Groups push for transparency, 'hybrid' counting for 2010

MANILA, Philippines – With the 2010 elections approaching, a coalition of civil society groups on Tuesday called for transparency in the election process in a bid to prevent, if not eliminate, cases of poll fraud.

At the same time, the groups pushed for a "hybrid" system of counting for the coming polls, saying that the Commission on Elections' system is still open to cheating.

In a forum in Makati City, the Movement for Good Governance particularly tackled election automation and underscored its advantages and drawbacks on efforts to introduce electoral reform.

Speaking before the forum was National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) Information Technology systems head and technology expert Augusto Lagman, a proponent and critic of automated elections.

Lagman expressed reservations regarding the proposed direct recording electronic (DRE) technology and the optical mark reader (OMR) machines that the government plans on using for the full automation of the forthcoming elections.

The DRE system allows voting through a touch-screen or touch-pad, while the OMR system requires voters to shade an oval corresponding to the candidate's name on a paper ballot. The ballot is then read by the OMR machine.

Lagman said that while both systems are beneficial, "wholesale cheating" will not yet be completely eliminated as poll results can still be tampered with "because of human intervention."

He then added that the systems are not transparent to the eyes of the public and "voters will still distrust vote-counting that they do not see."

Lagman then said that even if Commission on Elections (Comelec) claimed that the recent Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) automated polls held in August 2008 was successful, it "was a mere formality" and "was not a good place to test the (automated) system."

"The ARMM as a region has a significance only when it is part of the national elections," Lagman said, noting that the region is self-ruling and its developments are but internal matters.

Another system

The Namfrel IT systems chief instead proposed the Open Elections System (OES), a Web-based solution that makes use of a portal through which the Comelec encoders can directly post election returns or transmit data via mobile phone (SMS) messaging.

It is a "hybrid" process that uses manual counting of votes at the precinct level and automated systems in the succeeding levels. This mechanism makes the election process more transparent than other technologies, Lagman said.

Under the system, election returns (ERs) will be brought to an encoding center. The ERs will then be validated then posted on the Web with the Board of Election Inspectors' digital signatures. The City/Municipality Board of Canvassers will produce the Statement of Votes and Certificate of Canvasses in an online database.

All interested parties may access the database and process the read-only data by themselves. All interested parties may likewise send text messages to poll watchers to verify the results.

Lagman said the OES system encourages transparency and public participation as ordinary citizens can play an active role in monitoring election results.

Lagman added that they are moving to make the proposal to the Comelec and to gather public support and volunteers should the system be approved.

'We Deserve Better'

The forum was entitled "We Deserve Better" and was organized to push for transparency and accountability in the government.

Automated elections is one of the key issues in governance and civic participation the movement.

"We formed the Movement for Good Governance because we felt this country deserves better. We felt that we should organize a constituency for reform which would actively work to bring about good governance," the group said in a statement.

"Some may call this naiveté but we believe it is worth trying and is possible. The status quo of traditional politics and traditional citizen action will only drag us down further," the group added. gmanews.tv

Villar tops SWS satisfaction poll

Former Senate president Manuel Villar Jr. has received the highest public satisfaction rating among top government officials in a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The quarterly survey was conducted prior to Villar’s resignation as Senate president last week.

The Third Quarter 2008 Social Weather Survey found 61 percent satisfied and 17 percent dissatisfied with the performance of Villar in the last three months.

The non-commissioned survey, conducted from Sept. 24 to 27, used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

SWS said Villar’s net satisfaction rating declined by nine points from a “very good” 52 percent in June to a “good” 43 in September.

“It has been over 40 in all but one quarter since SWS rated his performance as Senate President in September 2006,” SWS said.

The latest survey also found 58 percent satisfied and 24 percent dissatisfied with Vice President Noli de Castro, for a net rating of +34.

“Vice President De Castro’s latest net satisfaction rating is a good +34, three points down from a good +37 in June 2008,” SWS said.

“His net performance rating has been over +30 in all but three quarters since he took office four years ago.”

Meanwhile, Speaker Prospero Nograles’s rating has remained negative at -12 (24 percent satisfied and 36 percent dissatisfied).

“Nograles’s new net satisfaction rating went to poor -12 in September after hitting a record-low -15 in June,” SWS said.

“It was also a poor net -12 in March 2008, when SWS first rated his performance as Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

The survey also showed 29 percent satisfied and 33 percent dissatisfied with Chief Justice Reynato Puno, giving him a net rating of -3.

“Net satisfaction with Chief Justice Puno has remained neutral since the SWS rated his performance in March 2007. His latest net rating of -3 compares with +3 previously,” SWS said.

The SWS describes net satisfaction ratings of +50 and above as “very good,” +30 to +49 as “good,” +10 to +29 “moderate,” -9 to +9 “neutral,” -20 to -10 “poor,” -49 to -30 “bad,” and -50 or lower “very bad.”

Meanwhile, the SWS said public satisfaction with top government institutions barely changed in the latest survey.

The September survey found 46 percent satisfied and 26 percent dissatisfied with the performance of the Senate, or a moderate net +21, six points down from a moderate +27 in June 2008.

The latest survey also found 38 percent satisfied and 28 percent dissatisfied with the House of Representatives, or a moderate net +11, the same as in the previous quarter.

It found 39 percent satisfied and 30 percent dissatisfied with the performance of the Supreme Court, or a neutral net +9, just three points up from a neutral +6 in June 2008, SWS said.

The survey found 31 percent satisfied and 34 percent dissatisfied with the Cabinet, or neutral net -3, barely changing from the neutral -9 in June, SWS said.

Sampling error margins of ±2.5 percent for national percentages, ±6 percent for Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao, and ±4 percent for the rest of Luzon were applied in the survey.

At Malacañang, presidential adviser on political affairs Gabriel Claudio said yesterday it was too early to predict the chances of any one candidate in the 2010 presidential elections.

“We’re a long way from 2010, and it would be too early for anybody to rejoice,” he said. “We are all aware of how dynamic public standings can be.”

Villar tops MILF poll

In Davao City, Villar topped the presidential poll of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s official website, Luwaran.com.

Former President Joseph Estrada, who launched an all-out war against the separatists in 2000, landed at the bottom of the online poll.

The MILF website first posted the question “Who do you want to be president in 2010?” last Nov. 1 and a total of 963 voters have already clicked in their choices.

Villar garnered 242 votes or a total of 25.1 percent of the total votes in the online poll.

Vice President Noli de Castro placed second to Villar with 218 votes or 22.6 percent of the total.

Senators Panfilo Lacson and Loren Legarda were in third and fourth places with 176 and 171 votes or 18.3 percent and 17.8 percent.

Sen. Richard Gordon emerged fifth with 60 votes or 6.2 percent, while Sen. Manuel Roxas II was sixth with 51 votes or 5.3 percent.

Estrada got 45 votes or 4.7 percent of the total votes in the online poll.

It could not be ascertained if those who participated in the Luwaran.com survey were all MILF members, or if there were those who browsed the website regularly or even at random.

In a separate poll, the MILF posted the question, “Who is the Moro’s most hated Filipino leader today?” wherein voting started last Sept. 20 and ended Nov. 1.

There were at least 1,487 who replied to the online question. Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmanuel Piñol topped the list with 536 votes or 36 percent of the total.

Mrs. Arroyo emerged the second Filipino leader most hated by the Moros with 406 votes or 27.3 percent.

Estrada ranked third, with 169 votes or 11.4 percent, closely followed by Roxas with 168 votes or 11.3 percent.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, who staunchly opposed the signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain, also figured in the most hated list with 74 votes or five percent.

Others in the list of Filipino leaders the Moro hated most were Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, 50 votes or 3.4 percent; Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, 19 votes or 1.3 percent;

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, 16 votes or 1.1 percent; former senator Franklin Drilon, 15 votes or 1 percent; while Press

Secretary Jesus Dureza and Cotabato Gov. Jesus Sacdalan got 12 votes each or 0.8 percent, and Makati Rep. Teddy Locsin got 10 votes or 0.7 percent. philstar.com

Cha-cha untimely due to economic crisis, 2010 polls - lawyer

MANILA, Philippines - The House public hearing and consultation on the issue of amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution drew mixed reactions from various invited political experts, with one of them saying there is no “pressing need" for such change.

GMA News' Mariz Umali reported over QTV-11's Balitanghali that among the resource persons who spoke at the hearing of the House committee on constitutional amendments were lawyer Neri Colminares, Social Sciences professor Roland Simbulan, and political scientist Jose Abueva.

The House committee gathered the political experts to determine if the 1987 Constitution needs to be changed, and how change should be done.

In his speech, Colminares said the government should first closely study and weigh in the benefits of changing the Charter, adding that such a revision would constitute a serious amount of financial expense for the government.

He said that changing the Charter would entail the passing of a plebiscite, which in the first place would require the government to spend a big amount.

The resource speaker added there is no “pressing need" as of this time to change the Constitution, describing it as “untimely." He said the government could not afford to spend some more on such a move, given the current global financial crisis plaguing national economies and the expenses that would be incurred in the upcoming May 2010 elections.

Simbulan seconded Colminares’ suggestion on deferring moves for a Charter change, saying it would only elicit “malicious" remarks from critics if the government would choose to carry out the change at this point when the administration is hounded by a number of controversies.

Simbulan also stressed that as opposed to previous suggestions, if ever Charter change is approved through Constitutional Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives should vote separately because Congress is bilateral in nature.

For his part, Abueva said there are several provisions in the current Constitution that need to be amended, and that change should be done through a Constitutional Convention.

He said the government should also decide who would compose the Constitutional Convention around the same time as the May 2010 national elections.

Earlier, committee chairman and La Union Rep. Victor Ortega had denied that his committee had previously received any resolution for a Charter change.

But in Tuesday’s public consultation, Colminares belied the La Union congressman’s claim and said House Resolution 550 authored by Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas had been filed.

In his resolution, Mandanas was asking for a term of extension for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo until June 30, 2011 and a postponement of the May 2010 polls.

While subsequently admitting the receipt of such a resolution, Ortega clarified that he and the other committee members have yet to discuss the proposed measure.

As of this posting, the public consultation continues and is expected to go on for the rest of the day. gmanews.tv

Chiz: There'll be elections in 2010

BUTUAN CITY – Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Charter change to extend the term of President Arroyo is already dead as far as the Senate is concerned and the presidential elections in 2010 would take place.

Escudero hinted that seven politicians, mostly from the opposition, would seek the presidency.

But if former President Joseph Estrada succeeds in his unity talks among the opposition, “then it will be narrowed down to two,” he said.

Malacañang said that it sees no reason why the 2010 national elections would not push through, adding that it had nothing to do with the efforts to amend the Constitution.

“The President has always been focused on the economy and planning how to help the people,” Presidential Management Staff Director General Cerge Remonde told radio station dzRB.

Escudero, meanwhile, asked Estrada to identify first who among the present crop of opposition leaders are genuine oppositionists before embarking into unity talks with them.

In a news conference in Surigao City, Escudero said it is important for Estrada to identify who among the current list of presidential hopefuls really belong to the opposition.

He was reacting to Estrada’s statement that he would be forced to seek the presidency in 2010 if the opposition fails to come up with a unified standard bearer.

Escudero refused to confirm if he would join the race, saying he would make a decision when he reaches the required age of 40 on Oct. 10, 2009.

As of now, Escudero said he is not yet qualified to run for president, but would make an announcement on his 40th birthday whether he would run for president or vice president.

He said though he really wants to run while he is young so that he would not be likened to an old, mature and traditional politician “who entered politics like a lamb but retired with seven horns.”

“I like to run now because if I wait until I’m older like them then I would be no different from a trapo (traditional politician),” Escudero said in Filipino.

Escudero, however, hinted that he finds it uncomfortable running, if ever, with Sen. Loren Legarda who he said is not “so opposition” because she was an administration bet in her first election to the Senate.

He said Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay of the United Opposition (UNO), who has signified his intention to seek the presidency in 2010, is the real opposition but would not make a good copycat of US President-elect Barack Obama.

“If the US elected a young president, why can’t the Philippines?” he asked.

He, however, noted the disparity between American and Filipino voters especially in terms of contributing funds to a political campaign.

Escudero said with the exception of Binay and himself, who were with the opposition from the start, other presidentiables who are in the opposition are not genuine.

He said many would like to run under the opposition banner in the 2010 elections because they would have a stronger chance of winning due to the negative popularity rating of President Arroyo.

Erap’s body language

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez yesterday said he believes Estrada’s body language shows that he is preparing to run for president in 2010.

He said Estrada “really has intentions to run and he is using this (disunity of the presidentiables) as an excuse.”

But Gonzalez said Estrada’s intention to seek the presidency anew would go against certain conditions of his executive pardon, aside from violating the constitutional provision prohibiting a former president from running again.

“So if there was such a thing (referring to one of the clauses in the executive pardon where Estrada agreed not to participate in any election in exchange for the grant of executive clemency), that could be a violation. But I don’t think we should be concerned about that. We should be concerned about what the Constitution says,” he said. philstar.com

Eleksyon sa 2010 tuloy – Nograles

MANILA – Tiniyak ni Speaker Prospero C. Nograles nitong Sabado na tuloy ang halalan sa 2010 ngunit wala umano siyang balak na pigilan ang komite sa Kamara de Representantes na talakayin ang resolusyon tungkol sa pag-amyenda sa Saligang Batas.

“There will be an election in 2010. There is no proposal to extend the term of anyone," deklara ni Nograles sa isang pahayag.

Sa kabila nito, sinabi ng lider ng Kamara na hindi niya pipigian ang House committee on constitutional amendments na talakayin ang mga resolusyon tungkol sa Charter change sa kabila ng mga pagtutol ng iba’t-ibang sektor.

“We have a Committee on Constitutional Amendments not only in the House but also the Senate precisely to handle proposals pertaining to proposed amendments on the Constitution. As long as it does not interfere with our normal legislative work and will not disrupt our 4 pm sessions, (La Union) Congressman (Victor) Ortega's committee can go ahead in considering proposals on Charter Change," Nograles said.

Kabilang ang inihaing resolusyon ni Nograles sa nakatakdang talakayin ng komite ni Ortega na naglalayong baguhin ang probisyon ng Saligang Batas upang luwagan ang batas para sa mga dayuhang namumuhunan sa bansa partikular sa pag-aari ng mga lupa.

“My resolution is purely focused on the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution. We don't want to be left behind as many investors affected by the economic crisis in the US and other countries in Europe are scrambling to look for safe haven and are shifting investments on gold, oil and minerals. Mindanao has all the potentials in these three areas of investments," ayon kay Nograles.

Binigyan-diin niya na hindi kasama sa kanyang resolusyon ang anumang plano na palawigin ang termino ng mga halal na opisyal sa pamahalaang kabilang na si Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“There is no single proposal now pending in the Ortega committee that calls for the term extension of any incumbent official," pagtiyak niya.

Idinagdag ni Nograles na kung magkaroon man ng paggalaw sa probisyong politikal sa Konstitusyon ay sesentro lamang ito sa mungkahing federal system of government na nakasaad sa resolusyon ni Sen Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

“ It is important to note that the federalism initiative came from the Senate through Senator Pimentel, a respected Mindanaoan and a prominent member of the political opposition. We may just pick from where Sen. Pimentel started," ayon sa kongresista. gmanews.tv

Villar clears Estrada in his ouster

TUBLAY, Benguet -- Senator Manuel Villar on Saturday absolved former President Joseph Estrada of any blame for his ouster as Senate president.

"Wala akong comment dyan. Si Erap ay nananatiling isa kong kaibigan, hanggang ngayon (I have no comment about that. Erap remains my friend)," he said here as guest of the town's 108th founding anniversary.

"I respect him as a friend. I have no bad feelings for him," he added.

Villar took a dig at his colleagues in the Senate using this town's cool climate.

He said: "Mabuti rito, malamig. Sa Manila mainit. Kaya maraming mainit ang ulo. Gaya sa Senado, marami ding mainit and ulo (It's good here. The climate is cool. It's hot in Manila. So many people are hot-headed, as in the Senate.)"

Villar said he will now focus on his campaign for livelihood and the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

But in La Trinidad town, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano minced no words in saying that politics was behind Villar's ouster. Cayetano said there would be more politics and less work as the 2010 presidential election nears.

"I hope that all the 'presidentiables' would be true to their promises to work first for the people and not prioritize politics," he said. "It's only 2008."

These "presidentiables," he said, conspired to work against Villar.

"Let's accept that but let us use, at least the next year, to really focus on how we can help our country especially on the effects of the economic crisis rather than all politics," he said.

He said people expected the Senate to set aside politics and work harder after Villar's ouster and not for aspiring presidents to be training their guns on each other.

Now free of his tasks as Senate president, Villar lived up to his word to make use of his time to work on his presidential campaign.

On Saturday here, Villar retold his rags-to-riches story, the same line he used when he first ran for the Senate.

Still smarting from the Senate coup, Villar said his poor and humble beginnings and his climb to success gave him enough experience to know what the country needed to progress.

He said he harbored no ill feelings over his removal from the Senate leadership, the third highest position in the land.

"It's okay. Sa mga bagay na ganyan, sanay na tayo dyan. Marami na tayong pinagdaanan na hirap sa buhay at yung mga ganito ay sanay na tayo at tanggap na natin (We're used to these things. We've overcome hardships and we can easily accept this)," he said.

Local officials though welcomed him with a banner that addressed him as Senate president. His aides distributed cardboard fans with text explaining his anti-poverty advocacy.

He later joined provincial officials led by Governor Nestor Fongwan at the Benguet Sports Center in Wangal, La Trinidad, for the "grand cañao" (a native feast) marking the province's 108th founding anniversary and the Adivay, a cultural festival.

Villar said his life of poverty had given him enough experience to know what Filipinos need.

Later asked if his speech signaled the beginning of his presidential campaign, he said: "E, ngayon, game na. Game na game na, (Now, it's game time; I'm ready)."

"But we are more serious this time," he added.

Villar said he wanted to step up his campaign and work on his advocacy for the welfare of overseas Filipino workers since he has more time now.

"Now that I have more time, I will be visiting more often places with OFWs and I will not stop until such time that their lives would improve," he said. inquirer.net

Ouster to spur Villar bid, says ally

MANILA, Philippines—Far from being discouraged, Senator Manuel Villar’s ouster from the Senate presidency will spur him even more to pursue the presidency, according to Villar ally Gilbert Remulla.

According to Remulla, the coup that ousted Villar and ensconced Senator Juan Ponce Enrile as Senate President, was engineered by some senators who were also eyeing the presidency.

It was primarily caused by Villar’s strong showing in the most recent surveys, said Remulla, spokesperson of Villar’s Nacionalista Party.

Vice President Noli de Castro, another close friend of Villar and a possible rival in the 2010 presidential race, said that although Villar might still be nursing his wounds, he should see a silver lining amidst the gloom of his ouster.

“Now he has a lot of time to campaign,” said a chuckling De Castro.

While still in the Senate, De Castro was part of the chamber’s exclusive Wednesday Group that included Villar, and Senators Joker Arroyo, Francis Pangilinan and Ralph Recto, who is now the socio-economic planning secretary.

While Villar has announced his plans to run for President, De Castro, who is reportedly being considered to be the administration’s standard-bearer in 2010, has not made any mention of his inclination.

Both have consistently enjoyed high ratings in the polls.

De Castro, who is reportedly being paired with Batangas Governor Vilma Santos as the vice presidential candidate, said he has not received any feelers from Malacañang or the ruling Lakas-CMD.

“We have not talked politics. Even the President isn’t talking politics. We are more focused on coming up with solutions to the global crisis. It won’t be good to talk politics in the face of such a crisis,” he told reporters in Malacañang where he spoke at the Carbon Cutting Congress vs Climate Change.

De Castro said he was not thinking about the time frame for declaring his interest in running for President.

“What’s important to me is the time to serve the people because we have barely two years to serve as Vice President,” he said.

He said he doubted that the Senate coup, reportedly instigated by Senators Loren Legarda, Manuel Roxas and Panfilo Lacson, was related to the 2010 presidential elections.

“Even when I was still part of the 12th Congress, there were coups. That’s nothing extraordinary. There’s no such thing as a permanent Senate President,” he said. inquirer.net

Melo to quit if no polls in 2010

MANILA, Philippines—Jose Melo declared Thursday he will resign from the Commission on Elections if the Constitution is amended to postpone the 2010 presidential elections and the situation turns into something resembling martial law.

Melo, in an interview with the media, said there would be no need for the commission if moves to amend the Constitution and stop 2010 elections are successful.

Talk that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will not step down after her term expires in 2010 resurfaced after Press Secretary Jesus Dureza prayed for Arroyo to “have forbearance, good health, and tolerance to lead this nation until 2010, and who knows, perhaps even beyond..." at the start of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Critics of the Arroyo administration fear that Charter change would give her and her allies the opportunity to amend provisions so she can stay on in power as prime minister in a new parliamentary set-up after her term ends.

Term extension is a “non-issue,” the Comelec chairman said. “For us, [the President's term] ends in 2010. That is according to our current system.”

When pressed by the media to comment on the possibility that there will be no elections in 2010, Melo said, "Then we will resign. We won't have anything to do because that would be like martial law.”

Despite talk that administration allies were resurrecting Charter change movement, Melo and other Comelec officials said they were confident that the 2010 presidential elections, their main preoccupation these days, will push through.

The Comelec is in the middle of organizing the 2010 presidential and national elections, where they expect around 40 million voters to elect a new batch of leaders using computerized voting machines.

The Comelec is currently studying options for automated voting systems. The poll body said automating elections would mean less cheating and faster results.

Commissioner Lucenito Tagle said advocates of Charter change would not have enough time for the bill to become a law. They would also have to gather public support for it, he said.

“We are busy preparing for the 2010 elections. Nothing can stop that,” Tagle said.

“I don't know if that can still change the Charter. They only have less than two years to do it,” he added.

If Charter change advocates call for a plebiscite, Tagle said the Comelec has no funds for a national-level vote.

“There is no budget for it. Congress should appropriate,” he explained.

He noted that the commission already has issued a resolution this week suspending all action on recall election petitions due to lack of funds.

The Comelec said the budget for recall elections currently stands at P5 million. inquirer.net

Comelec chair vows to resign if 2010 polls are postponed

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Elections chairman Jose Melo on Thursday said he will resign his post if reported plans to amend the Constitution and postpone the 2010 elections push through.

In an interview with reporters, Melo said such a scenario would render the Comelec useless and will bring the country back to a Martial Law-like era.

“We will resign... Wala na kasi tayong gagawin kung magkaganun ang mangyari e kasi parang Martial Law na yan," Melo said.

Melo noted that his primary agenda in accepting the post as the new Comelec chair earlier this year was to ensure that the conduct of the 2010 elections will be modernized.

The Commission has started the preparation for the full automation of the 2010 national elections as it has been conducting a series of massive information campaign on changes in registration from manual to biometrics system as well as the use of automated counting machines.

It is looking to duplicate the success achieved by last August’s Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections, where the result was already known two days after.

Melo, however, expressed doubts whether the administration is keen on pursuing Charter change. “Do we have the time? And may plano nga ba talaga ngayon?" the Comelec chair asked.

Comelec Commissioner Lucenito Tagle shared Melo's sentiment saying: “I don’t know if there is enough time pa. And sinabi na din ni (Executive Secretary Eduardo) Ermita na she (President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) will step down," Tagle said.

Melo said that as far as the Comelec is concerned, they are just focused on their preparations for the 2010 elections, which is mandated under the current system.

“Para sa amin, hanggang 2010 na lang talaga siya (President Arroyo)… That is according to our current system," Melo said.

Renewed efforts to pursue constitutional amendments escalated last Tuesday after Press Secretary Jesus Dureza uttered a controversial prayer at the beginning of a Cabinet meeting.

In the said prayer, the Palace official asked for President Arroyo to “have forbearance, good health, and tolerance to lead this nation until 2010, and who knows, perhaps even beyond."

The prayer came a day after the Senate, which has been the biggest stumbling block in transforming Congress into a Constituent Assembly, changed leadership from an opposition stalwart in Sen. Manuel Villar Jr to an administration ally in Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile. gmanews.tv

Binay embarks on 3-day tour of Quezon province

MANILA, Philippines - In what seemed a prelude to a campaign for the 2010 polls, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay embarked on a three-day visit to Quezon province to announce his presidential bid.

A radio report said Thursday that Binay, who is also the president of the United Opposition, arrived in Quezon on Wednesday “to reach out to the masses" and would be staying there until Friday.

A radio dzXL report said that upon his arrival, Binay immediately signed a memorandum of agreement with the local officials in the province, declaring the cities of Makati and Lucena as “sister cities."

During his trip, Binay announced his intention to battle it out in the 2010 presidential elections.

The radio report quoted officials from the province’s 33 municipalities as welcoming the Makati mayor’s announcement.

On his second day in Quezon, Binay dropped by a public market in Lucena City and even had breakfast at an eatery there.

Aside from Lucena City, Binay also visited Tayabas City and the towns of Tiaong, Candelaria, and Lucban.

Binay had also participated in a public consultation with locals from different sectors in the province.

During the consultation, Binay boasted of the achievements of the Makati City government under his term.

Former President Joseph Estrada had already said Binay was “qualified" to become a president, but clarified that the UNO has yet to determine its standard bearer for the upcoming polls.

“Malaki ang paghanga ko kay Binay dahil nagawa niyang premiere city ang Makati," Estrada said in a radio interview on Thursday, citing health and education benefits being enjoyed both by children and elderly.

“Alagang-alaga niya ang kabataan, senior citizens, and peace and order. Talagang mahal na mahal iyan ng mga taga-Makati," Estrada said. gmanews.tv

Villar closes in on Noli - SWS

Former Senate president Manuel Villar has narrowed the lead of Vice President Noli de Castro in the latest survey on presidential hopefuls for the 2010 elections.

The number of Filipinos who prefer Villar as the next president went up by three points from 25 percent in June to 28 in September, based

on the Social Weather Stations (SWS) third quarter survey for 2008.

In the survey taken by Pulse Asia in October, Villar’s score went up by five percent to 17 percent from its last survey in July.

De Castro, however, remained the top choice to succeed President Arroyo in 2010 in both surveys.

Villar and former President Joseph Estrada tied in second place with 17 percent; followed by Senators Francis Escudero, 15 percent and Loren Legarda at 13 percent, based on the Pulse Asia survey conducted from Oct. 14 to 27.

At sixth place was Sen. Panfilo Lacson with seven percent, Sen. Manuel Roxas II with six percent, and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando and evangelist Bro. Eduardo “Eddie” Villanueva at one percent each.

Pulse Asia’s survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 representative adults aged 18 years old and above.

De Castro also topped the SWS September survey with 29 percent, lower than his June score at 31.

Villar came in close second with 28 percent followed by Legarda at 26 percent.

The non-commissioned survey, fielded over Sept. 24 to 27, used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Lacson was fourth with 17 percent, followed by Sen. Francis Escudero (16 percent), Estrada (13 percent), and Roxas also at 13 percent.

Mrs. Arroyo remained the choice of one percent of the respondents along with Fernando.

Also at one percent are Senators Antonio Trillanes IV, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Pangilinan, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Richard Gordon, Jinggoy Estrada, Jamby Madrigal and Pia Cayetano, and former Speaker Jose de Venecia.

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. both received 0.5 percent.

Nine percent of the respondents could not give any answer and nine percent had no one to recommend, the SWS said.

The scores of former president Estrada and Lacson also improved by two points and one point, respectively.

The mere mention of Legarda’s and Roxas’ names, however, was steady.

In the survey, the respondents were asked who are good leaders who should succeed President Arroyo in 2010.

The respondents were allowed to give up to three names of presidential contenders.

Kudeta vs Villar konektado sa 2010 prexy polls - JDV

MANILA – Kumbinsido si dating Speaker Jose de Venecia na malaki ang kinalaman sa girian ng mga “presidentiables" sa 2010 presidential elections sa pagkakaalis kay Senador Manny Villar bilang pinuno ng Senado nitong Lunes.

“The 2010 presidential elections is very clear, five presidentiables (Sens. Manuel Roxas, Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon and Lacson) all go against Villar, that is very clear…to put it very well, (it’s all about) politics," ayon sa dating lider ng Kamara de Representantes nitong Martes.

Idinagdag ni De Venecia na mahirap talagang kontrolin ang liderato sa kapulungan kapag nanghimasok na ang Malacanang.

“Even I, after five terms, I could not control the situation (in the House) once Malacanang’s voted against me," idinagdag ni De Venecia na biktima rin ng kudeta sa kanyang liderato noong Pebrero 2008.

Hinihinalang ang pagtestigo ng anak niyang si Joey De Venecia III sa Senado tungkol sa ZTE-NBN deal ang dahilan kaya pinatalsik sa liderato si Rep De Venecia sa Kamara kapalit ni Speaker Prospero Nograles.

Sa kabila nito ay pinayuhan ni De Venecia ang bagong lider ng Senado si Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile na mag-ingat sa grupo ng bagong mayorya na kinabibilangan ng mga senador na kritiko ng Malacanang.

“Ingat (si) Sen. Enrile because he’s identified with Malacañang and lahat ng bumoto sa kanya eh puro against Malacanang," patungkol ni De Venecia kina Lacson at Madrigal.

Idinagdag nito na sa komposisyon ng bagong mayorya at pagkakaroon ng kanya-kanyang agenda ng mga senador ay hindi umano imposibleng malagay kaagad sa alanganin ang liderato ni Enrile.

“I suppose there’s an undesired convergence of interests because you have Lacson group, Madrigal group etc. They are anti-Malacanang but their candidate is (Sen. Juan) Ponce Enrile who is identified as a stalwart of Malacanang, so there was convergence of interests. Their desire to remove Villar was their primordial interest, so the beneficiary of that overriding interest is Enrile," paliwang ng dating speaker.

Kabilang sa bagong mayorya ang mga taga-oposisyon na sina Sens Lacson, Madrigal, Roxas, Legarda, Escudero, Rodolfo Biazon at Jinggoy Estrada. Kasama rin sa grupo ang mga pro-administrations Sens na sina Gordon, Lito Lapid, Gringgo Honasan, Ramon Revilla Jr, Miguel Zubiri, at Edgardo Angara.

Una ng nagpahayag ng pagdududa si Sen Aquilino Pimentel kung tatagal ang alyansa ng bagong liderato sa Senado na tinawag niyang “masahol" pa sa “halo-halo. gmanews.tv

Pagkaalis ni Villar bilang Senate President pabor daw sa NP

MANILA – Sa halip na malungkot sa pagkakaalis ni Sen Manny Villar bilang lider ng Senado, masaya pa ang ilang kasapi ng kanyang Nacionalista Party dahil matutukan umano nito ang pagpapalakas sa kanilang partido bilang paghahanda sa 2010 elections.

Sinabi ni dating Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla, tagapagsalita ng NP, na magkakaroon na ngayon ng panahon si Villar na umikot sa mga lalawigan upang patatagin ang NP bilang paghahanda sa 2010 presidential elections.

Iginiit ni Remulla na pulitika pa rin ang nasa likod ng pagpapalit ng liderato sa Senado na pinatibay ng pagsuporta ng iba pang itinuturing “presidentiables" sa pagluklok kay Sen Juan Ponce Enrile bilang bagong lider ng Senado.

Lumitaw sa pinakahuling Pulse Asia survey na mula sa ika-limang pwesto ay pangalawa na si Villar kasunod ni Vice President Noli de Castro.

Nagpahayag din ng pangamba si Remulla na mawala ang pagiging indepedyente ng Senado sa ilalim ng liderato ni Enrile na kilalang kaalyado ng Malacanang.

“It’s regrettable that an independent stance of the Senate leadership results in the ouster of Villar. His allowing the arrest of Bolante and dela Paz is what did him in. But for the so-called members of the opposition to conspire with the administration in the ouster is deplorable. Perhaps his popularity as a presidentiable has become unbearably threatening to those who have moist eyes for the presidency," patungkol ni Remulla kina dating agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc" Bolante at dating Police comptroller Eliseo dela Paz.

Maging sina Bayan Muna Reps. Teodoro “Teddy" Casiño at Satur Ocampo ay nangangamba na makompromiso ang kalayaan ng Senado at makalusot ang planong Charter change (Cha-cha).

“Villar’s replacement by Enrile as Senate President benefits Malacanang. It has the effect of undermining the Senate’s independence and sabotaging ongoing investigations on the fertilizer fund scam and Euro Generals," ayon kay Casiño.

“Obviously, the GMA administration has managed to undermine Villar’s slim majority hold. The presidential elections and Villar’s backing of Bolante and Euro General probe may also be the factors to the coup," hirit ni Ocampo.

Sa kabila nito ay naniniwala si Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara na magpapatuloy ang pagiging indepedyente ng Senado sa ilalim ng bagong liderato ni Enrile.

“Not really because proponents are mix of opposition and administration senators. The chief beneficiaries are the other presidentiables because playing field now level among the senators aspiring for the highest post and new Senate President Enrile not perceived to be an aspirant in 2010," ayon Angara. gmanews.tv

CBCP willing to host presidential debates in 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday expressed willingness to host a proposed open debate among presidential aspirants in the coming 2010 presidential elections.

CBCP spokesman Msgr. Pedro Quitorio said the proposed debate would enable the electorate to scrutinize the qualifications of those aspiring for the highest position in the land.

"For now, I could say the CBCP through its media office is very much willing to host a presidential debate," Quitorio said during a church sponsored media forum in Intramuros, Manila.

Quitorio said the CBCP has several commissions such as the National Secretariat for Social Action (NSSA) that can sponsor or host the proposed presidential debate.

"In fact in the last election we were thinking about this and so we are wiling to host it. We will study it, maybe we could use this forum to host it," Quitorio said.

The proposal being broached by poll commissioner Rene Sarmiento has already earned support from civil society and a Church-backed poll watch dog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

"For us, that (debate) would be the best campaign method to see what the bets have to offer. Let us see if they [presidential aspirants] could offer a program," said by Henrietta de Villa, PPCRV chief.

"Like in the America… the debate is also a big help to candidates and the public. In the debate, you have to be serious. You don't need to sing or dance," De Villa added. gmanews.tvic

Villar: ‘I am free’

MANILA, Philippines -- Former Senate president Manuel Villar said he has no regrets over having to step down from his post after losing the support of the majority in the chamber.

In fact, Villar said he is now relieved at being liberated from the many responsibilities of the Senate presidency.

“Okey na okey ako ditto [I’m really okay with this]. No feelings of regrets, talagang okey lang iyan [it really is okay],” he said over the ABS-CBN News Channel.

“At least now, I can say I am free and my movements are more unrestrained. I can now do many things I could not do when I was Senate president, so in a way, I also feel relieved. Right now, I feel I’m free so I am not really sad,” he said.

Villar could not say why there was a move to oust him from his post, saying he would rather leave it to the people to judge.

He also refused to say the ouster move had to do with his declaration he is running for president in 2010.

“Nagkataon naman na biglang nagta-top tayo sa survey ay nangyari ito. Pero as I said earlier, hayaan na lang natin [It so happened that I topped the surveys when this happened. But as I said earlier, let’s leave it at that],” he said.

“Ayoko namang pangunahan ang mga kasamahan natin. Maski na nasa kabilang partido ako, mananatili pa rin ang pag-galang ko sa kanila [I don’t want to second guess our colleagues. Even if I am now with the other partyt, I maintain my respect for them,” Villar said.

He said he is also confident his resignation would not affect his presidential bid.

“Sa tingin ko naman wala dahil ngayon magkakaroon na ako ng oras. Talaga namang malaking trabaho rin itong pagiging pangulo ng Senado at hindi ka masyadong makapagsalita dahil sa bumabalanse ka [I don’t think so because now I have more time. Being Senate president is really very hard work and you cannot really speak because you have to balance things],” he said. inquirer.net

Analyst: 2010 election period has begun

MANILA, Philippines--The resignation of Senate President Manuel "Manny" Villar not only signals the "start of the 2010 election period" but could also mean changes in how the chamber handles the investigation of the "fertilizer fund” and the "Euro generals" scams, a political analyst said Monday.

Ramon Casiple said the public must now keep an eye on the chairmanship of the Senate committees, particularly the blue ribbon.

The blue ribbon committee is spearheading the investigation into the alleged diversion by former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante of P728 million in fertilizer funds to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 2004 election campaign.

"Investigations will be affected because of the changes in the chairmanship of major committees, for example the blue ribbon committee, as [committee chairman] Senator [Allan Peter] Cayetano has always been identified with Villar," Casiple told INQUIRER.net in a phone
interview.

"The majority will flex its muscles over the chairmanship of major committees," he added, noting that Senate chairmanships are elected.

Cayetano resigned chair after Villar stepped down to give way to a reorganization.

Casiple said it was also expected that a non-presidential candidate replaced Villar as Senate president.

"It is clear that those who sided with Enrile are 2010 presidential candidates. This is internal politics affected by the virus of [the] 2010 elections," said Casiple.

Casiple said Villar is a big threat to the other presidential wannabes because he is the "front runner and declared candidate," has the most campaign funds, and has established a nationwide network.

"He was a serious threat to all ‘presidentiables.’ All the presidentiables he will be going up against banded together to get a non-presidentiable as Senate president."

Casiple also noted that although it is possible that Enrile’s ascent to the Senate presidency has to do with the impeachment case against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he remains a "wild card."

"Enrile is really a wild card. You can't classify [him] one way or another. He's always been wherever he wants to be. Don't put Enrile in a box...the key is what did he say he would do, and the people in the opposition went along with him," said Casiple.

"I don't buy the speculation that he [Enrile] is carrying the Palace agenda, because the situation now is a transition, the Philippine president is going into lame-duck presidency," he said. inquirer.net

Villar resigns as Senate President

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 6) Senator Manuel Villar resigned Monday as president of the Senate, saying he had learned that he no longer had the support of the majority of senators.

Villar announced his resignation in a speech at the start of the day’s session, saying he would be replaced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile as Senate president

Fourteen senators voted for Enrile, namely, Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Jose Estrada, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Ramon Revilla, Manuel Roxas II and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Five abstained from the vote: Francis Pangilinan, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Benigno Aquino III and Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Absent were Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Antonio Trillanes IV.

Villar said, “The tenure of the Senate president, as everyone knows, epends on the number of members that supports him or her. I've been informed this afternoon that I no longer have the support of the majority members. I now, therefore tender my resignation.”

“I congratulate the new Senate president, Honorable Senator Juan Ponce Enrile,” he said. "You, Mr. Senate President, have my support."

The session was suspended briefly after Villar’s speech.

A radio report said Senator Alan Peter Cayetano subsequently resigned as chairman of the “blue ribbon committee”—the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigation—to pave the way for a reorganization of committees.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. has also resigned as minority floor leader.

Estrada presided over the remainder of the session, and Lacson immediately took the floor and moved to nominate Enrile as the new Senate president. Honasan seconded Lacson’s motion.

In an interview with reporters, Lacson said the controversy around a “double entry” in the budget for an extension of the C-5 highway, which implicated Villar, triggered the move for a change in the Senate leadership. He said the move to oust Villar became a "work in progress" from then on.

"How did it happen?” Lacson said to reporters. “It was actually work in progress for so many weeks ever since the double entry."

“You know, if there is perception that the Senate leadership is damaged because of the C-5 controversy, most of the members, the majority at least of the members of the Senate, will be thinking that the whole Senate could be affected,” he added.

Lacson said the number of senators needed to oust Villar was reached only on Monday noon. inquirer.net

Villar links ouster move to 2010 polls

MANILA, Philippines - Former Senate President Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr on Monday hinted that the 2010 presidential election was among the reasons why he was voted out of Senate presidency.

Interviewed by Mel Tiangco over GMA’s 24 Oras, Villar however said that his removal from the third highest position in the land would not affect his presidential bid.

"Hindi mahalaga 'yan. Ang mahalaga ay ituloy ang mga trabaho natin [at] pagsisilbi sa bayan (My removal as Senate president is not important. What is important here is that I will continue to work on my advocacies for the public),” he said.

Villar resigned as Senate president Monday afternoon after learning that 14 senators had signed a resolution informing him that he has lost the confidence of the Senate majority.

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile replaced Villar.

Without naming names, Villar noted that five of those who voted against him have also expressed intention to run for president in the 2010 polls.

"At nakita mo naman siguro ... na yung limang kandidato sa pagkapangulo ay bumoto (laban) sa akin (As you can see, the five who want to run for president voted against me)," he said.

Those who voted against Villar were Sens. Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Enrile, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Ma Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Ramon Revilla Jr, Manuel Roxas and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Those who abstained were Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan and resigned Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was absent, Villar and Antonio Trillanes IV, who is currently detained, did not vote.

Already an ordinary senator, Villar said he would now have more time in his hands for public service, particularly in his advocacy to help distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"At gusto ko naman sabihin sa ating mga kababayan na tuloy pa rin po ang ating paglilingkod maski na isang regular na Senador na lamang, ay tuloy pa rin po ang ating pagtulong sa OFW, sa mga mahihirap, at sa paggawa ng mag panukala na makakatulong sa ating ekonomiya lalo na’t may krisis ngayon," said Villar.

(“What I want the public to know is that I will continue to serve them even as a regular senator. I will continue helping OFWs, the poor, by crafting bills that would help the economy especially now that we’re facing a financial crisis.”)gmanews.tv

Cayetano: Villar's ouster linked to 2010 elections

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said the switching of support by some senators from Senator Manuel Villar to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile may have been related to the presidential elections in 2010.

“I can’t really speculate, but from the start, the rest of the minority wanted what they call a level playing field for 2010 and some didn’t want Senator Villar,” he said.

Cayetano cited Villar’s leadership style as the possible reason why the Senate president lost the support of his colleagues.

“The controversial order to arrest Mr. Bolante may have also touched some nerves of some of the senators here,” he said.

What is important, according to Cayetano, is for the public to keep its eyes on the Senate and for the Senate to keep its integrity and independence from the executive branch.

He also expressed support for Enrile especially on items which need support.

“Hopefully, he will also respect our roles to be fiscalizers,” said Cayetano.

When asked to identify his colleagues who withdrew support from Villar, Cayetano said they only will be apparent when the new majority distributes the committees.

“Since there are only five or six of us who abstained, I would assume that everyone else supported this move for a new leadership,” said Cayetano.

“Everyone who gets their choice is a part of the new majority. I think it is happening now with Senator Miguel Zubiri at the podium,” referring to Zubiri’s present role as Monday’s acting majority floor leader.

Cayetano said some of the committee chairmen have already given up their posts in accordance with the new leadership.

Among those who reportedly withdrew their support from Villar are Senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and Edgardo Angara.

Meanwhile, a Senate source told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak said that with Villar moving up in the presidential opinion polls, other senatorial candidates eyeing the presidency would rather see Villar out of the Senate presidency even it means being allied with the pro-administration senators. abs-cbnnews.com

Enrile ousts Villar in Senate coup

Rather than be humiliated in public, Senator Manny Villar on Monday chose to step down as Senate president in light of a resolution signed by 13 senators declaring the position vacant.

“I have been informed just this afternoon that I no longer have the support of the majority of my colleagues. I now therefore formally tender my resignation. I am now released from the burden of the Senate presidency. I shall be happy now to devote more time as a fiscalizer, I shall now have more time with our people in the countryside, and also with my family,” Villar said.

Administration Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was installed as new Senate president.

The position caps the 85-year-old Enrile’s storied career in public service that saw him as defense minister during the dreaded martial law regime and one-man minority in at the start of the post-Edsa revolution Senate, during which he was jailed for alleged plots to unseat Cory Aquino.

Enrile is the 21st Senate president since Manuel Quezon.

“Even as I honestly never sought the position of Senate president for myself, I can tell you that no honor or recognition can compare to one such as this, which comes from my own peers. Allow me this opportunity to ask you, my colleagues, to forgive my shortcomings. I am an old man who has acquired some bad habits of sometimes being arrogant, rude, harsh with my words, insensitive and impatient. Yet, you have so kindly overlooked these shortcomings and generously chose me to be your leader,” Enrile said.

Although only 13 signed the ouster resolution, 14 actually voted on the floor of the change in leadership.

Those who voted to replace Villar with Enrile as Senate president were: Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Jamby Madrigal, Bong Revilla, Mar Roxas, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Enrile himself. Nine of them, including Enrile, previously voted for Villar.

There were no negative votes.

Six abstained in the Senate leadership change: Joker Arroyo, Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel jr., Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III.
Four of them are from the so-called Wednesday group identified with Villar: Joker Arroyo, Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, and majority leader Francis Pangilinan.

Minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Benigno Aquino III also abstained despite the fact they were with the minority that formed the core group of the oust-Villar move.

Enrile, as martial law administrator, was the chief jailer of Pimentel and Aquino’s father, Ninoy.


Villar’s allies admitted the ouster move came as a surprise even as coup talks have hounded Villar’s leadership since day one of the 14th Congress.

Not a few have speculated Villar’s declared intention to run for president in 2010, and the perceived advantage given by the Senate presidency was the underlying reason for the ouster move.

As if by coincidence, Villar was ousted just hours after the release of a Pulse Asia survey on presidentiables showing him tied for second place from a previous fifth place.

But Alan Cayetano believes this would only serve to boost Villar’s political plans.

“Mas lalakas kasi, may time na siyang magikot sa buong bansa. I don’t think people look at candidates kung anong hawak nilang posisyon, and I never felt malaki talaga ang advantage ni Senator Villar sa masa just because of his position

But Lacson insists the 2010 race was farthest from their mind.

He said the ouster move was prompted by ethical issues surrounding Villar’s C-5 extension project.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson led the oust-Villar move after the C-5 issue came about. “That was the time naging serious ang efforts para maghanap ng bagong leader,” Lacson said.

In the wake of the leadership change, Pangilinan and Pimentel resigned as majority and minority leaders respectively.

Cayetano also relinquished the blue ribbon committee chairmanship in anticipation of a shakeup in committee assignments.

With the installation of an administration ally as Senate chief, the chamber will be under intense scrutiny for its position on issues adversely affecting Malacañang.

But Enrile and his backers maintain the Senate will remain independent from the Palace. abs-cbnnews.com

Villar resigns as Senate prexy; Enrile takes over as new chief

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar announced his resignation as Senate president on Monday amid rumors that majority of the senators were out to oust him. Earlier in the day, rumors were rife that a petition for Villar's ouster was circulating.

"My dear colleagues in this august chamber, the tenure of the Senate President - as everyone knows - depends on the number of members that supports him or her. I was informed this afternoon I no longer have the support of majority of my colleagues," Villar said in his opening statement after declaring the start of the session.

"I therefore tender my resignation and congratulate the new senate President, Honorable Juan Ponce Enrile," Villar said.

"You have my support in seeing to it this chamber continue to maintain its unquestionable independence and solid reputation," Villar told Enrile.

Villar, who earlier declared his intention to run as president in 2010, thanked those who supported his two-year term as Senate president, counting the time he took over from Sen. Franklin Drilon during the 13th Congress.

He said he can "serve fully and sincerely" even if he is not Senate president.

He said that after he is "released from the burdens of being Senate President," he will devote his time as fiscalizer, adding that he will have "more time to be with the people in the countryside and with my family."

Villar then suspended the session.

Palace washes hands

Malacañang said it has nothing to do with the change in leadership at the Senate.

"We respect the independence of any action taken by the Senate regarding its own organization. The Palace no involvement whatsoever in the senate's leadership change," said Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio in a statement sent to reporters.

Claudio extended Malacañang's "warm felicitations and congratulations" to Enrile, adding that it looks forward to "fresh opportunities for greater cooperation between the executive and legislative branches in addressing the pressing challenges and problems confronting the nation."

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo described Villar's resignation as "most admirable." She said Enrile and Villar "will undoubtedly continue to serve the country and maintain the integrity and eminence of the senate."

Enrile is president at last

Sen. Panfilo Lacson nominated Enrile to be Senate president after Senate president pro tempre Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada reopened the session. The nomination was seconded by Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan.

Out of the 23 senators, 14 voted for Enrile while six abstained.

Those who voted for Enrile were Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Enrile, Francis Escudero, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Ma Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Ramon Revilla Jr, Manuel Roxas and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Those who abstained were Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan and resigned Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was absent.

Sens Villar and Antonio Trillanes IV (detained) did not vote.

Enrile was declared Senate President after Honasan administered the oath of office.

Enrile deferred all other moves to pave way for the reorganization of the Senate. He said he would be talking with the senators Tuesday to discuss the reorganization.

In explaining his absention, Aquino told reporters he was caught in a dilemma as Enrile is known to be an administration ally.

"I would have preferred Sens Manuel Roxas II, Panfilo Lacson or Loren Legarda to be Senate President," Aquino said.

He said he believed there should be a change in leadership but he wants someone that would make a "firmer opposition."

He cited Enrile's "past and present" relationship with his family as one of the reasons for his abstention. He said Enrile was the sole opposition during his mother's, former President Corazon Aquino, administration.

He said what could have sealed Villar's fate was his failure to unite the opposition in the Senate.

"From the start he never even bothered to talk to the opposition. Nilakihan niya 'yong base niya and it seems he became comfortable with the administration," Aquino said.

Estrada remained Senate Pro-Tempore after Enrile asked him to.

Estrada said he voted for Enrile because they belong to the same political party but he denied that his father, former President Joseph Estrada, had influenced his decision.

"I'm my own man," the younger Estrada said.

He added that Enrile stuck it out with his family during their trying times particularly when the impeachment complaint was filed against his father.

"Malaki ang pinagsamahan namin. Do you expect me to part ways from him," Estrada said. He, however, said that the decision he made was "very painful."

Meanwhile, Sens Lacson and Madrigal believed the C-5 controversy was the main reason for Villar's ouster.

"Ito yung resulta ng double insertion privilege namin ni Sen Lacson. Nawalan na siya (Villar) ng moral ascendancy to lead the Senate. The decision was made beyond parties and beyond personalities," Madrigal said.

For his part, Lacson said: "This is a collective effort. The Senate leadership had been damaged."

On the other hand, Sen Cayetano believed the 2010 presidential elections is behind the move against Villar.

"They have been saying from the start of the 14th Congress when Villar was elected Senate president that the playing field should be leveled," Cayetano said.

He said he will be observing the move and decisions of the new leadership particularly on the issue of Charter change, on who will seat at the Judicial and Bar Council with the retirement of seven justices, and the investigations that will be conducted.

Cayetano said Villar told him that the latter is OK and he should not worry about him.

Earlier in the day, talk was rife in the Senate that a move to oust Villar was in the offing. Senator Richard Gordon said it would be an "exciting session" on Monday afternoon.

Seen visiting Villar in his office before the start of the session were Senators Enrile and Honasan.

Enrile earlier said he was satisfied and contented with Villar's leadership.

Enrile is a lawyer and a long-time politician who rose to fame during the administration of the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

He rose from being undersecretary of finance from 1966 to 1968 before becoming acting Insurance Commissioner and Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs. From 1968 to 1970, he served as the Secretary of the Department of Justice.

In 1970, Enrile was appointed Secretary of the Department of National Defense. In 1972, Enrile claimed that he was ambushed, one of Marcos' reasons for the declaration of martial law.

In 1986, he broke away from the ailing Marcos with other military men including former President Fidel Ramos. The move sparked the first EDSA "people power" uprising.

From 1987, he then went on to serve in the Senate. gmanews.tv

Mandatory presidential debate in RP has no legal basis - poll lawyer

MANILA, Philippines – An election lawyer on Monday said the mandatory presidential debates proposed by a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official has no legal basis.

A radio report quoted lawyer Romulo Macalintal as saying that holding mandatory presidential debates is not included in the Constitutional requirements for those who intend to run for presidency.

A separate report over dzBB radio also quoted Macalintal as saying that the Comelec can only "invite" presidential candidates for a debate and that no penalties may be imposed on those who refuse to be part of the debates.

Last week, Malacañang welcomed Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento’s proposal for the conduct of mandatory presidential debates, saying this may be a good way to help voters decide on who to vote.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez Jr said it is a good idea to have such debates to educate voters in time for the next presidential election, but said Malacañang is leaving it up to the Comelec to look into the matter.

"Pinauubaya natin yan sa Comelec. Kung ‘yan ang pananaw nila sila ang expert diyan (We leave that to the Commission on Elections. If that is its opinion, they are the experts there)," Golez said on government-run dzRB radio.

Golez said the present government will support whatever initiative is proposed to bolster the country's democratic processes. gmanews.tv

Palace warm to suggestion for mandatory presidential debates

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is warm to a reported proposal by a poll official to have mandatory debates among presidential candidates for the 2010 elections.

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. said it is a good idea to have such debates to educate voters in time for the next presidential election.

"Pinauubaya natin yan sa Comelec. Kung ‘yan ang pananaw nila sila ang expert diyan (We leave that to the Commission on Elections. If that is its opinion, they are the experts there)," he said on government-run dzRB radio.

The proposal came from Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, who said such debates may be a good way to help voters decide the best candidate.

Golez said the present government will support whatever initiative is proposed to bolster the country's democratic processes.

"Ang pamahalaan naman natin, ang administrasyon ng Pangulong Arroyo, sinusuportahan anumang panukala na makakatulong sa pag-aayos ng ating democratic process (This administration supports any suggestion that can bolster our democratic processes)," he said.

"Anything that would make us understand if we can understand the capabilities who is going to run for office, napakaimportante sa mamamayan ang malaman ang kakayahan ng individual (it is important that our people know the capabilities of each candidate)," he added. gmanews.tv

Lakas-CMD: No plans yet for 2010 presidential polls

The ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) has yet to discuss who will be its standard bearer for the 2010 presidential elections, the spokesman for the political party said Saturday.

Former congressman Prospero Pichay said that though some party members have already expressed interest in running for president, the matter remains to be discussed at the moment.

He added that Lakas-CMD is strengthening its base at present in order to choose the right presidential contender.

Bayani Fernando,chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr., were reportedly among the Lakas members eyeing the presidency in 2010.

Though Vice-President Noli de Castro is not an official Lakas member, reports said the ruling party might consider him once it selects its official bet.

Meanwhile, Lakas welcomed the desire of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay to run in 2010 elections.

Binay, the president of the United Opposition, is being considered the "darkhorse" in the next national polls, similar to US president-elect Barack Obama.

Lakas stalwart Heherson Alvarez, however shot down the comparison.

Alvarez pointed out that Obama won because he is perceived to be the “agent of change.”

Binay, on the other hand, is an ally of former president Joseph Estrada who was removed from office due to corruption allegations, Alvarez added.

COMELEC to require presidential debates in 2010

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will pass a resolution to hold presidential and vice-presidential debates as part of the preparations for the 2010 elections.

COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, who was in Washington, D.C. to observe the US elections, said the televised debates of US president-elect barack Obama and Sen. John McCain helped voters decide.

"The debates informed the electorate about the candidates' persona and stand on various issues," Sarmiento said.

Sarmiento said debates to be held in the Philippines will "gauge the capacity, potential and eloquence of candidates."

Sarmiento cited debates as among the 10 lessons from the 2008 US presidential elections in a paper he wrote. Another lesson: the use of automated election system fast-tracked the voting, counting and announcing of election results. abs-cbnnews.com

COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo told reporters he is confident the Philippines will be able to see something like this happen here in 2010. He said he has instructed the COMELEC advisory council to speed up its process of selecting vendors and technology for 2010.

Sarmiento also noted the "gracious and immediate" concession of McCain, saying it is "worth emulating."

"The fine democratic behavior demonstrates a political maturity and strongly contributes to political stability" paving the way for "post-election healing... where winners and losers participated in a parade to symbolically 'bury the hatchet,'" he said.

Sarmiento, however, added that the US presidential election was not perfect, citing glitches that hounded polling places and recalling parallelisms in the Philippine election setting.

He cited incidents where precincts that opened up late were understaffed and had voters who found themselves unregistered. There were even electronic and optical scan machines "breaking down in some states, causing paper ballots to pile up."

Other lessons that Sarmiento saw were the power of young voters who made a difference and the modern technology that boosted Obama's candidacy.

He also said that the early voting led to shorter lines on election day especially in battleground states, the presence of the tri-media who kept the electorate informed about current issues, and the projection of potentials and capacities of the candidates.

Aside from these, Sarmiento said redefined moral issues and faith dimension were evident in the electoral campaign. In managing the electoral process, volunteerism among the adults and the young was impressive, he added.

'Barack' of RP doesn't mind dark skin

Makati City Mayor Jejomar "Jojo" Binay definitely does not mind being likened to US president-elect Barack Obama, the "darkhorse" in the just-concluded presidential elections in the United States. And he takes no offense in having a dark complexion like the 44th US president, either.

"God gave me my color and I thank him for it," Binay, who has been called "Jobama" (Jojo Obama), told an interview on radio dzMM's Tuesday, his 66th birthday.

The Makati mayor's rejoinder came several hours after announcing his intention to run for president in 2010.

He chided Malacañang for criticizing his announcement at the Makati City Hall earlier in the day.

A Palace statement said that it is still too early for Binay to declare his candidacy amid reports that an unnamed presidential aspirant has hatched another plot to destablize the government.

But the Makati mayor turned the tables on Malacañang and said that it is he one who doing an early campaign for the presidential elections.

He also denied that he is the presidential aspirant being alluded to as the brains behind the new destabilization plot.

Binay likewise accused the Palace of launching diversionary tactic to shield the administration from the reopening of the Senate's investigation into the fertilizer fund scandal involving former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Jocjoc" Bolante.

Friends, Erap for Binay

Meanwhile, friends and family gathered to celebrated Binay's birthday on Tuesday night.

Among those who graced the party were Grace Poe, the daughter of the late actor and presidential candidate Fernando Poe, Jr., San Juan City Mayor Jose Victor "JV" Ejercito, actress Armida Siguion-Reyna and former vice-president Teofisto Guingona.

According to Grace Poe, she is willing and ready to campaign for Binay. She said that the mayor, who is also president of the United Opposition, is a close family friend.

The late actor's daughter added that she witnessed how Binay supporter her father during his presidential campaign against President Arroyo in 2004.

For her part, staunch administration critic Siguion-Reyna also said she supports Binay. The actress said that win or lose, it is still Binay for her though she admitted that she also has close ties with former president Joseph Estrada and Sen. Francis Escudero. Both the former president and the neophyte senator are among choices to be the opposition's candidate for the presidential elections, according to surveys.

Estrada, meanwhile, has said that he supports Binay's intention of running for president in 2010.

However, the former president clarified that it is still "too early to endorse anybody."

Estrada, the opposition's titular head, said he will review survey results of the opposition's "presidentiables" before deciding on whom to support.

According to Estrada spokeswoman Margaux Salcedo, the former president took note of Binay's statement that he will step down should the deposed leader run seek another term in Malacañang.

She, however, said that Estrada is not thinking about a return to Malacañang "at this point in time."

De Venecia forming ‘powerful coalition’

MANILA, Philippines -- With his ties with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and some leaders of his political party, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrat (CMD), severed, former speaker Jose de Venecia said Thursday that he was now working on a "powerful coalition" for the 2010 election that would elect the next President.

De Venecia said the coalition would form a "new enlarged powerful majority" that would field a strong contender and other candidates in the next national elections.

He said that he has started talking to leaders of several political parties and their members, and received commitments from some that early next year "they were prepared already to cross the river."

"In the light of the 2010 elections, I am working on a powerful coalition. … This is not Lakas anymore, it will be an enlarged rainbow coalition," De Venecia said in an interview.

Asked what would happen to the ongoing regional merger between Lakas and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Partner of the Free Filipino, KMP) party of the President, De Venecia said, "That will fall along the wayside. You talk to our leader, we'll create a new enlarged powerful majority, elect the new President of the Philippines that is what we're working on."

The former speaker expressed confidence that the next president could come from his coalition and beat whoever the administration candidate would be. With the public opinion very much adverse to the Arroyo administration, he said any candidate associated with the President would suffer defeat.

De Venecia said the country's next leaders should attend to the battle against poverty and corruption, not to politics.

Asked if he was eyeing Vice President Noli de Castro to be their standard-bearer De Venecia said, it could be a subject of negotiation. "But our moves must be dictated by public opinion." inquirer.net

RP’s Obama? Binay declares presidential bid

Makati City Mayor Jejomar “Jojo” Binay yesterday announced his plans to join the 2010 presidential race.

Comparing himself to US President-elect Barack Obama, Binay boldly announced his intentions before a crowd celebrating his 66th birthday at the Makati City Hall yesterday.

Binay vowed to lead a voters’ revolution and save the Philippines, which he branded an “orphan country,” from a “step-President.”

Binay said the voters’ revolution will install a government that will restore “the people’s dignity, give priority to health care and education, look after the elderly, and promote transparency and accountability in government.”

“Four years ago, our beloved Philippines was orphaned by fraud. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, under the most dubious electoral conditions, ascended to the presidency. And the nightmare of the step-President and the orphan nation began,” he declared.

Binay began his acceptance speech with a litany against Mrs. Arroyo and the administration, which he claimed had made Filipinos poorer and more hungry.

“Today you formally ask me to lead you towards the victory of our revolution – a revolution that will install a government that will redeem our people’s dignity by making our economy work. And I mean, really work – so that every time the numbers on the economic charts go upward, so will the food on our tables be in greater abundance,” Binay declared.

Binay joined the list of early presidential favorites that includes Vice President Noli de Castro, Senate President Manuel Villar Jr., Senators Manuel Roxas, Loren Legarda, Panfilo Lacson, Richard Gordon, Francis Escudero, Jesus is Lord founder Bro. Eddie Villanueva and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando.

Former President Joseph Estrada, on the other hand, vouched for Binay, saying the Makati mayor has an excellent track record.

Estrada said Binay has proven himself as chief executive of the country’s premier financial district.
According to Estrada, Binay is among his “favorites.”

“He is one of the favorites in terms of his capability and experience as the chief executive of the central business district in our country. He has the edge over the other presidentiables in the opposition because of his experience in local governance,” he said.

Binay has been in the national scene as one of the critics of the administration since he is the president of the United Opposition (UNO). He is also one of Estrada’s closest friends and allies.

Estrada said Binay has an edge over Villar, Lacson, Roxas, Legarda, and Escudero since the senators have no experience in local governance.

Estrada, however, did not say if Binay would the anointed one to lead the opposition to victory in the 2010 polls.

The former president said he would only be the last option. “As I have said many times, I will only run if the opposition cannot unite behind a single candidate,” Estrada said.

Qualified

Villar, for his part, conceded Binay is good presidential material but he refused to comment if the Makati mayor is a threat to his political ambition.

He said Binay is a “very qualified person” to run as president, just like anybody else.

“But eventually, it is the Filipino people who would decide who becomes president,” Villar added.

Villar also downplayed the possibility of a divided opposition after Binay openly declared his intention to run in the 2010 presidential elections.
On the other hand, Lacson wished Binay good luck.

“I wish him luck, sincerely,” he said. “Everybody has the capability to become president.”

Escudero, for his part, said: “My wish for Mayor Binay is for his birthday wish to come true.”

Escudero though skirted the issue on his plans for 2010.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said he was surprised over Binay’s announcement.

“I thought he was running for vice (president) or senator. I did not expect it. But I think Mayor Binay is very qualified and he is a very kind man. His heart also goes for the poor. I think he is also sincere,” he said.

With Binay joining the race, the younger Estrada said UNO has not reached a consensus on who will be the opposition’s standard-bearer for 2010.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., chairman of the PDP-Laban that has Binay as party president, also expressed confidence on the Makati mayor’s ability to become president.

“Mayor Binay will be another candidate coming from the ranks of the opposition. So in the end, we have to sit down to determine who should be the stardard bearer,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel doused speculations that Binay’s announcement has derailed further the hopes of Estrada’s dream for the political opposition to throw full support behind a single candidate in 2010.

He expressed hope that members of the opposition will later sit down to support a lone presidential bet.

“In politics, anything is possible. I am quite optimistic,” Pimentel said.

Among the candidates from the political opposition, Pimentel said Binay is the lone candidate that has established presence and contacts among local government officials.

Pimentel noted supporters have branded Binay as the Philippines’ version of Obama.

‘Spoiler’

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, for her part, said she might consider running “just to be a spoiler.”

“Well, make me angry enough, and I will run for president just to prove a point, just to be a spoiler,” Santiago said with a laugh.

Santiago added she wanted to prove before the world that she is an effective state leader, especially after losing her bid for a seat in the International Court of Justice.

But first, Santiago said, she would have to check her “Swiss bank account” to scrounge around for P3 billion to finance her campaign.

Santiago said she wanted to become an ICJ judge to try a different field, as Philippine politics has become too boring for her.

She said seeking another term in the Senate could be an option, but the idea already makes her yawn.

Santiago said she was so bored with politics that she “wants to buy a mountain and live on top of it” to completely get away from it all.

Malacañang, however, cautioned presidential aspirants against early politicking since it would distract the nation from addressing the economic difficulties arising from the global financial crisis.

“We expect there will be more politicians to announce intentions to run for the presidency and other positions as well, but it’s too early for us to talk about politics now, especially with present economic crisis we are facing,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said.

“We believe there are more important matters to deal with. I don’t want to comment on it for now,” she said.

Fajardo said it would be better if the people see the country’s political leaders working on economic programs that “would benefit them everyday and sustaining programs to make their lives better.”

When asked if Malacañang considers Binay a serious contender, she said: “I’m sorry I cannot comment on the Binay issue any further.”

“He (Binay) has the right to run for office. For that matter, anybody has the right if he or she feels they have a chance and is qualified and wants to serve the country,” Fajardo said.

She added the “public should be smart enough to see the quality of leaders that we want in the future.” philstar.com

RP's 'Barack', Jojo Binay, declares presidential bid

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay has thrown his hat into the 2010 presidential race amid calls from supporters in Zamboanga urging him to rise up to the challenge of becoming the country's next president.

Binay's declaration was made Tuesday morning at Makati City Hall during ceremonies to mark his 66th birthday.

"Handa akong tanggapin ang hamon ng ating mga kasamahan (I'm ready to accept our people's challenge). I'm available as a candidate for president," he said.

Binay added that his decision is entirely based on words of encouragement he has been receiving from all over.

"I'm available and this is response to the clamor I have been receiving," he said.

Asked if his declaration had been given blessings by former president Joseph Estrada, the opposition's titular head, Binay said: "Tungkol kay Pangulong Erap, antabayanan na lang natin kung ano ang kanyang magugustuhan (Let's just wait for President Erap's opinion)."

Binay, who is president of the United Opposition, has served for 19 years as the central business district's chief executive.

He said that should he push through with his candidacy, he would run under the banner of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban).

Political observers have said that Binay, like US president-elect Barack Obama, could be a "dark horse" in the next presidential elections.

For one, Binay has been called by some commentators as the Philippines' "Jo-bama" (short for Jojo-Obama), due to his dark complexion.

He said Obama's victory is a wake-up call for the Arroyo government since it reflects voters' cry for reforms and change amid bad governance.

Binay said the 2010 presidential elections will likely reflect Filipino voters' demand for change and good governance.

The Makati mayor's supporters in Zamboanga Peninsula, meanwhile, have openly declared their support for Binay's presidential run.

On Monday, at least 40 members of various civic and private organizations in the region gathered in Zamboanga City to sign a manifesto to urge Binay to consider running for president in 2010.

Jericho Bustamante, regional head for "Binay Na!", however, clarified that their movement aims to gather opinion and suggestions from different sectors int he region. He said that this is not an advanced political campaign for Binay.

Bustamante said that whatever Binay did and can do for Makati, he could also duplicate for the entire Philippines. He added that Binay is the only potential candidate for the presidency who sits in an executive position as of the moment. The rest are policy makers. abs-cbnnews.com

Binay qualified to seek presidency in 2010 - Erap

MANILA, Philippines – Former President Joseph Estrada on Tuesday said Mayor Jejomar Binay’s performance as Makati City’s chief executive indicates he has the capacity to run the country in the future.

"Si Mayor Binay din naman ay may kapasidad, may abilidad. Napakita ni Mayor Binay yung kanyang kakayahan bilang chief executive ng premier city ng Pilipinas (Mayor Binay has the capacity and the ability. He has shown this as the chief executive of the country’s premier city)," Estrada said in an interview over QTV’s Balitanghali.

Earlier in the day, Binay declared his presidential bid for the 2010 elections during the celebrations of his 66th birthday at the Makati City Hall.

Binay is included in UNO’s (United Opposition) bench of "presidentiables." The Makati City mayor said he will accept it if UNO will not field him as their standard bearer. Binay is UNO president.

Estrada, however, said UNO has yet determine its standard bearer for the 2010 polls.

"Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong napipili. Kung sino ang nakikita nating pinakamalakas, yun ang pipiliin natin. Siguro mga one year before o less than a year before the elections malalaman na natin kung sinong nangunguna sa survey,' Estrada said.

(As of now, we haven’t picked a standardbearer. We would probably pick the one we deem to be the strongest contender. I think that a year before or less than a year before the elections, the surveys will show who the top presidential picks are.)

Estrada added he hopes the opposition will unite to boost their chances in winning in the 2010 elections. He said the UNO can learn from the recently concluded United States elections where Democrat Senator Barack Obama emerged victorious.

"Sana magkaisa ang opposisyon para masiguro ang panalo ng opposisyon. Sa nakaraang eleksyon ay apat-apat ang kumandidato, kaya madaling nadaya. Mukhang nangyari nung 2004 eleksyon, pinaghiwahiwalay ang mga boto ni FPJ [Fernando Poe Jr] at nagdagdag-bawas pa," Estrada said.

(I hope the opposition unites to ensure our win. We had four candidates in the last elections that’s why we were easily cheated. FPJ’s votes were reduced and I believe there was vote-padding and vote-slashing.)

Last week, UNO spokesperson Lawyer Adel Tamano said the opposition will try to field a single candidate for next elections in an effort to “emulate" the US election system where during the primaries, Democrats and Republicans vote for a single standard-bearer for the general elections.

Tamano added that President-elect Obama serves as their inspiration as his victory proves that it is possible to stand up against “the machinery and the money of the powerful." gmanews.tv

Palace shrugs off Binay bid

MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang has shrugged off Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay’s declaration of his presidential bid in 2010, saying there are “far more important issues” than politics.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the Palace would not comment on one’s political ambitions and would rather remain focused on governance and reforms.

“We believe that it is still early for politics and that there are far more important issues,” Fajardo said in a text message.

“Palace expects more politicians to declare their intentions to run for [the] presidency but we are confident that Filipinos know that a good leader serves the interest of the public and must have vision and determination to guide the nation as well as be knowledgeable in economic and foreign policy,” she said. inquirer.net

Binay declares presidential bid

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Vowing to take the fight outside the country's financial district, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay announced his bid for the presidency on Tuesday as he marked his 66th birthday in city hall.

More than 2,000 supporters from the city and the provinces carrying streamers like "Obama of the Philippines" and "Jojo Binay for President" gathered at 7 a.m. for a Thanksgiving Mass as they waited for the mayor to make the declaration.

In his speech, Binay, who is also the United Opposition president, criticized the Arroyo government by bringing up issues like the national broadband network scandal and the fertilizer fund scam and said there was need for another "revolution."

"I am accepting your challenge to lead this revolution toward a progressive and respected Philippines," said the activist and lawyer.

Binay was introduced by Makati Representative Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr., who pointed out that the 19-year Makati mayor would like to be known for his "performance" and not his ambition.

"The city is the crowning testimony to his ability to lead the country," Locsin said.

As to his programs, Binay said he would stamp out graft and corruption and focus on productivity and peace and order.

The mayor's acceptance speech ended with the supporters releasing yellow and blue balloons with the print "Makati ngayon, Pilipinas bukas [Today Makati, tomorrow, the Philippines]." inquirer.net

Makati Mayor Binay eyes presidency in 2010 polls

MANILA, Philippines - Makati City Mayor Jejomar “Jojo" Binay on Tuesday announced his intent to run for president in the 2010 national elections.

A GMA Flash Report said Binay announced his presidential bid during the celebrations of his 66th birthday at the Makati City Hall.

The report quoted Binay as saying that he will accept it if the United Opposition (UNO) will not field him as their standard bearer. Binay is UNO president.

Meanwhile, a report over dzBB radio said Binay had already informed former President Joseph Estrada his plans to run in 2010.

Aside from Binay, those who have announced they will run for president or are reported to be eyeing the presidency in 2010 include Vice President Manuel “Noli" de Castro, Senators Manuel “Manny" Villar, Manuel “Mar" Roxas II, Panfilo Lacson, Richard Gordon, Loren Legarda and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando.

Public opinion polling body Social Weather Station on Friday revealed De Castro is the top pick to succeed President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2010. Following his trail are Villar, Legarda, Lacson, Escudero, former President Estrada, and Roxas. gmanews.tv