Palace defends govt ‘infomercials’

A Malacañang official on Tuesday defended Cabinet members who have infomercials on television and radio, saying these is part of their mandate to inform the public about the programs of their departments.

“As far as I'm concerned, what the Cabinet members are doing is just within their mandate to be able to disseminate information pertaining to their departments," said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in an ambush interview.

Ermita made the statement three days after the Manila Regional Trial Court issued a temporary restraining order against the airing of the infomercials.

The issuance of the TRO was based on a petition filed by lawyer Ernesto Franciso Jr.

Ermita said government lawyers would address the cases against the Cabinet members.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who was one of those affected by the issuance of the TRO last Friday, expressed regret that his constitutional duty to inform the public has been stifled.

Duque is one of several Cabinet members being eyed by the administration to run for senator in the 2010 national elections.

But in radio interview earlier in the day, he said he is not inclined to “waste his time" if the surveys show that he has little chance of winning.

“Tingnan natin ang survey. Kung kulelat tayo sa survey huwag natin pagsayangin ng panahon (I’ll look at the surveys. If I fare poorly, I’d rather not waste my time)," Duque told dzXL radio. - GMANews.TV

Manila archbishop wants elections held on 2010

MANILA, Philippines – Amid speculations that Malacañang is cooking up a “no-election" scenario in 2010, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales on Thursday said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will likely step down from office when her term expires.

Radio dzBB’s Teresa Tavares quoted Rosales as saying that the public will not allow efforts to prolong the President’s tenure to gather momentum.

At least 167 members of the House of Representatives have so far expressed their support for a resolution seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly for the purpose of rewriting the Philippine Constitution

Critics fear that tinkering with the Constitution at this time, especially through a constituent assembly, could lead incumbent congressmen to remove limits to their term of office and allow President Arroyo to remain in power beyond 2010.

Malacañang, however, assured that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will step down in 2010 as mandated by the 1987 Constitution.

The report added that Rosales wants the 2010 national polls to push through “to replace politicians who do not deserve to be elected."

Rosales had earlier joined the ranks of those critical of politicians. Last week, the Manila archbishop said the "ignorant poor" are always taken advantaged of by self-serving government officials.

“What a pitiful situation it is when the persons who are ignorant of their rights are also poor, and are left in that state of not knowing the truth. Some are ignorant of their rights and privileges and no one dares to help them," Rosales said. 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