April 2007 Archives

SO, what do you think of the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey? Here's an excerpt from INQUIRER.net reporter Joel Guinto's story:

(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines -- SEVEN senatorial candidates of the Genuine Opposition (GO), five candidates of Team Unity (TU), and two independents have a statistical chance of winning in the May elections, an April 25-27, 2007 Pulse Asia survey released Monday said.

Former senator and GO opposition candidate Loren Legarda has remained on top with 59.6 percent while three others also from the opposition, Sorsogon Representative Francis Escudero (47.2 percent), Senate President Manuel Villar (47.0 percent), and Senator Panfilo Lacson (43.9 percent) were tied for 2nd to 4th places, according to Pulse Asia's April 3-5 study. Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Pangilinan, who is running as an independent, fell to 5th to 10th place, from 2nd to 6th place, with a rating of 38.8 percent from 44.6 percent.

WITH just two weeks to go before the election, the campaign is nearing the homestretch and we're getting bombarded with one promise after another by the candidates? Do you plan to vote on May 14? If not, why won't you be casting your vote?

THE REPORTED feud between Team Unity members Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson and Michael Defensor seems to be heating up after Singson said several Ilocano associations would not include Defensor on their sample ballots. Here's an excerpt from the Philippine Daily Inquirer article:

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur -- Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, a candidate for senator in the administration's Team Unity, said Saturday a group of Ilocano associations will not be including another TU candidate, Michael Defensor, on sample ballots that it will be distributing.

Singson and Defensor are reportedly feuding because Defensor had allegedly suggested that Singson give up his TU slot in favor of indicted coup plotter Gregorio Honasan, an independent senatorial candidate, because the governor was doing poorly in the pre-election surveys. Singson said the Confederation of Ilocano Associations (CIA), which boasts 2.3 million members nationwide, would drop Defensor's name from their sample ballot.

So, what do you think will be the outcome of this "feud"? Will they kiss and make up in time?

SHOULD the Commission on Elections release the names of party-list nominees? Philippine Daily Inquirer opinion columnist Raul Pangalangan weighs in on this issue. Here's an excerpt from his column piece:

The Comelec is convincing in the abstract: Why, indeed, ask for names when the party-list is the antidote to the politics of personalities? Yet, the Comelec is downright crafty in the concrete: Can we trust Malacañang not to foist bogus party-list groups? When we have heard a Garci conspiring to fix the polls with that certain "Ma'am" with a distinctively raspy voice? When the canvas of the party-list votes is nationwide and is therefore most vulnerable to "dagdag-bawas" [vote-padding and vote-shaving], especially in Garci-land? Kilosbayan, Akbayan and Bantay Katarungan (and allow me here to disclose that I chair Bantay Katarungan) impugn the authenticity of the voices uttered by the dubious groups. The elections are so near, but we must not allow these fly-by-night groups to get away with it. One, we dilute our right to suffrage unless we vote knowingly. This isn't a card game where the trick is to hold the cards close to one's chest. This is a democratic election, for god's sake, not a poker table.

[JUSTICE Secretary Raul] Gonzalez can defend himself and [make] disclaim[ers about] his offer but whatever he says, he knows and we all know that it was an intent to buy votes. He has such a big mouth... typical corrupt politician who does a lot of lip service but no delivery. I pity the president of the Philippines for she cannot find good people to help her run the country. With the likes of Gonzalez who loves to put his foot in his mouth most of the time, we do not need another catastrophe to hit the country. -- Arlene Rafiq, Thailand (via e-mail)

WE lament the position of candidates [Joker] Arroyo, [John] Osmeña and [Tessie] Oreta against the completion of CARP [Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program]. Apparently, except for Osmeña and Oreta who are consistent anti-CARP advocates, Mr. Arroyo is either misinformed or has not appreciated the facts well. CARP is a social justice program which has a significant impact on the political, social and economic inequalities pervading in the countryside. It aims to break the rural poverty trap, the political exclusions of rural folks, and the skewed agrarian relations that exploit rather than protect poor and hapless tenants, farmers and farmworkers. Ironically, it is a revolutionary measure that breathes in a democratic environment. And while it started as a centerpiece program of the government, its budgetary and enforcement support can, at best, be described as palliative. CARP is not just land reform. It includes the whole package of support services that would ensure land productivity and fair economic development of farmer-beneficiaries. Government should give serious attention to land development and economic development needs of agrarian reform beneficiaries, as they face new challenges in the rural development arena after they are finally awarded the land they till. This certainly needs resources that only the government can provide or guarantee. It is poverty and the lack of support services that prompted farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries to encumber or sell their lands. Do we really think we can effectively address the century-old problem of poverty and injustice (which caused the social unrest in the countryside) with a 20-year agrarian reform program that enjoys token support from the government -- from Congress? Amidst these odds, CARP has distributed more than three million hectares of agricultural lands to more than 1.3 million farmer-beneficiaries. But for lack of funds they are geographically consolidated in what is called today as the Agrarian Reform Community. The purpose is to optimize use of meager resources for post-harvest facilities, technology transfer, social infrastructure building, production enhancement programs and market development, among others. While this strategy works, it has a very limited reach in terms of number of beneficiaries actually benefitting. It only served about 30 percent of the total number of farmers that equally deserve much needed support services. It is sad and frustrating to know that there are members of Congress who fail to see the gains of CARP. Had they been sincere in promoting and protecting the interest and welfare of our farmers, farmworkers and agrarian reform beneficiaries, they would have observed and appreciated positive developments in the agrarian front. And they would have shared and heeded, as civil society and farmer-stakeholders do, the call by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines for the completion of CARP by 2008. And that if completion is not feasible by then, it must be further extended and funded more seriously and generously. If there's one good thing that this incident has produced, it is the opportunity to know, finally, the position of Joker Arroyo on CARP. Now, we know why we cannot vote for him. -- Mark Amor, Davao City (via e-mail)

I APPEAL to all Filipino voters not to vote for all candidates endorsed by religious leaders/celebrities. It's about time we realize that every voter has to come up with his own candidates through his own volition. Candidates must also realize that endorsement may bring them down. Bulok na sistema, baguhin na! -- Nes Baricante, Hong Kong (via e-mail)

HERE'S a video of Ex-Navy Lieutenant Antonio Trillanes IV saying he would support moves to impeach President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo if he is elected to the Senate. Video taken by INQUIRER.net reporter Joel Guinto, who conducted the interview inside Trillanes' detention cell on April 23.

THE SPOTLIGHT may be on Manny Pacquiao, but other sports stars are also running for public office in the May elections, including Yeng Guiao and Jerry Codiñera. Here's an excerpt from the Philippine Daily Inquirer article:

Even Jerry Codiñera, named one of the 25 All-Time Best Players in the pro league, has joined the political fray as a nominee of Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), a party-list group that advocates sports development and the welfare of national athletes. "Honestly, many politicians have invited me way back," Codiñera says. "But when a friend conceptualized putting up a party-list for athletes, I could not say no. I have relatives and friends who don't like the idea. But it's for the welfare of the athletes. I don't want to think it's [just for] politics."

CRITICIZING the government's "double standard," Senator Joker Arroyo has called for the release of Representative Crispin Beltran and Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes after former Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan was released on bail. Here's an excerpt from the INQUIRER.net story:

"If Gringo can be released, why not Congressman Crispin Beltran? There is a double standard here," Arroyo said. "The government did not oppose too much Gringo's application for bail but opposes strongly that of Beltran. Why?" Arroyo pointed out that Honasan, Beltran, and Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes are all candidates in the May 14 local elections. Honasan is an independent senatorial candidate, Beltran is a party-list nominee, while Trillanes, who is also in jail for being one of the leaders of the same mutiny, is seeking a Senate seat under the United Opposition.

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 Ââ€Å""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. It would have been better, if the Philippines would be run by common sense, rather than spend for elections which would place politicians without an iota of the simplest sense. After all, those who have the money will be sworn in to office, so what is the use of casting my vote? It is a waste of time. While your office is doing everything to make things sensible, what will come out [will be] senseless results. In the Philippines, elections are all about money. Period. End of story. -- Edi Managaytay, Elmhurst, New York (via e-mail)

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.

Will you push for a review of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States? Review, yes. But like the Anti-Terrorism Act, it is just the icing -- what we need to hammer out is the cake. We need long-term legislation and policies that would identify basic security issues the country faces today, and formulate the appropriate solutions. This is why I have been pushing for the passage of the National Security Code/National Peace Policy in my stint as senator, and I will continue to fight for this piece of legislation because in today's world, it is easy to get lost in the mire of security issues if we do not have a strong foundation and vision of what we want for our country.

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:

"I think we cannot ban the promotion of the boxing match of Pacquiao because it is of national interest. We cannot also ask for a suspension on the airing of his advertisements because these are being shown nationwide and he is running only in one district in Cotabato," lawyer Romeo Macalintal said in Filipino. Unlike actor Cesar Montano who is running for a national position, Pacquiao is a local candidate, and therefore, his advertisements should only be banned in the district where he is running as congressman. Opposition lawyer Sixto Brillantes urged the Commission on Elections last week to stop the airing of Pacquiao's advertisements, citing provisions of the Fair Elections Act.

What do you think?

INQUIRER.net's Eleksyon 2007 Podcast and Eleksyon 2007 site were cited in the March issue of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility's PJR Reports. Here's the entry in the online edition of the latest issue of PJR Reports:

Know your candidates Online readers who are looking for reports about the 2007 elections may want to go to the Philippine Daily Inquirer site, which has a special elections section. Aside from election-related stories, "Eleksyon 2007" has interview podcasts with various candidates (the section currently has podcasts with several senatorial bets). Profiles of candidates are available online as well as news clips (http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/eleksyon2007).

HERE'S an excerpt from an interesting post by Mong Palatino for Global Voices Online:

Statistics vary on the actual number of internet users in the Philippines. It may range from as low as nine million to a high number of thirty-five million users. This figure is enough to compel politicians to recognize the value of online campaigning. Many candidates who aspire to tap the youth vote are using the internet as a platform for their candidacies. Inevitable Karma believes internet penetration is not yet that impressive in the Philippines and politicians must still rely on mainstream media. This observation is shared by so many political analysts who insist that internet campaign cannot reach the most number of Filipino voters.

Still, the 2007 midterm election campaign has effectively shown how candidates can increase their chances of winning by maximizing the cyberspace. Candidates have put up their own personal websites, blogs and Friendster accounts (Friendster is the most popular social networking site in the Philippines).

How about you? Do you believe the Internet will have a big impact on the May elections? Are online resources providing you the information you need?

A SIMPLE response to a mammoth challenge this fellow-balikbayan doctor [Martin Bautista] has taken upon himself: sir, more power to Davids like you, who, rightly, have sprung the conventional box, and dare the "windmills." Like you, I was thought to be a nitwit when I returned to the Philippines from 38 years in Europe. I chose to stay in Mindanao for the very same reasons you're trying to wake up this turpid nation of otherwise, warm, good people. Sir, I'm already campaigning for your party. May more wake up and do something about it, this time. Thank you-- from a small but significant spark of a sector of our nation. -- Dra. Georgie Obusan-Roos, Lagao, General Santos City (via e-mail)

AMONG the senatoriables' podcasts in your site, it is Senator [Panfilo] Lacson's that stands out. His answers were direct to the point and with a high sense of integrity. -- Eleazar G. Diaz, Makati City, Philippines (via e-mail)

DARLENE ANTONIO CUSTODIO thinks having a news blackout or stopping all of Manny Paquiao's interviews will help her win the congressional seat. Of course she will succeed because of rules. But did she consider how our countrymen will feel about it, or does she have a heart of stone when it comes to winning? It's not just winning that will help our people; it's sacrifice. -- Mario Santos, Safat, Kuwait (via e-mail)

ARMANDO DUCAT and the hostage crisis is still the talk of the town, and one wonders how much attention this drama would have merited from politicians-turned-negotiators if this had not happened in an election year. Here's an excerpt from myepinOy's take on the political mileage that the hostage crisis generated:

While the hostage crisis is ongoing, two of our senatorial candidates, Allan Peter Cayetano and Dominique Coseteng, went on national television blaming the administration and Gloria Arroyo for this hostage-taking problem. Typical of the dreaded and rotten politicians all over the Philippines, these two can not help themselves but salivate at the opportunity and media mileage that this unfortunate incident would give them. How sweet to hear them talk about the reasons why the situation happened? But hell no! We Pinoys already know what the problem is. We know that they are part of the problem why Jun Ducat did this and we know their selfish motives.