Philippine Presidentiables

Your Senatorial bet ALEX LACSON has an email circulating, asking for support.

2010-04-11T12:20:00.000+08:00

I received this letter from my friend MIRJA CRUZ UMPAD. This letter originates from BAMBI REYES NARCISO.

I believe everyone should read this to help them choose the rightful candidates, so I am posting the email message here so that everyone can read it just exactly as it is (walang labis, walang kulang).

Subject: ALEX LACSON: A FILIPINO OF FAITH

Atty. Alex Lacson would be a good choice for one of the 12 senators you can vote for.

He is running under the Liberal Party slate.

Below is one opinion from the late Max Soliven.

Please assist in having others save a vote for him.

Let's put fresh, clean-slated faces in the Senate.

(If you want to have a copy of his book "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do for His Country", they are available at all National Bookstores.)

A FILIPINO OF FAITH

BY THE WAY

By Max V. Soliven

The Philippine Star 12/19/2005

We keep on paying lip service to the catchword, "Faith in the Filipino." In this Christmas season of hope - and also sadness - this faith and confidence in ourselves too often falls short of being justified.

However, here's one story which I must tell.

This incident took place last Thursday in the late afternoon. I was rushing home in my car, an X-5, from my last meeting in Makati - already far behind schedule, since my next appointment, after a change of clothes, was in Malacañang. My vehicle broke down in the mounting rush-hour traffic on the Paseo de Roxas, not far from the corner of Buendia. There I was, frantically trying to hail a cab in vain while the avenue was crawled alongside, almost gridlocked. My desperation must have been all over my face. I had fruitlessly attempted calling my Stargate office on Ayala Avenue, then my associates and friends nearby. I needed a car badly to rescue me from the corner where I had been stranded. But nobody could be contacted.

Then a white Chevrolet Venture pulled up to the curb. The young man at the wheel leaned over, his window rolled down, and asked: "Can I help you, sir?"

I blurted out, "Yes - my car over there broke down. I must get home in a hurry! Can you bring me somewhere where I can find a taxicab?"

The fellow smiled and said: "Hop in, Sir I will drive you home."

I scrambled aboard, thankful to the kind stranger, and God - and for my good fortune. In retrospect, I wonder why it had never occurred to me he might be an armed hold-up man. I guess it was the disarming nature of his smile, his earnest approach. Yet now could anyone be so generous as to stop in the middle of traffic, then offer a total stranger a ride all the way to his home? He hadn't even asked how far away I lived; he'd made the offer without hesitation.

When we were underway, I asked to shake his hand and asked for his name, "My name is Alex," he simply said. 'I'm Max," I replied, then fished in my pocket and offered him my card. He peered at it, then exclaimed: "Wow. It's an honor! I read you every day!"

"Now. Alex, you owe me your card in return." I said.

Stopped at a light, he took out his wallet, got one and politely handed it to me. It read: Alexander L. Lacson, above which was his firm's title: "Malcolm Law", underneath that, "A Professional Partnership. " By golly, I had been rescued by a lawyer.

There you are. Somehow, when faith in the Filipino wavers, a Filipino comes along to restore your faith. Restore it? So surprise you with his kindness and generosity. This is an experience - and a shining gesture - I'll never forget.

* * * I finally told Alex I was headed for Greenhills. He grinned. "By coincidence, since I'm taking you there, my destination happens to lie not far away - I'm headed for Wack-Wack subdivision to give a talk at a Christmas party."

"Why?" I exclaimed. "In addition to being a lawyer, are you also a preacher?"

He smiled even more merrily and explained that he had written a little book. It was on the car seat beside him, and I picked it up. It was entitled: "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country."

Alex had his little volume (108 pages) published earlier this year by the Alay Pinoy Publishing House in Quezon City, and it had sold out in its first printing within three weeks. The second and third printings were about to sell out, too.

No, he wasn't selling it through any bookshop, the biggest book shop (unnamed here) wanted too big a portion of its possible earnings, but I told them I wanted the proceeds to go to a scholarship foundation for the needy."

So, Lacson has been selling his book out of his office and out of his home.

The dedication of the slim tome reveals his sincerity. It says: "To my Creator, who has blessed me with so much, and to my Country, which yearns for love from its people."

As we drove up EDSA, Alex said: "I read your mother's book, 'A Woman So Valiant,' too - and I loved it!"

Can you beat that?

My mama had written that book of hers in longhand, on yellow pad paper not long before she died at the age of 81 on October 16, 1990 - and belatedly, we had published it last year. Astoundingly, it had been a runaway bestseller, without publicity, and had sold out in the National Bookstores.

My sister, Mrs. Mercy S. David messaged me when she arrived from New York that the Japanese were now planning to transcribe the autobiography into Japanese and publish it in Tokyo, as a chronicle of what happened to a Filipino family in the war years (and during Japanese military occupation). The proposed Japanese title, "A Valiant Mother and Her Nine Children."

But that's another story, far removed from today's inspiring tale about Alex Lacson's Christian spirit and generosity. One thing Alex said demonstrated he had really read Mom's book. He remarked that the thing he vividly remembered in Mama's memoirs was that, in spite of our poverty, she had determined: "I don't want my children to feel poor." Thus, one of us or two of us in turn had been taken by her, on her meager earnings as a seamstress, to eat at a good restaurant. The "classy" restaurant of the time, Alex recalled from its mention in mama's book, was The Aristocrat. How lives intersect in this spinning world.

To get to the end of the "rescue" saga, Alex Lacson drove me to my home in Greenhills, and I noticed he never broke a traffic rule. I was tempted, in my selfish agitation to get home and get my tuxedo for the State dinner in the Palace, then dash over to Malacañang, to cut corners, such as push into the opposite lane when stuck not far from the Buchanan Gate, in order to sneak into the Gate. But Lacson calmly awaited his turn in traffic . Obey the law and obey the rules were obviously the bedrock of his "12 Things" credo.

In any event, getting to Malacañang in the end was only the bonus. Meeting someone like Alex Lacson was the real miracle .

* * * Alexander Ledesma Lacson, it turned out, modest as he was in bearing, was a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, 1996, and took up graduate studies at the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Mass. (Good old Harvard Yard, by gosh). His wife, Pia Peña - it turned out even more amazingly - is the daughter of an old friend, Teddy Peña from Palawan! She, too, is a lawyer - U.P. 1993 - a legal counsel for Citibank. They established a foundation together to help underprivileged children through school, and are now subsidizing 27 young scholars in different public schools in Alex's native Negros Occidental.

The reason Alex had been headed for Wack-Wack was the fact that the officers and employees of a company named Resins Inc., after buying 1,000 copies of his book had invited him to give the "homily" at their Christmas party. This was not a small group - the company had 600 employees, waiting for his "word" that night.

Alex, it struck me from our conversation, is an eloquent and devout Catholic. He believes God must have destined our people for some great role - why, in all history, he reasoned, were we Filipinos the "only Christian nation in Asia?" One thing is certain: He and his wife Pia practice their Christianity - and live it.

Four years ago, he and his wife had a serious discussion about migrating to the US or Canada because the Philippines, as a country appeared hopeless since things only got worse year after year. They wanted to know if their children (they have three, one boy and two girls) would be better off staying in our country or abroad in the next 20 years.

Pia and Alex had asked themselves the question: "Is there hope for the Philippines to progress in the next 20 years?"

They reasoned: If the answer is Yes, then they would stay. If it was No, they would leave and relocate abroad while they were still young and energetic. There were long discussions. One day, the realization, Alex recalls, struck them: the answer to that question was in themselves. The country would improve, Pia and Alex finally understood, if they and every other Filipino did something about it. Leaving the Philippines was not the solution. As Lacson put it in his book: "The answer is in us as a people; that hope is in us as a people."

* * * When I read the book afterwards, I discovered that many important people had endorsed it.

But these encomiums are not needed. Alex laughed when I quipped that he must be one of the wealthy Lacsons from Negros Occidental, like my classmates and schoolmates in the Ateneo. He cheerfully, and proudly, said that he was "a poor Lacson." His mother, he pointed out, had been a public school teacher in Cabangcalan.

No, he's not poor - his richness are in his friends, and in the heart.

Here are, in outline, his 12 commandments:

1) Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.

2) Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.

3) Don't buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino. (Or, if you read the book, he suggests: 50-50).

4) When you talk to others, especially foreigners speak positively about us and our country.

5) Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.

6) Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.

7) Support your church.

8) During elections, do your solemn duty.

9) Pay your employees well.

10) Pay your taxes.

11) Adopt a scholar or a poor child.

12) Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.

These are the 12 things every Filipino can do to help our country. At first blush, they seem simple. When you study them more closely, they are difficult to do. But all of us, together can do them.

============ ========= ========= ========= ========

If you are convinced that we should have someone like Alex in the Senate, please pass on this message to your relatives and friends.

--
Bambi Reyes Narciso
Pasig Realtors Board
REBL 6276
Mobile No. 0917 898-5172
Tel/Fax 852-5172
Tel 8511249 853-0517
http://brokerbambi. multiply. com
http://brokerbambi. wordpress. com

COMELEC LIST OF OFFICIAL CANDIDATES FOR 2010 ELECTION

2010-02-06T17:41:00.000+08:00

For President:
1 ACOSTA, VETELLANO SEINEZ "DODONG" - KBL
2 AQUINO, BENIGNO SIMEON III COJUANGCO "NOYNOY" - LP
3 DE LOS REYES, JOHN CARLOS GORDON "JC" - AKP
4 ESTRADA EJERCITO, JOSEPH MARCELO "ERAP" - PMP
5 GORDON, RICHARD JUICO "DICK" - B.BAYAN-VNP
6 MADRIGAL, JAMBY AS "JAMBY" - IND.
7 PERLAS, JESUS NICANOR PINEDA "NICK" - IND.
8 TEODORO, GILBERTO JR. COJUANGCO "GIBO" - LKS-KAM
9 VILLANUEVA, EDUARDO CRUZ "BRO. EDDIE" - BP
10 VILLAR, MANUEL JR BAMBA "MANNY" - NP

For Vice President:
1 BINAY, JEJOMAR CABAUATAN "JOJO" - PDP LABAN
2 CHIPECO, DOMINADOR JR FUENTECILLA "JUN" - AKP
3 FERNANDO, BAYANI FLORES "BF" - B.BAYAN-VNP
4 LEGARDA, LOREN BAUTISTA "LOREN" - NPC
5 MANZANO, EDUARDO BARRIOS EDU LKS-KAM
6 ROXAS, MANUEL ARANETA "MAR" - LP
7 SONZA, JOSE YUMANG "JAY SONZA" - KBL
8 YASAY, PERFECTO RIVAS "KIDLAT" - BP

For Senators:
1 ACOSTA, JR. NEREUS OLAIVAR "NERIC" - LP
2 ALBANI, SHARIFF IBRAHIM HUSSIEN "SHARIFF" - KBL
3 ALONTO, ZAFRULLAH MAROHOMBSAR "NOLDY" - BP
4 BAUTISTA, J.V. LARION "J.V. BAUTISTA" - PMP
5 BAUTISTA, MARTIN DONATO "DR. BALIKBAYAN" - IND.
6 BELLO, SILVESTRE III HERNANDO "BEBOT" - LKS-KAM
7 BIAZON, ROZZANO RUFINO BUNOAN "RUFFY" - LP
8 BONG REVILLA, RAMON, JR. BAUTISTA "KAP" - LKS-KAM
9 CAUNAN, HENRY BUENAVENTURA "HENRY" - PDP LABAN
10 CAYETANO, PILAR JULIANA SCHRAMM "PIA" - NP
11 DAVID, RIZALITO YAP "LITO" - AKP
12 DE VENECIA, JOSE III PEREZ "JOEY" - PMP
13 DEFENSOR SANTIAGO, MIRIAM PALMA "MIRIAM" - PRP
14 DRILON, FRANKLIN MAGTUNAO "FRANK" - LP
15 ENRILE, JUAN PONCE - "JPE" - PMP
16 ESPINOSA, NANETTE MELITON "ATE NANETTE" - KBL
17 ESTRADA, JINGGOY EJERCITO "JINGGOY" - PMP
18 GUICO, RAMON, JR. NAVAL "GETS KO" - LKS-KAM
19 GUINGONA, TEOFISTO III DE LARA "TG" - LP
20 HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, ANA THERESIA "HONTIVEROS RISA" - H. LP
21 IMBONG, JO AUREA MARCOS "ATE JO" - AKP
22 INOCENCIO, MA. KATHERINE L. REYES "KATA" - BP
23 LACSON, ALEXANDER LEDESMA "PINOY" - LP
24 LAMBINO, RAUL LOYOLA "RAUL" - LKS-KAM
25 LANGIT, REY MAGAT "REY LANGIT" - LKS-KAM
26 LAO, YASMIN BUSRAN "YAS" - LP
27 LAPID, MANUEL MERCADO "LITO" - LKS-KAM
28 LIM, DANILO DELA PUZ "GENERAL DANNY" - IND.
29 LOOD, ALMA ABELLA "ALMA" - KBL
30 LOZADA, JOSE APOLINARIO JR LECONIA "JUN" - PMP
31 MAAMBONG, REGALADO ESTRELLA "DODONG" - KBL
32 MARCOS, FERDINAND, JR. ROMUALDEZ "BONGBONG" - NP
33 MAZA, LIZA LARGOZA "LIZA MAZA NG GABRIELA" - IND.
34 MITRA, RAMON BLANCO "MON-MON" - NP
35 NIKABULIN, ADZ GANIH "COUNT HABIS" - BP
36 OCAMPO, RAMONCITO POBLETE "MONCHING" - BP
37 OCAMPO, SATURNINO CUNANAN "SATUR" - BAYAN MUNA
38 OPLE, SUSAN VASQUEZ "TOOTS" - NP
39 OSMENA, EMILIO MARIO RENNER "PROMDI" - PROMDI
40 OSMEÑA, SERGIO III DE LA RAMA "SERGE" - IND.
41 PALPARAN, JOVITO JR SALVAÑA "JOVI" - IND.
42 PAPIN, IMELDA ARCILLA "IMELDA PAPIN" - KBL
43 PAREDES, ZOSIMO JESUS II MENDOZA "JESS" - AKP
44 PIMENTEL, GWENDOLYN DE LA LLANA "GWEN" - PDP LABAN
45 PLAZA, RODOLFO GALIDO "OMPONG" - NPC
46 PRINCESA, REYNALDO RELUCIO "PRINCE" - IND.
47 QUERUBIN, ARIEL OLIVA "MARINES" - NP
48 RECTO, RALPH GONZALEZ "RALPH" - LP
49 REMULLA, GILBERT CESAR CATIBAYAN "GILBERT" - NP
50 RIÑOZA-PLAZO, MARIA GRACIA DE VEAS "GRACE" - AKP
51 ROCO, SONIA MALASARTE "SON" - LP
52 SISON, ADRIAN ORDONEZ "ADRIAN" - AKP
53 SOTTO, VICENTE III CASTELO "TITO" - NPC
54 TAMANO, ADEL ABBAS "ADEL" - NP
55 TAMAYO, REGINALD BALISI "REGIE" - AKP
56 TARRAZONA, HECTOR MIRASOL "TARZAN" - AKP
57 TATAD, FRANCISCO SARMIENTO "KIT" - GAD
58 TINSAY, ALEXANDER BRITANICO "ALEX TINSAY" - BP
59 VALDEHUESA, MANUEL JR ECHEM "MANNY" - AKP
60 VILLANUEVA, HECTOR LABAO "KA HECTOR" - KBL
61 VIRGINES, ISRAEL NICOLAS "DR. ISRAEL" - BP

Who is the real Presidential Candidate of Pres. GMA? Is it true that Manny Villar is the secret candidate of GMA?

2010-02-06T16:23:00.000+08:00

Who is the real Presidential Candidate of Pres. GMA? Is it true that Manny Villar is the secret candidate of GMA?

There is a text messages circulating around, you might have encountered this already. My question here is "HOW TRUE IS THIS?". Let me quote here the complete and exact text message that I'm talking about:

Now the cat is out of the bag... Manny Villar is the secret candidate of Pres. GMA...

Mike Arroyo himself met with Manny Villar at the house of Mike Defensor last Jan. 7...

Villar secretly agreed to make GMA as Speaker of the House and protect her should Villar wins the presidency..

Villar agreed to GMA's offer of massive logistical support in GMA's commissioners in the COMELEC who will assure Villar's victory...

Please pass para di tayo maloko ulit...

If this is true, then GMA don't have any confidence that his party's bet GILBERT "GIBO" TEODORO will make it to the palace this May election. This is a slap on the face of not only Gilbert Teodoro but also of all members of Lakas CMD - Kampi.

Hope that this issue will be made clear. The way I see this issue is this: President Arroyo is making sure that whoever wins the presidency this coming presidential election she can cut a deal to ensure her immunity against any suit especially with regards to the ZTE Scandal and the Hello Garci Scandal.

To the camp of President Arroyo, Manny Villar and Gibo Teodoro, please make your statements about this issue.

Timeline: Events in the life of Cory Aquino

2009-07-26T22:11:00.000+08:00

Research by Maria Althea Teves, abs-cbnNEWS.com/ Newsbreak | 07/22/2009 2:00 AM
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1933
January 25 – Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco is born to into a wealthy, political family in Tarlac. She was the sixth of eight children (of whom two died in infancy) of Jose Cojuangco, a former congressman, and Demetria Sumulong Cojuangco, a pharmacist.

1946
The Cojuangco family leaves for the United States and Cory enters Ravenhill Academy in Phildelphia, a sister school of Assumption Convent in Manila where she used to study. She later enrolls at the Notre Dame Convent School in New York where she finishes high school.

1953
Cory returns to the Philippines and enrolls at the Far Eastern University to study law.

1954
October 11 – Cory marries journalist and budding politician Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. She helps Ninoy campaign for Mayor of Concepcion, Tarlac.

1955-1959
Ninoy becomes Mayor of Concepcion, Tarlac.

November 1955
Cory gives birth to Maria Elena, the first of her five children.

1957
Cory gives birth to her second daughter, Maria Corazon

1960
Cory gives birth to her only son, Benigno III

1961
Third daughter, Victoria Elisa, was born.

1971
Youngest daughter, Kristina Bernadette(Kris) is born.

1967
November 14 – The 1967 elections: Ninoy wins a seat in Senate. He is the only Liberal Party (LP) candidate to win a seat in the Nacionalista Party-filled Senate.

1971
August 21 – LP’s proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda, Manila, is marred by a bomb explosion. Almost all LP Senatorial candidates are injured.

1972
September 21 – Marcos declares Martial law after Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile was allegedly ambushed on Wack Wack Road, Mandaluyong September 22. On the same day, the military arrests people in the “Order of Battle” list. Among those in the list was then Senator Ninoy Aquino.

Ninoy suggested to Cory that she and the children leave for Australia but she refused.

Ninoy was detained for 7 years and 7 months, mostly in solitary confinement. At one point, when Cory’s visiting privileges were cancelled, she frantically made the rounds of people she thought could help her get permission to see Ninoy again. The Supreme Court was prevailed upon to request the military to allow Cory to see her husband for humanitarian reasons.

April 1975 to May 1975
Ninoy goes on hunger strike while in Prison. He stopped his hunger strike forty days later after being rushed to the intensive care unit. Cory was allowed to be with him all this time. She would feed him one or two tablespoons of baby food every two hours.

1977
Cory finds herself in despair when a military tribunal sentences Ninoy to face the firing squad for subversion, illegal possession of firearms, and murder.

1978
While awaiting execution, Ninoy was allowed to run in the 1978 election for a seat in the Interim National Assembly. Marcos’s wife Imelda led the ruling party in a 21-0 sweep in Metro Manila.

1980
Cory accompanies Ninoy into exile in the United States, with Marcos’ permission, after he is diagnosed to have a serious heart condition.

1983
August 13 – Ninoy leaves Boston, passing through Tokyo, then Singapore and Taipei.

August 19 – Ninoy flies to Taiwan via Hong and stays another day in Taipei.

August 21 – Ninoy boards China Airlines flight to Manila. He arrives 1:00 pm at the Manila International Airport. A group of soldiers fetch him from his plane seat onto the stairway leading to the tarmac. They block doorways to prevent media from covering the scene. Seconds later, a single shot is fired. Ninoy is assassinated. The assassination rouses opposition against the Marcos government.

1985
November 3 – President Marcos announces that he is ready to call “snap election,” while being interviewed n the “David Brinkley Show.”

December 2 – The Sandiganbayan acquits Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Fabian Ver and all military personnel charged with Ninoy’s murder in 1983. On the same day, Marcos signs Cabinet Bill No. 7, formally setting the Snap elections to February 7, 1986.

1986
2nd week of February – There is still no declared winner a week after the snap elections. The National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) figures show that Cory and her vice-presidential running Salvor “Doy” Laurel are consistently in the lead. NAMFREL’s final tabulation of Cory’s votes is of 7,853,070 and Laurel 7,441,313 votes. Marcos obtains 7,053,068 and Tolentino 6,613,307 votes.

But Commission on Elections (Comelec) tabulations show that Marcos is leading by 1.2 M votes.

Twenty-nine computer programmers, many of them women, walk out from the control center of the national canvassing office to protest the deliberate manipulation of the official election results to favor Ferdinand Marcos.

The administration dominated Batasan Pambansa declares Marcos as President-elect and Arturo Tolentino vice-president elect.

On the same day, Cory is similarly proclaimed president in a mammoth “People’s Victory Rally” at Rizal Park. Cory calls for a civil disobedience campaign. She urges followers to boycott certain banks, publications and corporations to bear pressure on Marcos to step down without bloodshed.

February 22 – Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos announces, through Radio Veritas, their withdrawal of support from the Marcos administration.

Thousands of people peacefully rally and pray along EDSA highway in what became known as the People Power Revolution.

February 25 – Marcos takes his oath of office before Chief Justice Ramon Aquino in Malacañang Palace, while Cory is inducted into office by Justice Claudio Teehankee at the Club Filipino, in San Juan. Marcos’ televised oath taking is cut short after rebel soldiers captured TV Channel 4. Macros and his family flee to Honolulu.

HER PRESIDENCY

February 25 - Cory, in her inaugural address, issues her first edict: Proclamation No. 1 calling all appointive public officials to submit their courtesy resignations. In her speech, she proceeded to reorganize the government issuing Executive Order No. 1—appointing Cabinet ministers and task forces to help her run the government.

March 25 - One month after assuming the presidency, Cory issues Proclamation No. 3, proclaiming her government a “revolutionary government.” With this, she suspends the 1973 Constitution installed during martial law and promulgates a provisional “Freedom Constitution,” which vests legislative making powers on her, pending the enactment of the new constitution.

April 23 - Cory issues Proclamation No. 9 which provides for the creation of a constitutional commission (Concom) to draft a new charter “truly reflective of the ideals and aspirations of the Filipino People,” on or before September 2 of the same year. She appoints 48 men and women, led former justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma, to be members of the Concom.

May 1986 - The reorganized Supreme Court declared the Aquino government as “not merely a de facto government but in fact and in law a de jure government”, whose legitimacy had been affirmed by the community of nations.

September 18 – Cory makes a historic speech before the joint session of the US Congress. US Congress welcomes Aquino with a round of applause that lasts a little over two minutes. “Three years ago, I left America in grief to burry my husband Ninoy Aquino. I thought I had left it also to lay to rest his restless dream of Philippine freedom. Today I have returned as a President of a free people,” her speech began. (Watch the first part of her speech)

October 15 - Cory issues Executive Order 48: Creating an Ad Hoc Special Committee to supervise the liquidation of the affairs of the Constitutional Commission of 1986, preservation of its records, and to undertake its constitutional education campaign.

November 22 – A coup attempt originally scheduled November 11 is discovered by the Aquino government and is deliberately leaked to the Philippine Daily Inquirer—thwarting the plan and rescheduling it to November 22. On this day, the military is placed under red alert and rebel troops are blockaded leading them to return to the barracks. The coup attempt is called “God Save the Queen”

November 23 – Cory fires Defense Secretary Enrile and makes an overall Cabinet revamp. Intelligence reports claim that Defense Secretary Enrile and members of the Reform Armed Forces Movement (RAM) actively participated in the November 22 coup attempt. Ramos is Armed Forces Chief of Staff.

1987
January – January issue of TIME Magazine names Cory 1986 Person of the Year.

January 22 – Seventeen farmer demonstrators are killed when shooting broke out on Mendiola bridge, near Malacañang Palace. The farmers were demanding for land reform.

January 27-29 – Another coup attempt arises under the leadership of Colonel Oscar Canlas, a hundred soldiers seize the main compound of GMA Network in Quezon City. Other troops attempt to capture Sangley Point Air Force Base, Cavite.

February – The new constitution is approved in a national plebiscite. The 1987 constitution restores the bicameral Congress that Marcos abolished in 1973.

May – The 1987 national elections for the newly restored Congress is held.

April 18 – Fifty six rebel soldiers raid the Fort Bonifacio in what became known as the The “Black Saturday” coup. The coup is repelled same morning but with one rebel soldier dead.

July – Cory cedes legislative powers to the newly restored bicameral Congress.

Meantime, a plot to stage another coup attempt against the Aquino administration through a military takeover of the Manila International Airport is discovered. Four officers involved in the plot are court-martialed.

August 13 – The Supreme Court responds positively to Enrile’s petition to be proclaimed as 24th Senator to the disappointment of Cory. The new Senate is filled with 22 pro-administration Senators, one opposition (Enrile) and then-film star Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

August 28 – Colonel Gregorio Honasan, former top aide to Enrile, leads rebel soldiers to launch an attack against Malacañang early morning. The siege is repelled within hours but with several military and civilian casualties. Cory’s only son, Noynoy is wounded during the siege.

Honasan leads soldiers seizing portions of Camp Aguinaldo, including Department of National Defense headquarters. Other rebel soldiers seized other parts of the Philippines: parts of Villamor Airbase, military camps in Pampanga and Cebu, Legaspi City airport and three television stations in Manila. However, at the end of the day, government troops are able to recapture most of the rebel-held facilities.

August 29 – The previous day’s coup ends leaving 53 people dead and over 200 wounded. Honasan evades capture while Enrile denies involvement in the coup.

1989
November – Cory visits US President George Bush on the subject of negotiations over the US Bases in the country. Francisco Tatad writes a commentary in Newsday that Bush wanted a, “New, long-term security arrangement.”

On November 9, she opens United States trading in the First Philippine Fund Inc. She later spoke at a meeting of the United States Chamber of Commerce and the United States-Philippine Business Committee, where she urged American business to increase its investment in the Philippines.

December 1 – Colonel Gregorio Honasan and retired General Jose Ma. Zumel lead RAM and troops loyal to Marcos respectively to stage the most serious coup d’etat attempt in the Aquino administration. At the outset, the rebels seize parts of Camp Aguinaldo, Villamor Airbase, Fort Bonifacio, Mactan Airbase in Cebu and Sangley Airbase in Cavite. From Sangley Airbase, rebels launch planes and helicopters bombarding Camp Crame, Camp Aguinaldo and the Malacañang Palace.

December 3 – Government forces recapture all military bases but Mactan Airbase. Rebels retreat from Fort Bonifacio and then occupy high rise buildings along the Ayala business area in Makati.

December 7 – The December 3 occupation of buildings in Makati ends.

December 9 – Rebels surrender the Mactan Airbase. The coup ends and RAM is completely defeated. The official casualty toll: 99 dead (50 of which are civilians) and 570 wounded.

1991
July 22 – President Aquino delivers her last State of the Nation Address stressing the need for clean elections in 1992, to pave the way for the first political succession by clean and peaceful elections since 1965.

September - The Philippine Senate discards a treaty that will allow a 10-year extension of the US Military bases in the country.

November – The US turns over Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

1992
January – May – Cory supports then Armed Forces chief and now Defense Secretary Ramos. She calls the campaign “Steady Eddie.”

CITIZEN CORY

June 30 – Cory’s term as president of the Philippines ends. She is succeeded by Ramos, whose victory was largely aided by the “Cory factor.”

1997
September 21 – Cory and Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin lead protests against Ramos’ attempts to change the constitution to be head of state, even beyond his term. Ramos’ charter change attempts do not continue.

1998
January – May – Cory supports Alfredo Lim’s presidential bid for the May 1998 elections.

May – Lim does not win the elections. Sen. Estrada wins the presidential bid.

2001
January 16 – Cory is among the first few thousand people in EDSA endorsing the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada. The gathering at EDSA is dubbed as “People Power II.”

January 19 – Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines withdraw their support for Estrada. Estrada calls for a Snap election on May 14, 2001 and says he will not run.

January 20 – Estrada and his family leave Malacañang Palace. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo takes over the presidential seat. Arroyo is the second woman President of the Republic of the Philipines.

2003
August – During the “Jose Pidal” controversy involving first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo handling different bank accounts under the said name, Aquino gives a public message to President Arroyo: “I want to tell President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that I will continue to pray for her and I support her.”

2004
June 30 – Arroyo is, once again, elected President of the Philippines.

October - Cory publicly opposes proposals for charter change in the Arroyo administration.

2005
June 21 – Long time friend former Archbishop of Manila, Jaime Cardinal Sin dies at age 76.

July 5 – Cory joins forces with four Roman Catholic Bishops to pay President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a visit to Malacañang Palace telling her to resign.

July 8 – In response to the President Arroyo’s apology for the “Hello Garci” scandal, the release of wiretapped conversations between President Arroyo and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano about padding the 2004 presidential elections count, Cory holds a press conference calling asking President Arroyo to make “the supreme sacrifice” by resigning from office.

July 11 – Cory reiterates the call for Arroyo’s resignation.

October – Pulse Asia credits Cory as the least corrupt Philippine President. Only one percent of the respondents blame her for corruption.

2006
November - Cory graces the cover of TIME Magazine’s Issue “60 Years of Asian Heroes.” She is an Asian Hero in the Nation Builders category.

2008
February 17 – Cory attends a mass at La Salle Greenhills to show her support for Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, the “secret witness” who emerged early morning of February 7, implicating former Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos and First Gentleman in the anomalous National Broadband Network deal with China’s ZTE Corporation.

February 29 – Cory joins former President Estrada in an inter-faith rally calling for the resignation of President Arroyo at the Ayala business center in Makati.

HER BATTLE WITH CANCER

March 24 - Cory’s children Noynoy Aquino, Ma. Elena Cruz, Aurora Corazon Abellada, Victoria Elisa Tee and Kristina Bernadette Yap (actress Kris Aquino) announce in a public statement that Cory, 75, is diagnosed with colon cancer. Her children ask for prayers and request to respect her privacy while undergoing treatment. Cory is confined in Makati Medical Center and starts her chemotherapy in the evening.

December 22 – Cory apologizes to former President Estrada for helping oust him in January 2001.

2009
May 3 – Cory’s daughter Kris announces that her mother is set to undergo laparoscopic surgery to remove cancer cells from her colon after she passes medical tests.

May 4 – Cory undergoes laparoscopic surgery. Doctors start her pre-op procedure at 6:30 am. She is wheeled in to the operating room past 9 am.

May 9 – Kris Aquino announces that Cory’s laparoscopic surgery was a success. She adds that the doctors were able to remove all cancer cells from Cory’s colon.

June 22 – Cory is confined at Makati Medical Center due to lack of appetite.

June 30 – A 9-day healing mass for Cory is held at the Greenbelt Chapel in Makati City.

July 1 – Cory is moved out of the intensive care unit of the Makati Medical Center, according to staff of Sen. Noynoy Aquino.

____________
Sources:
Davide Commission Report, Philippine Presidents: 100 Years, President Aquino: Sainthood Postponed,

Website Sources: ABS-CBN News, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Probe TV, www.coryaquino.ph

‘Erap’ to run in 2010 if opposition is divided

2009-07-26T14:55:00.000+08:00

Saturday, July 25, 2009
By Larry Madarang, Correspondent
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BAGUIO CITY: Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Friday said that he would call for a meeting of all opposition presidential aspirants to unite all opposition candidates for next year’s presidential polls.

“Let us give time for all opposition presidential aspirants for them to feel the pulse of the people and voluntarily withdraw in order for the opposition to have only one official candidate,” Estrada told a press conference here.

He did not give an official statement if he will join the presidential fray but said that if presidential candidates do not heed the call for unity, “I reiterate that I myself will run for the position.”

The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on the best leader to succeed President Gloria Arroyo was topped by Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. with 33 percent followed by Estrada with 25 percent.

According to former Senate President Ernesto Maceda, United Opposition spokesman, Estrada still has the numbers to win the presidency.

“We have felt the pulse of the masses and they are still for President Estrada,” he said, adding that there is the underdog sympathy factor going for Estrada.

He said that Estrada is not disqualified from joining the presidential race in 2010. The ousted president can file his certificate of candidacy in November as mandated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Maceda added.

He said that a study conducted by a collegial body composed of former justices, five deans from prestigious law schools and noted lawyers state that the statement “The President shall not be eligible for any reelection” only applies to an incumbent but not to a past president.

The reasons for prohibition were merely to prevent the incumbent president from having an undue advantage of using the powers of the office for a reelection bid, he said.

Teodoro’s odyssey

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro promised a victory in 2010 for Lakas-Kampi CMD moments after taking his party oath also Friday in a political odyssey that could lead him to the ruling party’s presidential nomination and possibly the Philippine presidency in next year’s elections.

With his formal entry to the coalition party, Teodoro will now be included in the selection process for the party’s standard-bearer together with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando.

Fernando has been very vocal against the idea of allowing party outsiders to join the selection process, saying that if the party would be strict in choosing its standard-bearer he should be the one to get the blessing because he is the only qualified party member who is seeking the presidential post.

Teodoro was sworn in by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, the Lakas-Kampi president, in the presence of his mother, Merceditas, and wife, Tarlac Rep. Nikki Teodoro, at the jampacked party headquarters in Greenhills, San Juan City (Metro Manila).

Joining Ermita were House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, the party’s vice chairmen; presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio, secretary-general; Rep. Jose Solis Sr., deputy secretary-general; Cabinet officials; and a huge delegation of governors, mayors and congressmen.

“He [Teodoro] now enjoys the inside track, definitely. His official entry into the Lakas-Kampi membership gives him the political affinity necessary to win the party nomination,” Nograles said.

Lakas-Kampi CMD boasts of a merged national roster of more than five million card-carrying members and has the most organized grassroot machinery among all the political parties in the country.

If he wins the nomination, Teodoro will have the support of this formidable machine that has proved it could deliver the votes, having produced two presidents—former President Fidel Ramos and President Gloria Arroyo.

A former three-term congressman from Tarlac as a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Teodoro has been described the “prized political jewel of the season.” He is living up to this image, having made quite a stir as well among local officials under the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, or ULAP.

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos, president of ULAP and concurrent head of the League of Cities of the Philippines, said that Teodoro brings to Lakas-Kampi a “lot of charisma and integrity.”

Candidates

Vice President Noli de Castro, an independent, is also seen as possible contender for the presidency, although he has mostly kept mum on his political plans. He said, however, that if he runs in 2010, he would seek nothing less than the presidency.

De Castro said on Monday that he would announce his intention to run as well as his interest to join a party very soon.

While Gov. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga has declared his bid for the presidency, a high ranking Catholic Church official said that the priest-turned-politician broke his promise of quitting politics after his first term as governor.

San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo David said that Panlilio vowed before entering politics in 2007 that he would return to the priesthood after finishing his term as governor of Pampanga.

But Panlilio, who was suspended from his priestly duties for entering politics, said earlier that his decision to run for president in the 2010 polls is a “calling from God.”

He added that he is ready for any consequences, including dispensation from priesthood, for his decision to continue with his political career.

“He speaks of God’s will as if he’s the only one capable of discerning God’s will. If many in the community in his own superiors say otherwise, then we are praying to a different God,” David said in the news website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

The Church’s Canon Law specifically prohibits the participation of the members of the clergy in state politics.

Another perceived presidential candidate is Sen. Loren Legarda, who has indicated her desire to tap Sen. Francis Escudero as her running-mate.

But that may not happen, according to Nograles. While it is a “good” ticket, he said that he got word that Escudero will not settle for less than the presidency.

The Source: The Manila Times

Meet Your Candidates: Gilbert Teodoro starts quest for presidential nomination by joining Lakas

2009-07-26T14:40:00.000+08:00

Mike Banos
July 23, 2009
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Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro begins his quest to clinch the presidential nomination of the ruling coalition as he takes his oath as member of Lakas-Kampi-CMD today (Friday, July 24, 2009 Philippine time).

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Lakas-Kampi-CMD President, will swear-in Teodoro at the party headquarters in Mandaluyong City this morning.

A majority of Lakas-Kampi-CMD members expressed their desire to select a standard bearer who is intelligent, unafraid to face the problems and has a clear program of action for the country.

"The next president must be able to carry out a new kind of governance for the country. One whose administration can deliver absolute services, economic programs, social justice and peace and order," Lakas-Kampi Senior Deputy Secretary General and Sorsogon Rep. Jose Solis said Friday.

The 45-year old Teodoro, who first announced his bid in February, has maintained he will only run for President under the ruling party. By joining the administration coalition, Teodoro is submitting himself to the selection process to determine the party´s standard bearer in next year´s polls.

Many leaders of the party have openly declared support for Teodoro´s candidacy based on his integrity and qualifications, which they said are his key attributes which set him apart from the other presidentiables.

"The standard bearer must have a good track record of public service and free of corruption allegations. He must be decisive in actions and words," Solis said.

"This is why a majority of Lakas-Kampi-CMD members favour Gibo (Teodoro) to be the party´s standard bearer. Sec. Teodoro has presented a clear program for the country and the qualities the party is looking for in its presidential candidate," he added.

Teodoro and his wife, Tarlac First District Rep, Monica Prieto-Teedoro, are the latest addition to the ruling party which counts about 70 per cent of the total number of all elected officials in the Philippines among its members. Both are former stalwarts of the Nationalist People´s Coalition (NPC).

Lakas-Kampi-CMD is a merger of the country´s two biggest political parties. It accounts for 145 out of 267 congressmen (including 51party list representatives), 50 of 80 governors, 51 of 80 vice governors, 85 of 120 city mayors, and 1,112 out of 1,507 municipal mayors.

If elected President, Teodoro has declared charter change as his first order of business to seek meaningful political, economic and social reforms. He has declared his intention to urge Congress to call for a constitutional convention where concerns can be discussed openly and freely.

The defense chief has also vowed to pursue the economic gains made by the administration, which he said are the product of the government´s sound fiscal policy. Teodoro holds the distinction of being the youngest to be appointed to the defense portfolio in 2007 at the age of 43.

He said increased spending for national defense and security programs is crucial to ensure peace and order throughout the country. He has also declared his opposition to granting amnesty to terrorist groups like the Abu Sayyaf saying this has no redeeming social value.

Teodoro ordered intensified military offensives against the ASG last week and the arrest of its known leaders and members. The ASG has gained notoriety for committing atrocities in key areas in the south since the mid-90s.

Teodoro has not fared well in early surveys of presidentiables because people did not know his true qualities, but has since made considerable gains, said Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano.

"We must take into consideration that Sec. Teodoro declared his intention for the presidency only last February (2009). So, unlike other (presidential) aspirants who have declared their plans or have started campaigning, early, even as they have continuously denied their goals," Albano said. "To this day, Sec. Teodoro has just pursued his functions as the country´s defense secretary."

"Sec. Teodoro is a leader who will keep on track with the Lakas-Kampi-CMD objective to rally behind efforts to create lasting opportunities and foundation for peace, economic fulfilment and the promotion of human dignity," Albano said.

THE SOURCE

Villar tops new SWS poll

2009-07-26T14:17:00.000+08:00

Updated July 23, 2009 12:00 AM
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MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Manuel Villar has emerged as the top choice of Filipinos to be the next president in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

Vice President Noli de Castro, who topped previous SWS surveys on “presidentiables,” slipped to fourth place, according to the SWS’ second quarter survey conducted from June 19 to 22.

In the survey, 33 percent of the respondents named Villar as the best choice for 2010, up from 26 percent in February.

Former President Joseph Estrada came in second with 25 percent from 13 percent previously.

Estrada was followed by Senators Francis Escudero and Manuel Roxas II who were tied at third with 20 percent.

In the February survey, Escudero ranked fourth with 19 percent and Roxas fifth with 15 percent, the SWS said.

De Castro obtained 19 percent of votes, his lowest rating since September 2007, down from 27 percent in February.

SWS said this is the first time that De Castro’s name is not the leading answer to the survey question.

Meanwhile, Legarda’s latest score went down from 25 percent in February to 15 percent in June.

SWS asked the respondents: “Under the present Constitution, the term of President Arroyo is up to 2010 only and there will be an election for a new President in May 2010. Who do you think are good leaders who should succeed President Arroyo as President?’

SWS said no names were provided and respondents could recommend up to three candidates.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson obtained seven percent and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay received four percent. The two were ranked sixth in the survey.

Sen. Richard Gordon, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, and President Arroyo scored one percent each.

Other personalities who were included in the survey were Sen. Francis Pangilinan, TV evangelist Eddie Villanueva, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago. An unspecified “Estrada” and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. had scores below a percentage point.

The non-commissioned survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults. It had an error margin of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

In a statement, Villar said he was “heartened” by the support shown by the people in the SWS survey.

“I am really heartened by the support shown by the people in this survey,” he said.

“I thank the people for keeping the faith despite attempts to bring me down with unfounded allegations of wrongdoing.

“This is heart-warming. It certainly invigorates me to work harder. A lot of our kababayans need our help here and around the world.”

While it is too early to say whether the trend would continue till the run-up to next year’s elections, he would do his best to live up to the trust and confidence given to him by the people, the Nacionalista Party president said.

‘We must work harder’

Nacionalista Party spokesman Gilbert Remulla said the SWS survey showing Villar as a presidential frontrunner has prompted them to “work even harder.”

“We are thankful that the electorate - through the respondents - are placing their trust in Senator Villar as the best person to succeed the current occupant of Malacañang as president of the republic in 2010,” he said.

Remulla, who is reported to be included in Villar’s Senate slate, said they also recognize that elections are nine months away, and that the “campaign season is the critical period for the electorate to make their choice.”

“We also believe that the baseless accusations and criticisms against Senator Villar will not stop and are even expected to increase in the months to come,” he said.

“This situation is what is driving the NP to prepare all the more. The party is also in the final stages of formulating our road map for the country’s future through continuous consultations with stakeholders and experts from all over the country.

“We are currently moving to further strengthen the party in both the national and local levels as well as exploring the possibility of forming coalitions and alliances with other parties.” — Helen Flores, Christina Mendez, Delon Porcalla

The Source

Panlilio gets support from Ex-Seminarians

2009-07-26T14:01:00.000+08:00

July 23, 2009

SAN JUAN CITY, Philippines (UCAN) -- Former seminarians are planning to campaign for Father Eddie Panlilio, a priest who intends to run for the presidency in next year’s election.

“We aim to deliver 5 million votes,” said Tyrone Cimafranca, president of the association of former Society of the Divine Word (SVD) seminarians.

Cimafranca, a lawyer, was speaking to UCA News after the weekly Fernandina Media Forum session organized in San Juan.

PAX has about 1 million members, former seminarian Bal Falcone said during the forum.

“We support (Father Panlilio) 100 percent,” Falcone declared.
Other participants want Father Panlilio to explain his positions on issues such as military action and population control.

Read More

http://www.ucanews.com/2009/07/23/ex-seminarians-to-support-priest%E2%80%99s-presidential-bid/

Priest says God wants him to run as Philippine president in 2010

2009-07-26T13:50:00.000+08:00

By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
Published: July 22, 2009, 21:57
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Manila: A Catholic priest-turned-governor in Central Luzon has said God wants him to run for the presidency in 2010.

Pampanga governor Eddi Panlilio said he was willing to give up his priesthood to serve his country and the poor, a local paper said.

"I have every intention to file my candidacy on or before [the] November 30 [filing deadline for candidates for 2010]. I'm ready for all the consequences, including dispensation from priesthood," he said.

Panlilio said this at a forum arranged by the Catholic Media Network in Manila.

"I felt God wanted me to go on [to] a higher service," said Panlilio said.

"There have been groups telling me to run for the presidency and thought I would pray again. After a period of discernment, I said, 'Yeah, God is calling me to run for the presidency.'"

"When I decided to offer myself [for election], I felt at peace. I'm doing this not for me, not for myself," he added.

"I'm willing to give up priesthood that I love so much for a greater love, that is [the] love for [my] country. The heart of priesthood is accepting the love of God in working for other people especially the poor."

When asked if he would consider priesthood again in the event of losing, Panlilio said: "If they would accept me back, yes."

Panlilio said he did not expect the influential Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines to endorse his presidential ambitions.
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The Source
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'Panlilio for President Movement' gets support from businessmen

2009-07-25T22:00:00.001+08:00

By Dennis Carcamo Updated July 22, 2009 02:21 PM
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MANILA, Philippines -- The Ed Panlilio for President Movement has been getting a lot of financial pledges from various business organizations, an official of an ex-seminarians group disclosed today.

Atty. Ricky Ribo, Philippine Alliance of Ex-Seminarians (PAX) convenor, said they hope to raise the needed funds to launch the presidential campaign for Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio before he files his certificate of candidacy.

"We have already received many pledges to help Among Ed’s campaign," Ribo told reporters during the media forum today in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Aside from PAX, which has 40 affiliate groups, Ribo said several cause-oriented and progressive organizations have expressed their willingness to help launch Panlilio's presidential bid in 2010.

Ribo said they will try to meet the P10-per-voter requirement by the Commission on Elections.

"We will just donate to a charitable institution or foundation the excess of the money," he said.

A presidential candidate must be able to shell out around P3 billion to sustain a national campaign.

---------------------------------
The Source: The Philippine Star
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Philippine Politics - Bishops and fleas

2009-07-25T09:49:00.000+08:00

Here’s something that they don’t teach in Catholic catechism, even if maybe they should these days: If you lie down with the political dogs, you get up with the fleas of corruption.

During a mass last Sunday at the parish church of swank Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa, the Catholic bishop who was officiating tore into the media for allegedly smearing the new president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Tandag, Surigao del Sur prelate Nereo Odchimar. In his homily, the bishop said it was unfair to say that Odchimar was Malacañang’s bet to preside over the bishops’ association, and that reports their new leader supposedly met with President Arroyo before his election and used old-fashioned bribes to win were uncalled for.

Odchimar himself has denied seeing even President Arroyo’s shadow. But an obviously proud Surigaonon, former Rep. Prospero Pichay, let slip that the new CBCP president saw the president “every time” she visits the province.

The bishop giving the homily in Alabang also confirmed the meeting with the President, even if he said this was attended by many other prelates; the media, he said, spun the story into something else to prove the preconceived notion that Odchimar was Malacañang’s bet in the CBCP elections last week.

But, given the recent history of political dilettantism by the bishops, is imputing motives other than religious to the CBCP and its actions unjustified? The media, after all, did not create the political activism among the bishops that began with the term as president of the then-newly minted Manila Archbishop, Jaime Sin, during the darkest days of Marcos’ martial law.

Indeed, after Sin made it clear that he was not the dictator’s stooge (at least, not all the time), First Lady Imelda Marcos began cultivating her fellow Waray in Cebu, Archbishop Julio Cardinal Rosales, to serve as a counterweight to Sin’s anti-administration positions. And that’s when the Palace’s courtship of the bishops—and their collegial association which Sin once headed—began in earnest.

Prior to that, Catholic prelates—probably still smarting from the accusations of establishing a “frailocracy” during the Spanish era—kept to their convents. Before Sin, it was unheard of for priests to discuss politics from the pulpit, and despite the predominance of the voters who claim to be Catholic, no national politician thought of seeking the bishops’ blessings before doing anything important.

It was a simpler time in Church-State relations in the Philippines, a time that will probably never return. The ascendancy of Sin and the alliance of a significant number of clerics with the Left (a post-Vatican II anomaly that was first noted in South America, where it was called “liberation theology”) ensured that the Philippine Church would be irrevocably politicized.

A while back, we had tank-stopping nuns, priests and seminarians—who never appear in public outside of church in their clerical garb, by the way—joining almost every political rally. The natural evolution of this phenomenon has the same clerics now giving supposed “whistle-blowers” in political controversies sanctuary and acting as their groupies-slash-bodyguards—something that the state already supposedly provides and pays for.

Where once we had pastoral letters covering everything from changing the constitution to how to vote, now we have reports of bishops being bribed to hush up on certain matters or even to elect their own leader. We used to have a silly running priest; now, we have a priest-governor whose election victory is the subject of an official recount and who dreams of running for the highest office in the land next year.

If the media caused all of that, then the Philippine Church must really be in trouble, your excellencies.

* * *

Regardless of Odchimar’s true political leanings or the actions that led to his installation as CBCP president, the truth of the matter is that the Church in general—and the bishops, in particular—have degenerated into just another special-interest group that has to be appeased by the lay political leadership. And because the Church has very specific agendas that it wants to push (like its opposition to a government-sponsored population-control program, to name just one), it becomes very susceptible to political “operations” that require the quid pro quo of the dirty politics that it never used to meddle in during the pre-Sin era.

And it seems that the CBCP has learned its politics well. After all, Church observers predicted early on that Odchimar was assuming the association’s presidency simply because he had been installed two years back as vice president – after the bishop holding that lower position (which is on the fast track to the presidency) was ousted in favor of the Tandag prelate.

Thus, for the first time in more than 40 years, the CBCP has a mere bishop (instead of an archbishop) as president. And the last time a lesser-ranked prelate assumed the position, there were too few archbishops to begin with.

By electing Odchimar as their president, the bishops can always say that they followed tradition. What they fail to mention is that they probably decided early on not to replace administration critic Archbishop Angel Lagdameo with his original vice president, Cagayan de Oro’s Antonio Ledesma, whom they perceived to be a CBCP president in the same anti-Arroyo mold as the outspoken Lagdameo.

(If that’s the case, then there is certainly no way that another senior archbishop, Lingayen-Dagupan’s Oscar Cruz, will get the job of CBCP president anytime soon. Most Church observers believe that Cruz, best known for his anti-jueteng campaign, has always wanted the job but isn’t as politically correct as the others who have gotten it instead.)

Try as it might, the Church leadership just cannot forbid the media (or even the Catholic laity in general) from imputing motives other than religious in its actions. It own very thorough—and still ongoing—politicalization will not allow it.

If the bishops do not agree that they should be scrutinized, they cannot arrogate the same job for themselves in the lay world. Especially if they also have the fleas that infest that many other political institutions have.

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The Source : Manila Standard Today

2009-07-21T16:14:00.002+08:00

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The condition of ailing former Philippine president Corazon Aquino has worsened

2009-07-21T08:31:00.002+08:00

Asia-Pacific News
Jul 20, 2009, 9:08 GMT
--------------------------------------------

Manila - The condition of ailing former Philippine president Corazon Aquino has worsened with the democracy icon now in pain from her colon cancer, her daughter said Monday.

   Aquino, who was catapulted into the presidency by a four-day popular revolt that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986, has been in hospital since last month.

   Her youngest daughter, Kris Aquino, appealed to the public to continue praying for the former president so 'that the suffering would be lessened.'

   'She is in pain already so please pray for her,' a weeping Kris told ABS-CBN television. 'This is the hardest time for all of us.'

   'We don't know how many more hours, days and weeks God will give her, but please help us pray that my Mom won't suffer too much pain,' she added.

   Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008.

   While Aquino underwent chemotherapy and was responding well to the treatment for some time, her health deteriorated last month, prompting her children to bring her to hospital.

   Filipinos in the strongly Catholic country, led by political and business leaders as well as government officials, have been offering masses for Aquino's recovery since she was hospitalized in late June.

Read more

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Chiz, Loren keep lead in VP race

2009-06-29T13:31:00.000+08:00

Published in abs-cbnNEWS.com

06/03/2009 1:06 PM

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Senators Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Loren Legarda remain the top picks for the vice presidency, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.

Based on the group's May 4-17 survey, nearly the same percentages of Filipinos expressed support for the vice-presidential bids of Escudero (24 percent) and Legarda (21 percent). The two senators have maintained their lead in the vice-presidential race from Pulse Asia's survey held in February.

On the other hand, the latest poll revealed that only 17 percent of respondents are inclined to re-elect Vice President Noli de Castro, while Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay scored a 10-percent voter preference.

All other personalities included in the survey were supported by 9 percent or less of respondents. These include Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan (9 percent), Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (5 percent), Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. (4 percent), Sen. Richard Gordon (2 percent), Isabela Governor Grace Padaca (1 percent), and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves (1 percent).

Binay was the biggest gainer from the February survey, getting an additional 4 percentage points, followed by De Castro with 3 points. On the other hand, Estrada suffered a 3-percent decline in voter preference from Pulse Asia's previous survey.

Meanwhile, the survey showed that 6 percent of respondents are not inclined to vote any of the candidates mentioned in the poll.

The Pulse Asia nationwide survey was based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults aged 18 and above, and has a margin of error of plus/minus 3 percent. Respondents were asked to choose their preference for vice president from a list of 10 names.

Among the developments that dominated the news headlines during the survey were the spread of the A H1N1 virus, the declaration of additional winners in the May 2007 party-list elections, and the disqualification of all poll automation bidders which fueled talks about a no-election scenario next year.

Other political issues considered in the results of the survey include the continued discussions on charter change, the Senate investigation on the ethics case against Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., and the arrest of NBN-ZTE whistleblower Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada.

Senatorial race

Out of the 65 personalities cited by respondents for the senatorial race, Pulse Asia said 14 have a "statistical chance" of winning in the elections.

Leading the "senatoriables" in the May 2009 survey are current senators Manuel "Mar" Roxas II (49.5 percent), Jinggoy Estrada (46 percent), Pia Cayetano (43.5 percent), Miriam Defensor Santiago (43.1 percent), Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. (41.4 percent), and Jamby Madrigal (40.9 percent).

Other personalities said to have a statistical chance of winning in the senatorial race are former Senate President Franklin Drilon (38.7 percent), Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto (36.2 percent), Atty. Aquilino Pimentel (31.9 percent), Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay (30.5 percent), Dangerous Drugs Board Chairperson Vicente Sotto III (29.8 percent), former senator Sergio Osmeña III (29.4 percent), Sen. Richard Gordon (25.4 percent), and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (25.1 percent).

The survey showed that all Filipinos have at least favored one senatorial candidate, with only 4.1 percent not inclined to vote for any of the individuals included in the poll.

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Teodoro gets support of Pampanga mayors

2009-06-29T13:18:00.000+08:00

Published in Business Mirror

Written by Joel Mapiles / Correspondent

Monday, 22 June 2009 21:45

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CLARK FREE PORT—Pampanga mayors in a meeting here expressed support for the candidacy for president of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

This was confirmed by Minalin Mayor Edgardo Flores, Pampanga Mayors’ League secretary-general, who said Teodoro met with the mayors at a restaurant here.

Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, who arranged Teodoro’s meeting with the Pampanga mayors, said this is the start of Teodoro’s consultations with local officials on his plan to run for president.

Pelayo said that in his personal capacity, he is willing to help Teodoro in his nationwide campaign should he be the standard bearer of the Partido Lakas-Kampi (Palaka).

“Qñg Candaba, balu mine nung ninu ing iboto ming presidente, yapin y Secretary Teodoro [In Candaba we already know whom to vote, and that is Secretary Teodoro],” he said.

Flores said Teodoro has the experience, intelligence and superior qualification of a president who can run the country better.

Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales believes that Teodoro would surely get the nod of Lakas-Kampi and be the next president of the Philippines.

Teodoro said if he is elected president, he would continue the programs started by President Arroyo, such as the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and others that he believe would create more jobs and opportunities for the people.

Teodoro appealed to the Pampanga mayors to help him get the nod of Lakas-Kampi to be its standard bearer.

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Noli tops government approval survey

2009-06-29T13:08:00.000+08:00

Published in Philstar.com

By Helen Flores Updated June 09, 2009 12:00 AM
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MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Noli de Castro has remained as the country’s top performing and most trusted government official in the country while President Arroyo continued to receive the highest disapproval rating, a recent survey by Pulse Asia revealed yesterday.

Mrs. Arroyo received the highest disapproval rating among top government officials, with 46 percent of Filipinos saying they disapprove of her performance.

Twenty-six percent of Filipinos approved Mrs. Arroyo’s performance while 27 percent were undecided.

“Relatively low public approval for President Arroyo (26 percent) has remained much the same across most of the past four years,” Pulse Asia said.

In Pulse Asia’s May 2009 Ulat ng Bayan survey, Filipinos are most appreciative of the performance of De Castro, at 53 percent. Twenty-one percent disapproved hisperformance while 26 percent were undecided.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s approval rating went from 34 percent in February to 32 percent in May.

Twenty-six percent disapproved his performance while 40 percent were undecided.

As for Speaker Prospero Nograles, he posted an even lower approval rating of 20 percent.

Thirty-four percent disapproved of his performance while 42 percent were undecided.

In the case of Chief Justice Reynato Puno, his approval rating remained at 34 percent, 25 percent disapproved his performance and 38 percent were undecided.

The non-commissioned survey, conducted from May 4 to 17, used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 representative adults aged 18 years old and above.

De Castro continued to enjoy the highest approval rating (41 percent to 63 percent) while Mrs. Arroyo posted the highest disapproval rating (43 percent to 60 percent) in all geographic areas and socio-economic classes, Pulse Asia said.

Between February and March 2009, public disapproval for presidential performance increased in the Visayas (+10 percentage points) and Class ABC (+16 percentage points) while presidential indecision ratings declined in the best-off Class ABC (-10 percentage points), Pulse Asia said.

In the case of De Castro’s ratings, the most marked movement during this period is the eight-percentage point increase in his disapproval ratings in the Visayas (+8 percentage points), it said.

Enrile’s approval figures dropped by 17 percentage points while disapproval ratings increased by 11 percentage points in the Visayas.

A 12-percentage point increase in Nograles’ indecision ratings may also be noted in the poorest Class E.

In the case of Puno, improvements were noted in his approval ratings in Mindanao and Class E (+12 percentage points) while public ambivalence toward his work becomes more pronounced in Metro Manila (+12 percentage points) but less manifested in the Visayas (-10 percentage points).

There was also an increase (-12 percentage points) in the disapproval ratings of Puno in the Visayas.

Pulse Asia said that while there are no significant changes in the overall performance ratings of these leading government officials between February and May 2009, there is a slight decline in the overall level of public appreciation (-5 percentage points) and a corresponding increase in the level of public indecision toward the performance of Nograles.

The survey showed that public trust is the predominant sentiment only in the case of De Castro while public distrust is most pronounced in the case of Mrs. Arroyo.

It said big pluralities of Filipinos could not say if they trust or distrust Enrile, Nograles and Puno.

De Castro received the highest overall trust rating (48 percent) among the country’s top government officials.

In contrast, Mrs. Arroyo garnered 25 percent trust rating, registering the highest disapproval of 48 percent.

Nograles obtained the lowest overall trust rating (17 percent) while De Castro has the lowest overall distrust score (22 percent).

Both Puno and Enrile got a trust rating of 28 percent.

“For the most part, the overall trust ratings of these top government officials remain constant between February and May 2009,” the pollster said.

Nonetheless, it said there is a marginal drop (-4 percentage points) in the overall trust ratings of De Castro and Nograles and a slight increase in the overall level of public ambivalence toward the House Speaker (+5 percentage points).

De Castro is the most trusted top national government official across geographic areas and socio-economic groupings (38 percent to 57 percent) while Mrs. Arroyo is the most distrusted in most of these sub-groupings (42 percent to 67 percent).

Mrs. Arroyo and Nograles obtained nearly the same distrust ratings in the rest of Luzon (43 percent versus 39 percent).

Between February and May 2009, Mrs. Arroyo’s distrust ratings in class ABC and the Visayas went up by 12 and 13 percentage points, respectively, Pulse Asia said.

Meanwhile, De Castro’s indecision ratings dropped (-13 percentage points) and his distrust ratings increased (+18 percentage points) in the Visayas.

Enrile’s trust ratings also declined in Class ABC and the Visayas (-10 and -14 percentage points, respectively) while public indecision became more pronounced (+11 percentage points) in the Visayas between February and May 2009.

Same results

Malacañang reiterated that the poor ratings of President Arroyo in the performance surveys would not affect her focus on governing the country.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo noted that the survey results have generally been the same over the past years so the latest numbers were not at all surprising for the Palace.

However, Fajardo said that the perceptions raised in the surveys do not necessarily reflect the actual view of the people on the President.

Fajardo pointed out that the people are generally appreciative of Mrs. Arroyo and that this has been seen in all her sorties in the provinces and outside the country.

She added that surveys only gather the opinions of a small percentage of the population so these do not serve as accurate guide to the true pulse of the people. – With Marvin Sy, AP

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Binay's Rising

2009-06-29T12:58:00.000+08:00

Here is the News about our Philippine Presidentiables

from ManilaStandardToday

Published: June 24, 2009

Makati City’s feisty Mayor Jejomar “Jojo” Binay was the biggest surprise in the list of the leading “senatoriables”, according the May 4-17 survey of Pulse Asia.

In fact, out of the top 14 with a statistical chance of winning if the May 2010 were held today, Binay and lawyer Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel were the only non-returning senator.

Pimentel was expected to be in the list of respondents’ favorites since he placed 13th in the 2007 national elections. He enjoys good name recall, his father being the outstanding incumbent Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel.

Binay was the real revelation, ranking 9-14, ahead even of Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon (ranked 10-15) and Senate President Juan “Johnny” Ponce Enrile (11-17).

The range in the ranking reflects the margin of error of plus or minus 3 of the survey which was based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above.

Aside from Binay and Koko Pimentel, the rest of the top 14 are all seasoned political personalities.

Topping the list is Senator Mar Roxas (ranked 1-2). He is followed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada (1-6), Senator Pia Cayetano (2-7), Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (2-7), Senator Bong Revilla (2-8), Senator Jamby Madrigal (2-8) , ex-Senator Franklin Drilon (3-8), ex-Senator and Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto (3-8), Atty. Koko Pimentel (8-12), Mayor Jojo Binay (9-13) ex-Senator and Dangerous Drugs Board chair Tito Sotto (9-14), ex-Senator Serge Osmeña (9-14), Senator Dick Gordon (10-15), and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (11-17).

Just outside the top 14 are Optical Media Board chairman Edu Manzano (13-19) and ex-Rep. and top broadcaster Ted Failon.

Of all the re-electionist senators, only Senator Lito Lapid is outside the “winning circle”. Lapid, who would probably go back to Pampanga and run for governor again, is ranked 15-20 with a percentage point of 19.8 compared to Binay’s 30.5 percentage point.

Binay’s feat is made more remarkable by the fact that he outranked many other high-profile personalities like the “noisy” Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada (19-29). The survey was conducted when Lozada was in the news because of his arrest on perjury charges.

Binay did better than Rep. Satur Ocampo (32-48), Gov. Grace Padaca (32-48), Speaker Prospero Nograles (32-51), Gov. Ed Panlilio (33-54), Foreign Affairs Secretary and ex-Senator Bert Romulo (34-58), Boboy “Mr. Tesda” Syjuco (44-61), ex-Rep. Butch Abad (44-61) and Black and White Movement leaders Leah Navarro (49-64) and Dinky Soliman (46-61).

But despite his excellent showing in the Pulse Asia survey, Binay was lukewarm to the idea of running for senator. In an interview we had with him over our radio program Karambola sa dwIZ, Binay said his expertise and preference is the executive. This of course is undisputable with his record in Makati which is the envy of all local government executives.

It was clear from that Binay interview that he was setting his eyes on running for president. Or, if former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada pursues his plans to run for president again, he will be Erap’s running mate.

The same Pulse Asia May 2009 Ulat ng Bayan survey showed that Binay’s vice-presidential bid is getting some national attention.

Binay registered the highest increase among the 10 vice-presidential wannabes included in the Pulse Asia list of 10 personalities. His rating increased by four percentage points compared to his survey results last February.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero leads the list of vice-presidential bets with 24 percentage points, followed by Senator Loren Legarda (21 percent) and Vice President Noli de Castro (17 percent).

Aside from the three, the only other individual to score a double-digit preference is Binay with 10 percent.

Binay did better than declared vice-presidential candidate Senator Francis Pangilinan (nine percent), Senator Bong Revilla (four percent), Senator Dick Gordon (two percent), and Gov. Grace Padaca (one percent).

Binay’s creditable performance in both the senatorial and vice-presidential surveys of Pulse Asia is probably a reflection of the public reaction to the “ganito kami sa Makati” television advertising which ran as part of the 339th founding anniversary of the city, acknowledged as the business capital of the Philippines.

The ad is the most compelling and the most powerful among the political ad campaign of the presidential hopefuls since it talks about solid and measurable achievements of Makati to its people.

The Makati anniversary ad campaign talks about the services given by Makati City in terms education and health as well as services to senior citizens who are treated to cash gifts twice a year, a birthday cake, free movies among others. The ad was the expression of the Makati anniversary celebration theme: “Celebrate Progress and Service to the People”.

Typically Filipino humor, some wit had put together the ads of presidential aspirants Manny Villar and Mar Roxas with Binay’s Makati ad into one story. The story goes that the battered and abused migrants whom Villar helped bring back to the Philippines were fetched at the airport by Roxas in his “padyak” pedicab and brought to Binay’s Makati where they were treated to the health, education and other excellent basic services given to Makati residents.

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If Binay succeeds and gets elected to a higher political office, he would be trail blazing for the country’s ethnic minority, something that his supporters liken to the story of the first African-American president of the United States, Barack Obama.

Few people are aware that Binay has his ethnic roots in Cabagan, Isabela, where his mother surnamed Cabauatan was born. Binay is proud that he is an Ibanag. He speaks the dialect, he knows the tradition and culture, and certainly his dark skin and diminutive size makes his ethnic roots unmistakable.

In fact, he is proud of his dark brown complexion. When we interviewed him about the survey, he referred to my Karambola co-host Abakada-Guro sectoral Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz as his “cousin”.

I know that they are both from the north but I did not know they were related. I asked Binay how he was related to Jonath and he explained he and Jonath were “kasing kulay” (of the same skin color).

The Pulse Asia survey clearly shows that Binay is one of the rising stars of Philippine politics. If the trend continues, then perhaps we will have the first ‘black” president or vice president or senator in Binay.

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Presidential Candidates 2010

2009-06-18T10:29:00.000+08:00

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Gatwick Car Hire, NUK Pacifiers BPA Free, Who's your bet for President in 2010?, Bogo City Blog, Job Search, iPod Maximizer

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The Presidential election is fast approaching, a lot of Politicians are starting to make themselves known in every way possible. But let us look at this people and examine their backgroundounds, performance and credibility if they are not trapos and what they can do to our country if elected.

Here are some of them:

Noli de Castro
Bayani Fernando
Loren Legarda
Manny Villar
Mar Roxas
Erap Estrada
Jojo Binay
Chiz Escudero
Ping Lacson
Dick Gordon
Gilbert Teodoro

Ang dami no? Sino kaya sa kanila ang pwede nating iloklok sa pwesto?

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