Cojuangco is True Philippine Shaker

San Miguel Corporation, led by former Marcos crony Eduardo Danding Cojuangco just entrenched themselves deeper into Lopez territory. Cojuangco is poised to take over Meralco, the Lopezes' crown jewel. Analysts say Cojuangco may do this anytime he wants to. Cojuangco's trusted lieutenant Mon Ang just assured the Lopez family that they will not be left holding an empty bag since they could still nominate a member of their family to the board of Directors of Meralco.



Aside from the Lopezes, the Ayalas are now being threatened by the rising influence and presence of San Miguel in other industries. San Miguel just joined the telecommunications industry with the acquisition of Liberty Telecommunications and a joint beneficial partnership with Qatar Telecomms. That move made San Miguel easily the second biggest telecommunications firm, eclipsing even Globe Telecommunications. The move was so good and so swift, it left Gerard Ablaza clueless for months.



San Miguel also entered the energy sector industry, with the majority takeover of Petron. San Miguel also brought a majority interest in the power generation sector.



So, you see, my friends, San Miguel is the biggest business conglomerate in this country, controlling almost all levers of economic life and enjoying the biggest and the widest economic influence not seen since the 19th century.



Now, Cojuangco knows that one wrong move could dissipate all of these things. His rivals will never equal his business acumen.



The only way left for Cojuangco's jealous rivals to dislodge him as the Country's Shaker Giant is simple---launch a coup. Only a coup can change the present political and business configurations. Elections are so unwieldy, so costly and so unpredictable that some businessmen rivals of Cojuangco are thinking of another alternative.



Being a pragmatist though, Cojuangco knows that all of these things are temporary since his bosom protectors, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her very accommodating businessman husband, Mike Arroyo are leaving in a few months time.



An unfriendly government post-2010 is a very serious security threat to him and his San Miguel. That's why he'll make the heavens quake and the earth shake with a candidate that could preserve the gains of San Miguel.



Enter Cheez Escudero and Loren Legarda, two of Cojuangco's bets for the top executive posts. Now, what would frustrate Cojuangco's plans?



A coup. A true revolution.



This explains why those " RAM boys" were seen with Gloria at the EDSA Uno celebrations. They'll now poised as a "counter-revolutionary" force against the True Patriots of the New Generation.



Let me re-phrase what I wrote some entries ago--they are not there as Gloria's praetorian guards. No.



They were there to ensure that Gloria finishes her term. If a coup happens and ousts Gloria from power, Cojuangco is sure to follow. Ika nga, naging magkapusod na ang dalawa--isa taga Tarlac, isa naman Pampanga.



Maybe, a coup will be used here in the Philippines as a business tool rather than a political tool. Will we see this in our lifetime? Maybe. Maybe not. Let's see in the coming weeks.

2010 Configurations--Bayani's pink slip, Loren's party, and Cheez Whiz

Sources from the administration confirmed the marriage of KAMPI, the administration political party and the Nationalist People's Coalition of former Ambassador Danding Cojuangco. This marriage, it seems, cements the political component of the Cojuangco-Arroyo-Ongpin cabal. And in all likelihood, this strong party, will field as a common candidate two names: Senators Loren Legarda and Cheez Escudero.

Yesterday, Senator Legarda already announced her willingness to run as president during her birthday party in Tondo. The birthday party has all the trappings of a campaign, with the pompoms, the free clinics, free food sans the wines and spirits that attends every Loren Legarda b-day party. When asked if she's willing to run as president, Legarda said that she's ready.

This is not all surprising considering that Loren has been going around the country, attending all these annual festivals and fiestas, even going to funerals all around the Philippines (heard that she did that in Vigan, Ilocos Sur). Loren wants to be president and her strong showing at the surveys could very well justify her intention.

However, what is NOT BEING REPORTED is the fact that Cheez Escudero topped the newest and recent surveys. Escudero is now at the number one spot, followed by Legarda, Noli, Villar, Roxas and a host of others. Expectedly, Chief Justice Puno is part of the bottom rung.

So, we have a situation here which the NPC should resolve---who between Escudero and Legarda will Cojuangco annoint as party standard bearer? Those allied with Mrs. Arroyo says that it will be Escudero who will asked to head the presidential campaign. However, what about Legarda who told a reporter yesterday that it's the presidency or nothing?

Was Legarda just bluffing? Probably not. Legarda's plan is linked with the expected candidacy of Vice President Noli de Castro. Legarda wants a second round with Kabayan. And she does'nt relish the scenario of playing second fiddle to a Kabayan presidency.

Are we seeing the first of a series of party dissension? If Legarda will not accede to Escudero, the NPC-KAMPI coalition might find themselves on the losing end come 2010.

By the way, I think in the bitter end, Escudero will just give way to Legarda since he's a few years shy of the constitutional qualification for president.

So, expect a Legarda-Escudero combination for NPC-KAMPI.

Question---what now, Kabayang Noli de Castro?

There are two options for Independent Kabayan---either give way to the courtship of Lakas as standard bearer or do it alone. Some sectors in Kabayan's camp are cold to Lakas while entertaining a merger with a slowly weakening Nacionalista camp. Since it's now evident that NPC has already went to bed with Kampi, this puts Noli in a bind.

Which party will Noli align himself with? He could probably make some overtures with NPC and KAMPI just to frustrate the ambitions of his nemesis, the Lady Legarda and try to spoil the brew there. Or he could stay independent and court some financial backers to support a new party ala what FVR did in 1992. This could prove beneficial to Noli given that in a clean elections, he stands a pretty good chance of clinching the top spot, given his strong showing at the surveys. However, for him to really get the top gun, he must play politics prior to the second half of this year. He must make some overtures to Legarda's backers and strike a deal that will probably leave Legarda in the lurch. He could still do that, given that majority thinks that Noli is winnable or at least have a fighting chance to get the presidency instead of Loren.

If all these fail, however, Noli can still align with Villar for a possible tandem. Heard that Lakas has teamed up with the Nacionalista and Villar is ready to give in to Kabayan as a compromise. So, in a Lakas-Nacionalista alliance, surely the winnable team is a Kabayan-Villar tandem.

So, this leaves Mr. Mar Roxas. What to do with him though?

Observers note that Senator Roxas could suffer the fate of his idol, the former Senate President Jovy Salonga. Yes, he has the financial muscle. Yes, he is charismatic. Yes, he has strength of organisation. However, what he is not, though, is this---he is still being lumped together with trapos like Villar, Escudero and Loren. He's not doing enough to differentiate himself from the motley crue.

Since we see a possible four presidential teamup, the winner will definitely be the one who'll successfully position himself as a maverick. Roxas still has the time to do this. His standings at the surveys are not plateau-ing, unlike Villar's. He still has a fighting chance. However, what he needs to do is continue positioning himself as a change agent rather than a rabble rouser. He needs to back up his anti-Arroyo statements with positive propositions. Meaning, the public would rather hear him talk about what to do with this mess rather than just rant.

In such a convoluted scenario, Roxas will have a hard time looking for a suitable partner. Obviously, a Roxas-Villar tandem will not work since it both pits two strong personalities together and in the realm of perceptions, a marriage of two traditional political parties.

Roxas might go the route of Roco who got a veritable unknown as tandem, only to lose and get the lowest rank in the elections. Most probably, Roxas might team up with a candidate to be fielded by the opposition camp, namely either from UNO or PMP. That candidate could either be Makati mayor Jejomar Binay or could even possibly be Gordon, should he jump ship this early and position himself more as independent rather than administration-dependent.

And there there is this joker, MMDA Bayani Fernando.

This loser of a dreamer still wants either the vice presidential post or a senator invitation. The problem is, even in the senatorial surveys, Fernando is faring VERY, VERY LOW. Inspite of his obvious tactic of gunning for the top spot and try to just run for the senate, Fernando's trust ratings are quite low. Yes, he's one---one percent vote. This one percent represents those who has dictatorial or Hitlerian mentality, those who dreams of pink, a shade of red. Clerics who try to write intellectual but does not understand even an iota of philosophy, subscribes and worships Fernando, probably finding him an iconic figure representing their repressed feelings while inside the seminary. Their pink slips are showing everytime Bayani fumbles. They try to disinfect Fernando's pseudo-Bayani antics to no avail. People are finding it simply too hard to re-imagine Bayani Fernando simply because no one could ever change a moronic and weak minded colorful chap like him.

Or, better yet, there's a solution. Bayani should fire his publicist.

Mar Roxas and the Search for the Maginoo

I admit--I was a vocal critic of Senator Mar Roxas. Eversince he debased himself with that Mr. Palengke campaign, my high regard for the good senator fell. Among the bevy of senatoriables in his generation, Mar, for me, was the best of the best. Being an academic, for me, it's utterly senseless for someone as brilliant as Mar to undertake a campaign that was too baduy and too cutesy for comfort. Yes, he landed Number One on the first try. Why? Because people wanted to give him a chance to show that beneath those Mr. Palengke suit lies a true, blue, brilliant leader wanting to spearhead the campaign for true change.

In his first years, Mar Roxas did'nt disappoint the people. He spearheaded the Young Turks in Congress. Exhibiting integrity, Mar was the epitome of a fine leader we never had before. In my mind, he was the prime example of a maginoo, a true patriot.

However, in the last few months, especially when he announced his desire for the presidency, Mar turned out to be a letdown. His stand on issues sometimes ran counter to what the people feel. There was this disconnect from Mar Roxas' thoughts and political philosophy with that of the people's. As one observer noted, Mar is showing his true colors as a brilliant technocrat instead of showing his populist robe. To win, you need to be a populist. And most of those who support him, wants him to be a populist.

That was my expectation last Friday, January 9. Along with fellow bloggers DJB, Ding, Jester, Flowell, Marck, CaffeineSparks, and a host of others, I was expecting to talk to a veteran politico. I was expecting that Mar Roxas will mouth platitudes, and a ton of generalities on questions about the economy, etc. the way politicos do.

I was proven wrong.

Mar Roxas showed exactly the opposite. He was frank. He showed brilliance in his answers, especially that animated debate with DJB on the Bangsamoro question, on the issue of lingua franca and the Reproductive Health bill. I was expecting a politico, but I met a professor.

I also expected someone without any ideological platform. Again, I was wrong. Analyzing him and observing his demeanor when he was talking with us, showed me that this person has strong principles and strong opinions. He knows what he's talking about and he can defend it to high heavens.

I liked what he said when Ding asked him about his relationship with Korina. Mar told us straight and without battling an eyelash---that's (marriage) a personal decision between Korina and him. Ergo, whatever people think about his thing with Korina, he does'nt care. He loves Korina, period. And he does'nt give a damn whatever people think about it. A true maginoo.

Very presidential, don't you think? It shows that Mar cannot and will not be influenced by any outside view. Mar is his own man. He has his own take on things and simply, his views is as rock-solid as steel. Yet, beneath that veneer, I also sensed that Mar is also a man who can take the blows, and accepts countrary views. He can take a punch. Yet, he's magnanimous enough to accept comments and synthesize good views with his views.

Mar Roxas exhibited the finest character of a statesman, an academic, an ideologue and a doer--traits which I expect for my future president to have come 2010.

More than this though, I find him to be a gentleman. When asked about his future intentions on marriage, he said that he must be excused this time since his personal relationship with Korina should be best left to him and Korina. Good answer.

In my entire life, I voted just once---in the presidential elections of 1992 when Liberal Party and former Senate President Jovito Salonga ran. I'm not a Liberal by the way. I just thought that Salonga is better than Fidel V. Ramos.

Now, I definitely see the prospect of a good president in the likes of Mr. Mar Roxas. Mar is a work in progress and truly, Bobby Capco and the rest of the nationalistic staff of the good senator will definitely have their hands full in the coming weeks and months.

Mr. Senator, you have my vote. And I'll try to convince others to follow you. You have the potential of becoming the best president of this generation.

Villar-Escudero Tandem in 2010?

Now, it can be told.

Supposed opposition Senator Cheez Escudero is being groomed by Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Noli's "heir apparent". Shocking, is'nt? But, this is true.

Escudero is reportedly being egged to run under the administration banner, with the blessing of his "big boss", the main man himself, Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco. Sources say, Cojuangco and Arroyo both agreed to field Cheez as the common vice presidential candidate of both Lakas and NPC in the presidential elections in 2010.

Question 1--what happens to Loren, who, sources say, salivates to run as a presidentiable? Since Loren joined the NPC, she has been the sort of link between the Lakas bloc of FVR and Cojuangco. Reportedly, she is now being dropped as a candidate and being replaced by, surprise surprise, Mr. Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party. A source said she's too busy resolving an alleged personal problem.

Question 2---will the real Cheez please stand up? Will you now reveal your true skin before the Filipino People?Will my good Facebook friend stand up and declare that, indeed, he's really Arroyo's boy thru and thru?

I have my doubts on Cheez since the opposition adopted him. And my doubts are starting to surface again.

Also...there are rumours that Mr. Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party have agreed to be the administration's presidential bet. So, will it be a Villar-Escudero in 2010?

That will definitely mess up the political configuration in 2009 since both Villar and Escudero have created their niches as "oppositionists". Well, for Villar, I don't doubt his "secret" alliance with Gloria since, his businesses depend on how strong his government connections are.

But, woe to Cheez! Will he now assume the role as Gloria's golden haired boy, since her previous spokesperson, Mike Defensor, has now exhausted whatever goodwill he had with the people? By the way, Mike Defensor is allegedly campaigning against his friend Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista for the top executive plum of QC. So, the fight will definitely be among Congresswoman Susano, Defensor and Bautista.

Going back to Cheez, he's a chameleon. I noticed that eversince he became the official spokesperson for the opposition. Is he really Gloria's man? I don't exactly know but definitely, he and his father, Congressman Escudero are all Cojuangco's friends. And friends always, always do what their friends advised them to do.

This confirms the uneasy tactical political alliance between Arroyo and the Cojuangco bloc, an extension of an earlier business partnership which started when their operators formed the Ashmore Group.

This group is reportedly made up of the Cojuangcos, the Arroyos and some Chinese taipans. This group is composed of new money. They are poised to defeat the old rich.

What we are seeing is a blossoming of a dictatorship, bigger than Macoy's and more lethal than what the former strongman from the Ilocos formed some twenty years ago.

What's dangerous about this Arroyo-Cojuangco partnership is its not latent; it's a hidden, shadowy alliance that tries to create a modern plutocratic regime controlled by a poster girl.

Question 3---what happens to the Ayalas, the Lopezes and the traditional rich? Truly, the prospect of a clash between the "new money" and the "old rich" is there and threatens to engulf the entire society with fire and chaos.

Right now, there are attempts at marginalizing the economic power of the traditional landed gentry who depend on old sources of wealth, thru the CARP. The reason why people, especially those who belong to the New Wealth group does'nt want to extend the CARP is simple--so that this will allow the marriage of the "new rich" with that of the "old ones" through the purchase or transformation of the land from agricultural to industrial uses.

This inevitable clash of the Modern Cacique (New Money) with that of the Old Caciques (landed gentry) will eventually plunge this country into greater political instability come 2009. The only way for the Old Caciques to maintain status quo is simple---create a revolution that aims to dislodge the patron of the Modern Cacique from power.

Will they succeed? Obviously, each group will not dare start the conflagration since both have firepower.

IN 2009, the battle in the boardrooms will definitely spill over the real battlefield once the Modern Caciques start lapping up properties left and right again thru the help of laundered public money and smuggling funds.

Silent rumblings, monumental changes

I'm waiting for Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to do just two things for the Filipino People:

1. Declare her position on charter change and equivocally tell everybody that she's not interested in another term extension. Aside from this, she must execute a document and sign it.

2. Direct the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to inspect the books of food companies. There is a prevailing belief that firms are shortchanging the people. Oil prices have dropped. But no food company ever readjusted their prices. When the oil prices were very high, firms used it to justify food hikes. Now, where's the justification?

On other matters....

Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile said those who'll march on Ayala this Friday will just be wasting their time. Like what I wrote a few entries ago, there is really no time left for charter change proponents to push for charter change due to lack of time. Congress will be adjourning very soon and it would leave a very bad taste in the mouth if legislators would try to rush things. Some KAMPI members asked the Speaker to expedite cha-cha discussions since everybody knows how pressed everybody is on time, but, really everything is going against Gloria as far as constitutional means of extending her reign is concerned.

Now, if Enrile is correct (because until now there's no specific schedule on charter change), then, there is only one way left for Gloria if she and her minions really want to over extend her illegal stay in Malacanang, and that is, emergency rule. That would be a long shot but indications are already existing and probabilities are also high (see my earlier entries on the Analysis of Philippine Situation re: Military). However, Gloria cannot just bang the gavel and announce it. There should be something monumental that needs to happen before she goes on the authoritarian route.

IN TRUTH, I really don't believe that Gloria and her minions would ever attempt to do the extra constitutional route NOR will Gloria ready to court extreme public indignation if she leads the charter change campaign. Gloria is facing extraordinary challenges and though the current atmosphere is really not that hot (everyone even feels that nothing is really happening), some people with sensitive political nose would definitely tell you that things are not what they really appear at this point.

I'll let you on a little secret---negotiations are underway between Gloria's group and those who want her removed now. These negotiations are like those during Erap's time--it concerns a post-Gloria era. Many believe an ouster attempt will not amount to anything, given that the administration already controls the media and that, on surface, things are not "heating" up like what happened prior to EDSA dos. Yet, at some point, things would start to break down and these so-called "influenced" media channels would definitely be forced to accede to the demands of covering events and eventually, the strong character of the anti-Arroyo movement would have been exposed and would have already lead to a snow balling effect.

What am I saying here? The possibility of ending this regime is at hand. I won't say more.

By the way, my favorite guy, Senator Mar Roxas is expected to lead some change agents in Ayala come Friday. Roxas is beginning to amaze us.

Senator Richard Gordon (tukayo) is doing an extremely great job as Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. His demeanour as chairman is impeccable. The job fits him like a glove. Kudos to Senator Gordon. And you know, whenever I watch the Blue ribbon committee hearings, I feel proud because of his wit, his candor, his calm posture and his way of conducting the hearings. Gordon should run for vice president.

I heard the interview of my good friend, Cheez Escudero. Like a courted lover, he laughed mischievously when asked by Karen Davila of the possibility of him gunning for president in 2010. Hate to say it, but Cheez sounded like a true-blue trapo that time. He may sound very different because he uses elegant Tagalog; but he can't hide his true intentions from us. Besides, some people know him and he's like her father.

Also, cut the crap of comparing Cheez to Barack Obama. Cheez has been in politics since his birth while Obama is a relative new comer. Cheez is NOT, I say, NOT the guy who will lead this nation towards true change. The country needs new blood, not those whose roots came from the pool of traditionalist politics.

Joc-Joc Bolante's Arrival: End of Days for Arroyo?

Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante, the undersecretary who allegedly masterminded the Fertilizer scam is set to arrive on a Northwest airlines flight on Tuesday, October 28. (this corrects my earlier piece that Joc-Joc has arrived and being held in a villa in Subic). 

His arrival will not be met with an arrest, since according to in Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales' interview, Bolante has no pending case. However, Senator Cheez Escudero asked the Senate to immediately revive the pending warrant for Bolante's arrest for possible plunder.

Question--will Bolante do a Lozada and cause another stir in the political hornet's nest? Or will he parrot the official government line? Such may be the thoughts of the condemned Atenean now that he's a man without a face. 

If I'm Joc-Joc, I would just tell the truth. Why? Will you protect someone who's just a year and a half away from exile? Or even weeks away from exile?

Worst that could happen is if Joc-Joc suffers the fate of Ninoy. That would surely make some fascists in barongs happy. And, martial rule will be served in a golden plate.

A Voice of Reason

We commend Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan for being a voice of reason in these times of chaos and an impending escalation of the war in Mindanao. The good senator said government should form a new set of negotiators, and if necessary, offer a public apology to the MILF leadership.

“If the government has to publicly apologize to the MILF leadership for this terrible mistake as a means to restore confidence in the process, then so be it,” Pangilinan was quoted at the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

He said the government should offer an apology not only for the “flawed process” of arriving at the aborted agreement, but also for the “totally outrageous and unacceptable provisions” of the MOA.

Pangilinan also criticized the unclear stand of government on what to do with the MOA. “It makes us wonder if there is anyone in charge,” he said.

These statements from the good senator are truly admirable. Unlike the war-mongering and emotions-igniting statements from Senators Mar Roxas and Cheez Escudero, Kiko presents a rational means of resolving this issue. I hope that others in the Senate follow suit.

Why do Mar Roxas want to derail peace in Mindanao? Well, for obvious reasons. Many wealthy Ilonggos own huge tracts of land in Mindanao. He's just protecting them, and quite possibly others who support him. I don't blame him except that his inflammatory statements on the Mindanao conflict is unbefitting a legislator of his stature. It's okey to be "presidential", but this early, Roxas showed immaturity on the kind of decision-making a president should do. If Roxas makes it as president, I'm sure that he'll wage a terrible war in Mindanao without a second spent.

We don't want a president who promotes war in pursuit of wealthy interests.

Effects of a Full-Scale War In Mindanao

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The Escudero Paradox: Pseudo Obama

There's one branding principle which politicians probably would find hard doing, and that is being true to themselves. For Filipino politicians, being "two-faced" seems the norm rather than an exception. And Senator Francis Escudero seems one of them.

Escudero's paradox is something historic. It's the usual story of a young politician trying to find his niche in the world. When he found his voice, he was good at it. People connected with what he said. He became the true representative of the people. He represented their rage and them to him. 

When he already got what he longed for, he's now suddenly changing into the mold most despicable. Those whom he lambasted in Congress are now his peers and "buddy-buddy" at the Senate. 

Yes, he's not running for a presidential campaign come 2010, not because of his age, rather I know that deep inside Escudero knows he'll not win. He's peaking very early in his political career. And the more he does those "modulated" speeches, the more people are finding out he's a fake. A fake Obama. Why?

He's now siding with Gloria. He now says that why oust Gloria now when we suffered for 7 years already, and what's 2 years more? Well, coming from a scion of a political clan, that seems easy. But, tell that to 3 million starving families, can they endure 2 years more of misguided rule?

George Santayana says that those who haven't studied history are condemned to repeat it. Escudero is no different from a young Maceda or a Mike Defensor or a Gilbert Teodoro or a Remulla or a Loren Legarda. They just can't be trusted.  They just used the people to get what they want. They used the rhetoric of change and manipulated the trust and confidence of the people. I remember one movie made by Mel Gibson about the Scottish struggle for independence against Britain. "Robert", the son of a feudal lord, betrayed the hero just so he can be king. 

Where's the Michael Collins of our age? 

Where's Loren?

There are four hostages being held somewhere in the jungles of Basilan right now. The bandits under Abu Sayyaf Leader Jundain has given negotiators until tomorrow to come up with a ransom or they'll kill the hostages. It's a tense situation, just like what happened to Ces Drilon. However, even if you look at the Inquirer or ABS-CBN websites, you'll see none of this news coming out.

Four lives are at stake. Four lives that probably do not mean anything to us, to politicians or to government. But they mean a whole lot to their families. And these families are Filipinos, lest we forget.

Media is not covering them. Government is ignoring the hostage situation. We have'nt heard anything from the military. Even the local government officials of Basilan are not raising the funds or shoring up close contact supporters.

And we are NOT hearing anything from Senator Loren Legarda, the supposed heroine in the release of Ces Drilon (who, by the way, has been suspended for 3 months by ABS-CBN news and public affairs).

Where's Loren?

I just saw some photos of Loren published in the papers with some tycoons and surprise, surprise...Senator Cheez Escudero. Their tandem is being introduced to the public as the "winnable team". I hate to say this, given the fact that Loren is one of my friends, but if she wants to redeem herself, now is the time to do it.

I don't want people thinking nor even saying something as "Loren just did that thing with Ces because Ces happens to be a high-profile victim. And those workers from the Basilan Electric Cooperative are just plain, old, simple folks, not worth the publicity."

When small people are killed, abducted or blown to bits by these terrorists, we hear no whimper. Or, if we do, like what happened in the Sulpicio Lines sea disaster, the noise last for up to two weeks. Then, its gone. When big people are killed, abducted or blown to bits, the news takes a drastic change and it takes a month to about 3 months before everything settles down.

Loren, you may not get the same kind of publicity compared with what you get from that Drilon episode. This one, at least be consistent. Since you positioned yourself as a hostage negotiator, try to do this also to your fellow Filipinos being held by psychotic elements there in Basilan. Don't be choosy. Sayang din, it's 4 votes din.

Political Ads and their Messages

There seems to be a steady proliferation of advertisements by politicians. Observing all of their publicity stunts, let me take a dig at all those messages they are sending to us, the public.

Loren Legarda's Lucida-Ds and Luntiang Pilipinas TVC---fake. Comm. Points: Loren wants our country to be beautiful. Flipside: Under a Loren presidency, what the people will get are cosmetic changes. Whoever advised Loren to go this route should be fired from his/her job. Since her victory in 2004, nothing substantial has been heard of her. No laws filed under her name. No substantial statements from her on relevant issues. Hence, we'll just get white and green if we allow her to become president.

Loren, we know you're pretty, but we don't need a pretty president. We need someone hard-working, strong willed and has a vision for the country. Besides, your cosmetic proposition is pretty expensive.

Cheez Escudero's ampalaya food supplements--bitter. Under Escudero's presidency or vice-presidency, what we get are bitter pills to be swallowed. Life will continue to be bitter, brutish and hard.

Noli de Castro's Pabahay TVC--25-30 year loans. How would one possibly get a house during these times of great financial and economic distress? Kabayan, the people are hungry. You'll be sending them to the pits if you offer them those 30 year loans.

Lacson's Facial Treatment--Like Loren's, Ping's administration will be a "pabanat" one. I mean, artificial or cosmetic changes.

Villar's OFW TVC--fake help. Hey, Mr. Senate President, hundreds or even thousands of our citizens are being enslaved by foreign brutes in foreign shores. Help them now, yes. But help them find jobs here, not continue to encourage them to go abroad.

Mar Roxas' Mr. Palengke TVC--ineffective. Look, you've positioned yourself as a consumer advocate since you started your campaign for the Senate. During those times that you're there, what did you actually do to lower commodity prices? None. Prices continue to rise, Mr. Palengke. Hey,hey,hey, what are you doing?

Net--politicians should be very cautious in their commercials. They are sending wrong messages to the public with these advertisements. They should be more responsible in their acts. People expect them to act like legislators or leaders, not showbiz personalities. Yes, these are tools to reach out, but it's better for them to do it by advocating something really concrete and socially relevant, instead of promoting a dubious facial treatment or bitter food supplements or an uncertified whitening pill.