Columnist, Abante and Abante-Tonite and monthly publications in Hong Kong and Taiwan

PAST POSITIONS

• Longest-Sitting Member, Board of Regents, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP); honored by the University for donating his entire honorarium to the PUP Scholarship Fund.
• Radio Host, Tinig sa Itaas, DZJV 1458 (Station located at Calamba, Laguna)
• Author, Find It! Straight From The Word (Copyright 2004, Eduardo C. Villanueva); Surest Covenant (Copyright 2004, Eduardo C. Villanueva)
• Contributor, Legacy (Copyright 2005, Church Strengthening Ministries); This Is My Story (Copyright 2004, Cityland Foundation, Inc.)
• Part-Time Faculty Member, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), 1978-1979
• General Manager, Agape Trading Company, 1976-1977
• Export Manager, Maran Export Industries, 1973-1975
• Full-time Faculty Member, Department of Economics & Finance, Philippine College of Commerce, now, PUP, 1969-1972

INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL HONORS AND CITATIONS

• Conferred with Doctorate Degree on Divinity by Promise Christian University through Dr. Michael McKinney on August 16, 2008 in Los Angeles, California, USA
• Conferred with “Doctor in Education Management, Honoris Causa” from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, November 28, 2003
• Conferred with “Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities, Honoris Causa” from Bulacan State University, October 3, 2003
• Conferred with "EDSA People Power Freedom Award" for ZOE TV 11 as the only TV Station consistent in standing for Truth, Justice, and Righteousness during People Power 2 on February 25, 2001, Edsa .
• Conferred with "Gintong Ama" (Golden Father) Award for Socio-Civic/Religious Sector by Golden Mother and Father Foundation on June 16, 1996 at Metro Theater, Manila
• Conferred with the "Office of Episcopacy" by the cross-section of the Body of Christ in the Philippines on April 12, 1996 in Manila, Philippines

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Jamby Madrigal

Political Party

Genuine Opposition

Hometown

Manila

Short Description

Is a politician in the Philippines. She was elected during the 2004 general elections and is currently serving as a Senator .

Civil Status

Married

Gender

Female

Nationality

Filipino

Birthday

April 26, 1958

Spouse

Jean Claude Dudoignon Valade

Children

-

Profession

Politician

Company

Republic of the Philippines

Religion

Roman Catholic

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About Jamby Madrigal

amby Madrigal was born on April 26, 1958 in Manila to Antonio Madrigal (1921-2007) and Amanda Abad Santos-Madrigal. She is the granddaughter of the former Supreme Court Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos of San Fernando, Pampanga. Her granduncle – pre-Commonwealth Assemblyman Pedro Abad Santos – founded the Socialist Party of the Philippines. The Abad Santos brothers were from a modest family.

Her paternal grandfather was Senator Vicente Madrigal of Ligao, Albay, one of the Philippine Republic’s elected senators in 1949.She, her father, and grandfather are members of the rich Spanish-Visayan Madrigal family. Her aunt, Senator Pacita Madrigal-Gonzalez was a senator during the Quezon and Magsaysay administrations and was the first administrator of the Social Welfare Administration, the predecessor of today’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Her late married uncle and aunt were former Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuel Collantes and heiress Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal.

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Joseph Estrada

olitical Party

PMP

Status

Decided

Hometown

Manila, Philippines

Short Description

Tunay at Tapat na Nagmamahal sa Masang Pilipino

Civil Status

Married

Gender

Male

Nationality

Filipino

Birthday

April 19, 1937

Spouse

Loi Estrada

Children

Jinggoy, Jacqueline and Jude

Profession

Actor, Politician

Company

Philippines

Religion

Roman Catholic

Personal Life

Estrada is married to (the former Doctor and first lady-turned-senator) Luisa Pimentel and had three children by her: Jose Ejercito, Jr. (better known as "Jinggoy Estrada"; former Mayor of San Juan turned Senator/married to Precy Vitug), Jackie Ejercito (married to Beaver Lopez), and Jude Ejercito (married to Weng Ocampo). Joseph Estrada met his wife Loi while working as an orderly at the National Center for Mental Health (NMCH) in Mandaluyong City.

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About Joseph Estrada

Tunay at Tapat na Nagmamahal sa Masang Pilipino

Joseph Marcelo Ejercito Estrada was born on April 19, 1937, in Tondo, Manila. His parents, Engr. Emilio Ejercito and Maria Marcelo, moved to San Juan where he grew up and where he continues to reside to this day. His primary education was obtained at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University. He later took up an Engineering course at the Mapua Institute of Technology.

In his early twenties, he became a movie actor by accident but later proved himself to be an accomplished thespian, starring in a string of well-received films that earned him the title of a living legend in local filmdom. More popularly known as Erap, he is a five-time Best Actor awardee – a feat he repeated by winning the Best Picture award an equal number of times. This earned him a rare place in the FAMAS Hall of Fame in 1981 and 1984, respectively.

He entered politics in 1967, was elected and re-elected mayor of the Municipality (now City) of San Juan which he served with dedication and distinction for more than 16 continuous years. Unfortunately, he was one of hundreds of local officials who were asked to step down in the aftermath of the 1986 EDSA revolution. When he left his post, the San Juan Municipal treasury registered P24-million in savings.

In 1972, he was selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in Public Administration by the Philippine Jaycees. He was also voted Outstanding Mayor and foremost Nationalist by the Inter-Provincial Information Service in 1971 and awarded the coveted title, “Most Outstanding Metro Manila Mayor,” the following year by the Philippine Princeton Poll.

His administration of San Juan was marked by unequaled accomplishments in infrastructure development. These included the establishment of the first san Juan Municipal High School, the Agora complex, a modern slaughterhouse, a sprawling Government Center with a post Office, a mini-park and the concreting of 98 percent of San Juan’s roads and alleys.

His administration of San Juan was marked by unequaled accomplishments in infrastructure development. These included the establishment of the first san Juan Municipal High School, the Agora complex, a modern slaughterhouse, a sprawling Government Center with a post Office, a mini-park and the concreting of 98 percent of San Juan’s roads and alleys.

As mayor, he paid particular attention to the elementary education of school-age children by improving and renovating school buildings and constructing additional school structures, health centers, barangay halls and playgrounds in all the barangays and providing artesian wells to areas with low water supply. He relocated some 1,800 squatter families out of San Juan to Taytay, Rizal, at no cost to the affected families. He was also the first mayor to computerize assessment of the Real Estate Tax in the Municipal Assessor’s Office.

For the movie industry, he established the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MOWELFUND), Inc. which has now become a robust organization that provides industry workers with financial and professional assistance. His efforts to upgrade and professionalize the film industry have resulted in substantial benefits to all movie personnel, from directors and actors down to the lowest crewmen.

He is the Founder and President of the ERAP Para sa Mahirap Foundation, a foundation that offers scholarship assistance to poor but deserving college students. Through the foundation’s educational grants, more than a thousand students have since earned a college degree.

He also established the San Juan Progress Foundation, the San Juan Police and Fire Trust Fund and the Friends of Joseph Estrada, which offers free burial assistance for the poor folks of San Juan.

In 1987, he set his sights on a Senate run and handily garnered a seat. He was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Public Works. He was Vice-Chairman of the Committees on Health

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JC De Los Reyes

Political Party: Ang Kapatiran Party
Hometown: Olongapo City
Short Description
His passion and vision is to unceasingly work to fight and defeat massive, enslaving poverty, a mission to be accomplished not only in Olongapo but in the whole country.

Civil Status: Married
Gender: Male
Nationality: Filipino
Birthday: February 14, 1970
Spouse: Dunia Valenzuela
Children: Gabriel, Santiago and Barbara
Profession: Councilor
Company
-
Religion: Roman Catholic
Other Organizations
Solidarity Philippines; Pro-Life Philippines

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About JC de los Reyes

Born February 14, 1970, married to Dunia Valenzuela with three children, Gabriel 10, Santiago 7 and Barbara 5.

He studied in Ateneo de Manila for his elementary education, and graduated in De la Salle for high school. He finished his B.A. in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, reputed to be one of the most orthodox Catholic Universities in America. Late 1993 he taught Philosophy in the then Center for Research and Communication, now the University of Asia and the Pacific and was under the tutelage of Fr. Joseph de Torre, a Spanish priest of the Holy Cross who wrote extensively on the social teachings of the Church. In 1995, he ran and was elected City Councilor of Olongapo.

During his term, he focused on the poor, the youth and cooperatives. In 1999 he finished his post-graduate studies in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines and proceeded to study law in Saint Louis University, Baguio City, finishing his degree in 2005.

The organizations he helped propagate as an active member since 1995 was the National Renewal Movement and the Ang Kapatiran National Political Party or the Alliance for the Common Good, a registered political party that seeks to promote the politics of genuine social concern. Presently, he is national animator of Solidarity Philippines, a movement to pro-actively advance the Social Justice Agenda of the Church and Executive-director of Breaking the Yoke of Poverty Foundation whose project is Jubillee homes for the Poor, a housing project for 60 families.

In the 2007 elections, among 27 local and national candidates, he was the lone winner of Ang Kapatiran Party, placing second among ten slots for the Olongapo City Council. This was achieved despite a decade absent from local politics.

His free legal assistance program under an informal project named JUSTICE CRUSADE has been widely successful among his constituents. He is presently prioritizing the institutionalization of the Barangay Human Rights Action Centers, the office mandated by law for the protection and prevention of human rights violations in the barangay.

Councilor JC has spoken out and campaigned against illegal drugs, rampant violations of worker’s rights at Hanjin, Subic Bay and has campaigned against illegal fish cages in the area. He has also led protests against the proposed coal power plant and has been outspoken in criticizing government’s plan to open more casinos in Subic.

The boldest statement he has made for good governance is the filing of numerous cases before the Ombudsman against high ranking government officials where he himself is complainant. This is in line with his political policy of alleviating the people’s suffering by addressing the problem of expensive and increasing costs of basic needs like water, electricity, medicines, health care, etc., and insuring that these basic services are kept free and far from graft and corruption.

His passion and vision is to unceasingly work to fight and defeat massive, enslaving poverty, a mission to be accomplished not only in Olongapo but in the whole country.

source: PoliticalArena.com

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