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

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

'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."

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

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