Presidential elections in 2016: Roxas-Poe tandem for administration

This early, many sees a four man fight for the top executive post come 2016.

DILG secretary Mar Roxas is sure to throw his hat unto the ring. Aside from being the sentimental choice of Liberal party members according to Senate president Franklin Drilon, Roxas believes that it is his "destiny". Several people reportedly overheard Roxas telling people that it is his destiny because his family suffered and sacrificed so much for the country.

Who does not know Mar's grandfather, Manuel Roxas who's term as president was cut short due to a heart attack. His father, Gerry Roxas, an esteemed and well-loved Senator, and his brother, Gerry "Dinggoy" Roxas Jr both died unexpectedly. That leaves him, Mar, the only heir to the illustrious political heritage of the Roxas family.

Among those who want the presidency, Mar Roxas is the most trained, having served in various capacities under several administrations. Mar knows how the bureaucracy works. Yet, ask him what monumental changes he effected during those times he served that benefitted his countrymen? Anyway, that's a different matter altogether.

Yes, his father, the late senator wrote important pieces of legislation that redounded to the benefit of the masses. Now, as regards Mar, what piece of legislation does we remember that he wrote? Anyway..

Of course, the main "thorn" of Mar is former Makati mayor and now Vice president Jejomar Binay. Binay is the first generation of his own political dynasty, a poor fella who, thru sheer hard work, climbed himself to fame and fortune. Binay belonged to a poor family and like Bonifacio, was orphaned in an early age. Nonetheless, Binay struggled and had himself educated thru his own efforts. He graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law. Instead of practising law and getting rich quick through corporate law practice, Binay elected to become a human rights lawyer instead. He fought against the Marcos regime. He was incarcerated and even then, joined other human rights lawyers in fighting for the rights of those tagged as enemies of the state.

After EDSA revolution in 1986, Binay was appointed by Cory to administer Makati. After this, Binay ran and won as mayor. From that time on, Binay led Makati and transformed it from a tiny city into the country's richest city. He ran in 2010 and won the vice presidency.

Many sees Senator Grace Poe, a freshman senator, to also throw her hat unto the ring. Poe is an American citizen who is the adopted daughter of former actor and recognised winner of the 2004 presidential elections, Fernando Poe Jr. Poe grew in the states and frankly, no one knows what she did there and what her husband, a Llamanzares do for a living.

Anyway, Poe is running. Her campaign, which Senator Serge Osmena is backing, aims not for the top post, but comfortably, the second highest. She will proclaim her running first, just to destroy the base of Binay, and afterwards, will partner with Roxas for a Roxas-Poe tandem.

Many analysts see the Roxas-Poe tandem as the most logical team-up to preserve the alliances created among various groups during the Aquino administration. Of course, those who will back Roxas-Poe are different from the group who will back Binay.

The expected political configuration come 2016 will be:

1. The Balai group (Hyatt 10, Black and White Movement, Akbayan and LP) will team up with Osmena Group to support a Roxas-Poe tandem.

2. The Samar group (Peping Cojuangco, and close Aquino associates) will probably back Binay, along with a faction of Estrada group, a faction of the Liberals and a faction of the Nacionalista Party and Nationalist People's Coalition.

That leaves us with the Nacionalista Party---who then will they field?

Because of the foolish antics of Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV, there is not much happening within their own party. They destroyed whatever credibility and chances these two have in 2016. Among the NP, only two are viable--Marcos and Villar.

Marcos is a first-time senator and may elect not to run for the presidency. Villar, on the other hand, says his wife, Senator Cynthia Villar is busy with their real estate business, which is truly and wonderfully, being managed by the former senate president.

If we are, however, re-visit the surveys, Villar is not figuring well, unfortunately. Other Nacionalista party members such as Bongbong Marcos Jr are scoring better than Villar. The thing about Marcos is that, he is the most logical and probably, a most sentimental choice among young voters yet, several analysts believe that his time is not yet up.

The most logical for the Nacionalista is to cause a coalition of forces with either the LP or Binay's UNA. Who will they pick?

Senator Chiz Escudero, who is a party less politician, figures well in the surveys. He is being backed before by Danding Cojuangco of the NPC, but they had a widely published break-up.

Should Escudero break from the mild so to speak, and chose to ally with the LP, he will not get what he wants which is an endorsement as vice president.

If Escudero elects to ally with the Binay group, he stands to alienate himself and break with the group of Poe, whom he is very close. This is an open option.

If Escudero chooses to do it alone, the most viable partnership is really with Trillanes. However, sources say if Poe runs for the vice presidency, Trillanes will surely give way. The chances of winning however is slim because they don't have a major or big financier.

So, then, if we are to look at the political landscape, it seems that the only concrete tandem now being pursued vigorously by certain members of the administration is the Roxas-Poe tandem or RP Team for short.

This is worrisome because this tandem represents the various interests of Big business dominating the country.

Political full court press up against Vice President Jejomar Binay

Vice president Jejomar Binay is besieged..politically. He is now being attacked on all corners. His former political friends now his embittered foes are launching bombs almost every day.

At his left are his former political associates—people whom he used to entrench himself to power. At his right are close personal associates, like President Benigno S. Aquino III, who have distanced themselves from him due to his involvement in the current controversy behind that billion peso government building.

It seems that the strategy is to isolate Binay from his closest supporters who belong to the middle class. Their wrecking campaign may have achieved little in demolishing his stature as the frontrunner in the presidential surveys, yet, it is causing serious trouble with his support from the middle forces and with the business community.

For Binay to win, he needs logistical support from his political base. Normally , this comes from contributions from the business community.

Seems like these attacks are trained at isolating Binay from his potential and present financiers and make him weak and unable to move and campaign.

Binay’s communications team may have assessed this strategy in the wrong way. They think that this campaign aims to drag Binay down in the surveys. They think that these attacks are aimed at his strong mass base of voters.

Wrong. Admittedly, Binay has his solid supporters from the mass of voters. These attacks are being articulated for those among the middle forces, or voters from the middle class and for the business community, for businessmen to form a strong aversion against him, for being corrupt.

Corruption is a big election-related issue for businessmen and for reformist-minded voters among the middle class. They have the money. They have the network and financial strength to push or pull a presidential candidacy down.

This is the core strategy which Pnoy used last 2010.  Most of those who campaigned actively for him were members of civil society and SMEs. They were not just active campaigners but influential voter-getters who convinced many of their workers to vote for Pnoy.

However, given the very shallow bench of aspirants for the presidency in 2016, with even the likes of Miriam Defensor-Santiago now being considered as a contender, Binay is expected to remain a top choice because no one among those being considered equal him in anyway.

Now these attacks could move either way—it may propel Binay to the top or it may actually drag him to the pits like how former Senator Manny Villar experienced when he threw his hat unto the presidential ring in 2010.

The clitcher in this teledrama being parlayed by Binay’s attackers before the media is not about Binay’s version of a burloloy building, but the eventual effect of such an involvement in an alleged corruption---his bloated bank accounts.

The next episode seems to be questions about how he got so wealthy in such a period of time when Binay is not a businessman like Villar.

Binay himself said that he came from the lowest rungs of society. He was just a human rights lawyer when he began his political career as a mayor. As a lawyer, Binay did not have any note-worthy client to speak of. How then did he amass so much wealth?

Noynoy Aquino's Psychiatric Test: A Political Amateur's attempt at dirty tactics

One of the basic rules in Public Relations, especially when you want to expose something is simply this--do you have proof?

I say this because of this blogger who published an alleged psychiatric record of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. I am not publishing the blog here nor of its contents simply because I don't want to dignify it. Besides, a blog or a blogger who suddenly appeared out of nowhere and claim that he has under his possession, a very "explosive" material without even saying who he is, is at best, doubtful and dangerous.

Doubtful in the sense that I know most political bloggers (or those credible ones who write political blogs), met them, exchanged views with them and even if some of them write anonymously (like me, yet I have the decency of writing here my true identity, meaning, an identity is simply not a name but attributes), they do have the decency of giving their readers some of their true attributes. In this case, this person or person(s) who masterminded this caper is or are either loonies themselves or simply too amateurish for their own comfort.

Dangerous because this so-called "political amateur" blogging at Wordpress has just committed a very grievous offense--he just committed libel. His post is simply libelous because its an obvious FAKE. Who, in his right mind, would believe that the Ateneo has a clinical psychiatry unit?

If somebody, a blogger or a Facebook user shares this blog to somebody or anybody, they just committed libel. Yep, these people can be charged with accessory to the crime of libel. If the people behind this blog thinks that they can turn this into a viral campaign, they better think twice because this will not gain traction. No, it definitely will not. Why? Because whoever spreads the contents of this blog to his Facebook or Twitter friends or simply copy the link and paste it in his own blog, he just committed libel.

Second, the alleged signatory of the report, Fr. Tito Caluag, has just denied the report. BY tomorrow, the Ateneo Department of Psychiatry will also issue a denial.

Now, this is the problem. This failed attempt at besmirching the good name of Noynoy Aquino will simply backfire.

First, Filipinos are intelligent enough to see this thru. Second, obvious that it came from Noynoy's main or chief political rival which happens to be Manny Villar. Remember that days ago, Villar stooge and ass-licker Senator Alan Peter Cayetano just accused their political opponents of being TOPAK. TOPAK is a Tagalog term which means "loony" or "crazy". After that, this came out.

I don't know about you, but who looks more TOPAK between these two guys: Peter Cayetano who, during our college days, was derided or called as " the anak-araw autistic" or Noynoy?

And yes, I agree that whoever did this not only committed a crime--he or she or this group of people just set back the gains of legitimate ploggers (political bloggers) a hundred years.

Blogging should not be used as a medium to spread or cast aspersions against any person. Blogging is a sacred thing, especially to us, bloggers. If you want to accuse somebody of something, you need proof. And evidence should be strong AND it should be the TRUTH.

This person behind politicalamateur.wordpress.com should not be toooo comfortable. Why? He or she or this group of people cannot really hide. For one, the internet is the worst place to spread rumours or fake information. You can be traced. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) can actually get the IP address of the blogsite, note when was the material published and presto! they can actually trace where was the writer at the time he wrote or uploaded the libelous material.

Now, if these people think that they harmed or even injured Noynoy Aquino by spreading or uploading this fake document, you guessed it---they failed. Fact is, their attempts at casting aspersions against Noynoy will backfire and in fact, will even benefit Noynoy Aquino.

Who will then be affected by this? Obviously, the Nacionalistas and Senator Manny Villar will be the ones affected. Filipinos hate sore losers.

One tip for the Liberals: you can definitely get the real identity of this so-called political amateur blogger by asking wordpress.com to divulge the name of the person whose email address was used. Wordpress.com, through a letter from Noynoy's attorney, will gladly divulge that information.

And when you get that information, kindly share it with us, real bloggers and with the authorities. Let this faker suffer the penalty of imprisonment and let Noynoy file charges and ask for 10-million pesos as damages.

The wrath of the Masses against the C-5 road scam

Senator Manny Villar's monumental drop in the surveys shows the wrath of the ABC-D classes. Villar lost a considerable number of Filipinos belonging to the socio-economic ABC and D classes due to the C-5 road controversy. People are now realising that Villar is corrupt. More than the 40 plus percent from the ABC classes who went to Noynoy, and a considerable drop in the D classes show the Masses' contempt of Villar regarding the C-5 road scam. Villar's inability to explain what really happened and his evident contempt of the Senate boomeranged against him.

Likewise, his drop also reflected the successful re-claiming of areas considered as traditional Erap bailiwicks by an invigorated Estrada campaign machinery.

The Nacionalista Party released a statement saying that they are not entirely concerned and that Villar can still regain it. I sincerely doubt it. I have friends in the Nacionalista party and I must laud their sectoral efforts. However, areas which were traditionally Erap are now being tapped and invigorated. It seems that Erap is on the roll. 

Fact is, the soonest Erap regain these areas, the more Villar will lose this game. And the more that Noynoy Aquino's team hammer their anti-corruption slant in their infomercials, the more that Villar will lose ground.

Villar has released his "Laging mahirap" commercials again, but without the pizzaz. The reception is quite lukewarm. And this is the problem with TV ads. If you already saturated the airwaves, people will get tired and instead of positive reactions, you'll get negative feedback.

Villar needs a change of tack fast and must realise that his so-called poverty story is not effective anymore. He needs a new gimmick. Whatever it is, it should probably address the C-5 road scam.

The question really is---will he be able to convince us that he did not dip his hands in the gravy pot with C-5 when overwhelming evidence show otherwise?

Manny Villar's 20 peso anti-poverty program

How to spot an Arroyo mini mini-me? Simple. Just tag those who give 20 pesos to young kids. Or those who give scholarship grants like playing Mickey Mouse money.

Ask Manny Villar. And of course, his alleged political opponent cum chuwawah, Gibo Teodoro. They both think giving 20 peso bills to impoverished kids is not a violation of election rules.

Probably, its not a violation of any thing. Giving bills to kids who are very young to be voters can't be an infraction of any bill, law or any code. Kids are obviously not voters.

What is so damningly stupid about what they are doing is simply teach the very evils of corruption and ingraining these in very young minds.

That, this early, they are teaching kids that politicians ought to give money to the poor. That giving money, the very act of sharing what they stole anyway, is a good and easy way to reach the hearts and minds of the suffering masses.

Arroyo herself has this brilliant idea when she distributed money to the poor at the height of the economic crisis. Those were not dole-outs, her government defended her acts--it was an assistance coming from the president's heart.

Bull. Crap.

After that, Arroyo got 76% of Filipinos shouting her ouster. So much for dole-ing out the people's hard earned monies.

Same goes to scholarship grants. These grants are not some Mickey Mouse money to be played around. Grants should be earned, not distributed like some worthless piece of paper. How would you change the mind-sets of the proletarian class, when, this early, these two nincoompoops go around town, giving scholarship grants and 20 peso bills.

In the eyes of those in the slums, everything is earned, not given. When you give something, its automatic (even axiomatic) that you expect something in return, probably, like singing "Naging Mahirap" campaign songs?

Giving money and soliciting votes through scholarship grants perpetuate poverty and corruption. It does not sit well with the poor that these two candidates treat them as a group of mendicants waiting for manna.

Candidates can best serve the poorest of the poor by serving the Country with the utmost honesty and integrity.

And please naman, do stop this stupid and wasteful practice of campaigning. It does not help our people lift themselves from poverty.

Is this Manny Villar's way of uplifting the very situation of the poor, by giving them 20 pesos or scholarship grants that mean nothing? Is this the "formula" against poverty?

I shudder at the very thought that Ka Satur Ocampo and Liza Masa are tolerating these campaign practices. These are happening at the very tip of their noses. Whenever they are there, they are destroying the very equity of the Bayan Muna and Gabriela names. Its inevitable that the masses associate them with these despicable Manny Villar antics.

Sometimes I think that one of the signs that the end of everything is very near when good men decide to party with the corrupt just for survival.

Villar intends to spend 15 billion pesos for guns and bullets

For offending the military top brass when he led Nacionalista party candidates in a virtual campaign sortie inside Camp Aguinaldo, presidential bet Senator Manny Villar promises to give 15 billion pesos to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should he win in this year's elections.

So, there. This early, Villar is starting to politicize members of the country's armed forces, dangling them a meaty 15 billion pesos, just to win this elections.

And who will be the next sector to be courted and promised billions by the wealthiest presidential candidate in Philippine history?

Will it be the urban poor? I hope so.

We have 25 million urban poor families, whose needs are ASAP, more than the military who needs more arms and ammunition. Which sector will Villar prioritize when he becomes president? Seems that this early, Villar's priorities are as warped as his television commercials.

Will it be the farmers and the fishermen who are now being affected by global warming and inadequate government support? I hope so.

More than guns and bullets that Villar wants to give the military, that 15 billion pesos carrot which he dangled before the top brass should have been promised to the rural sector which is now suffering from extreme poverty? Fifteen billion pesos-es are more than enough to modernize our agricultural sector and enable us to leap to the 21st century.

Will it be the workers who continue to suffer from low wages and oppressive situations? I darn hope he will.

Fifteen billion pesos are more than enough to create more jobs for the jobless, stable wages for the employed and spur growth to less urban or less developed areas.

This is the first time that Manny Villar cited a figure to give a certain sector if he wins the elections. And evidently, Villar was forced to do so.

Will the urban poor, the farmers and the fishermen do something very drastic before Villar ultimately give or promise to give them a certain amount like what he did with the military?

I hope it will not amount to that.

Dont count Erap out...yet. Estrada is this poll's dark horse

More than 5,000 people massed up in Plaza Miranda last night for the proclamation rally of former president Joseph Estrada. Estrada and his Puwersa ng Masa senatorial slate led by Joey de Venecia III, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francisco Kit Tatad, Jinggoy Estrada and all others, were mobbed by an enthusiastic crowd of poor folks. Estrada spoke and the crowd cheered lustily as the former president vowed to reclaim power. That scene reminded me of 1998 when Estrada first gunned for the top post. They were the similar throng who catapulted Erap to power, the poor folks of Payatas, of Tondo and a massive showing of Moro support for the former leader who ate pork inside a Mosque. 

The similarities ended though when Estrada spoke.

Unlike in 1998, Estrada spoke with less passion now. Probably because he's quite older now and evidently wiser. He chose his words now, careful not to hurt feelings nor cause discomfort from the powers-that-be in the palace. Yet, from the words he uttered, I felt that he is totally serious of his promise to vindicate his tarnished name.

What is so dangerous about Estrada now is the fact that he is running a campaign sans the showbiz stars who once shouted hallelujah with him onstage. Close buddy Dolphy is now in the camp of Senator Manny Villar after getting millions as talent fee. And a young singing diva and blockbuster princess who goes by the name of Sarah Geronimo is purportedly offered 20 million just to endorse Villar.

There is no more showbiz luster in Erap's campaign, yet the poor masses continue to support him. This is more realistic than those surveys which showed him running a poor third place. Erap might still get what he wanted, what with his top opponents, namely Aquino and Villar now statistically tied. 

Estrada remains a dark horse in this campaign. And he's banking on his clean reputation as a no-nonsense leader and some one who did not steal while in office.

This two qualities resonate well in a country sick and tired of graft and corruption and poor leadership. If only Estrada had the resources which he had in 1998, he might, just might, pull it off again.

That'll probably be bad news for the chomping and smoking Tabako Man.

The Prize, that is the Presidency

Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile urged his colleague Senator Manny Villar to moderate his campaign spending. For his more than sixty years in public service, this is the first time he witnessed a candidate spending so much for just one campaign. And Enrile, a veteran of political wars, has seen them all. 

Based on latest estimates, Villar has reportedly spent a quarter of a billion pesos already--three or four times higher than his nearest competitor. What is urging this candidate to spend in wanton fashion?

Villar is literally throwing money in the air by spending close to 300 million pesos for his TV and radio ads alone. He is like what Filipinos described as "galit sa pera." And what motivates a man who claimed to have been born poor, to waste or spend so much for a prize, that is, the Presidency?

Imagine, 300 million pesos just for a few minutes to be heard on air, when this same amount would have been wisely spent feeding the poor. Villar claims to have that formula to save the poor from themselves, but, at this early in the game, refuses to even give those monies to non-government organizations or people's organizations or charities to at least improve the lives of 14 million poor families.

I think more than political, Villar's behavior is  rooted on psycho-social reasons. Villar wants everybody to know that he has "arrived". This is a common trait of those who are newly accepted in the elite stratosphere---they want the world to know that they have the money and is willing to spend it, even at the point of frivolity.

Even if he loses this election, Villar would have earned gazillions in terms of name recall and branding. This will benefit and cement his ascendancy in the real estate business. And this will bring him more money and gain more influence.

The question really is---is Villar ready to fight for the presidency under challenging times? I mean, what if his enemies cheat him, will Villar exert leadership and lead his supporters for the ultimate fight for that charmed seat beside the Pasig?

Breaking News! Aquino-Villar tied for the presidential race, Pulse Asia

Liberal party bet Noynoy Aquino's lead has been whittled by Nacionalista party bet's Manny Villar. In the latest Pulse Asia survey, Villar only trails Aquino by just TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS, with just 37% of voters preferring Aquino over 35% for Villar's. 

This is what I have been saying all along---Aquino's lead would surely settle in a very realistic standing and I FEAR THAT THIS IS ALREADY "IT".

This Pulse Asia survey WILL REFLECT THE FINAL ELECTORAL RESULTS FOR THE MAY 10, 2010 ELECTIONS. AND THIS IS VERY DESTABILIZING, TO SAY THE LEAST.

This shows a POLARITY which is DETRIMENTAL to the security of this country. Why so?

It opens up the possibility of two major contending groups vying for power. This is a polarizing situation which  would surely be resolved NOT in a favorable democratic way BUT in a revolutionary way.

The dirty face of Transactional Politics

It's like this in Philippine politics. And we, the People, should end this in the May 10, 2010 elections.

The case of Senator Manny Villar, his life story and how he conducted himself during the course of the C-5 road extension project is a typical story of a poor man's (he claims to be poor) meteoric rise to wealth and power. Villar claims that it was "Sipag at Tyaga" that made him rich, and many people, including me, don't doubt that.

What everybody knows, and I think Senator Manny Villar refuses to acknowledge it, is the role of transactionalism in his rise to wealth.  That Villar played the game of the "big boys" is known throughout the industry which he belonged.

That the main reason Villar became what he is today is the result of playing the "favors and exchange game

Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile today revealed that Villar tried to bribe him. Enrile said that Villar wanted to convince him to render a favorable decision in the C-5 road extension project. Obviously, being a part of this traditional "big boys club" himself, Enrile refused. For Enrile, that is not the way to play the game.

CBCP head Archbishop Quitorio lamented the incident, saying that senators should be playing the game of "principled politics" and not of transactional politics. What Quitorio, however, failed to say and this is much desired, is for these senators to denounce transactional politics. This is divisive and destructive. The Church has the moral responsibility to denounce this trapo tactic.

For me, this very issue of the C-5 road insertion controversy and the conduct displayed by Villar, bolster earlier fears and apprehensions about the Nacionalista party bet. That he will use his enormous powers and influence to benefit his businesses.

There is now, a new face of transactional politics and this is Senator Manuel Villar and his cohorts in the esteemed halls of the Senate.

Oust Enrile move is dirty face of traditional politics

Calls for the ouster of Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile is being spearheaded by Nacionalista party bet Manny Villar and with him, are Senators Aquilino Pimentel and Alan Peter Cayetano. What is quite disturbing is these men are using the argument of the constitutional line of succession in justifying their coup d'etat against Enrile.

We all know that Villar has been hurt by the Senate report linking him to the anomalous C-5 road controversy. And Enrile was the one who recommended that Villar be censured and for Villar to return the 6.2 billion pesos his companies took from the government coffers.

Villar, including his allies at the Senate, refuse to give back the monies they reportedly stole from the public coffers.

Villar and his allies planned a coup last week which fizzled out.

And who is the Senator whom Villar wants as Enrile's replacement? It is no other than Senator Edgardo Angara, the one who brokered the Villar-Legarda merger.

If the Villar bloc really wants to safeguard and assure a smoother transition, then, they should not push for Angara since we all know who Angara supports as president. Everyone knows that Angara is one of Villar's most trusted associate.

I would withdraw my opposition if Villar will only promise to give back that 6.2 billion pesos which he got from the C-5 project.

Destabilizing the Senate: Manny Villar and the controversial C-5 Senate report

“We are not angels! What are we in power for? When Jesus Christ died on the Cross, he made the distinction between a good crook and the bad crooks. We can prepare to be good crooks"

Did'nt you notice? All our departments are being weakened considerably and this is not a very good sign of a healthy democracy. I'll call my friend George Soros and report this. This is insanity. This is plain and simple disservice to the toiling Filipino masses.

We have a president, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who can't seem to shake off the wanderlust of power. Four presidentiables have asked her not to tempt fate by appointing her candidate for the Chief Justice post and should stay her hand on the selection of the next AFP Chief of Staff and just extend the incumbent's stay in office. These issues affect the workings of Justice and of State Power.

And now this.

Gone were those times when Senators respect the very institution they have sworn to protect with their lives. Gone were the days when Senators respect the judgment of their peers.

I once interviewed former Senate President Jovito Salonga. He said that the Senate chamber in the 50's and 60's were composed of luminaries who were gentlemen at the same time. There were civility. Most importantly, there were respect among peers.

Senator Manny Villar is not the only one censured by the Senate. There were many others before him who violated the basic laws of the land and were censured, even expelled by the chamber.

Yet, he is the only one afraid of presenting himself before the very chamber that accused him of impropriety. All the others debated themselves to the very last, which just showed you how beautiful democracy is. Reason dictates that if you are being accused of the body which has jurisdiction over you, you will definitely defend yourself to the death. We are talking about integrity here. We are talking about honor, not politics.

The Senate as a revered institution and one of the pillars of our democracy, rests on its credibility to exists. Politics is a minority issue here.

How would the people respect this institution of fine gentlemen if one or at least nine of them do not respect it? How would this impact on the workings of democracy?

The legitimacy of the Senate ends when the people loses trust on the institution.

How would the Senate be able to enforce the full length of its powers if some of its members continue making a big mockery out of its rules?

How would the Senate stand before the other departments of government and confidently say that it is the most credible and enjoy the same powers as the others exercise?

If the Senate cannot enforce its rules, if its hands are tied because of the actions of one of its members and if its very credibility is at stake here, this a sign of weakness, of being a toothless and useless department of government.

Imagine, a billionaire taunting a former implementor of martial law, a man whom many respected and feared at the same time.

Now, the tables have been turned---the billionaire acting in a contemptuous manner, like a dictator and a manipulator of the highest of stakes, while the former showing and trying to defend the democracy of the institution he leads in the finest example. The beneficiary of democracy is acting like a spoiled brat while the former promoter of a dictatorial regime defending and acting like a true-blue democrat.

This is more than just politics. This continued mockery of Senator Villar and his allies on the very rules of the very institution they swore to be members of, is a direct affront to the power of the Senate.

This is a mutiny, a destabilizing act being committed by the very same ones expected to protect the institution.
--Senator Jose Avelino

Villar is mocking the Senate: Where is Lacson, Legarda and Pangilinan?

Where were Senators Panfilo Lacson and Loren Legarda in yesterday's Senate session? They were supposed to support Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile. Legarda and Lacson were at the forefront of the Senate attempt to probe Villar's unethical practices. Yet, they were not around when the Senate was supposed to take up that report.

Mr. Lacson, what gives? And Ms. Legarda--where is your loyalty? Is it to Villar or to the Nation?

And how about Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan who signed the report written by no less than Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile? Was Pangilinan asked by his friend Villar not to attend yesterday's session?

Where is your loyalty, Mr. Pangilinan? To Villar or to the Nation who suffered?

Senator Manny Villar should not mock the very institution which professes to be the last bastion of democracy in this country. Villar should not hide behind the "alibi" of political propaganda and face the accusations like a man. Why is Villar so afraid of facing his colleagues before the Filipino People? 

Like what a judge said, guilty people, they are those who usually make the wrong excuses.

Villar is trying to weaken the very institution which took care of him for so many years and which, allowed him to get 6.22 billion pesos from the public coffers, the very same monies he is now using to get to the top spot.

Villar should be man enough to admit that he erred or at the very least, acted in an unethical manner.

If you look at it, this C-5 report serves as the final nail to seal Villar's campaign for the presidency. Senator Jamby Madrigal wants Villar charged before the Ombusman and Madrigal should be supported by the People.

This C-5 probe will serve as the Damocles sword hanging above Villar's head even if he wins the May 10, 2010 elections. This will forever haunt him and will mar his administration, if he wins.

And this is a very bad thing for us, the Filipino People. We do not deserve someone with a graft case again sitting as president.

Manny Villar cost the Filipino People 6.22 Billion pesos, says Senate C-5 report

And its out.

Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile just confirmed that twelve senators already signed the committee report on the controversial C-5 road project. Enrile, who wrote the report, says that these signatures will allow the Senate to take up the report on the floor by today.

According to the report, the C-5 road project which was recommended by Villar himself, has caused the Filipino people more than 6.22 billion.

The money came from the realigned P4.28 billion for the extension project, the P1.8 billion spent for the original project but which was wasted due to the realignment, and the P141.1 million in overpriced right-of-way payments for Villar’s real estate.

Those who signed the report includes: Enrile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senators Rodolfo Biazon, Panfilo Lacson, Jamby Madrigal, Edgardo Angara, Benigno Aquino III, Sen. Manuel Roxas II, Francis Pangilinan, Richard Gordon and Francis Escudero.

The report says that:

Villar violated the conflict-of-interest rule by not divesting himself of his interests in Adelfa Properties, Golden Haven Memorial Park and Azalea Real Estate Corp. (now Brittany Corp.) when it was apparent to him that these corporations had a contract with the public works department for right-of-way acquisition.

That prompted the Senate to censure Villar.

The question really is---is this part of the political game? Is this part of efforts to villify a presidential candidate?

Okey, even if it was, indeed, part of a shame campaign the final point is still this---WILL VILLAR RESPECT THE INSTITUTION THAT WANTS HIM CENSURED BY BRINGING BACK ALL THOSE MONIES WHICH HE ALLEGEDLY TOOK FROM THE FILIPINO PEOPLE?

WILL VILLAR BE GENTLEMANLY ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY SAY THAT HE WILL RETURN THAT 6.22 BILLION BACK?

If you will look at this issue very closely, this is a matter of respect in the institution which Villar considers himself member of.

Beyond politics, I think it is incumbent upon Villar, as a gentleman, to respect the institution of the Senate.

If he will just accuse this institution of political propagana and what-have-you, this is just a vile attempt to obfuscate the real issue, which is--this institution demands your censure and you must respect its decision.

Again, the dare is---will you, Mr. Villar, give back all those 6.22 billion which you took from us?
 Villar is being made to pay back those billions he took from the public coffers.

That controversial meeting between Mrs. Arroyo and Manny Villar

Last May 2, 2009, New Philippine Revolution exposed the alleged meeting between Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Nacionalista bet Manny Villar. The meeting, arranged by two of Villar's closest associates, Ricky Razon and Manny Zamora, brother of Villar's campaign manager Ronnie Zamora, inspite of denials, did, indeed, happened.

Remember that Villar formally requested Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile's permission to fly out to Spain on the eve of a Senate ethics probe against him. Villar's alibi---that Spain trip was a long promised "second honeymoon" between him and his wife, Congresswoman Cynthia Villar.

Villar took off and his camp did not issue any statement regarding his controversial Spanish trip.

At that time, Mrs. Arroyo, as confirmed by former deputy spokesperson LoreLIE Fajardo, was on her two-country visits to Egypt and Syria. The plan was supposedly divert her itinerary and land on Spain for a brief 10-12 hour "side trip".

However, when some quarters got wind of the supposed meeting, the presidential appointments secretary reportedly got an instruction not to proceed and instead, hold the meeting in the Philippines instead.

New information however leaked out. Last December, when Mrs. Arroyo and her family went to Hongkong for their regular Christmas holiday season vacation, emisaries from the Villar camp were reportedly seen talking with the First Gentleman in one of the ritzy hotels of the island state.

Among those seen with the First Gentleman were members of Villar's inner circle. This was confirmed by one of the members of the entourage.

The question really is---what is so wrong with Villar meeting with Arroyo? If meeting Arroyo means collusion, then, was there any occasion where Noynoy Aquino also met Arroyo and also accused of colluding with the oppressive regime?

Senator Manny Villar magpaka totoo ka at harap ka na sa Senado

Mayroon akong challenge kay Nacionalista Party presidentiable and billionaire Senator Manny "Sipag at Taga" Villar.

Kung ala ka talagang tinatago, pare ko, tungkol diyan sa C-5 road controversy, puwede bang pagbigyan mo kami at humarap ka sa Senate ethics hearing mo? Binabastos mo kami, Manny dahil ibinoto ka namin (ako binoto kita at frat brother ko ang kapatid mo) at may accountability ka sa mga bumoto sa iyo na ipaliwanag ng mabuti ang side mo sa Senado.

Huwag kang magtago sa saya ng BIR, dahil, sa palagay mo, maniniwala kami sa pagdepensa sa iyo ng BIR? Syempre, sa ganyang kalaking anomalya, me sabwatan na sa pagitan ng BIR pati na mga taong sangkot dito.

We're not born yesterday Manny. Hindi ganun kadaling maloko ang taumbayan. Kung sa Las Pinas ay nagagawa mo ang gusto mo, dito, sa larangang sinuungan mo, hindi ganun kadali ito, pare ko.

Pareho tayong taga-Tondo. Laking Tondo din ako. At alam kong alam mo na me batas tayong sinusunod sa Tondo---magpaka totoo ka. At huwag na huwag mong pagnanakawan ang kapitbahay mo.

Huwag mo ring gamitin ang alibi na ang lahat ng ito ay pulitika. Hindi pulitika ang tanungin sa iyo bakit 10 beses mas mataas ang ari-arian mo dun. Hindi rin pulitika ang tanungin ka bakit sa kabila ng pagbabawal ng batas sa mga senador na tulad mo na mag endorso ng mga proyektong may direkta kang pakinabang.

Manny, hindi yan pulitika kundi ethics yan at pagtatanong kung bakit ka lumabag sa saligang-batas. Ibig sabihin ng ethics, Manny, eh, delicadeza.

Pera namin yung napunta pambayad dun. At me karapatan kaming tanungin bakit overpriced ang proyekto mo.

Gumagamit ka na ng impluwensya dyan, Manny. Hindi na tama yan. Humarap ka sa Senado, wag lang sa midya. Kundi, tiyak matatakot kami kung maiboto ka at nandun ka na sa palasyo. At alam mo naman, sa ating mga taga-Tondo, pag takot tayo, iba ang nagagawa natin.

Danny Lim at Ariel Querubin--huwag mahulog sa patibong ng mga trapo

May mga haka-haka na tatakbo sa ilalim ng partido Nacionalista si Col. Ariel Querubin na nagpahayag na ng kanyang kahandaang tumakbo bilang senador. Samantalang, iniisip naman ni General Danny Lim kung sa Liberal Party siya tataya o sa Nacionalist People's Coalition (NPC) na sigurado nang pangungunahan ni Chiz Escudero. Ayon sa ilang tagamasid, kailangang sumanib muna sa mga tradisyunal na partido ang dalawang repormistang opisyales upang matiyak ang kanilang panalo sa darating na eleksyon.

Kunsabagay, lohikal nga para sa kanila ang sumailalim sa mga partidong may malalaking makinarya, ngunit kung ako ang tatanungin, mas maganda sanang sumanib na lamang sa isang tunay na repormistang partido ang dalawa, lalo na si Danny Lim at maging adopted o guest candidate na lamang sila ng mga tradisyunal na partido. Mas malakas ang mensahe nun. Ipinapahiwatig na may matatag at nananatili silang matatag sa kanilang prinsipyo.

Hindi ko maubos isiping kasapi ng Liberal ang isang Danny Lim sapagkat mas malawak pa kaysa dagat ang pagitan ng kanilang paniniwala. Hindi ko rin mailagay ng tama sa isip ko ang isang Ariel Querubin na tatakbo sa ilalim ng isang taong batid ng taumbayan na isang land speculator at tagawasak ng mga buhay ng mga magsasaka sa kanayunan.

Maaari sanang tumakbo na lamang sila sa isang partido, gaya siguro ng Partido ng Lakas ng Masa o PLM na isang lehitimong partido pulitikal. Hindi ito gaya ng mga tradisyunal na organisasyon sapagkat ang mga kasanib nito'y mga nagbuwis na ng buhay at kinabukasan para sa pakikibaka. Maganda kung ito ang patatatagin nina Danny Lim at Querubin. Huwag silang matakot na kakaunti ang resources nito o papausbong pa lamang ang network nito sa ating bansa. Magandang simulan na ngayon pa lamang ang pagpapalaki sa isang tunay na Partidong kakatawanin ang kapakanan at adhikain ng masang Pilipino.

Ano na lamang ang sasabihin ng madla sa dalawang ito, na hilig nilang makipaglaro o makipagdaupang palad sa mga trapo? Kapwa mga trapo ang Liberal, NPC at Nacionalista at wala ni isa sa kanila ang may tunay na puso para sa Sambayanang Pilipino.

Kung totoo ang sinasabi nina Danny Lim at Ariel Querubin na para sila sa tunay na pagbabago ng lipunang Pilipino, maging consistent sila at iwasan o talikdan ang pagsanib puwersa sa mga trapo. Huwag nilang bigyan ng legitimacy ang mga partido ng mga trapo sa pamamagitan ng tuluyang pagsanib sa kanila. Yan ay malinaw na patibong na nararapat iwasan.

Senator Manny Villar's True Interest for the Presidency: Akalamo Malinis

Senator Manny Villar was again put on the spotlight today after his colleague Jamby Madrigal exposed how he reportedly and deliberately manipulated the downfall of his bank, Capital Commercial and Savings Bank. Madrigal said that Villar purchased three lots from the Rodriguez family amounting to just 42 million pesos. To make a long Jamby talk short, Villar reportedly got more than he bargained for when he sold those properties ten times its original worth. Villar reportedly secured a P 281 million loan from his bank and when it went under, the Central Bank bailed it out to the tune of P3.5 billion. The bank is now rehabitated and re-named Optimum Development Bank.

As usual, Villar accused Madrigal of politics and outright lies. But, if we are to analyze Villar's answers, there was nothing there.

That shows you, Madrigal said, how astute a land speculator Manny Villar is. Yet, the real and disturbing issue is----what is really Manny Villar's intention why he's so intent on getting and grabbing that presidential seat.

Simple---Senator Manny Villar wants to be the land kingpin when Congress amends the Constitutional provision on the foreign ownership of Philippine lands. Villar, as everybody knows, is one of the biggest real estate developer in this country. After 2010, he wants to be the one whom everybody would go to when purchase of prime land and real estate properties are concerned.

Again, of course, Villar's supporters will deny this. But, is it too obvious why Villar is spending close to 7 billion pesos just to win a position which pays a measly 45,000 pesos a month?

If Jamby's real intention is just to throw mud at Villar, this issue about land conversions and bank financial manipulations are cono issues and will never connect with the masses.

The real concern of everybody is this about Villar---why is he spending billions for a post which obviously would not give him back ten-fold?

Everyone's concerned on how Senator Manny Villar would re-coup his 7 billion campaign kitty? If, as he says, he will divest his interests in his numerous properties the moment he gets the presidency, then, how will he be able to earn back from all these billion peso spendings? Don't tell me that businessman Manuel Villar will just throw that huge money around for nothing?

Yes, AKALA MO that 7 billion peso campaign spending would be free? You wish. Manny Villar is an astute businessman. Don't forget that. Villar will probably try to earn five times that 7 billion through land speculation and development, the very same tactic which he used to become the country's biggest real estate magnate.

Senator Villar's Conflict of Interest

Ariel Radovan,a Facebook friend made a comment about your note "Senator Manny Villar got my vote today". He wrote thus:

"..you are not asking a question because you have already concluded on the facts... since you are referring to the C5 project kindly be reminded that the Senate Committee on Finance approved and past the budget for that project. there was no finding by the same comm of any irregularity neither was there any anomaly found by the Comm until the national budget was approved. With reference to your question about the properties, Villar did not hide the fact that he was engaged in the real estate business, it was his bread and butter even before he ventured into politics. The properties you mentioned was bought even before the project was considered.
That is why I told you if there really was an anomaly behind the project and that he allegedly benefited from it... then bring the issue before the Ombudsman and let the issues be settled. What I am not in favor is that many of us Filipinos always resort to trial by publicity. That should not be the case, otherwise what are courts for..."

Ariel, let me direct you to a provision of the Constitution which prohibits Senators like Villar on things like these:

Sec. 12, Article VI. No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives
shall, upon assumption of office, make a full disclosure of their financial and
business interests. They shall notify the House concerned of a potential
conflict of interest that may arise from the filing of a proposed legislation of
which they are authors.

Ariel, Senator Villar did not disclose this neither did he actually refrained himself from the C-5 road project. That, to me, is an expressed violation of this provision, and worst, even sponsored the project. It is not just violation, but an IMMORAL act.

Yet, like I said, his singular act of giving away 6 house and lots is, by itself, a worthy one.

Senator Manny Villar got my vote today

Everyone knows that Senator Manny Villar gets so many negative comments in this site. And really those comments express utter dismay especially when Villar was involved in the C-5 road controversy.

Pero, let's be honest. What Villar did today at the Wowowee show of Willie Revillame, giving away six (6) house and lots to these OFWs, really got my vote. As a former Overseas Filipino Worker myself, I can't help but admire Villar's act. At least, he did his part. Call it a political propaganda. Call it a publicity coup. Call it whatever you want. But, one can't just dismiss what he did today.

That's the way to go for Senator Manny Villar. People who aspire that top post should act now, not later. I just hope that he continues to do what he did today. People, especially OFWs, really need help. I did when I was in Singapore. Working abroad is not just like eating apple pie. It's really hard work. And for some, depressing.

I hope other presidential aspirants help our people now.