teodoroyo… villarroyo…

—– Forwarded Message —-
From: dumagat bulacan
To: indira dosa gaces
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 9:37:33
Subject: si gibo, si pangulong ARROYO at si MANNY VILLARROYO

Kawawang Gibo, harapang pinapakitaan ng senyales ng kanyang among si PGMA na si Manny Villarroyo ang minamanok nito para sa pampanguluhang halalan.

Pagmasdan kung kahawig ni PGMA ang litratong nasa ibaba. Dito masusubukan ang linaw ng inyong mga mata para mabatid kung kailangan na ninyong magsuot ng salamin sa darating na botohan

Manny Villar Can’t Fool Mareng Winnie

—– Forwarded Message —-

From: dumagat bulacan

Sent: Saturday, February 6, 2010 9:14:34

Subject: MANNY VILLAR CAN’T FOOL MARENG WINNIE

Tuesday, February 2. 2010

Everything you wanted to know about the C5 project but were afraid to ask

(Following is the transcript of the segment “Analysis by Winnie Monsod” which aired on News on Q on Feb. 1, 2010. Prof. Winnie Monsod is the resident analyst of News on Q which airs weeknights at 9:30 p.m. on QTV Channel 11.)

What are the specific charges against Senator Manny Villar?

Based on the Senate Report 780, stripped of all the legalese, the charges are that he used his position and influence to cause a government roadway — the so-called C-5 road extension project — to be built and that the road was unnecessary, financially disadvantageous to the government, and would actually yield him enormous financial benefits.

It was unnecessary, because there was already an existing project, the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (MCTEP), which was a Build-Operate-Transfer project to be built by private contractors.

It was financially disadvantageous to the government because the Villar-proposed project would be longer and would be built entirely by the government using public funds.

And it would result in tremendous financial benefit for Villar because it would pass right through his properties so that the government would have to pay him road right-of-way and at the same time, considerably enhance the value of those properties.

What exacerbates the situation is that the government, per the documentary evidence, paid much more for the right-of-way for the Villar properties than the other properties, that Villar allegedly used his position as a senator — in particular as the Senate Finance Chairman and then as Senate President — to make insertions that would ensure that his properties would be paid for right away.

Based on the Philippine Senate resolution 1472 filed by mostly Villar allies, the committee of the whole had no jurisdiction, that it adopted rules that were inapplicable, that it did not even publish the final rules, that there was an inadequate quorum reuirement; and most importantly, that Manny Villar was being singled out.

What does it then find?

Resolution 1472 finds that:

(1) there was no “double insertion” and that the same were actually “regular amendments”;

(2) that there is no realignment of the C-5 road extension project, much less one authored or done at the behest of senator Villar to secure that it passed through his real estate properties.

Why? Because there are two separate alignments: one is the C-5 road extension project, which is a public road; and the other is the MCTEP, a toll expressway project, which, if completed, would require the payment of toll for its use; and

(3) that there was no overpricing because the right of way payments were based on properly certified zonal valuations; that all requirements were complied with; and that there was no participation of villar or his staff in the acquisition of the properties.

What can we make of these conflicting opinions?

A picture is worth a thousand words.

A map prepared by GMANews.TV shows what the case is all about. [See: The C5 extension controversy: An interactive map]

Here, you see the original C-5 extension project, called the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project.

The idea was that this would be a BOT project, with the private partner bearing the costs of construction, to be paid by future tolls, and the government’s exposure would be limited to P2.5 billion pesos which will be used to obtain right-of-way.

Here now is the new project.

We have super imposed the burnt orange line representing the new project again connecting SLEX to coastal road except it is very much longer and hits the coastal road farther along.

Here are the Villar properties.

On the basis of this map, it is clear that there are two alignments.

But it is also clear that one of them was unnecessary — why?

It has to be the burnt orange project, because the other project had been approved earlier.

It is also clear that the C-5 extension project is going to be more costly, first because it is longer, and second because it was built wholly with government funds; and third because of what the government spent on the road right of way for the old project will now be gone to waste.

Why will it go to waste?

Can you imagine the joint venture partner building this project which is a toll road, when a free road is almost right beside it — who will want to pay the toll?

And finally, it is very clear that the greater length of the C-5 extension project enables it to pass through all the Villar company properties — Golden Haven, Adelfa, Camella, Azalea.

There remains the issue of the overprice of the Villar properties.

Based on the documentary evidence that was presented in Senate Report 780, there were 22 properties that had to be bought to get a road right of way for the C-5 extension project.

The average price paid for the non-Villar properties was Php 2,422 per square meter.

The average price paid for of Villar properties was Php 11,519 per square meter for mostly raw land.

So, now i think we have sufficient basis, free of the posturing and screaming, to make our own decisions.

Villar Unfit for President or Public Trust

20 January 2010 14 Comments

FRANKLY SPEAKING
by Frank Wenceslao

My Pamusa colleagues and I were alarmed by Nene Pimentel’s and Alan Peter Cayetano’s reaction to the Senate committee of the whole finding Manny Villar to have engaged in improper and unethical conduct as though they give more weight to procedure than the evidence adduced from the investigation.

Being lawyers, such attitude keeps the Philippines locked on a slippery slope and pushed by cavalier regard for the rule of law to continue rapid deterioration until a disaster drives the country into chaos and ungovernable like Haiti.

The Senate found Villar the proponent of the C-5 extension and another major project, the eight-lane Daang Hari linking Cavite to Laguna through Las Piñas and Bacoor. Instead of a straight alignment as sound engineering requires, the road projects “snake” through Villar-owned or controlled corporations (VOCCs) to provide ingress and egress for their 23 subdivisions.

Villar evidently pressured Dept. of Public Works and Higways (DPWH) officials to discard previous feasibility study, engineering design and plans including their cost likely funded from official development assistance (ODA). It behooves every objective Filipino to ask therefore if the Senate broadened its inquiry to include the resources lost and new funds needed specially appropriated for the change of plans that are unlawful and immoral act Villar is criminally liable.

Moreover, the alignment of the C-5 segment of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project was changed by the Toll Regulatory Board to conform to the revised plans for two road projects, which meant additional costs that could’ve been better used for some other budgetary needs.

VOCCs’ properties that are traversed by the C-5 extension and Daang Hari road projects got zonal valuation higher than previously given to their location which again resulted from pressuring the concerned bureaucrats in order to jack up the ROW prices paid to VOCCs.

Will the justice system under GMA continue with Villar if he wins the presidency to govern worse than her administration? How could Villar address graft and corruption when like GMA he’d be among the first to be targeted for prosecution?

The Senate report only recommended the return and restitution by Villar to the Philippine Treasury of the money or pecuniary advantage “he has or his companies have illegally gained or obtained as a result of unlawful acts and improper and unethical conduct” instead of forwarding the evidence and recommending to the Ombudsman to file criminal action.

The losses are P4.28 billion for the C-5 extension project, P1.8 billion original project cost that was wasted and P141.1 million for overpriced ROW payments to VOCCs tantamount to technical malversation. The report was released before Congress took its holiday break last month to get the signature of senators. It needs the signature of the majority of senators or 12 for it to be reported out in the plenary as though not signing it will absolve Villar of criminal liability.

Clearly, Villar while Senate President and finance committee chairman during the time his unlawful actions were taken didn’t only violate the Constitution and the Code of Conduct of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) but, more so, Sec. 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019). The senators swept the latter under the rug which provides that in addition to acts or omissions of public officers already penalized by existing law, the following shall constitute corrupt practices and therefore criminally actionable, to wit:

“(e) Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. x x x x x x x x.” (Underscoring mine).

Villar acted unlawfully using his government positions to pressure DPWH officials to do his bidding making them co-conspirators when they agreed that the C-5 extension be realigned contrary to sound engineering practice to “snake” through and provide ingress and egress to at least 23 subdivisions of VOCCs that yielded Villar “unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference,” to wit:

1. Income for ROWs at jacked-up prices and payment contrary to a policy of prorating annual appropriations according to the age of an account; hence, VOCCs shouldn’t have been paid ahead of others waiting for payment years before ROWs were expropriated from their properties.

2. Aside the higher prices at inflated zonal valuation paid for ROWs expropriated from their properties, VOCCs were given unwarranted benefits in the rise of market prices of the houses and lots, vacant properties still to be developed, their collateral values and VOCCs’ borrowing capacity with government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) such as PAG-IBIG, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), SSS, GSIS and others. All of which is detrimental to home buyers since it’s the government that enabled VOCCs to earn additional profits earned without adding a centavo of equity.

3. VOCCs became the country’s biggest group of companies engaged in real estate development. In an interview by a reporter Mrs. Cynthia Villar unabashedly claimed the group starting virtually from scratch has built 200,000 housing units across all income classes.

The Villars have always prided in their rags-to-riches story. It’s thus logical to conclude their PhP43 billion ($940M) net worth as of 2008 is ill-gotten and beyond statistical probability that came from what the US Justice Department considers “a process or series of actions through which income of illegal origin is concealed, disguised, or made to appear legitimate (main objective); and to evade detection, prosecution, seizure, and taxation” practiced by the Mafia, international drug traffickers, terrorist financiers, and corrupt government officials.

The investigation of the Senate began in June 2009 based on the allegations of Senators Panfilo Lacson and Jamby Madrigal that Villar inserted “earmarks” of doubling the P200-million funding for the C-5 extension project in the 2008 national budget and pressuring DPWH officials to change its alignment to benefit VOCCs. The Senate concluded Villar violated Sections 12 and 14, Article VI of the Constitution by failing to notify the Senate of a “potential conflict of interest” when he proposed an amendment to the 2008 national budget by appropriating P400 million … for a project that would benefit his corporations and which amount may be used to pay the claims of his corporations for unpaid road right-of-way compensation” (Sec. 12) and for intervening in the project with the DPWH for his “pecuniary benefit.” (Sec. 14).

It’s as though the Senate wanted Villar’s culpability limited on ethical grounds and swept under the rug the crimes Villar probably committed inferred from the report. The truth of the matter is Joker Arroyo already leveled similar charges against Villar when they’re members of the House of Representatives from 1992-98 for violating the Constitution and RA 6713, which I’ve modified, paraphrased and updated in parts, as follows:

Charge I.  Villar’s low cost housing development business has been totally dependent on GOCCs and government financial institutions (GFIs). VOCCs were given accommodations by GOCCs and GFIs while Villar’s a House member and had stint as Speaker from 1992-1998 for financing their housing projects.

Charge II.  From 1992-98 Villar didn’t divest himself of his holdings or severed interest in VOCCs that eventually became a housing conglomerate, Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. whose subsidiaries have been renamed: Brittany Corporation, Camella Homes, Crown Asia and Camella Communities.

When Villar was a House member, then senator he didn’t sever his interests either in VOCCs and their successors when they continued to be granted loans and financial accommodations by GOCCs and GFIs. Villar violated the Constitution and RA No. 6713 because the latter specifically requires, as follows:

“Divestment – A public official or employee should avoid conflicts of interest at all times.  When a conflict of interest arises, he shall resign from his position in any private business enterprise within thirty (30) days from his assumption of office and/or divest himself of his shareholdings or interest within sixty (60) days from such assumption.” (Underscoring mine).

Charge III.  Villar during his tenure in the House and Senate to the present hasn’t divested interests in VOCCs.  While Speaker, Villar arrogantly declared he’s in no hurry to divest because he’s under no obligation to do so – a continuing violation. He should’ve fired his lawyer then.

Charge IV.  Villar controls Capitol Bank where Mrs. Villar is the CEO while a House member. Capitol received loans, financial accommodations and guarantees from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas from 1992-98. The husband and wife were members of Congress in 2004 when Capitol had a bank run and obtained BSP loan.  That’s constitutionally forbidden.

Paraphrasing Arroyo, the constitutional prohibition is simple.  If a member of the House, namely: Villar or wife has controlling interest in a private firm or business entity, it can’t be extended a loan, guaranty or any financial accommodation for any business purpose by GOCCs or GFIs unless both have first divested of personal interest in the firm.

Surprisingly, the Senate report alluded only to Villar’s violation of the conflict-of-interest rule (RA 6713) by not divesting himself of his interests in VOCCs with contracts with the DPWH for ROW acquisition. The report found Villar had significant stockholdings in VOCCs that benefited from ROW payments on top of diverting said road projects to “snake” through their subdivisions to provide ingress and egress.

IN CONCLUSION, probable cause exists that the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Anti-Plunder Law (RA 7080) have been violated by Villar et al.  Surely, Mr. and Mrs. Villar’s pecuniary benefits derived from abovementioned unlawful acts contributed to the growth of their PhP43 billion ($940M) net worth.

The Senate report somehow tried to mitigate Villar’s criminal acts by saying he hadn’t directly participated in overpricing his properties as though the Senate’s oversupply of lawyers wasn’t sufficient to conclude that ignorance isn’t an excuse in violating the law.
If there should be restitution, therefore, the Senate should vote to expel Villar forthwith; demand that the Ombudsman file the complaint for the violation of the anti-graft and anti-plunder laws and let the chips where they may; and seek a restraining order or preliminary injunction for the Court to temporarily sequester the Villars’ assets and prevent the transfer to other parties of potentially forfeitable property to the state.

Moreover, it should be unmistakably clear for Villar to withdraw his candidacy for the presidency because no way the Filipino people will consider him trustworthy to occupy the highest government position or any public office.

Norwalk, CA – 01/18/10

Source: http://globalbalita.com/2010/01/20/villar-unfit-for-president-or-public-trust/

Want To Be Rp President? Be A Billionaire First

—– Forwarded Message —-
From: dumagat bulacan
Sent: Sunday, February 7, 2010 11:08:44
Subject: WANT TO BE RP PRESIDENT? BE A BILLIONAIRE FIRST

Villar money rules noontime TV shows
By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:21:00 02/06/2010

AS EARLY AS 3 A.M. last Thursday, 46-year-old balut vendor Josie Magtangub and her daughter were lining up for the popular noontime show “Eat Bulaga” at Broadway Centrum in Quezon City.

Magtangub said she wanted to win P25,000 in cash given in the segment “Stop My Hirap” to help her sustain her small business and send her 8-year-old child to school.

“I was told the lines were long so I came early,” she told the Inquirer in Filipino.

The 10-hour wait was worth it. Shortly past noon, Magtangub and her daughter were on stage with hosts Michael V. and Ruby Rodriguez, jumping up and down while orange and white confetti rained on them.

Magtangub won P25,000 and P10,000 worth of groceries courtesy of Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer, Sen. Manuel Villar, who sponsors “Stop My Hirap.”

While signing up celebrity endorsers has always been a norm in election campaigns, a game show segment—never mind if it’s aired for less than 5 minutes—is a trailblazing campaign strategy.

As if his television and radio advertisements were not enough, Villar has conquered the popular Filipino noontime shows aired on the two biggest networks, winning the hearts and minds of voters. He has maximized all possible campaign platforms, which reflects Villar’s marketing genius that has made him one of the richest Filipinos in the country.

The strategy must have helped Villar’s latest surge in the presidential surveys, putting him neck and neck with Liberal Party standard-bearer and perennial front-runner, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Willie and Michael V

Among Villar’s celebrity endorsers are hosts of noontime shows—Michael V. from “Eat Bulaga” aired on GMA 7 and Willie Revillame of ABS-CBN’s “Wowowee.” The senator was a guest on “Wowowee” when Revillame celebrated his birthday a few weeks ago.

For political analyst Ramon Casiple, Villar’s pre-election campaign spending, was “scandalous” by democratic terms.

Hinged on Villar’s antipoverty advocacy, “Stop My Hirap” aimed right at the gut of the hungry masses as well as the middle class, he said.

Why they joined

For instance, Wilson Ng, 25, and Drid de Castro, 24, who were not exactly poor as they were working in their families’ respective businesses also joined “Stop My Hirap.”

Ng said he wanted to win the cash money so he could share it with his family and friends.

De Castro, for his part, said he would use the money to treat his youngest sister who celebrated her birthday Friday.

Since it started last Jan. 19, some 14 studio contestants have each won the jackpot consisting of P25,000 in cash and P10,000 worth of grocery items. Two others—including an Army private who said she needed money to pay for the medicines of her mother and sibling—won P10,000 each.

The winners were either teachers, overseas Filipino workers, househelp or laborers.

Mechanics

The mechanics of the contest, which ends its two-and-a-half-week run today, or two days before the formal election campaign begins, are simple: Audience members write on orange sheets of paper what they would do if they win P25,000. The pieces of paper go into a fish bowl where the hosts, who are dressed in orange, pick one lucky contestant—but not before egging the audience to dance to an upbeat jingle composed by Michael V. The dance ends with Villar’s signature hand sign where the thumb and forefinger form a check sign just under the chin.

The lucky contestant gets to spin an orange electronic wheel and depending on where the needle stops, the contestant could win P10,000, P15,000 cash, groceries, or the jackpot.

At the end of the segment, the story of a poor, struggling citizen is aired, recalling Villar’s own rags-to-riches tale. The candidate’s image and slogan, “Sipag at Tiyaga” is flashed on screen.

Secret

Malou Choa-Fagar, senior vice president and chief operations officer of TAPE Inc. and producer of “Eat Bulaga” told the Inquirer that “Stop My Hirap” was a “portion buy” on the noontime show by the Villar campaign team.

Fagar, however, declined to say how much the segment cost, saying the information was confidential.

An industry insider told the Inquirer that depending on a segment’s concept, a portion buy such as “Stop My Hirap” could cost from P700,000 to P1 million per episode. The amount did not include the prizes given away and the talent fees of hosts.

A show producer like TAPE could also offer package deals to its clients to lower costs, the source added.

Fagar clarified that TAPE did not look at “Stop My Hirap” as a campaign vehicle.

“To us, [the Villar team] is a client coming into our show,” she said.

First time

Asked if this was a brilliant strategy on Villar’s part, Fagar replied: “I think so; it is the first time something like this was placed within a show. Usually, spots [or political advertisements] are aired outside the shows.”

Casiple, executive director of the Institute of Political and Electoral Reform (IPER), said Villar’s “Stop My Hirap” was an interesting “development” in campaign strategy.

Villar, whose net worth reportedly totals P25 billion according to Forbes Magazine, had changed the political landscape with “that level of spending.”

“He’s spending around ten times as much as his nearest rival,” Casiple said, referring to Aquino.

Casiple described Villar’s campaign expenses as nearly “scandalous.”

“By democratic rules, everybody but everybody is qualified to run but with Villar’s spending, it shows that only those with money can run. But should we allow money to rule?” he said.

“All is fair in love and politics,” Casiple concluded.

Ang Mga Kasalanan Ni Villar Sa Bayan At Sa Mamamayan

SUMMARY OF CHARGES AND LAWS VIOLATED BY SENATE PRESIDENT VILLAR

CHARGES:

Conflict of interest

ACTS CONSTITUTING CHARGES:

1. SP Villar caused the diversion of C-5 Road Extension project to pass through the properties owned by Villar’s corporations. (EVIDENCE: Project Profile)

2. At least 12 properties of Villar’s corporations with an aggregate area of more than two hectares were bought by the government as roads right of way in the project Villar diverted. (EVIDENCE: List of affected lots)

3. Villar negotiated with the government for the sale of the properties in the project he proposed. (EVIDENCE: Project Profile states “The city government of Las Piñas together with the Staff from the Office of the proponent have negotiated the lot with owners affected by the RROW.”)

4. Properties of Villar’s corporations were bought at a grossly overpriced amount. For example, property of Brittany Corporation (a corporation controlled by Villar) was bought for P15,000/square meter while adjacent property owned by the Plaza family was bought for only P4,000/square meter. (EVIDENCE: Deed of sale of Brittany and RP, Deed of sale of Plaza and RP, BIR zonal valuation, tax declaration)

4. Villar’s PDAF/pork barrel was used to purchase roads right of way (as shown by the DBM allocation to Villar’s PDAF for the construction of the C-5 Road extension, including purchase of right of way). (EVIDENCE: DBM PDAF release)

5. Villar connived with Masaito Development Corporation to grossly overprice the sale of Masaito’s property to the government for right of way in the staggering amount f P30,000 per square meter.”

LAWS VIOLATED:

Art. VI, Sec. 14, Constitution prohibiting any senator from, directly or indirectly, being interested financially in any government contract during his term of office.

Art. VI, Sec. 12, Constitution requiring all members of Congress to notify the House concerned of a potential conflict of interest that may arise from the filing of a proposed legislation.

Art. 7(a), Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees prohibits public officials from having any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of their office.

***********************************************************************

Related article:

Back to square one for Villar case hearing

By Efren L. Danao, Senior Reporter Monday, May 18, 2009 When the Senate Committee of the Whole resumes this morning its hearing on the conflict-of-interest case filed against Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar by Sen. Jamby Madrigal, it is back to square one with the minority refusing to take part in the proceedings. The Senate has constituted itself into the Committee of the Whole precisely to ensure that the minority would participate in the hearing of the case. But even without the presence of the minority, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has moved to proceed with the twice-a-week hearing of the case for as long as there is a quorum. Under the rules adopted by the Senate Committee of the Whole, the presence of two senators is enough to constitute a quorum. The majority has rejected the proposal of the minority to peg the quorum at one-half plus one of all members because of the difficulty of meeting that requirement. Sen. Joker Arroyo appealed in vain for the higher quorum requirement. He said that since the senators will be judging the honor and future of a colleague, they should attend all hearings. Under oath Enrile had warned that Villar would be greatly disadvantaged should he refuse to participate because the Committee would only consider the side of Madrigal that is given under oath. He said that the Committee would not give any cognizance to statements of Villar in his defense outside the committee because these are not made under oath. The general counsel of the committee will present at the hearing today a summary of the supposed evidence and documents submitted by lawyer Ernesto Francisco, Madrigal’s counsel, at the preliminary inquiry of the case last Thursday. Francisco claimed they could prove that Villar caused the diversion of the C-5 Road extension project to pass through the properties of his corporations, “thus wasting P1.2 billion already paid for Right of Way.” Realignment Villa later replied in a press conference that the charge of “realignment” would be dismissed outright if they acknowledge that two separate projects are involved—the C-5 road extension project and the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway project of the Toll Regulatory Board and implemented by the UEM-Mara Philippines. “The P1.2 billion was at the toll road, a private project, which could not be diverted. The C-5 road extension, free to the public, followed the original route except for the location of one bridge,” he said. He added that the “slight” shift in the centerline of the said bridge was made upon request of the Light Rail Transit Authority that had plans of using the route also. “There was no bending of the route. What was bent was the truth,” Villar said Overprice Madrigal’s lawyer also claimed that Villar’s property was paid P30,000 per square meter while a nearby pro­perty belonging to Rep. Democrito Plaza 2nd of Agusan del Sur was paid only P4,000 per square meter. He charged that Villar “secretly connived with Masaito Development Corp. in 2004 to grossly overprice the sale of Masaito’s property to the government for right of way in the staggering amount f P30,000 per square meter.” “He demanded that the overprice be directly paid to him and even put this provision in writing,” Francisco said. Villar said that the P30,000 referred to a 1,400-square meter lot located near the SM mall and alongside Sucat Road. He said that considering its location, the price of P30,000 per square meter was even low. “I doubt if you could buy the same lot for P30,000 per square meter,” he added. He said that the lot of Plaza valued at P4,000 per square meter was in the interior, far from the 1,400 square meter lot. Public road He contended that no real estate developer wants public road to pass through his or her property because this would lower its price. He declared that anybody who would want to build a public road pass on any Ayala property would be rejected. Villar, however, would not say part of his property was traversed by the C-5 road extension project. He said he still had to consult with his lawyers about this. Madrigal’s complaint also included the alleged double insertion of P200 million for the C-5 road extension project by Villar in the 2008 budget. Villar said this was already investigated by the Senate Committee on Finance, which found no anomaly. If adjudged guilty by the Senate Committee of the Whole, Villar could be reprimanded, suspended or ousted. A two-thirds vote of the Senate is needed to suspend or oust a senator. Villar said he is prepared for whatever decisions the Senate has in store for him.

Manny Villar and Dick Gordon are missing the point

They’re missing the point
By Ricky Poca of the Cebu Daily News

In a recent no-holds-barred forum, presidential aspirants Manny Villar and Dick Gordon took the opportunity to question the competence of Noynoy Aquino, who’s been leading in the surveys. They asked him what he has done compared to their achievements as government officials.

Gordon showcased the transformation of Olangapo City and the former United States military bases in Pampanga after the Americans pulled out. Villar questioned Noynoy’s performance as a legislator in the House and the Senate.

I don’t know if attacking other candidates would win votes for them, especially because the issue cited by the two may no longer be effective in convincing voters. We had presidents of remarkable competence who were seduced by power and created political crises unheard of in mature democracies.

A classic example is Ferdinand Marcos, who wanted to be president for life. Another is the best educated and well experienced president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who has become the most unpopular president in Philippine history because of serious public doubts about her character.

What Filipinos are looking for now is not primarily good track record in government and competence but integrity. Fortunately for Noynoy, the people believe it’s something the other candidates are found lacking.

What’s striking is Noynoy’s response to the latest Social Weather Station survey, showing that Villar is closing the gap between them. Noynoy said the result was expected, given the frequency of the broadcasts of Villar’s paid political ads flooding the radio and television. Noynoy said his camp didn’t put out a lot of political ads yet because he wanted to abide by the rule against early campaigning.

Indeed, a character such as Noynoy’s is a rarity in politics nowadays, and this endears Noynoy to the people even more because it just shows that Noynoy does respect the rule and the spirit of the law, which Villar disregards. I guess it’s the attitude of politicians like Manny Villar that scares people. They will do everything just to get elected, so what will stop them from doing everything just to stay in power or acquire more of it?

There is no question that Villar is ready to spend billions of pesos for his campaign. His tab right now may be in the hundreds of millions already. And so people are asking – what will a businessman like Villar do when he gets elected president?

In Dick Gordons’ case, he wants to know what the Aquinos have done for Tarlac. I think Gordon has forgotten that Cory Aquino’s contribution went beyond Tarlac. She was instrumental in restoring democracy in our young, sad republic, for which she was recognized by leaders and peoples the world over.

Cory also showed that she was not hungry for power because she readily stepped down when her term ended, despite the advice of her allies who enjoyed being in power more than she did.

Philippine 2010 National Election Candidates

Are you voting this coming May 2010 National Elections? If yes, remember that you need to vote for ONE President, ONE Vice President, TWELVE Senators, and ONE Party List among others. Below is the official list of candidates for the positions of President, Vice President, Senators, and Party List. Get to know them one-by-one through research and media, and make sure you vote for the person and political party list you think can make a huge impact to our country.
Update (as of 01/14/2010): Two more candidates were added to the list of those vying for the position as President, while four more were added to the Senatorial list. Presidential candidates has a total of 10 candidates, Vice President has 8, and total of 62 for Senators.

Presidential Candidates

Listed from left to right, top to bottom are the following:

1. Councilor JC De Los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran)
2. Senator Manny Villar (Nacionalista Party)
3. Former President Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada (UNO-PMP)
4. Brother Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas)
5. Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (Liberal Party)
6. Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon (Bagumbayan)
7. Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
8. Senator Jamby Madrigal (Independent)
9. Nicanor Perlas – recently added; not in picture
10. Vetallano Acosta Jesus – recently added; not in picture

Vice President Candidates

Listed from left to right, top to bottom are the following:

1. Dominador Chipeco Jr. (Ang Kapatiran)
2. Exchange Commission Chief Perfecto Yasay (Bangon Pilipinas)
3. Broadcaster Jay Sonza (KBL)
4. Senator Loren Legarda (Nacionalista Party)
5. Mayor Jejomar Binay (UNO-PMP)
6. MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando (Bagumbayan)
7. Senator Mar Roxas (Liberal Party)
8. Edu Manzano (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)

Senatorial Candidates

1. Henry Caunan (PDP-Laban)
2. Gwendolyn Pimentel (PDP Laban)
3. Miriam Defensor Santiago (People’s Reform Party)
4. Ramon Guico (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
5. Silvestre Bello III (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
6. Bong Revilla (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
7. Raul Lambino (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
8. Rey Langit (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
9. Lito Lapid (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
10. Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna Party)
11. Sergio Osmeña III (Independent)
12. Liza Maza (Independent)
13. Jovito Palparan Jr. (Independent)
14. Rodolfo Plaza (NPC)
15. Vicente Sotto III (NPC)
16. Adel Tamano (Nacionalista Party)
17. Gilbert Remulla (Nacionalista Party)
18. Susan Ople (Nacionalista Party)
19. Ramon Mitra (Nacionalista Party)
20. Ariel Querubin (Nacionalista Party)
21. Pia Cayetano (Nacionalista Party)
22. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (Nacionalista Party)
23. Reginald Tamayo (Ang Kapatiran)
24. Hector Tarrazona (Ang Kapatiran)
25. Adrian Sison (Ang Kapatiran)
26. Zosimo Paredes (Ang Kapatiran)
27. Ma. Gracia Riñoza-Plazo (Ang Kapatiran)
28. Manuel Valdehuesa Jr. (Ang Kapatiran)
29. Jo Aurea Imbong (Ang Kapatiran)
30. Rizalito David (Ang Kapatiran)
31. Francisco Tatad (Grand Alliance For Democracy/Gabaybayan)
32. Hector Villanueva (KBL)
33. Ma Judea Millora (KBL)
34. Alma Lood (KBL)
35. Sharuff Ibrahim Albani (KBL)
36. Imelda Papin (KBL)
37. Regalado Maambong (KBL)
38. Nereus Acosta Jr. (Liberal Party)
39. Yasmin Lao (Liberal Party)
40. Martin Bautista (Liberal Party)
41. Franklin Drilon (Liberal Party)
42. Rozzano Rufino Biazon (Liberal Party)
43. Sonia Roco (Liberal Party)
44. Teofisto Guingona III (Liberal Party)
45. Ana Theresia Baraquel (Liberal Party)
46. Ralph Recto (Liberal Party)
47. Alexander Lacson (Liberal Party)
48. Kata Inocencio (Bangon Pilipinas)
49. Zafrullah Alonto (Bangon Pilipinas)
50. Israel Virgines (Bangon Pilipinas)
51. Reynaldo Princesa (Bangon Pilipinas)
52. Ramoncito Ocampo (Bangon Pilipinas)
53. Alexander Tinsay (Bangon Pilipinas)
54. JV Larion Bautista (PMP)
55. Joey De Venecia (PMP)
56. Jinggoy Estrada (PMP)
57. Juan Ponce Enrile (PMP)
58. Apolinario Lozada (PMP)
59. Danilo Lim - recently added
60. Nannete Espinosa - recently added
61. Adz Nikabulin - recently added
62. Emilio Osmena - recently added

Party Lists

1. 1-AANI
2. 1-Aangat Pilipino (1-AK)
3. 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1-CARE)
4. 1-Ako Babaeng Astig Aasenso (1-ABAA)
5. 1Guardians Nationalist of the Philippines Inc. (1Ganap/Guardians)
6. 1st Kabalikat ng Bayan Ginhawang Sangkatauhan (1st KABAGIS)
7. A Blessed Federation of Farmers and Fishermen International inc. (A Blessed)
8. Aangat Tayo (AT)
9. Abakada Guro (ABAKADA)
10. Abang Lingkod Inc. (Abang Lingkod)
11. Abante Ilonggo (aba Ilongg)
12. Abante Katutubo Inc. (Abante Ka)
13. Abante Mindanao (Abamin)
14. Abante Tribung Makabayan (ATM)
15. Abono
16. Action Brotherhood for Active Dreamers Inc. (Abroad)
17. Action for Democracy and Development for the Tribal People (Add Tribal)
18. Action for Dynamic Development Inc. (ADD)
19. Act Teachers
20. Action League of Indigenous Masses (ALIM)
21. Adhikain at Kilusan ng Ordinaryong Tao para sa Lupa, Pabahay, Hanapbuhay at Kaunlaran (Ako)
22. Adhikain ng mga Dakilang Anak ng Maharlika (ADAM)
23. Adhikaing Alay ng Marino sa Sambayanan Inc. (Alon)
24. Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng Kooperatiba (ATING KOOP)
25. Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment Through Action Cooperation and Harmony Towards Education Reform (A Teacher)
26. Advocates for Special Children and the Handicapped Movement (Asahan Mo)
27. Agapay ng Indigenous Peoples Right Alliance (A-IPRA)
28. Agbiag Timpuyog Ilokano (AGBIAG)
29. Agila Pwersa ng Nagkakaisang Magsasaka (AGILA)
30. Agila ng Katutubong Pilipino (AGILA)
31. Agri-Agra na Reporma para sa Magsasaka ng Pilipinas Movement (AGRI)
32. Agrarian Development Association (ADA)
33. Agricultural Section Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP)
34. Ahon Pinoy (AHON)
35. Akap Bata
36. Akbay Pinoy OFW-National (APOI)
37. Akbayan Citizens Action Party (Akbayan)
38. Ako Ayoko sa Bawal na Droga (Ako)
39. Ako Bicol Political Party (AKB)
40. Aksyon Magsasaka Partido Tinig ng Masa (AKMA-PTM)
41. Aksyon ng Mamamayang Nagkakaisa (Amana)
42. Alagaan Natin Ating Kalusugan (Anakalusugan)
43. Alagad
44. Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation (Alay Buhay)
45. Alay sa Bayan ng malayang Propesyunal at Repormang Kalakal (Abay Parak)
46. Alliance of Advocates in Mining Advancement for Nation Progress (AAMA)
47. Alliance for Barangay Concerns Party (ABC)
48. Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD)
49. Alliance for Philippines Security Guards Cooperative (AFPSEGCO)
50. Alliance for Rural Concerns (ARC)
51. Alliance for Association of Accredited Workers in the Water Sector (1-TUBIG formerly AAWAS)
52. Alliance for Bicolnon Party (ABP-Bicolnon)
53. Alliance for National Urban Poor Organizations Assembly Inc. (ANUPA)
54. Alliance for People’s Organizations (APO)
55. Alliance of Regional Coalitions Against People’s Povery (ARCAPP)
56. Alliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE)
57. Alliance Transport Sector (ATS)
58. Alma sa Paghihikahos at Ignorasya (ALMA)
59. Alyansa ng Mamamayang Naghihirap (ALMANA)
60. Alyansa ng Media at Showbiz (AMS)
61. Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan Inc. (AGHAM)
62. Alyansa ng Bayanihan ng Magsasaka, manggagawang Bukid at Mangingisda (ABA)
63. An Waray
64. Anak Mindanao (AMIN)
65. Anak Pawis (AP)
66. Ang Agrikultura Natin Isulong (AANI)
67. Ang Asosayon Sang Mangunguma Bisaya-Owa Mangunguman (AAMBIS-OWA)
68. Ang Galing Pinoy (AG)
69. Ang Laban ng Indigong Filipino (ALIF)
70. Ang Ladlad LGBT Party (ANG LADLAD)
71. Ang Mata’y Alagaan (AMA)
72. Ang Tao Muna at Bayan (A TAMBAY)
73. Angat Ating Kabuhayan Filipinas (ANAK)
74. Arts Business and Science Professionals (ABS)
75. Atong Paglaum
76. Asosasyon ng mga Maliliit na Negos-yanteng Gumaganap (AMANG)
77. Association for Righteousness Advocacy in Leadership (ARAL)
78. Association of Laborers and Employess (ALE)
79. Association of Administrators and Professionals and Seniors (AAPS)
80. Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC)
81. Babae Para sa Kaunlaran (BABAE KA)
82. Bago National Cultural Society of the Philippines (BAGO)
83. Bagong Bayan na nagtataguyod ng Demokratikong Ideolohiya at Layunin (BANDILA)
84. Bagong Henerasyon (BH)
85. Barangay Association for National Advancement and Transparency (BANAT)
86. Bayan Muna
87. Bayani
88. Batang Iwas sa Droga Foundation (BIDA)
89. Bigkis Pinoy Movement (BIGKIS)
90. Binhi-Partido ng mga Magsasaka Para sa mga Magsasaka (BINHI)
91. Biyaheng Pinoy Labor Association (Biyaheng Pinoy)
92. Biyayang Bukid
93. Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (Buhay)
94. Butil Farmers Party (Butil)
95. Champions for Innovative Employment (CHINOY)
96. Citizen Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC)
97. Citizen Power Movement (CPM)
98. Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the Country (SENIOR CITIZENS)
99. Cocofed-Philippine Coconut Producers Federation (COCOFED)
100. Coconut Farmers Association of Linamon Lanao del Sur (COFA)
101. Confederation of Nonstock Savings and Loan Association Inc. (CONSLA)
102. Cooperative Natcco Network (COOP-NATCCO)
103. Democratic Independent Workers’ Association (DIWA)
104. Filipino Muslim Organization (FIL-MUS)
105. Firm 24-K Association (FIRM 24-K)
106. First People’s Representative for Indigent Student Athletes (1ST PRISA)
107. Gabriella Women’s Party-List (GABRIELLA)
108. Green Force for the Environment Sons and Daughters of the Mother Earth
109. Itenerant Vendors Alliance of the Philippines (IVAP)
110. Kababaihang Lingkod Bayan sa Pilipinas (KLBP)
111. Kabalikat ng Mamamayan (KABAYAN)
112. Kabataan party-list
113. Kabukluran ng mga Kababaihang Filipina sa Timog Katagalugan (BUKLOD FILIPINA)
114. Kalahi Sectoral Party (KALAHI)
115. Kalinga Advocacy for Social Empowerment and Nation-Building Through Easing Poverty (KALINGA)
116. Kapatiran ng mga Nakakulong na Walang Sala (KAKUSA)
117. Kasangga sa Kaunlaran (ANG KASANGGA)
118. Kasosyo Producer-Consumer Exchange Association (AA-KASOSYO PARTY)
119. Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan All Filipino Democratic Movement (KAAKBAY)
120. Katribu Indigenous Peoples’ Sectoral Party (KATRIBU)
121. Kaunlaran ng Agrikultura Asensadong Bayan Probinsiya Angat ng Bayan (KAAGAPAY)
122. Koalisyon ng Katutubong Samahan ng Pilipinas (KASAPI)
123. One Advocacy for Health Progress and Opportunity (1-AHAPO)
124. Organization of Regional Advocates for Good Governance Onward Nation Building (ORAGON)
125. Pamilyang OFW-SME Network Foundation (OPO)
126. Parents Enabling Parents Coalition (PEP)
127. Partido Katutubong Pilipino (KATUTUBO)
128. Partido Manggagawa (PM)
129. Pilipimo Association for Country – Urban Poor Youth Advancement and Welfare (PACYAW)
130. Pro-active in Climate Change Leaders (PCL)
131. Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA)
132. Social Movement for Active Reform and Transparency (SMART)
133. Sulong Barangay Movement (SB)
134. The True Marcos Loyalist (For God, Country and People) Association of the Phils. (BANTAY)
135. Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)
136. Una ang Pamilya (1 ANG PAMILYA), which is formerly Alliance of Neo-Conservatives (ANC)
137. United Movement Against Drugs Foundation (UNI-MAD)
138. United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK)
139. Vendors and Traders of the Philippines
140. Veterans Freedom Party (VFP)
141. Women Power (WPI)
142. Yes We Can
143. You Against Corruption and Poverty (YACAP)
144. Youth Leagues for Peace Advancement (LYPAD)

Source: http://www.glennong.com/2010/01/philippine-2010-national-election.html?