Why Not Gibo?

Surely we've heard the arguments a hundred and one times before. People are explicitly saying that they wouldn't vote in favor of Gibo Teodoro because he is an administration candidate (in other words, closely associated with president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo).

But the man stood his ground. And though the surveys have continually put him on the bottom end among Noynoy Aquino, Manny Villar, and Erap Estrada, the Presidential Forums conducted by various organizations and media networks have introduced unto us a man who have clear visions and a man who knows the details of proper governance.

(famous Filipino author and National Artist F. Sionil Jose has a comprehensive interview of the man)

And so my question is: Why Not Gibo?


We go back to the old argument, that we do not want him because he is associated with Gloria.

Then my follow up question is: Why then, despite the fact that he would want to become the Admin's standard-bearer, do we like Bayani Fernando?


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I want to see a Philippines that is peaceful, has strong institutions of governance, has modern infrastructure, has food security, is technologically and educationally advanced, with a people who have the capacity to make rational decisions for themselves, true freedom of thought and of expression, a power in Southeast Asia and perhaps the Asia-Pacific, ecologically rich and diverse, in short a country where our people would want to remain. - Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro

Pulse Asia's Survey on the 2010 Elections

Pulse Asia releases its February 2009 Ulat ng Bayan survey for the 2010 elections.

To summarize, the survey states that if the elections were done on February, the following Presidentiables will make it to the top:

"Kabayan" Noli De Castro (19%)
"Chiz" Senator Francis Escudero (17%)
"Erap" Former President Joseph Estrada (16%)
"Mr. Sipag at Tiyaga" Senator Manny Villar (15%)

For the Senatoriables, the survey's top 5 are:

Jinggoy Estrada
Pia Cayetano
Mar Roxas
Miriam Santiago
Frank Drilon

While those who belong to the top 5 are old-timers in the senate, the survey also include "newcomers" in the list of can-be-senatoriables, including Edu Manzano, Korina Sanchez, Joe De Venecia, and Willie Revillame (yes, you've read it right. Willie is on rank 17-23).

Relative to this survey, I have previously posted a blog to give emphasis on the importance of funds, in other words, money, for the upcoming 2010 elections. As pointed out, since the Presidential Race seems tight and we don't expect a runaway winner, money and machinery will definitely play a big role for the winner.

Columnist Manolo Quezon, in his blog entry, In This Corner, provides a comprehensive analysis on this Pulse Asia February 2009 Survey. Manolo points out that while the Administration candidates are doing badly in the survey, the local allies will still play a big role in the final stretch. Which is true! So the Opposition could not yet stage a sound of victory at this moment. They have got to take care of their local allies.

To conclude, I would like to copy on The Professional Heckler's take on the Pulse Asia Survey:


"Vice President Noli De Castro topped the latest Pulse Asia survey with a 19 percent preference rating. He was followed by Sen. Francis Escudero, 17 percent, Joseph Estrada, 16 percent, Sen. Manuel Villar, 15 percent, Sen. Loren Legarda, 12 percent, Sen. Manuel Roxas II, 7 percent, and Sen. Panfilo Lacson, 6 percent. Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay got 2 percent while MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando got only one percent. The First Gentleman was luckier. He got five percent."


Heckler, you rock!

Who's In? Who's Out?

As expected, the nomination for the country's top post come 2010 has informally begun. The newest addition of course, is our SC Chief Justice Reynato Puno.






Early this week, Kapatiran Party has expressed their interest in picking SC Chief Puno to be their flag-bearer in the 2010 Presidential Elections. Puno, however, declined any interest in entering the political arena.

In fact, even Ping Lacson, himself a presidential wannabe, also endorsed Puno as someone who can be the next president of the Philippines.

Inquirer.net, then, reports that Bro. Eddie Villanueva, spiritual leader of the Jesus is Lord movement, is offering Puno as his Vice Presidential running mate. In 2004, Villanueva bid (and lost) for the presidential post against GMA and FPJ.

In a separate report, however, Former Presidential Legal Adviser Apostol Sergio (er, Sergio Apostol) comments that "Puno does not know his politics and would not be bankable enough".

Inquirer's January 19 editorial thus notes:

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No, Puno does not know his politics if what Apostol means by it is the dirty, traditional politics of deceit, dishonesty, corruption and cheating. And true, Puno would not be bankable, unlike former President Joseph Estrada or Senators Bong Revilla or Jinggoy Estrada. If you want “bankable,” you will have to nominate somebody from show biz or sports. After all, the word is often used to refer to stars whose names could be used as collateral for getting big loans from banks.

The trouble with presidential “headhunters” is that all they talk about is popularity, “winnability,” “bankability.” They forget about the traits of leadership: integrity, honesty, dedication and patriotism. They do not care if their candidate is a traditional politician who is ready to sacrifice his principles for the sake of expediency.

The last time we had a similar situation was when Cory Aquino, widow of the assassinated former senator Benigno Aquino Jr., ran for president against the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Marcos scoffed that she knew nothing (“walang alam”). Aquino retorted that she really knew nothing — about cheating, dishonesty and corruption. She was not “bankable,” and so people contributed millions to her campaign fund. She won the snap election, but was cheated by Marcos and his minions. But the people, in mounting the EDSA People Power Revolution, recognized and installed her as the true winner.

Not “bankable” enough. “Does not know his politics.” Those who scoff at a possible presidential run by Puno had better review their history.

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So now the question still stands-Who's got what it takes to be the Next Philippine President who can lead us to progress and prosperity?

(For sure, if the hunt would be made a reality show like PBB, Pinoy Idol, Survivor, etc., the Networks will fight for the airing rights).

Who's In? Who's Out? to run for the Presidential Race (And not necessarily to WIN and TRIUMPH)

In my opinion-

SC Chief Justice Puno is In. By all means he is qualified; not withstanding that He is a righteous leader (much like then Chief Justice Davide). But his weakness would be the local areas because he's only known in the Metro.

Bishop Bro. Eddie Villanueva is Out. I continue to stand by my personal opinion that he should not meddle with running for the post. His running in 2004 has caused division in the body of Christ- and I hope this serves to remind him that yes, He can pray, advise, and stir moral ascendency for the Filipinos, but be the President? Oh, It would be much better if he will just allow his son, Joel (Congressman of Party List CIBAC), to run for Senator (then He can later flourish and may run for President-Why Not?).

Senator Ping Lacson- Out. I think his failure in 2004 shows the reason why.

Senator Mar Roxas- In.

But for Roxas, his cursing during one of the rallies in Makati recently has put a clear negative point against him (Sana ay nag ingat ingat naman kahit paano).

Senator Manny Villar is In.

Mr. Sipag at Tiyaga has the pesosesoses needed to launch his nationwide campaign.


Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay is In. No! Out!



I believe he should first run for Senator. Then President in the next next elections. Same thing with his nemesis, the famous, and singing sensation, MMDA Chair and Mr. Gwapo, Bayani Fernando.

And what can we say about pareng Erap? I think he is In. But the people should not vote for him. Not this time.

And..... when all else fights for their own battle to the top, this next personality is certainly the Man to Beat!

Certainly, Eddie Gil can provide the fun and laughter during the campaigns. Go, Eddie Gil!!!

Miniminimaynimu

In less than two months, we are entering into 2009 and as I have tackled in a previous blog, the Presidential race fiasco is becoming a hit on the news lately.

The latest SWS Survey , conducted on September 2008, puts VP Noli De Castro ahead of the pack at 29% while Senators Manny Villar (28%), and Loren Legarda (26%) closely followed.

Malacañang palace issued a statement recently enumerating their choices for the 2010 elections-which includes- De Castro, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Senator Richard Gordon, Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte.

Earlier, Villar and Fernando signified their intention to run for the Top post. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay also recently informed the media that he is also eyeing for the post. (Now, wouldn't that be a match?- Binay vs. BF in another arena).

With a lot to choose from, and a lot more days to go before the 2010, we will yet to see a lot more changes on who will finally submit their Certificates of Candidacy for the Presidential race (needless to say, there will also be a lot more ober-da-bakods in play).

However, there is this post from Cocoy in Filipino Voices.com which actually struck my attention:

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Paano Kung Wala?
Written on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 at 7:29 pm by cocoy

Filipino Voices is asking, Who are YOU Supporting for 2010?

Oh yeah, you should go there and cast.

I’ll wait. Done?

Great!

As I was saying, what if… we hold an election and nobody came? Or everyone did but everyone abstained for lack of choices? I mean, seriously.

It isn’t like we have a huge pool to make a choice from. Do we choose the lesser evil of the bunch– like we have the last 20 years or so? Do we make a stand here and now and say, you want us to vote— give us better choices. We don’t want plain vanilla. we don’t want chocolate! we want coffee mint walnut ice cream!

Are we prepared to draw a line in the sand and say— we want better?

What do you think?
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I must admit I am an advocate of exercising the right to suffrage-encouraging a lot of the people, especially the young, to register and vote, however, the question is still bugging my mind: Am I prepared to draw the line and say I want a better choice?

Do I vote and choose the "lesser evil" among those vying for the post?
Or do I stand and say: "I don't want any of those. I want better."?

Now, I'm thinking.

Let The Game Begin

This year 2008, the Filipinos, again, are starting to see yet another blockbuster show leading to the 2010 Presidential Elections.

Now, we are beginning to see the concrete picture of what's going to happen from present to 2010. And the media continues to be the avenue where the people gets to know of who's who in the battle for the highest seat of the land.

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting, The Wannabees....... And.... Let The Game.... Begin!!!






Sipag at Tiyaga: Senate President Manny Villar

"Oo, tuloy na tayo sa 2010 sa pagka-presidente.. Wala nang urungan", thus says Manny Villar on his 2010 plans.

During the June SWS Presidentiable Surveys, Manny Villar placed third behind Noli de Castro and Loren Legarda.

However, since Villar threw off his hat on the Presidential race, allegations on various corruptions has started to box him off, the latest of which, is the Road to Nowhere mess, a project involving an alleged "double insertion of funds" where Senator Ping Lacson pinpointed Villar as the person who benefited to at least P200 Million.

People, however, think that this Lacson expose is just a way to discredit Villar's bid for the Presidency.

(Lacson himself is said to consistently set his sight on the Presidential seat, but political analysts do not seem to see him as a winnable candidate since he failed his bid during the 2004 election where he placed far third behind GMA and FPJ)






Mr. Palengke: Mar Roxas



Hoping to feat Senator Obama's fame in the US, Mar Roxas has opted to use Internet Blogging as his tool to gain popularity.


Thus, the Mar Roxas Blog. Then there is also the Mar Roxas for President in 2010 blog.


On early August 2008, Mar met with famous Political bloggers on a very lively discussion on Philippine politics over dinner. Ding Gagelonia, one of those present shares in his blog,

"Through the more that two hours he spent yesterday with the bloggers, Mar showed himself to be a ‘listening’ politician, taking notes as he heard how Filipinos are harnessing blogging to share information and distill their aspirations as a people, regardless of where the politicians are taking Philippine society."

In another blog, Ding writes,

"by the way he talks and walks, he is running for president. Make no mistake about it.His pedigree, his record as a politician (no longer ‘reluctant’ after taking on the Araneta/Roxas mantle due to the sudden death years back of his brother Dinggoy), his academic and intellectual maturity, and his age, all brand Mr. Palengke as presidential.

Mar and his team are going boldly into the new media, blogging and the class-and-border erasing Internet to get their message out and lock in the votes of overseas Filipinos and the youth."

However, Mar has yet to show himself more, as I personally believe that in his last few years in the Senate, he has not been too visible in the news. So I hope that this show of popularity that he is making thru blogging is not only for his political ambition, but a genuine show of concern to the Filipino.




Metro Gwapo: BF

Ever seen any of those huge MMDA tarps featuring our MMDA Chief Bayani Fernando? Many people has criticised BF that he is allegedly using government funds in order to popularize himself through those MMDA billboards.

At any rate, BF is getting all the popularity stints, both positive and negative. People may criticize him for being the urban poors' BERDUGO, as he continues to spearhead the way for a Handsome Metro Manila. But an equal number of people also praise him for being tough and strong in implementing rules and regulations to beautify the Metro.

Then, there is this BAYANI stickers you can find on Buses, Jeepneys, and even tricycles. One man commented, "Ang lakas ni BF sa Nueva Ecija, ah. Nakakita ako ng sticker nya doon, eh." Then, his fellow responded, "Aba'y wag kang magtaka. Kung sa Davao nga, nakakita rin ako ng stickers nya eh." When many people again comments on this, MMDA went on the defense to say that the BAYANI stickers are from BF's personal funds.

On some lighter (but somehow with still a great political color) news, BF is also contending to be the next Celebrity Duets 2nd winner. Sana naman, kahit dito, manalo si BF.

As one judge jokingly comments on him (paraphrased already), nag i improve ang singing ni BF, baka mamaya, magulo na ulit ang kalsada.

Well, those are only three of the many possible candidates who might run in 2010. It is actually too early to tell who will and who will not. There is Loren, Dick Gordon, Mayor Binay, Chiz Escudero, Kabayan Noli, and of course, the comicals Ely Pamatong and Eddie Gil.

It is too early to tell. But one thing's for sure, we are bound to see yet another colorful display of drama and comedy in search for the next Philippine President.