Jamby Madrigal out to save Chiz Escudero?

Don't count Chiz Escudero out----he still has ONE option left and that is, convince Senator Jamby Madrigal to support his candidacy.

Everyone knows that Madrigal is a billionaire, just like Villar. Possible that Chiz Escudero already courted and convinced Madrigal to support him? Is this the reason why the young presidentiable resigned?

Curiously, Chiz chose Lito Banayo, a close Lacson associate, as his campaign manager. Signs that Madrigal and Lacson are already bank-rolling ChizNation, with the Tans and Cojuangcos serving as "shadows"? We will know by next week. I just got info on who really spent for the Chiz ads now being played over the radio.

For now, let's all have a nice weekend.

The Chiz Escudero Gambit

A friend and colleague in this political analysis ek-ek, Pedestrian Observer has a pretty good analysis about Chiz Escudero. Read it, as well as Leslie Bocobo's piece.



Yep. Chiz is neither a haciendero nor a bilyonaryo, but he's surely a beneficiary of the Marcos regime. His father, Salvador, was a staunch pro-Marcos. And by Chiz association with Danding, yep, he probably benefited from the coconut levy fund which Danding is still using to prop his hold over as SMC.


It does not necessarily conclude that Chiz would be all-out Marcosian. I mean, the sins of the Father should not be blamed on the son. If Salvador Escudero erred on the side of dogged allegiance to a false prophet, he was simply, and probably did it out of fear or trepidation. And we don't expect the son to follow suit right?


Chiz's gambit, as what Senator Aquilino Pimentel described his "bold move" was, for me, a test of how far and how strong the progressives are in pursuing their cause. Chiz just lost a sizeable base of support coming from the traditionals, but the prospect of carving something out of the progressives or the middle class is higher than when he was with the NPC.


The question really is---are the progressives, or some term, reformist groups really ready to flex its muscles come May 2010? People are hoping that Chiz replicates the "miracle win" of Trillianes. Trillianes was losing in the survey game months prior to the 2004 elections when his stock suddenly climbed to the magic 12.


Political analysts were caught with their feet in their mouths. Many predicted defeat; but the contrary happened. Trillianes won, as some believe, without machinery.


That observation is surely not correct. Trillianes had his electoral machine which came from reformist groups within traditional political parties. Trapos also assisted Trillianes to win and some say, his victory also got the go-ahead from inside the palace. But, that's another story.


Now, let me go back to this gambit which Chiz took.


If Chiz pushes through, he needs the backing of the reformists and the progressives. Let me just clump them in one political creature---the middle forces. Right now, majority of the middle forces are aligned with Noynoy Aquino under the mistaken notion that Ninoy's son deserves to lead them. These middle forces constitute the bulk of Noynoy's mass base support. They are educated, idealists and really want changes in Philippine society.


Based on a very confidential poll survey research which I have, they comprise 78% of the total electorate. They are a cross-section of the economic classes. They are well informed and politically aware. They classify politicians in simple trapo and non-trapo terms. Obviously, they disdain trapos and want non-trapos to ascend to power.


What is going on right now (and which the Liberals surely know) is that even they cannot seem to get the full backing of the middle forces. Yes, majority are behind them but there is a sizeable chunk, which I call the "ideologically astute" and "political organizers" who command respect in the urban poor and middle class constituencies that reserve their support. These organizers are spread among different political parties, ready to be tapped when an ideal non-trapo enters the political fray.


This is what Chiz and his handlers want to tap. Doing so means weakening Noynoy's base, damaging the grassroots base of Erap's and slowing down organizing efforts of the Manny Villar camp. When this happens, the possibility of garnering at least 23-25% of the electorate votes is high. A candidate who gets 25% of the votes come May 2010 is a sure winner, particularly in a four or five corner fight.


Chiz has just positioned himself as a non-trapo candidate and poised to assume leadership of this category. All he needs to do is convince those belonging to Noynoy's camp, those ideologically astute and political organizers to shift and form an independent movement.


This is possible since Chiz now has the FPJM, the Samahang Magdalo, Ping Lacson's group and his own ChizNation organizations. If he gets the support of the Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), Sanlakas, BayanMuna (now aligned with Villar's), unions, people's organizations such as the PRRM, Code NGO and the People's Primaries, he stands on firmer ground. Now, should Eddie Villanueva's group align with him and Grace Padaca's group suddenly bolts out of the Liberal Party, then Chiz has his independent third force movement.


Likewise, what is the possibility of Senator Jamby Madrigal throwing her billions out for Chiz? High, if you ask me.


Now, what is the possibility of forming a broad coalition of progressives and reformist groups under one candidacy? Grace Padaca would surely stick with Mar. JIL is one open window. BayanMuna has their own political aggrupation, but probably open to talks, same goes to PLM-Sanlakas. Code NGO has been fractured already but many of them are aligned with the Liberals.


What would happen really is that Chiz will split this group in half, further diluting the chances of progressives ascending the top of the power structure post-May 2010. Chiz is doing what Ping Lacson did in 2004---splitting the progressives by positioning as the best alternative candidate. Chiz is like a monkey wrench thrown in the political pond to confuse and befuddle the political forces.

And the target seems to be Noynoy Aquino. Wittingly or unwittingly, Chiz just played sweetly in the hands of the administration.

Trouble in Noynoy fever?

Yesterday, Senator Noynoy Aquino said that he and his party are talking with the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). Aquino was quoted to have said that since Chiz Escudero is now out of the picture, the Liberal party can now proceed with talks with Danding Cojuangco, Aquino's uncle ,on the possibility of a coalition.

WTF????

Mr. Senator, I thought we are pursuing New Politics here, why talk with traditional political parties? I thought that you have faith in the Power of the People to propel you to victory?

Are you now saying Mr. Aquino that you are ready to compromise the People's Agenda in exchange for 200 million pesos or 5 billion pesos worth of campaign funds which obviously, your uncle would give you without blinking his eye?

Mr. Aquino, I thought you have full faith in us, the Filipino People, that without money, you will win? You even told us during that pompous affair at the Club Filipino that you will engage in a non-traditional campaign?

Now, why do you need Danding Cojuangco? Are you saying that you now believe in what Manny Villar said that "money (Manny) politics win every single time in this country"?

Are you ready to use the coconut farmers' monies just to win the presidency? If that is the case, then, are you Mr. Noynoy Aquino, saying that you'll give your uncle the entire 130 billion pesos coconut levy fund in exchange for electoral support?

You are talking with different political parties Mr. Aquino and behaving like a true-blue TRAPO---totally different from what your father, Ninoy, used to be.

Noynoy, your slip is showing. It just shows that your organization is crumbling and teethering to the blink of financial woes, just like what Chiz Escudero encountered. For if not, you would not even entertain the thought of talking with Danding and his NPC.

I thank God that this early, the Almighty is opening the People's eyes to the reality that no one among the current crop of leaders deserve to lead this 90 million souls towards true change.

Danding Cojuangco's Balancing Act

Let me explore further one analysis which I gave in my earlier entry about Chiz Escudero's resignation---the strategy of Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) chairman emeritus Danding Cojuangco to just concentrate on funding his political grassroots base and allow the national slate open. Reason is simple---insulate Danding Cojuangco from " the messy national politics" and maintain his stature as this country's "top King-maker."

Danding has one thing haunting him now---the release of a court decision on his "ownership" of the coconut levy fund shares. This is NOT the right time for him to express his political preference. One, if Danding goes all out for the NPC presidential, vice presidential and senatorial bets, he will alienate his political ally, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Lakas-KAMPI administration party. This coco levy fund issue is like a Damocles' sword hanging above Danding's head.

To avoid possible prosecution, Danding has to maintain his "king-maker" status by "spreading the gravy", so to speak. He needs to open his party up for talks with Lakas, explore possibilities with Noynoy, keep Escudero and Legarda both at bay with promises of 200 million pesos each, keep talking with Villar's camp and that of Estrada's. Danding's situation is very delicate, like balancing oneself in a political tightrope. Or, another allusion, many knives poised at his neck.

Danding's best bet is really Chiz Escudero. First, Escudero's political stock remains as clean as a whistle. Second, Escudero owe NPC and Danding his career and third, Danding has taken cared of Escudero from the very start.

However, Escudero's critical stance against Arroyo, whether for show or not, has marked him for demolition by the administration. Many Lakas stalwarts hate Escudero for his anti-administration posturings, some even commenting that Escudero used them, and parodied Arroyo, just to gain political mileage. This validates what Mikey Arroyo once said that Escudero was the so-called "oppositionist" who continues to open his camp for talks while throwing rotten tomatoes against his mother.

With Lakas not really "gung-ho" on Escudero, Danding has no choice but to free Escudero from NPC so that the "merger" or the "marriage of convenience" between NPC and Lakas-Kampi pushes thru. This coalition is most critical for both parties since both camps are suffering from early desertions. Many Lakas members have shifted to the NP, after Mrs. Arroyo and Villar formalized their agreements. While some NPC members have either shifted to NP or the Liberal Party. The Osmenas are examples.

With Escudero out of the way, there is no stumbling block for this marriage of convenience anymore. The NPC can proceed with the merger with Lakas-Kampi (just formalizing it since Lakas-KAMPI and NPC are aligned under the so-called "rainbow coalition") and field a slate totally composed of Lakas-Kampi members.

An NPC-Lakas-Kampi merger is actually, just for show since Danding will concentrate more on strengthening his local political base. By giving his "blessing", Danding just gave the administration what they wanted and invariably, preserved his business interests and made it intact.

The question really is---is Chiz Escudero really freed from Danding Cojuangco's ambit? Some analysts say no, while others who believe in fantasies say yes.  Based on my talks with sources, Danding KNEW Chiz Escudero's decision to leave the party. DANDING EVEN GAVE CHIZ HIS BLESSING AND "GO-SIGNAL".

Chiz posturings are basically directed at enticing progressive groups comprising the Noynoy train, weakening the Liberal party base and while also eating up Erap's constituency. That leaves Manny Villar's machinery fully intact and functioning. 

Possibility of a Villar-Escudero teamup

There are talks that the Nacionalista is interested on Escudero. Congressman Zamora revealed that their camps started negotiations some months ago. What will be the result should Escudero goes to the Villar camp?

First, Escudero will lose his "personal mass base" composed of Samahang Magdalo, FPJPM and even Lacson's groups. He will probably enter into the devil's gambit alone. He'll surely lose since he does not have the political muscle to fight against Loren Legarda nor even against Mar Roxass. He will totally be discredited and ruin his promising political career.

Best for Escudero to form a truly independent political movement (not party) and like Lacson, go all out as an independent in 2010. Chances of winning are slim but best for him since this will just be consistent of what he told the public yesterday at Club Filipino.

Net---the young turk who postured himself as the Pinoy Obama needs serious self-searching sessions before he embarks on a new enterprise. Chiz Escudero, if I may describe him now, is a trapped and confused political creature. Best for him to drop his bid this early and avoid defeat or at the least, a loss of face.

OIL COMPANIES SHOULD MAKE GOOD THEIR THREAT TO SHUT THEMSELVES DOWN

I wholeheartedly support Palace moves to punish oil companies which continually try to sabotage and terrorize us, Filipino consumers with threats of either rationing their supplies or shutting their operations totally.

I CHALLENGE THESE OIL COMPANIES TO MAKE GOOD THEIR THREAT OF SHUTTING DOWN THEIR OPERATIONS. LET THEM. EVEN THESE LPG DEALERS WHO CONTINUES TO MAKE THREATS THAT THEY WILL NOT SUPPLY US WITH ENOUGH LPG STOCKS, PLEASE SHUT YOUR OPERATIONS DOWN.

LET THESE OIL FIRMS AND LPG COMPANIES TOTALLY SHUT THEMSELVES DOWN TO ALLOW GOVERNMENT TO FINALLY, FINALLY TAKE THEIR OPERATIONS OVER UNDER THE PRETEXT OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND CALAMITY.

HIGH TIME FOR GOVERNMENT TO TAKE OVER THESE OIL FIRMS AND JAIL THESE ABUSIVE AND UNSCRUPULOUS OIL EXECUTIVES.

LIKEWISE, I URGE JUSTICE SECRETARY AGNES DEVENADERA AND PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO---WE ARE BEHIND YOU, MADAME.

DO NOT BE AFRAID. THE PEOPLE ARE SOLIDLY BEHIND YOU.

Chiz Esvudero resignation: A masterful retreat

Now it can be told.



Days before the expected October 12 announcement of Chiz, Danding Cojuangco told the Escudero camp of the impossibility of raising 2 billion pesos and the only amount that the SMC chairman and former Marcos crony can commit is 200 million. That floored everyone who committed to help ChizNation. And that, as sources say, was the real reason why Chiz delayed his pronouncement.


One financier after another reportedly stayed away from the Escudero camp, and one big fish by the name of Lucio Tan decided not to really push for Escudero's bid. Left without any big funding source, Escudero, as coffee habitues say, decided to bolt.

Was it tactical retreat? Yes, it was.


Political funding, as everyone knows, depends on ratings. Financiers will only support those perceived to be strong or has the potential of victory. Victory depends on a well-oiled political grassroots machinery. Perceptions that a candidate is losing considerable ground are enough to completely seal off support from potential big-ticket funders.


Chiz lost a considerable chunk of his constituency when Noynoy Aquino entered the political fray. Prior to Noynoy's entry, Chiz was fighting tooth and nail for territory. He shares the same constituency as that of Erap's and Mar's in the D-E while having a slight edge over Villar's in the A-B-C.


When Noynoy positioned himself as an alternative candidate, many sectors supporting Chiz shifted and gravitated towards the Liberal Party bet. That started Chiz ratings to plateau and in recent surveys, started to nose-dive. Reason is both candidates share the same political slogan and being supported by the same progressive-minded middle class.

Naturally, as Noynoy’s political stock increased, Chiz’s political stock and funding began to dry up. Defections started. ChizNation began to suffer an organizational “hemorrhage”, losing the Osmenas over to Noynoy and other progressives who were turned off with talks that NPC top honchos are exploring a merger with the administration party.


Talks between NPC and Lakas shifted to a higher gear particularly when the Supreme Court decided in favour of the government’s plan to convert the government’s SMC shares into preferred shares. That gave the administration enough leverage to enter into more serious talks with the NPC. What the NPC leaders and the administration failed to realize is the possibility of Chiz Escudero not agreeing with these talks in the first place.


Chiz knows that he will lose the presidency should he accede with the NPC plan to merge with the administration. One, a merger would eventually dilute progressive support for Chiz and two, would eventually allow administration party stalwarts to dominate NPC. What the public does not know is that Chiz looks at the political situation very seriously and he wants nothing more than to position himself as the opposition leader.


When all indications point to Chiz not supporting a merger, the NPC issued public statements practically dictating what should be the outcome of Chiz decision. That was a tactical maneuver, meant actually to isolate Chiz and force him to toe the party line or risk losing support. I do not believe that trash saying that NPC was caught unaware, or that Chiz just resigned the night before he announced his resignation. Chiz, as some sources say, was vehemently opposing the NPC-LAKAS-KAMPI merger and the NPC knows it. That’s why reports began to float of Loren Legarda moving towards Villar or those of Legarda opening herself up for talks with Gibo. Those were meant as signs for Chiz to toe the line or resign.


Chiz decided to resign. Left without a party, naturally, Chiz needs the full backing of minority political players such as Samahang Magdalo, volunteer groups who decided to stay with him and political forces formerly aligned with Erap. If you notice, one of those groups who stayed behind were remnants of FPJPM, the group supportive of former actor Fernando Poe Jr. This is still a very shaky ChizNation because for one, FPJPM will never support the possibility of Chiz teaming up with Panfilo Lacson, since this group blames the senator for the 2004 debacle which led to the defeat of FPJ.


Admittedly, Chiz is weakened by defections and lack of funds. That explains why Chiz refuses to formally declare his presidential bid because he is still waiting for progressive groups to gravitate towards him. He wants to regain the support of the progressive block, a big chunk of which can provide him with an army of volunteers. By distancing himself from NPC, Chiz wants to re-position himself as the true non-trapo candidate. Chiz hopes that by doing so; he can weaken Noynoy Aquino’s base of support and pull the Liberals out of the game.


The Liberals realized this early on that’s why they are proposing a coalition with Chiz. The Liberal Party validated earlier reports of talks between them and the Chiz camp. What the Liberals propose is for Chiz to submit himself in a selection process whereby both camps will try to strike a deal and support a common slate, to be positioned as the true “non-trapo” candidate. Some quarters think that this benefits both, since this will resolve the thorny issue of who among them really deserve the title.


This proposal aims to present a unified front, both to strike at the traditional oppositionist parties, led by former president Joseph Estrada and Manny Villar. Both camps recognize that without merging their forces, they stand to lose out on Villar, who has consistently showed consistency of mass base support.

Deconstructing Chiz's resignation

Let's postulate why Chiz Escudero decided to resign from the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). There are two (2) things which people said as "learned speculation" (based on coffee shop talk).

First, this is the most gracious way out for Chiz Escudero. By declaring that he is now a free man and beholden to no one but himself, Chiz is in effect saying that should he decide not to run, no one influenced him. That decision, should he elect to do so, will not damage the NPC, which, even on the last minute, hoped for a Chiz Escudero-Loren Legarda tandem.

By resigning from NPC, Chiz is, in effect, paving the way for NPC to nominate its own presidential bet. NPC now has a free hand on concentrating more on strengthening the candidacies of their local candidates instead of fielding a national slate. This gives NPC more leeway to negotiate with the administration, or even with the Liberal Party or the UNO. Without a national candidate,NPC members can now carry any presidentiable or senatoriable without problems since they don't have a national slate anyway. That is better for Danding Cojuangco since by strengthening his party base, he stands to preserve his political clout.

With Chiz out of NPC, that opens the possibility of the NPC also nominating Loren Legarda as their official standard bearer. As standard bearer, that will eventually give Legarda more muscle to negotiate.

The second possibility is Chiz being adopted by a THIRD FORCE, possibly a political movement composed of various reformists and progressive groups. If this happens, that would sweep the rug under Noynoy's since, these groups converged behind Noynoy when the good senator positioned himself as the People's alternative. As what NPR and PinoyObserver noted a few entries ago, the reason why Chiz lost considerable "pogi points" in various surveys was that Noynoy split the progressive block and "hijacked" Chiz's constituency. More progressive groups gravitated around Noynoy because most, if not all, detest Chiz's association with a traditional political party, namely, the NPC. There are still many groups opposed to NPC because it is being funded by Danding Cojuangco, a known Marcos crony.

With that out of the way, and Chiz deciding to be a "free agent" as what Ricky Carandang described his status now, these groups who once routed for him, will now have a reason to re-consider their political alliance and gravitate to Chiz Escudero. That would surely cause Noynoy a big headache because most of his organizers belong to progressive groups. Should they re-consider their earlier decision to back Noynoy, these organizers would then shift to Chiz, causing a veritable movement, bigger and stronger than the Noynoy Fever.

Question---will this movement propel Chiz Escudero to win? YES. Remember that all these political parties depend on their grassroots organizers for victory. If all these organizers shift allegiances and support Chiz, the chances of him winning is near 100%

NOW,

What if Chiz decides NOT to run, what will then be the possible scenario?

Without Chiz in the configuration, Nacionalista party Manny Villar will surely win the 2010 elections. Obviously, certain groups will now gravitate to the heavier force, and based on our analysis, that is the party of Villar. Probably, FPJPM will re-align itself with Erap and some may even go to the Liberal party. But, Villar's win is sure if Chiz is out of the way.

Chiz Escudero is now a free man: A Third Force is in the works

Like what I told my friend and comrade Carlos, any one who wants to take on the presidency needs what I call a dramatis causa---a shocking event that would take everyone by surprise. Delicious surprise, I must say.

Chiz Escudero has now freed himself from the shackles of Danding Cojuangco--and for better reason. He has just announced his resignation from the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), the traditional political party that has cuddled him for eleven years. Why?

Escudero has his reasons, and legitimate ones, I must say.

First, how would one fight graft and corruption if financiers with spotty political records are behind your campaign? He was referring to Mr. Cojuangco, who is bedeviled by numerous unresolved graft cases. Second, how would you fight those who cause the further poverty of this nation if they are the ones who dictate your every political move?

Definitely, Escudero did the right thing---he is offering himself to the Filipino People. He is now, a free man. He can now decide whether to run or not for the highest post. Should he decide though, he will definitely either run as vice president or gun for the highest post.

What would now prevent him from running as president and Senator Antonio Trillianes as his running mate? No problem. Reformist groups are very strong at this point. In fact, every organizer can be tapped to help Escudero clinch the highest post of the land.

What I can now say, as Secretary General of the Young Organizers' Union (YOU), the successor of the YOU (Young Officers' Union), we respect and salute the decision of Senator Francis Escudero. Should he decide to run as president, we, and the Filipino People, will be behind him.

He can be adopted by the Democratic Party of the Philippines (DPP), a national political party. Or, we can now unite behind Escudero and form a THIRD FORCE. That THIRD FORCE will definitely defeat all these traditional political parties, like the Liberal Party, UNO, and Nacionalista.

A Third Force would surely be a welcome development in the shifting political environment.

Let me articulate what millions want---a People's Progressive Party (3P), an organization composed of all organizers in every political party uniting behind Escudero. Or a Democratic Party of the Philippines.

To Senator Escudero----don't worry about your logistics. The Spirit of Bayanihan will provide you with what you need. If we can muster billions for disaster relief, we, the Filipino People, will be behind you and give you billions more just to rehabilitate our damaged institutions.

Truly, may Bagong Umagang Parating!

The Charlotte Datiles Story--what happened Noynoy?

In 1987, a group of RAM soldiers ambushed the car bearing then presidential son Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino. The incident happened at the corner of JP Rizal leading to Malacanang palace. Two of Noynoy's bodyguards were gunned down while Noynoy sustained bullet wounds. That's the official Malacanang Presidential Security Group report. What People's Tonight and other online blogs are asking---what has happened to another supposed occupant of the car, a Miriam College student by the name of Charlotte Datiles?

Datiles, as some reports say, was with Noynoy when the ambush happened. And she, according to reports, was the girlfriend of Noynoy Aquino. Noynoy, in a radio interview last October 27, denied that he was with Datiles.

Some reports say Noynoy just had a lover's spat with Korina Sanchez at Merville Paranaque. After that, Noynoy reportedly picked up Datiles and along the way, decided to go back to Malacanang. When their car tried to enter Malacanang, soldiers fired at them.

Is this true? If it is, then Noynoy has to explain this to the public. He needs to give justice to this slain girl.

Trouble in ChizNation? And Angara brokering the wedding of Loren Legarda with Manny Villar

Is Senator Ed Angara playing the role of a wedding broker, arranging the possible tandem of Nacionalista party bet Manny Villar and coy vice presidential aspirant Senator Loren Legarda? It seems like it. And Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) presidential bet Chiz Escudero does not like what he's hearing.

Chiz Escudero’s closest adviser says the NPC bet is thinking of junking Senator Loren Legarda as his vice presidential bet. Escudero's camp has decided not to announce Loren as its vice presidential contender after a series of failed negotiations with her camp. Loren remains non-committal with NPC because of talks that Danding Cojuangco is also thinking twice of letting it all out for Chiz.

Escudero is set to announce his presidential bid tomorrow at the Bahay ng Alumni, at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. He is expected to announce his full slate, including six (6) senatoriables. Some of those expected to be with the ChizNation includes: Susan “Toots” Ople, Ompong Plaza and Grace Poe. Last Monday, the Samahang Magdalo endorsed Chiz as their presidential bet.


Now, going back to this Angara-initiated talks. What is the topic of the negotiations? Well, Loren is asking for full logistical support in her vice presidential bid. Understandable, since Loren will be fighting against a formidable opponent–Mar Roxas–who has billions in his campaign kitty. Loren enjoys a definitive edge over Mar in the mass base or grassroots department. However, in Philippine politics which behaves like local politics, money changes everything.


Angara is asking Villar to give full financial and logistical support to Loren Legarda in exchange for agreeing to be his running mate. As source says, these talks are now in its final stages. With two political financiers supporting her—the Cojuangcos and the Villars—nothing will stop Loren from getting what she wants.

Certain quarters are saying that even the administration is intent on backing Loren Legarda's vice presidential bid just to spite Mar Roxas. Legarda's palace meeting with Mrs. Arroyo reportedly sealed the deal.


The question is—what will Mar and the Liberal do to stop a Loren rampage? And what will be the political plans of Vice President Noli de Castro? Will he do a second round against Loren?

Ironic is'nt? A few months ago, when Noynoy Aquino was still a non-factor in Philippine politics, there was even talks of a Mar Roxas-Loren Legarda tandem. Now, they will be fighting against each other for the second highest post in the land.


The more important question is—what will Chiz do at this point, now that the stacks are ranged against him?

RAM co-founder Col. Billy Bibit just passed away

Last Sunday, I again saw a procession of hearses in Cavite. I concluded that one of my closest friends probably, and yet again, passed this world into the next. My fears were validated.

Yesterday, I heard the news of the passing of Colonel Billy Bibit. If you google his name, there are some online entries about him. I was looking for his photo and not one showed up. Yet, two decades ago, his photos were all over town.

I remember that I was still a college student at the University of the Philippines in Diliman when the bloodiest coup d'etat against then president Cory Aquino happened. Bibit was then with the group of the charismatic Col. Gregorio Gringo Honasan. The soldiers nearly toppled Aquino where it not for that "fly-by" of American fighter planes.

After that, the soldiers vanished into thin air. After a few months, some of them were captured. Others, like Col. Bibit was captured a few years after.

Bibit remains a legend. I still remember one story about him. When young soldiers led by my friend staged the Manila City jail assault, he was one of them. They managed to extricate Bibit from his cell.

After that tumultuous struggle, Bibit was incarcerated. Under the regime of Ramos, a truce was entered into by government with RAM-SFP-YOU. Bibit went on quietly.

Under Arroyo, Bibit was appointed Customs chief of Subic Bay. He was eventually transferred to Cebu. I heard then that he was sickly.

Bibit is a good man, a patriot extraordinaire and like General Danny Lim, an inspiration to all those who seek change in this country. Like Jake Malajacan and all the rest, they hold still hold that dream, a dream that shall never die.

Sir Billy, you may have passed on, but the struggle and the vision that you have provided will forever remain in the collective consciousness of the Filipino People. Mabuhay! We salute you.

One up for Mrs. Arroyo! E.O.

Executive Order 839 is one of the most admirable executive orders issued by outgoing president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. If you notice, this is the first time that I referred to her as "president". For the longest time, I just say Madame or Mrs. Arroyo. The E.O. was issued, directing oil firms to freeze oil pump prices to October 15 levels. At this time, only one small player obeyed. The rest are still disobeying the Executive Order.

Now, with the issuance of this E.O., it shows how resolute Mrs. Arroyo is in resolving the problem of the people, especially motorists, on the virtual monopoly exerted by giant oil companies. These oil firms have been fooling us for the longest time, and it is about time for government to act in deference to the welfare of the toiling masses.

How dare these oil firms threaten the Philippine government that they will either shut down their retail selling due to this E.O. or cause a temporary oil shortage ! Ang kapal ng mga mukha ng mga kapitalistang ito! Who are they to terrorize or even threaten the Philippine state?

If these oil companies stop from importing oil products, let the State, as represented by the Energy secretary, trade and import these oil products in the name of protecting the interests of the Filipino People. Time to regulate the oil industry which has been abused by these foreign oil companies and their local lackeys.

Now, Mr. Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes. You have been given a directive by the Chief Executive. I think, this time, you'll be glad to implement this E.O. since this will show that the Philippines will never kowtow to these capitalists who capitalize on the misery of the People.

O, now what Mr. Reyes? Will you or will you not obey your Chief Executive?

Carlos Maglalang of YOU speaks up on Magdalo's endorsement of Chiz Escudero

I got the chance to talk to YOU (Young Officers' Union) spokesperson Carlos Maglalang a few minutes ago and apprised him on the latest political developments. He says, and I quote:

Ang desisyon ng Samahang Magdalo sa pag endorso kay Chiz Escudero ay isang indepiendeng aksyon na maaring may basehang pang-organisasyunal.

Sa hanay ng Young Officers' Union (YOU), ang bansang pilipinas at ang progresibong hanay ng Pilipino, manggagawa at magbubukid, mangingisda, kabataan at kababaihan ang syang magdedesisyun sa darating na halalan.

Lahat ng mga kandidato ay simbolo ng isang balakyot na sistemang pangpulitika na maaari lamang mabago kung mismong ang mga rebolusyunista ang hahawak sa timon ng estado.Ang panahon ng pag-oorganisa ng malawak na hanay ng mga rebolusyunista ay napapanahon tungo sa pagpapalakas ng kilusan tungo sa tunay na pagbabago.

Samahang Magdalo endorses Chiz Escudero

General Danilo "Danny" Lim, to me, is the exemplar of the best leader. Despite being proclaimed as one of former president Joseph Estrada's senatoriables, Lim just announced that he is running as an independent. Good. That shows that Lim holds the right ideological direction. He recognizes that the time is right for an independent political movement that would hold itself strong against traditional political parties.

The May 2010 is the best time for all revolutionists to unite and form the pillars of their own political party. In fact, our times really call for an alternative party that has the right ideological mix but exercises an independent political muscle as well. Previous experiments in political work (i.e. Ang Kapatiran) failed because it lacked political muscle. A movement, to be successful, should be able to function independently as an organization, directed by the right collective vision and mission, and moving towards one direction, that is, the rehabilitation of this country.

A revolutionary situation exists, yes. This situation is favorable to all those who seek changes in this country. Yet, the direction is perceived differently by most actors in this political game. Some say, this is the time for strengthening of the political organization, which I agree. While some say, this is the proper time to flex the muscle, which I also agree.

I do believe that 2013 is the year for all revolutionists' to unite behind one politico-ideological party. First, when all groups achieve electoral victory in 2010, that is more than just an affirmation of the People's trust in the collective struggle. Second, when all groups field their respective candidates in the local levels, that, in itself, is grassroots work par excellence. Lastly, when cadres are being shaped within the military organization and fielded in the right time and the right place, that ensures the readiness of successors.

General Lim should take the cudgels of leadership and form a political movement that is poised to take change work seriously.

Now, on the endorsement of Samahang Magdalo of Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) bet Chiz Escudero, I dare say that it is more as a tactical move than anything. Firstly, Chiz has character, yes, I agree. And I am awaiting what he will say about the coconut levy fund mess which his benefactor is involved in. Should he announce that he will not give away 130 billion pesos to the Cojuangco, that shows true grit and character.

Secondly, Chiz has the vision. What it is, we, the People, still don't know. Only those members of Samahang Magdalo who voted for him, knows about it.

Lastly, according to Sonny Trillianes, he has leadership skills. Where was he when adherents for change were arrested in the Pen? Where was he when then young lieutenants staged all those legendary events in Malacanang?

I got the chance to ask my friend about this and he says that this pronouncement of the Samahang Magdalo shows that rumours of NPC and the administration party coalescing is in the realm of total speculation. Chiz will be going all-out in his bid. He is gunning for a win.

Samahang Magdalo's decision to work behind Chiz Escudero's presidential bid is their decision and as Secretary General of the Young Organizers' Union (YOU), owing our roots to the Young Officer's Union (YOU) of 1987, I respect their decision.

It would have been totally excellent if they assumed the stance of General Lim who announced that he is running as an independent, indicating that he is organizing the very backbone of the political party that will be the ascendant organization come 2010 and 2013.

Samahang Magdalo exists as an independent aggrupation but they have to realize that they are part of the entire movement for change, led by revolutionists.

Save Our Nation for National Transformation: Philippines 2020

Save our Nation (www.saveournation.tk) is a new initiative by New Patriots led by Don Flordeliza which aims to encourage Filipinos to contribute their share in nation-building.

Flordeliza, in his website, says that every Filipino should transform himself as an agent of change and provide his thoughts on rehabilitating our country. More than the physical rehabilitation brought by calamities, Don wrote that it is equally important for us to emphasize the rehabilitation of the Filipino geist or Spirit.

What is the meaning of all of these?

It means that while we do the rehabilitation work of our damaged infrastructure, we need to rehabilitate the damaged Filipino psyche. This, for me, is most important. Rehabilitating our institutions is the order of the Day.

Our nation is now severely damaged wrought not just by natural calamities, but by the failures of the present generation of leaders to provide us with the vision and the direction towards a New Philippines.

" It is a call of the leaders and individuals who will respond to the present needs of the Filipino people," says Don in a phone conversation.

I say:

This is a challenge to all those who idealizes a better Philippines. This is a challenge to those young and idealist officers in the field and those generals who still hold the fire of " We Belong" and " Our Dreams shall never die."

Provide us with the muscle. Provide us with your dreams. Provide us with your direction and the People will follow.

This coming elections is not the answer to the People's yearning for a Better Philippines. No. This, in fact, will contribute to the further weakening of our institutions and a faster degeneration of our Nation.

This elections is a security nightmare that would trigger more instability and more destruction.

The times call for leaders who shall re-imagine our Reality and put things in order. The call is NOW.

Collectively, save our Nation for National Transformation. 

I salute comrade Don Flordeliza for providing the online platform for this initiative. Let this be the start of something beautiful. Let a million flowers bloom because of this. Mabuhay! Onward with the People's Struggle!

Why Chiz has not announced his candidacy: another "teka-teka" presidentiable in the making?

How true are reports indicating that the reason why Chiz Escudero suspended his announcement last October 12 was that Danding Cojuangco, his main political financier, was still adamant in funding his entire campaign? And that some of his Chinese supporters are reported to have backed out?

Reports are circulating that Danding just had a meeting with Peping Cojuangco for the possibility of supporting Liberal Party candidate Noynoy Aquino. This came days before the very public pronouncement of Danding, saying that he supports no one but the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), whom he founded.

Rep Mark Cojuangco, son of Danding, in an interview tried to squelch all these reports saying that their party is preparing for a Chiz-Loren tandem and to prove that, Danding is even attending Loren Legarda's public pronouncement in Luneta. Danding did not go. Mark, of course, attended the event, with some NPC officials.

Even Rex Gatchalian, the NPC spokesperson, denies such reports and described them as "rumours". The NPC will be fielding a complete slate in 2010. You can't avoid some people tittle tattling and speculating why is it taking Chiz Escudero so long to declare that he's running. What's taking them so long to formally announce their respective bids? Are they waiting for something?

There is also serious troubles in ChizNation. Senator Serge Osmena just bolted out of Chiz's camp and joined the Liberal Party. Lito Banayo, formerly of the camp of Senator Ping Lacson, is now Chiz's campaign manager.

In an earlier post, Loren Legarda, presumably Chiz's running mate, has just announced her desire to campaign for the vice presidential post. She did so without naming her presidential contender, dampening some of the expectations from the Chiz camp that she'll do so when she announce.

Curiously though, Loren Legarda did her announcement much earlier than Chiz, fuelling speculations that, indeed, there are some "logistical" problems on the part of the ChizNation. And some sources even say that Chiz is really not quite sure of running for the top post because he's afraid of losing it all to Noynoy Aquino.

It seems that we have another "teka-teka" candidate in the persona of Mr. Escudero. Bad form Chiz.

At last a candidate with a Vision! Loren Legarda tops all candidates

Loren Legarda just announced that she'll be running for the vice presidential post come 2010. Her Luneta announcement last night is better than all the other candidates running for the top post. Instead of a melodramatic speech, peppered with necropolitical imagery, Loren presented a platform.

At last! A candidate with a vision, a candidate who has the strong will to say what she truly wants to do and what she intends to fulfill should she be elected for the top post. Let me quote her "six-point must-do" Pro-People Agenda from an Inquirer report :

First, the country’s resources, including government funds, should go toward affording all Filipinos housing, sanitation, potable water, access to medicines and proper health care, education for the youth and skills training.

Second, government must recognize the contributions of overseas Filipino workers by facilitating their gainful employment, providing them ample protection against abuses and by continuously upgrading their skills and knowledge.

third, the new administration must really crack down on corruption, which wastes the country’s limited resources, destroys institutions and undermines the trust of the people and of the international community, including foreign investors.

Fourth, protection of the environment and initiation of pro-active measures to address the problem of climate change and the disasters related to it by strictly following geohazard maps in pursuing development plans, flood control and solid waste management systems.

Fifth, forge a genuine peace, especially in Mindanao, not only through law enforcement but through the resolution of the root causes of the conflicts in the countryside, poverty and social injustice to name a few.

Sixth, forge a cultural renaissance for Filipino culture and traits to be recognized, rejuvenated and passed on to future generations “because they are what makes Filipinos unique as a people.”

I asked all New Patriots to vote for Loren Legarda. I ask my fellow brothers and sisters in the Islamic faith and all other faiths, to campaign for her.

With Loren's entry, the vice presidential derby has become more interesting than the presidential. Imagine, two political heavyweights, namely Mar Roxas and Loren Legarda, will be fighting headlong in this. Loren enjoys an edge since based on SWS surveys, she has a solid mass base support of 26%, far from the 13-14% mass base support of Roxas.

Roxas has the money but Loren has the support of local government officials and of course, Danding Cojuangco.

If the Estrada oppositionist camp wants to win, it must convince Binay to just give way to Loren Legarda. Now, if Loren runs with Chiz as her presidentiable, they might possibly clinch it. A Chiz-Loren tandem has better chances than, say, a Villar-Loren or a Teodoro-Loren, although this tandem is really very, very ideal for one simple fact---both are highly intelligent and with a vision. Sadly, this cannot be because of a misconception that it is a kiss of death to align with the administration.

A Challenge to Mr. Chiz Escudero at Senadora Legarda, Noynoy Aquino, Gibo Teodoro at Erap Estrada

Me challenge ako kina Chiz Escudero, Noynoy Aquino, Gibo Teodoro at Erap Estrada, pati na rin siguro kay Manny Villar na siguradong may deal na kapwa kina Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at SMC Chair Danding Cojuangco.

Kung palarin ba kayo bilang pangulo, magkakaroon ba kayo ng lakas ng loob na sabihin kay Danding Cojuangco, sampu ng mga alipores niya na ibalik na nila yung ninakaw nilang pondo mula sa Coconut Levy Fund ng walang compromise agreement?

Ang nakataya sa eleksyong darating ay 130 bilyong piso. Hindi demokrasya ang usapin sa eleksyong ito, kundi HUSTISYA.

English version:

I have just one challenge to all these presidentiables, namely, Chiz Escudero, Noynoy Aquino, Gibo Teodoro, Erap Estrada and Manny Villar:

If one of you becomes president, will you exercise your will of asking Danding Cojuangco to give back 130 billion pesos which he, along with his crony colleagues, got from the Coconut Levy Fund---without any compromise agreement?

Let me add a challenge corollary to this: WILL YOU PROSECUTE OR ASK THE COURTS TO EXPEDITE THE RESOLUTION OF THOSE GRAFT CASES FILED AGAINST MR. COJUANGCO? IF THE GOVERNMENT WINS IN ITS GRAFT CASE AGAINST MR. COJUANGCO, WILL YOU ALLOW THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE TO GRIND AND ASK HIM TO SPEND JAIL TIME?

I know what you'll be asking, nay pleading the public to do---JUST FORGET ABOUT THE PAST FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD. WTF???

Those monies were STOLEN. It's best for these people to give them all back and be meted PUNISHMENT FOR THAT MONUMENTAL THIEVERY. Kung ang isang magnanakaw nga ng cellphone, bugbog sarado pag nahuhuli ng pulis, heto pang mga ito na BILYONG-BILYONG PISO ang ninakaw at ninanakaw sa kaban ng bayan?

THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS IS ALL ABOUT JUSTICE.

Kung sino man ang magsasabing, yes, gagawin niyang campaign centerpiece ang HUSTISYA para sa taumbayan, lalo na sa mga coconut farmers, SA IYO ANG BOTO KO PATI ANG BOTO NG SAMBAYANANG PILIPINO.

P 130 bilyong pisong taya sa 2010 elections

Sino-sino ba ang mga tumatakbo ngayon bilang pangulo ng bansa? Isa-isahin natin sila.

Unahin natin, ang dating pangulong Joseph Estrada. Aminadong gangster si Erap. Magaling na manager at people person kumbaga. Maraming kaibigang Filipino-Chinese. Maraming natulungan. Kung bibigyan ng pangalawang pagkakataon, gagawin niyang legal ang jueteng. I'm sure, doubleng ingat sa midya si Erap para kung mayroon mang stinking deal, hindi aalingasaw. Obviously, wala munang casino royale sa palasyo o sa labas ng palasyo. At siguradong tuloy na ulit yung midnight cabinet.

Net---para tayong bumalik noong late 90's at para ding continuation ng Gloria Arroyo regime, na ang ibinibida ay institutional gangsterism. (Mas successful nga lang si Gloria dahil ginagamit niya ang posisyon niya para under control pa rin niya ang sitwasyon at hindi siya matalo ng mga critics).

Kung si Senator Noynoy Aquino naman ang manalo, mamamayagpag na naman ang so-called Kamaganak Incorporated. Mayaman na naman ulit ang mga Lopezes. Mababawi na naman nila yung mga nawala nilang kayamanan dahilan sa mismanagement ng mga kumpanya nila (according to one columnist). Yung mga dating opisyales na naging popular under ke Cory, hayan, balik sa poder na naman. Balik na naman tayo sa galunggong bilang barometro ng pambansang paglago. Kumbaga, middle class power climate ang mananauli. Of course, tuloy ang ligaya ni Danding Cojuangco. Sa kanya pa rin ang Coconut levy fund. Kamaganak eh, eh di lusot na naman! Pero, tingin ko din, maiiba ng kaunti. Magkakaroon ng malaking tarp bearing the photo of Cory sa Luneta. Wala namang masama yun, except na medyo ganun din ang ginawa ng mga Chinese sa Red Square---di ba me malaking picture ni Chairman Mao dun? Anong masama kung ke Cory naman ang ilagay natin, di ba? Sambahin ba ang mga anito? Gamitin bang agimat sa pulitika? Okey yun. Bahagi ng kulturang Noypi.

Eh, pano kung si Senator Manny Villar naman ang manalo. Kawawang Jamby at yari si Ping Lacson. Siguradong batas Tondo ang iiral---if you wanted me destroyed, I also want you destroyed. Kawawa ang mga palayan natin, siguradong imbes na gulay o bigas ang anihin natin, uusbong na parang mushroom ang mga sabdibisyon. Expect nyo na na pati sa mga bundok, me sabdibisyon. Papalitan din ang pangalan ng bansa natin from Republic of the Philippines to Vistaland. At least, hindi na tayo sasabihing mga alipin ni King Philip, kundi mga alipin ni Villar na lang. Imbes na Pinoys, Vistoys na tayo. (Parang yun ang taguri ke Villar nung na "vistoy" siya na kumita ng bilyong piso dahil sa pagbenta ng right of way dun sa C-5 ah.)

Kung si Gibo Teodoro naman ang manalo, tiyak, tuloy ang happy days ng mga pro-Gloria. Isipin mo, okey lang ke Gibo kung bilyong piso kada taon ang nawala dahil sa mga alipores at kasapakat niya sa kabinete ni Gloria. Okey lang ke Gibo kung pumarte man ang principal niya sa ibang big-time government contracts. Para sa isang technocrat at Harvard law graduate, okey lang na magnakaw ka ng malaki, basta ba me nagawa kang daan, tulay, farm-to-market roads, maayos ang mga kalsada, malinis, etc. Kahit walang makain ang mga tao, basta me kalsada, kahit na rin siguro walang salbabida, okey lang. Tuloy ang ligaya.

Pano kung si Chiz Escudero naman ang maging pangulo. Yan ang medyo hindi pa tiyak kung anong magaganap. Maaaring maganda o maaari rin namang ganun pa din. Kung si Danding lang ang masusunod, wala nang compromise agreement at akin na ang 130 bilyong pisong ninakaw umano sa mga coconut farmers. Siguradong me utang na loob si Chiz kay Danding at ano naman ang 3 o 4 na bilyong pisong gagastusin ni Danding sa eleksyon ni Chiz kung para kay Danding, San Miguel at 130 bilyong piso naman ang kapalit.

Ganun din, siguradong me utang na loob si Chiz pati tatay niya kay Luis Villafuerte. Ano kayang kapalit nun, pagmimina ng mga kabundukan ng Bicol?

Sa totoo lang, maraming nag-iisip na bakit walang bagong mukha ng leadership dito sa ating bansa? Wala na ba tayong ibang puwedeng pagpilian bilang pangulo? Yung iba naman, sina Bayani, Gordon at Ebdane, purong jokers lang ang mga ito. Papaganda lang ng imahe para masalba kumbaga ang mga sarili nila.

Ke Perlas ba kamo? Aba eh, magaling din sana siya kung tama ang paniniwala niya. Okey siya sa environmentalism pero hindi lang yan ang dapat na criteria  bilang pangulo. Si JC delos Reyes ba kamo na kamaganak din ni Danding?

Isipin mo---halos lahat ng kandidato, anino ni Danding ang makikita mo---ke Chiz, Erap,Noynoy, Gibo at maging kay JC. I'm sure, me deal na rin siya ke Villar. Isipin mo, 130 bilyong piso ang nakataya dyan.

Bakit natin ibabalik ang dati na nating inayawan?

Many of those who supported presidentiable Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), the lone and legitimate opposition force against Mrs. Arroyo in 2004, are not joining Erap Estrada's campaign. I have a very personal admission---I supported FPJ in 2004 because my friend, Amina Rasul happens to run under his party. By supporting FPJ, police bugged my house, hit me with dirty water during the tumultuous post-election Welcome Rotunda rally and even hit me with a truncheon. I told myself, ang tanda ko na, ngayon pa ulit ako na water cannon. The last time that I was hit with a truncheon, thrown smoke bombs at and nearly got caught was in 1990, with Miro Quimbo and Mike Defensor. Eventually, in a rally infront of the Vietnamese embassy, a few meters away from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Vito Cruz, I got caught along with 12 others. Humimas kami ng malamig na rehas na bakal. Eventually, all charges were cleared thanks to David Celdran and Angelo Jimenez.

Fourteen years past, and in that very confusing time in 2004, I was again, beaten up for telling the world about what a sham that election was. FPJ clearly won, and I still hold that belief because I was part of the team who got all those election documents (at the risk of personal safety) which showed FPJ won fair and square. Later events vindicated us. Hello Garci nearly brought this government to its knees.

When "Principal" (FPJ) died, everyone just packed his bags and we all went separate ways. The revolutionary momentum got lost somewhere, somehow, when FPJ died.  I resumed my marketing stint and went abroad. I became successful there in Singapore and even decided maybe I'm meant to live here instead of there in the Philippines. But, love, indeed, overwhelms the soul and before I know it, I came back home and now, trying to raise a family.

Now, will I support Erap's comeback bid? I am still thinking. Pero, if Erap still maintains as friends those same faces, obviously, I will not support him. I will not even convince my friends to support him. Why?

Yun bang 2 years in Erap in power, golden era ba yun? Panay nga ang gulo nuon. Isipin mo, gangster nga ang tingin ng mga tao nuong panahon ni Erap eh. Maganda sana kung ideological gangsterism yun, pero, hindi, purong gangsta government ang kay Erap. Hayday ng mga jueteng lords yun, pati ng mga nagtutupada. Tapos, ang lakas pa ng loob ni Erap na sabihing i-legalize ang mali? Erap, ang mali, ang kasalanan, ay kasalanan.

Sino-sino ba ang mga nasasa likod ni Erap ngayon? Si Boy M (Boy Morales) na dating komunista pero kapitalista na ngayon. Sina Ben Diokno na kanyang Budget secretary. Si Ernie Maceda na sinabihan dati ni Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson na "so young yet so corrupt." Yung mga datihan nang Marcos cronies na na-transform into Erap cronies. Of course, me mga bago, na karamihan, mga Filipino-Chinese.

Kung ibabalik man natin si Erap, parang ibabalik natin ang Marcos regime sans martial law. Para tayong bumalik sa panahon ng mga 1960's.

Hindi naman dapat yun. Bumenta na yung political line ni Erap. Nakita na natin kung anong mangyayari kung si Erap ang pangulo. Yan ang hirap sa atin, urong sulong, sulong urong tayo.

Kumbaga, kay Gloria galit na galit tayo dahil parang mafia kung umasta sila. Tapos, iboboto natin ulit si Erap, eh di bumalik din ulit tayo sa institutional gangsterism? Hay naku.

Lakas is now a paper tiger

Allies of the president are transferring to the Nacionalista Party, allegedly part of an "agreement" between Mrs. Arroyo and Senator Manny Villar, President of NP that should Villar win, the new administration will not pursue new cases against the First Couple. An entire block of about 400 local government officials took their oath of allegiance to the NP, destroying the solid support of Eastern Visayas behind Arroyo.

Earlier, LAKAS-KAMPI spokesperson El Rey Villafuerte, a political heavyweight in the Bicol region, also moved his support to the NP while his father, Cong. Luis Villafuerte, continues to recruit supporters for the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). With rumours that Senator Loren Legarda has already decided to team up with Chiz Escudero, expect NPC chairman Danding Cojuangco to unleash his millions for that crucial win come 2010.

Meanwhile, the Osmenas have decided to throw their support behind Liberal Party candidate Noynoy Aquino, an expected move since the clan maintains very strong ties with the Aquinos and the Lopezes whom everybody knows support the Yellow Army of NoyNoy (wag nang Yellow Fever please. YAN movement na lang, pwdeng Yellow Army of Noynoy or Youth Alliance for Nationalism). The Guingonas have already expressed their support behind Noynoy, with Cong. Teofisto Guingona III running under the LP slate. Other former Aquino allies have already intimated their desire to help Noynoy clinch the presidency.

Now, after Estrada announced his presidency, no news as to how many political supporters the former president have at this point, since some of his previous political associates have either moved to NP or to NPC. Estrada, it seems, only has the JEEP NI ERAP political machinery maintained by Boy Morales. Of course, Cebu, once the bailiwick of Arroyo has been split in half, with some officials going for Erap while others are either for Villar and some decided to stick with whoever is the administration bet.

The administration party, it seems, is the most affected among the political parties. Defections are on-going. Former LAKAS members are shifting allegiances, some going for Villar, others moving to the Cojuangco powered political party. Some analysts say the 49 or so Governors who initially expressed support behind Gilbert Gibo Teodoro have whittled down to half of the number. Congressmen who first expressed their support are also shifting to other parties. This, despite the increasing political popularity of Teodoro, who got 4% of the support votes in an SWS survey, an improvement to the 0.8% he got a month ago.

Camille Villar---the freshest face to hit Philippine politics

Camille Villar, the youngest daughter of presidentiable Senator Manny Villar, is one of the freshest faces to hit Philippine politics for the longest time. The 24 year old comely daughter of the Nacionalista bet for the top post this 2010, hit it big when she guested at the popular noon time show, "Wowowee". People swooned as she endeared them with her beautiful smile. She's sexy, appears to be an honest person and has a twinkle in her eyes.

Camille finished her primary grades and secondary education at the International School of Manila. Before she went to Ateneo de Manila University for a degree in Business Management, Camille already set up her first business---selling Sanrio items in a mall. Her enterprise at the age of 14 became big. That's why when she started her studies at the Ateneo, Camille already knew even back then that she's in for a career as an entrepreneur like her dad.

At the Ateneo, Camille was one of ten lovely girls on campus. So many Ateneans had a crush on her but no one got the girl's heart. Camille was looking for someone who acts and thinks like her dad. Camille is very close to her dad, Senator Manny Villar. Many people say Camille is the senator's favorite child. (By the way, Camille's brother is reportedly the boyfriend of GMA Kapuso star Heart Evangelista. Lucky guy)

When asked if she'll be following the footsteps of her dad in politics, Camille gave a flat no. She will probably tend her dad's real estate company as its eventual President; but politics, no.

A few years ago, Camille was voted the loveliest girl of Jaro, Iloilo. (For those who don't know, Manny Villar hails from Mi-ao town). And its really not surprising.

For me, Camille is the most beautiful face in Philippine politics, even lovelier than Gensan lass Cong. Darlene Antonino-Custodio. 

And, unlike Noynoy's Shalani Soledad, I found nothing irregular nor controversial about the life of Camille Villar. Camille seems down to earth, beautiful and sexy.

Erap came back because no one deserves the presidency

Former president Joseph Estrada, jailed by this administration once, is now formally, a presidential candidate. He just announced his candidacy yesterday in Tondo Manila. More than 10,000 people attended the event.

Erap claims to be a resident of Tondo because he was born at the Mary Johnston hospital. Yet, what his supporters, especially those living in Tondo's slums, don't know is Erap never spent his childhood years in Tondo. Unlike Manny Villar who really experienced the "Tondo life" (until he found a way to sell houses with cramped spaces to unsuspecting Filipinos), Estrada was never a slum dweller. He came from the Ejercito clan, one of the richest in this country.

Last night's affair saw Erap's gang in full attendance. Estrada was feted like what the French did to Napoleon. UNO campaign manager Ernie Maceda said that this is Erap's "last performance", a fitting comeback for a man wrongfully charged of crimes he reportedly did not commit (or so they claim).

Estrada's "second coming" was really planned from the very beginning since there was really no possibility of unity among so-called "oppositionist" parties. If Estrada wins the second time around, that nullifies the gains of the progressives at EDSA.

And the reason is quite obvious---this is practically the fault of political leaders who failed to provide the direction and the vision for a New Philippines. For the past nine years, no Filipino leader was able to position himself as the best alternative to Gloria. No one was able to convince the Filipino People that he is the best to lead this Nation from ignominy and economic stagnation.

Some progressive groups tried to position Noynoy as the "one" but from their very lips they say that he's just a "fever", a flash in the pan, the "flavor of the month". It's very doubtful if he can sustain that 60% trust rating which many say is just a mirage, a figment of the imagination, a botched hope by his supporters.

Chiz is just "too young" to be president, says Lucio Tan. Youthfulness, however, for me, is not just the issue--it is Chiz's association with big business groups who have spotty political records in the past and who are embroiled in the billion peso monumental scam called "Coconut Levy fund" mess.

Manny Villar's spending is a cause of concern by many because all of those monies he spent funding OFW airplane tickets and his constant TV, radio and print ads are now in the multi-million peso range. Surely, Villar will, in time, want his billions back. Maybe other billion peso right of way contracts would do? Or, some thousands of hectares more of ricefields converted to subdivisions?

Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro is one candidate that every official wants because of the perception that if he can tolerate those billions of pesos stolen by Mrs. Arroyo's gang of misfits during all these years, he can very well tolerate those stolen by local government executives.

So, there, that's the sorry state we are now facing. We don't have new leaders competent enough to provide leadership. Those with pure hearts however, do not have the strong political muscle to defeat these traditional politicians masquerading as oppositionists.

Estrada's comeback just negated the call for true change. It is a setback to the revolutionary impetus created by the second EDSA revolution.

All of these wannabes symbolize at least one or some of the diseases of this country.

Erap symbolizes institutional gangsterism and some say, narcopolitics. Teodoro is the symbol of out-of-reality technocratism. Manny Villar is the emerging persona behind the consumerism of politics. Noynoy, meanwhile, is the image representing necropolitics. While Chiz, well, he surely represents the interests of Big Business, those who benefitted from the use of coco levy funds.

Who will emerge from the rut and stand as the New Leader of Philippine politics?  Will the New Bonifacio stand up and be counted?

Dalawa na lang ang manliligaw ni Loren Legarda

Tulad ng isang "mahinhing" Filipina, isa-isa nang sinasabihan ni Senadora Loren Legarda ang kanyang mga masusugid na manliligaw ng kanyang mapait na "sorry". Ligawin si Loren, hindi lang dahil sa kanyang angking kagandahan, kundi na rin sa kanyang angking Mass appeal. Kahapon, sinabi ni Loren na ayaw niyang makatambal si Lakas-KAMPI presidential candidate Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro. "Mananatili ako sa oposisyon," ayon kay Legarda na patuloy na nakikipag-usap sa iba pa niyang mga manliligaw tulad ni NPC presidential bet Chiz Escudero at Nacionalista Party Manny Villar. Dalawa na lamang ang natitirang manliligaw ni Loren. Sino kaya sa kanila ang pipiliin ng magandang senadora?

Parehong may asawa ang dalawa, kaya naman mananatiling number two sa puso nila si Loren. Sa halalan, obvious namang pangalawang "asawa" lang siya ng dalawa. Malakas ang ugong na siya na ang partner ni Villar. Pero, ilan naman ang pinipilit si Chiz na maging number two siya.

Sino kaya ang pipiliin ni LOren? Abangan sa araw na ito.

Northern Luzon faces worst economic calamity

I just visited the North, austensibly to assess the damage to lives and property there and I can confidently say that the situation is normal. Yet, the possibility of an administration defeat in this region looms in the horizon.

People, especially in Pangasinan faces twin calamities: their losses due to Typhoon Pepeng and high fuel prices. Gasoline and diesel prices in the province have shoot up, almost two to three pesos higher than in Metro Manila.

This higher fuel prices could impact on the province's inflation rates and could justify an increase in food and transportation prices. Imagine, you already lost your homes and you ran out of money and now, you face the bleak prospect of hunger and starvation because of inability to buy higher priced food items caused by an abnormal fuel hike. Talk about really forcing people to rebel against their government.

Government can still remedy the situation by:

1. Slapping Reyes and forcing him to tender his long overdue resignation. Is it not humiliating enough for someone to be rejected by the Commission on Appointments so many times over?
2. Not just opening the books of oil firms, but slapping them with criminal and civil charges and barring their executives from doing business in the country.

Who will prevent government from exercising its primary duty of protecting the public from unscrupulous profiteers of misery? None. Government has the power to penalize erring companies such as oil firms and even pharmaceutical companies who resort to terror tactics in the name of Profits.

IN times of calamity, people will appreciate it more if government implements its highly publicized slogan of a Stronger Republic.

Testing the waters: Limiting Executive Power

Seems like these two incidents---the raising of fuel prices by the Big Three Monsters, err, Oil firms and the recent spate of criminal activities are incidents that directly test the limits of Executive Power being exercised by Malacanang. There are some who argue that Malacanang is behaving like a lame duck. Or, more accurately, (and to at least raise the bar of expectations) an eagle with its wings clipped.

For example, Energy secretary Angelo Reyes is going around town like he's the head of an oil firm consortium, defending the actions of these foreign oil companies as their spokesperson. First time that a state's energy head acts and behaves contrary to the government's interest of protecting consumer rights. Government is supposed to speak for and on behalf of the people against predatory acts committed by companies.

IN other countries, Reyes' actions would have merited a reprimand from the Chief Executive. That would have sent a clear message to everyone that Mrs. Arroyo is still in control of government. But, no clear sign from the president, which only shows that despite Mrs. Arroyo's public pronouncements and posturings, no clear policy against these oil giants is being pursued in an honest way. Clearly, this shows that Malacanang, under Mrs. Arroyo, is tolerating the unpatriotic acts of these oil giants.

Raising oil prices during a time of national crisis is not only unpatriotic---it violates clearly the provisions of a penal provision against economic sabotage. Mrs. Arroyo is correct when she intervened; yet her intervention is wanting in concrete actions. What is she afraid of?

Likewise, resolving a spate of criminal acts, with the most recent, the robbery which took place in the house of Mandaluyong Congressman Gonzales is clearly a matter of national concern. The Greenbelt 5 incident is deeper and more linked to national security than what the NCRPO thinks it was. The police is downplaying the incident just to protect the hide of the head of the Makati police and even the gauntlet out of Supt. Roberto Rosales' head. In other states, such incidents would have merited the resignation of the top cop.

The Greenbelt 5 incident shows how vulnerable our shopping malls are against terror attacks. If a "petty" criminal gang such as the Alvin Flores robbery syndicate can penetrate a secured place like Greenbelt, what prevents them from attacking poorly secured retail establishments such as stand-alone outlets of jewelry stores? This gang just humiliated the entire Philippine security establishment with their fake guns and fake uniforms.

It goes without saying that indeed, the situation is nothing short of confusing, especially to those who expect government to do its job well.

Balloon boy's parents charged with felony

This saga about "balloon boy" is getting interesting as it unfolds. Richard Heene, the father of 6-year old "balloon boy" Falcon, and his wife Mayumi now face felony charges for allegedly staging that "fake" incident which tells of his kid flying in a makeshift flying saucer like helium-powered balloon. America got spoofed after being spooked with the thought of a kid flying in a balloon without his parents with him. Major TV networks around the world trained their cameras skyward, as the balloon reportedly with Falcon inside, went on its maximum elevation and steadily shot downwards as the helium wears off. The balloon crashed in full view of the world. Rescuers frantically searched for Falcon only to be told that Falcon was just hiding at the family attic.

Pinoyobserver asked---antic or attic?

Larimer country sheriff Jim Alderden surely thinks its an antic, meant for the family to get that juicy reality TV show contract. That's why Alderden filed four felony counts against the Heene for filing a fake police report, conspiracy to influence the delinquency of minors under their care, and attempting to influence a public official, not to mention, trying to get America hooked in a helium-powered balloon ride.

And America seems to agree. Shortly after a day or two, America judged---it chose the "antic" side of the story and there's hell to pay. Both Richard and Mayumi were trained actors without a gig. And when Falcon told Larry King over at CNN that they did this for "a show", even Matt Lauer of the other network cried " stunt!"

People want balloon boy's parents punished for that stunt. They want their monies back, says America. Showing a kid flying in a helium-powered balloon is not funny, says America. It's downright blasphemy. It shows insensitivity, what with millions of mothers and fathers watching a spectacle, thinking that it's real when all it was was just a stunt, a hoax, ostensibly for the boy's parents to have a gig.

Talk about ways to land a gig, this one is simply not right.

And I do understand why. With the recession going, and writers over at Hollywood going on strike and actors are lowering their talent fees just to get some gigs going, third-rate or ever fourth rate actors have difficulties. A dramatic rescue attempt is nothing short of "dramatic".

What the Heenes does not know is, America does not want a roller coaster ride, or in this case, a helium-powered balloon trip. America is tired already of antics and PR gimmicks, what with all those success stories going around of US troops winning the terror war; or that Obama already succeeded in the fight against the recession or Nobel giving him a peace award.

Talk about bursting someone's bubble (or in this case, balloon), this one is for the books. Err, actually, this is for actors trying very hard to be their own publicists.

Lesson here is simple---leave the publicity for the publicists and acting for real actors. 

Testing Executive Power

Pilipinas Shell and Petron Corporation (newly acquired by San Miguel Corporation) just raised their fuel prices at the time when government agencies are debating on the legality of including oil products under price control; and while Congress mulls over scraping or amending the Oil Deregulation Law.

"Officials of the two firms announced the following price increases effective Tuesday: unleaded premium gasoline by P1.25 per liter, regular gasoline by P0.85 per liter, diesel by P2 per liter, and kerosene by P1.50 per liter. Shell's price increase will take effect 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, said Roberto Kanapi, vice president for communications. Petron's price adjustment will take effect 6 a.m. Tuesday, said spokesperson Virginia Ruivivar." says an Inquirer report.

This is by far, the most humiliating act done by oil firms against not just Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration but moreso, against the Filipino people. Mrs. Arroyo has asked the inclusion of oil products among those to be regulated. She has tasked Justice secretary Agnes Devenadera to file a legal question which has since been blocked as expected by no less than the Energy secretary Angelo Reyes.

The unpatriotic actions taken by these two giant oil firms during these times of tragedy should not be taken lightly by this government. These actions, though being taken in the name of commerce, are direct acts meant to test and circumvent Executive Power.

This is the second time that Shell did this. Remember that at the height of Typhoon Ondoy, when everybody was agonizing over the loss either of life or property, Shell hiked its oil prices ahead of everybody under the guise of "exercising its right" under the Oil Deregulation Law. It did so at the time when Congress is actually mulling whether to scrap the Deregulation law or not and when public sympathy goes against it. Some views this as a loss of delicadeza by this Dutch-owned oil company.

I may have cross swords many times with this administration, but I cannot deny that these actions being taken against oil firms by this government are truly admirable.

Having said this, I support Mrs. Arroyo in this. I urge the President to exercise her full executive powers and penalize these oil giants by either putting them out of business or censoring her secretaries and enjoin them to support her on this.

Arroyo will leave an excellent legacy if she succeeds in this. She has the full support of the people against Shell and Petron.

Gloria, do not be a lame duck in this.

Central Pangasinan Politics: Agbayani wants to be governor again

I'm in Pangasinan right now, at the Western side. I'm supposed to go here yesterday (Saturday), but because of some meteorologists' suggestions, I deferred it. And since the weather today is pretty good, I decided to leave Manila.

Lingayen is the province of my mate and it is the capital of the province. It is pretty much intact, I must say, no signs of any devastation caused by Pepeng. The capitolyo is wonderful. The buildings are newly painted, the provincial capitol is full of lights, particularly the capitol square.

I did not see the Lingayen gulf, since I arrived early evening. The town itself is bustling with new businesses. People are beginning to see the benefits of having their own businesses, instead of relying on regular jobs. I see new salons, new restaurants and several have built their own internet cafes and ihawans.

Lingayen is pretty boring at night. No nightclubs or discos. And no cinemas.

I did not see any houses destroyed by the typhoon although I heard that several fish pens were damaged. I know that several of these big fisheries are owned by Concepcion and several politicians.

There is news that former governor Victor Agbayani wants to get his old post back. It seems though that Governor Amado Espino wants to give him a nice fight.

Esperon, some people heard, will also try his luck in politics in 2010. Yet, the one getting a lot of attention is former PNP chief Art Lomibao, who, some say, wants to run for Congress. Former PNP spokesperson Art Bataoil is also being urged by some groups to run for an elective post.

And since Agbayani wants a comeback,  that issue of severe flooding in the province is getting on the nerves of Governor Espino. Many Pangasinense are blaming him for that, since he allegedly did not do his job of informing the citizens about the release of waters from the San Roque and Agno dams. This is getting to be a very hot election issue in Pangasinan and some say, this will make or break, Governor Espino's chances of another term.