Mar-Korina dispels breakup rumours

So, Mar Roxas's lovely wife did show up in yesterday's oath-taking ceremonies at Malacanang. Roxas took his oath before President Aquino and Korina Sanchez was there. The two hopes to dispel rumours of a breakup.


Fact is, the two newly married couples were like lovely dovely lovers. Mar really loves Korina. And to dispel further rumors, Korina gamely posed with her "rumored" rival in the person of Noynoy's social secretary Susan Reyes. Reyes was rumored to be Mar Roxas' "querida". Of course not.


Reyes is formerly wife of Toyota legendary guard Francis Arnaiz. 
Korina is still the "boss" of Mar's house. At last, with Mar at the helm of DOTC, expect an honest government from now on.

Korina Sanchez demands for head of ABS-CBN rep. RG Cruz over Facebook

A true Dona Victorina. That is how I describe Korina Sanchez. And to think that I was one of a few who defends her from tragic remarks against her by some of Mar Roxas' relatives and other media colleagues.

Korina Sanchez, erstwhile fiance of Senator Mar Roxas, is again on the warpath. After Mar lost the Liberal Party nomination, Korina went on a rampage. She first engaged Inquirer columnist Conrad de Quiros, accusing him of disparaging Mar thru his daily column. Then, she trained her guns against Senator Kiko Pangilinan, practically accusing the senator of kawalang utang na loob.

I thought that that was the last of Korina’s outburst. However, today, I chanced upon Atty. Marichu Lambino’s blog, with a glaring scoop on Korina Sanchez’ letter to the ABS-CBN management, asking for RG Cruz’s head.

RG Cruz, one of the most active traditional journalist in the web and a colleague here at FilipinoVoices, is being accused by Korina of writing negative remarks against her in his Facebook account. Read the letter over at Lambino’s blog and you’ll sense how bitter and acerbic Korina is.

She virtually described RG Cruz as a relative unknown, a guy with dubious fashion taste and with a cloak and dagger personality. To my mind, Korina is entitled to comment on RG Cruz’s fashion sense. That’s her right.

But, to ask for that poor guy’s head over some personal remarks over Facebook reflects the true nature of Korina as a domineering mayordoma in that household called Kapamilya channel.

RG Cruz is entitled to his own opinions and views. For Korina to stifle his right to free expression shows you how stupid Korina is. Let me rephrase this—it shows how fake Korina is.

She demands that government respects every right of each and every citizen, when deep down inside her lurks a dictator ready to pounce on hapless journalists like RG Cruz and Conrad de Quiros. It’s downright okey if Korina just wrote a letter to RG Cruz asking him why he thinks about her that way. But, for her to use her “enormous powers and influence” and breath down on this guy just because of what he believes in, that’s too much.

I really thank God that He allowed Noynoy to snatch the Liberal Party nomination away from Mar. Kung hindi, baka naging accessory pa tayo in bringing to the palace, another Imelda Marcos.

Oh...I just forgot....Mar wants to run as vice president. For heaven's sake, Korina still has the chance of being the dona of Malakanyang!

If Korina will not reform, I'll campaign against her boyfriend, Mar. I am sorry but Korina does not deserve to set foot in Malacanang.

Mar, me pagkakataon ka pa, hindi ka pa naman kasal sa kanya eh. Patagalin ninyo pa ng five more years.

Danger signals for Mar Roxas, Chiz and Villar

In the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted during the period July-August, Mar Roxas placed fifth with 11 percent, 4 percentage points lower than Chiz and about 14 percentage points behind Nacionalista Party's standard bearer Manny Villar. What this suggest is that Roxas' ratings already plateaued and there's no room for Roxas anymore to maneuver to the top. This is the same case with Chiz Escudero, whose ratings continue to hover between 16-19%, while what's surprising is Villar's ratings continue to rise, yet, I believe that statistically, he has already attained his highest ratings. However, if Villar sustains his ratings of 25 to 27%, he may yet be the next president.

This survey also shows that despite the enormous efforts by Mar Roxas to improve his ratings through advertisement, he's not getting the high favorability ratings commensurate with the value that he's paying for those ads. Remember that Mar Roxas and Villar spend almost the same in terms of radio and TV ads. Villar is getting favorable reactions while Roxas does not.

Likewise, Roxas is not getting favorable ratings either from that highly publicized wedding with ABS-CBN broadcaster Korina Sanchez. In fact, his ratings got worst when he announced his engagement with Sanchez. Roxas ratings suffered a 2 percentage point cut despite his very aggressive propaganda campaign.

And don't count former president Joseph Estrada out. Estrada continues to sustain a very comfortable ratings. This is reminiscent of his ratings in 1998, when he registers a very high ratings in the third quarter of 1997 before finally getting the highest ever public approval ratings in the first quarter of 1998. Estrada's ratings validate info I am getting from grassroots organizers that the public is enthusiastically accepting Erap's candidacy if ever.

And look closely at the survey, Mar Roxas registers poorly in the National Capital Region and Mindanao, with just 8 percent and mind you, even in his natural constituency, the ABC class, he registered a mere 9 percent! That sends you a message that even intellectuals and the middle class don't seem to favor him as their president.

Worst, in the Visayas, his natural stronghold, he places third, with 16%---a far cry from the 30% of Villar and the 22% of Noli de Castro. Now, should Chiz runs, they'll be sharing or breaking the oppositionist class, the D socio-economic class, since they share the same 12% percentage points.

Mar Roxas' eight percent ratings in Mindanao validates earlier information that he enjoys little or no support from Muslim communities due to his warlike stance regarding the MOA-AD. I heard highly reliable info from grassroots organizers in Mindanao that they'll ensure that Mar gets zero votes in Mindanao.

Some suggestions for Mar Roxas

1. Please abandon the padyak theme. It's really not working for you.

2. Be different and rise above the rest by highlighting what you did for the poor and the middle class during his term.

3. Be different, otherwise, you'll lose.

On Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro

Despite his commercials and PR efforts, Gilbert Gibo Teodoro registered a poor 0.2percent rating, just 1 percent higher than relative unknown presidential candidate JC Delos Reyes. Imagine this delos Reyes does not even have television ads but he's just a tad lower than Teodoro's ratings.

This is a laughable situation. I think Gibo is just mishandled. He should change tack soon.

Mar-Noynoy, Noynoy-Mar Tandem---winnable?

Which is a formidable tandem---a Roxas-Aquino or an Aquino-Roxas? This is the problem right now of the Liberal Party. Before August 5, discussions were centered on either a Roxas-Lacson or a Roxas-Pangilinan tandem. Interestingly, discussions are even focused on Senator Noynoy Aquino snatching the presidential nomination from Roxas.

And this for me, shows how weak Mar Roxas' hold in his own party is. If Mar really controls his party, then, there should never be any talks whatsoever of replacing him with Noynoy, only talks about the possibility of Noynoy as his running mate.

There is a palpable public demand for Noynoy to run for public office. It remains to be seen, however, if this demand is strong enough to lift the sagging popularity ratings of the Liberal Party. The last presidential survey shows Mar again slipping to 8 percent after registering a high of about 18 percent a few weeks prior. Mar needs a boost. Despite the public announcement of his wedding with Korina Sanchez, Mar's ratings have not really shown "resiliency" yet. Roxas' ratings are inconsistently average--hovering between 8 to 18%---not enough to really assure poll victory.

One thing though---there is a noticeable attempt by certain sectors to claim "EDSA" as theirs. No one owns EDSA. It is only the Filipino people who can claim EDSA and this phenomenon is not the sole domain of the Liberal Party.

One criticism that I think Mar knows himself---he has not distinguished himself above the rest. People want somebody who would rise above the occasion, somebody who will astound them and inspire them. Inspiring the people through non-traditional means, meaning, not thru TV ads.

You can't inspire people to believe in you in ads because it's common knowledge that 86% of Filipinos believe in word-of-mouth marketing more than advertisements (only 17% of Filipinos do based on a Nielsen survey 2008).

People, according to a private poll survey, are expecting someone who can speak the language of the masses, like how Erap does it. He should be of youthful exuberance, like Chiz Escudero and having a quick wit, like Loren Legarda.

Now, let's also wait for the next survey results. If there is really a huge "demand" for Noynoy to run as president, then, it should reflect in the next survey results.

What is certain is that, whether or not August 5 happened, Noynoy is one of the best alternatives for the people. Like his martyred father, Ninoy, Noynoy has the best qualities of a leader. He is nonassuming. He does not crave for the position, nor lust for its perks and privileges. He's quite humble and shows it always. And he recognizes the power of the people as the supreme one.

Quintuplets left to die by Mar Roxas

It seems that even Liberal Party president and aspirant for the top post, Mar Roxas has been afflicted with the trapo way of ngako politics. And this my friends, is truly disapppointing. Read on...

A few months ago, Mrs. Lorie Fernandez gave birth to quintuplets at a Manila hospital. The babies were put under intensive care since they were born premature. They asked for the media's help since the family is so poor, they can't afford the 25,000 pesos worth of medicines that the babies need to save them from death.

Out came Senator and presidentiable Mar Roxas like a knight in shining armor. He went to the hospital with his fiance ABS-CBN news anchor Korina Sanchez. The couple gave the family baby's clothes, some cans of baby's milk and 20,000 pesos as financial assistance. But, not after taking some photos with the quintuplets and plastering the news all over town in tabloids, newspapers, radio and television. Roxas reportedly told the family that help is on the way and he'll continue to support the financial needs of the impoverished family.

A few days or weeks later, two of the babies, Korina Ysabel and Marie Loralaine, died due to complications and lack of medical support. Only three babies---Sara, Erika and Wenna Mavinia--continue to stay alive due to help from private individuals. Still, expenses remain very high.

Mr. Gary Fernandez, father of the quintuplets, said that they called Senator Roxas and the senator was always, always cannot be reached. They waited for his help but nothing came. Sa yaman at karangyaan ni Mar Roxas, ang nagawa lamang na tulong ng kagalang-galang na senador ay magbigay ng 20,000 pesos sa isang pamilyang kailangang-kailangan ang kanilang tulong.

The remaining three kids are under serious condition in a Manila hospital because two of the babies were diagnosed with hernia. They need immediate medical attention, particularly a cranial scan.

Gary Fernandez, the babie's father said he was truly disappointed with Mar Roxas, who sought his family and expressed desire to help them. After a full media conference with them, and taking their photos with the Senator which were plastered as banner stories in newspapers and television, Gary said they were just given 20,000 pesos and some clothes and baby's milk by the Senator. Roxas reportedly assured them of his help but, until now, nothing came out of that promise of assistance.

Gary said his two babies could have been saved from death, had Roxas fulfilled his promise of at least helping them raise funds for the medical expenses. Medicines for the babies cost 25,000 each per vial, and they were not able to raise the amount.

Yesterday, help continues to pour in for the Fernandez family from callers and fans of Raffy Tulfo in the radio show Wanted over DZXL (558 khz, 2-4pm). Callers from as far as Saudi Arabia heard of the family's pleas and OFWs pitched in and gave funds. The show generated more than 35,000 pesos in just one day, more than the 20,000 pesos given to the family by a billionaire politician.

Yan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko eh. Ngayon pa lang, hindi na makatulong. Pano mo pa aasahan yan pagka nakapuwesto na sa Malakanyang. Milyon-milyon ang ginagastos ni Senator Mar Roxas sa mga TV at radio ads niya, hindi man lang siya makapagbigay ng kahit kakarimpot lamang para sa mga tunay na nangangailangan.

Maramdamin ang TV commercial ni Mar at i-engganyo pa ang madla na lumaban. Pero, heto ngang pamilya na pilit lumalaban para mabuhay ang kanilang mga anak ay hindi nga natulungan ni Mar, isa lang pamilya sa milyon-milyong iba pang nagdurusa, pano niya sasabihing karapat-dapat siyang maging pangulo ng bansang ito?

Mr. Roxas, sa bilyong pisong kayamanan ng iyong pamilya, sana man lang nagdamot ka ng kaunting pantulong sa pamilyang Fernandez. Halagang 20,000 pesos lang ba ang kaya mo para sa tunay na nangangailangan na buhay ng kanilang mga sanggol ang nakataya?

For Filipinos abroad and friends of Filipinos who want to help these quintuplets, please, I ask of you, please help them. Listen to the radio program of Raffy Tulfo today at 2-2:30pm over at DZXL 558 Khz " Wanted sa Radyo" and take down the details of how you could help this family. The moral lesson in this case is simply don't trust politicians who want to be president.

Mar to wed Korina, at last!

After bashing him for having this "teka-teka" attitude, I now take a step backward, fill my cup with lambanog, and toast for the soon-to-be wedding of Senator Mar Roxas and my lovely friend, Korina Sanchez.

Mar just proposed to Korina over at Wowowee, the afternoon variety show over at ABS-CBN Channel 2. Obviously, it was a gimmick but you can't deny that it was effective. Where is the better place to announce a wedding than at Wowowee, a show positioning itself as a "pang-masa" program. Mar and Korina are public personalities and we can't fault them for thinking that, a "pang-masa" show fits very well in the scheme of things.

Mar and Korina have been "into this romance thing" years ago. After Korina's split with Noynoy, her relationship with Mar grew stronger. And this wedding announcement caps a very romantic engagement which has animated our lives for quite some time now.

However, we can't stop people from spreading intrigues, like what would happen to Mar's son or if Korina is the best choice for Mar, etc. These intrigues are not to be dignified here. These things are sure to be another shrill jobless blogger's ultimate desire to write in its blog.

What's best is we all wish the couple a happy life together and should Fate wills it, we will see Mar and Korina manning a mangled Republic post 2010. Despite rumours that Korina is not "First Lady" material due to her alleged "attitude", I think Korina is the best there is. She's beautiful. She's intelligent. She has a very strong political will. And when she's in her element, expect people to get their acts together and do things quicker and sooner inside Malacanang. We need someone like that at the palace.

A Few Questions to Mar Roxas

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Protection

Protection is the new old term being used by everybody in Philippine society today. When asked why police abducted Lozada, PNP chief Razon said cops were just trying to "protect" him. When Lozada testified before the Senate yesterday, he revealed that the reason why the ZTE deal ballooned to an astounding 325 million dollars was "Abalos was just trying to "protect" his 130 million dollar commission. The nuns and civil society witnessed Lozada's testimonty, saying they were trying to "protect" him from the evil forces of the state.

JDV in his valedictory speech before Congress told how he and his partymates "protected" Arroyo from being impeached many times. He was unprepared though to be ousted himself. Senator Cayetano asked Arroyo to "resign or go on leave" to "protect" the integrity of the ZTE investigation.

Now, the chief of the Eastern Police District Supt. Nilo de la Cruz are mobilizing his men to "protect" the EDSA shrine. The state recognizes that the explosive tenor of Lozada's Senate testimony might again see huge throngs of people going to the shrine to oust Arroyo. Dela Cruz said, they want to "protect" the Shrine from the people.

So this word protection was used for:

1. Protecting a person (i.e. Lozada and Arroyo)
2. Commissions (like what Abalos did in ZTE)
3. Impeachment (JDV did that to Arroyo before finally being ousted himself)
4. Integrity (Cayetano is asking Arroyo to at least find the temerity to be ethical)
5. Monuments (EDSA Shrine and the Mendiola bridge)

So we now see the state transforming itself as a garrison state, the kind that only exists in dictatorial regimes. The use of the word admits being attacked or being in a vulnerable state. Both sides (the side of Arroyo and the anti-Arroyos) are protecting themselves from each other, belying the fact that, indeed, both groups are now gearing up for a major fight.



What this means to all of us?

Both groups are appealing to the powerful neutrals for support. The fight between the Arroyo mafia and the Anti-Arroyo groups have now reached strategic neutrality. Contrary to belief, Arroyo is not as powerful as she thinks she is. In one swift stroke, Arroyo's position has changed from the most powerful political leader to a slowly marginalized leader.

I am revising my earlier observation that, Arroyo can't be ousted from any political act. The Lozada episode exposed the weakness of Arroyo. This action of a few nuns and priests from La Salle showed how vulnerable this administration is. It is just a small group of God-fearing men and women who stood up to challenge a dimunitive yet powerful personage such as Arroyo.

It is now, a matter of time and a matter of resources for this thing to snowball. Korina Sanchez asked the most relevant question--where do we go from here? Many people are thinking that this could spell the end of this regime. The Makati Business Club and JDV predicted this to be so. When two of the most powerful voices talk about being ousted, this administration should listen and take the cue. Historically, when both the business sector and the militant religious merge, this means that a campaign is in the offing and we should take this very seriously.

Let me say that the political situation has drastically changed for Mrs. Arroyo. Her fate as a leader now lies in its perilous state, more vulnerable than other previous attempts. Why? Because Lozada has provided the dramatis causa so to speak, that could galvanize public anger and turn it into a huge mass of dissenters. When people are angry inside and they don't find an outlet fast to show their anger, this has very dangerous security implications because it would manifest itself in other forms.

Why groups are talking about 2010 this early

ABS-CBN anchor Korina Sanchez and a Catholic cardinal commented that it's too early to talk about the 2010 Presidential elections. Unknown to Korina, 2008 is the best time to talk about this. Why? Three things.

First, talks about 2010 is an indirect attempt at dissuading Arroyo and her underlings in their cha-cha campaign. These are subtle campaigns to condition the minds of Arroyo and her lapdogs that they should discontinue their dastardly plan of changing the charter now. Otherwise, they would court widespread public protests.

Second, these are attempts at persuading perennial destabilizers not to lose hope for a civilian-backed government. Surveys upon surveys have noted a sharp rise of the number of Filipinos supporting a coup against Arroyo. Elites disdain revolutions. A coup cum revolution which would disrupt and change the present power structure would run against elite interests.

Lastly, 2008 is a preparatory year for serious contenders. Political operators know that 2009 is already late for those who seriously want to win in 2010. This year, political parties know that this is the year for them to establish their mass bases so to speak and know the areas where they have weaknesses or strengths.