SIMPLENG tao, simpleng explanation. We understand him well because he means what he says.

He’s not the typical politician na will promise you tapos wala siyang ginagawa, pero magaling magsalita at galing
daw sa “Harvard.” Magaling silang lahat mambola o may asawa na artista, o artista din sila, larga na. Vicente P. Magsaysay, good luck ho sa inyo.

Mabuhay!

– Edward Bautista, Vancouver, Canada (via e-mail)

THERE is no sincerity in [Sonia] Roco’s apology.

She said that she would work for the cause of autism if elected. Supposing she is not elected, does she still have a commitment to the cause of autism?

In other words, Roco’s apology is conditional. A sincere apology knows no condition. She is making a mockery of Raul’s name.

– Angel P. Ramos, Quezon City (via e-mail)

ON SUNDAY, the day off for most overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong, Defensor and Zubiri went to the former crown colony “”not to campaign” but to inform OFWs there of their accomplishments.

My golly, how do you call that? Social Studies? Or Arts and Sciences? Or rather Math lessons? Or what else.. Current Events? They should be barred!

– Antonio Costales, San Fernando City, La Union (via e-mail)

THIS is a reaction to the disappointment of [Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin] Abalos.

Sir, the message is very clear, the OFWs here are busy with the more basic things — that is, the welfare of their respective families. Charity begins at home.

Personally, I did not register because I do not want to be counted as among those who place people with their own personal agenda in any position in our government.

[Read the rest of this entry »]

HERE’S behind-the-scenes footage from today’s Eleksyon 2007 Podcast recording session.

Senatorial bet Alan Peter Cayetano answered INQUIRER.net reporter Veronica Uy’s question on whether he would seek a review of the Visiting Forces Agreement.

IT’S a given fact what the Comelec [Commission on Elections] has done in the past. Since the 1986 snap elections, the very controversial counting machines that cost the Filipino people billions of money, the 2004 national elections and other problems the Comelec needs to address honestly at the local level, which is very prevalent and the local chief executive is like the president in his own territory. Comparable to what the President did with Virgilio Garcillano.

We have our democracy, yes… but it’s not enough! We need a true democracy that is working for the people, for the interest of our beloved country, not of the few who controlling our country. We need to safeguard our rights, not just exercise them. We need not just to vote but choose a new kind of leader that has the courage to stand up and sacrifice whatever the cost of truth is… the Philippines deserves good leaders!

A FILIPINA in Koror, Palau is the first overseas absentee voter to cast a ballot, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Here’s an excerpt from INQUIRER.net reporter Veronica Uy’s Breaking News story: 

In a text message, DFA spokesman Claro Cristobal identified the early bird as Nicanora Maglinis, 56, originally from Maasin, Southern Leyte, who personally went to the embassy in Koror and vote at 9 a.m. (or 8 a.m. Philippine time).

Citing the report from Koror, Cristobal said Maglinis had been an overseas Filipino worker in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 18 years before moving to Koror, where she has been staying for the last 10 years.

HERE’S an excerpt from INQUIRER.net reporter Erwin Oliva’s article on party-list groups that are using YouTube in their campaign:

MANILA, Philippines–Left-leaning party list group Anakpawis has also taken its campaign to the web, posting several video clips on YouTube.

Other party list groups like Kabataan have posted video clips on YouTube to reach out to more voters who have access to the Internet.

Anakpawis said it was “venturing” into the web to reach out to younger voters who are mostly peasants and workers.

SINCE detained independent senatorial bet Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan is unable to guest on the Eleksyon 2007 Podcast,  INQUIRER.net provided him a copy of the set of questions we ask the candidates.

Here’s an excerpt from Honasan’s written answers:

Will you push for constitutional reforms in your first three years in office? If so, what mode?

My intention is to provoke a national and in-depth debate on WHAT has to be reformed, and its IMPACT on the country and the people. The mode is a non-issue for as long as it is insulated from partisan politics, upholds the spirit of democracy, and is implemented in such a way that would allow for the people to come to informed and intelligent decisions on it.

[Read the rest of this entry »]

BOXING champ Manny Pacquiao is a hero to many Filipinos, but he also now happens to be a candidate.

Which is why the promotion of his upcoming bout with Mexican pugilist Jorge Solis is being cited as an “undue advantage” over opponent Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

Here’s an excerpt from INQUIRER.net reporter Erwin Oliva’s Breaking News story, in which an election lawyer said Pacquiao’s ads should only be banned in the district where he is running:

[Read the rest of this entry »]