Updates on the Aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy

Our latest update on the casualties and damages caused by Typhoon Ondoy is still rising. As of this day, there are places in Metro Manila that is still flooded and there are people who needs to be rescued.

Based on newspaper reports, the total casualties is already 75 people which includes missing persons. The damage to infrastructure could reach to millions of pesos. The government is now asking for international aid to finance the relief and rescue operations.

There are some points that I want our readers to ponder;

If our government officials were prudent in their spending (like those grand dinner at exclusive restaurants and expensive travels abroad) we will not be asking for help from other countries.

If we have a carefully planned emergency response strategy, there would be lesser casualties. Instead of too much politicking in the Senate and the lower house why not think of laws that will tackle disasters like this.

Some of our presidentiables were tested on this particular situation. Please take note of their participation and role in responding to this emergency situation.
-Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (DND)
-MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando
-Senator Richard Gordon (Red Cross Chairman)
-Other Presidentiables like Senator Manny Villar,Senator Noynoy Aquino,VP Noli de Castro, Erap Estrada, Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, Jamby Madrigal, Bro Eddie Villanueva

If our incumbent senators and congressmen used properly their pork barrel, flooding and other disasters will be avoided in Metro Manila and other provinces. Instead of putting waiting sheds and making large billboards to claim the projects, why not prioritize those projects that will benefit and safeguard people in the community.


Latest update NDCC:

-the number of casualties reached 100 persons according the the report from the National Disaster Coordinating Council
- US government, through ambassador Kirstie Kenny donated an additional $50,000 for Typhoon Ondoy assistance

Noynoy Aquino Leads Presidentiables in the Latest Survey

In the latest survey of Presidentiables for the 2010 national elections, Senator Noynoy Aquino leads the survey with 50% of the respondents chose him to be the next president of the Republic. He was followed by Senator Manny Villar and other presidentiables.

The Aquino-Roxas tandem also leads the survey against the possible team-up between Estrada-Legarda, De Castro- Puno, and Villar-Pangilinan. SWS cunducted the survey in Metro Manila and other provinces in Luzon on September 5-6, 2009. Vice President Noli de Castro will announced today his plans for the 2010 elections.

Some political strategist are still wary of the chances of Senator Aquino in the coming Presidential race. In an article of Philstar, Lito Banayo, said Aquino’s close links to his parents could be both beneficial and disadvantageous to him. “It’s not a ‘walk in the park’ for him... Ninoy is now considered a martyr and a hero while Cory, after her death, had assumed a person almost of sainthood. If Noynoy becomes a candidate now, the memories of Ninoy and Cory will become fodder." Banayo enumerated some of the issues that will be faced by Senator Aquino which include unresolved issues of the Aquino administrationlike the exclusion of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac from the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, the Mendiola massacre and the operation of the so-called “Kamag-anak Inc.”

Banayo added that his mother Cory Aquino assumed a very fruitful reverie of the president of the country in comparison with what followed, especially the present administration. Opponents might revive old issues. Banayo also said Aquino would have to deal with the limited reach of the Liberal Party. “The Liberal Party has no infrastructure in Mindanao... He cannot rely only on the LP. He needs more vehicles. He needs to unite the opposition minus Erap and Villar,” he said.

The director of the Makati Business Club, on the other hand, has a positive analysis of the presidential bid of the Senator. "We now have renewed hope that we can look forward to a new dawn where accountability and good governance prevail over abuse and deceit. From apathy, we now see a reinvigorated citizenry,” Del Rosario added.

“There is a shared assessment that the state of governance in the country has become intolerable and that people must act now on their own to bring back the good and fight corruption, injustice and abuse. In short, people are calling to bring back ethical leadership and are willing to participate as citizens to bring this about. This is one of the most significant developments as far as protecting and enhancing Philippine democracy is concerned,” he said. Del Rosario is supporting Senator Aquino but he said that it does not mean that it is also the decision of the Makati Business Club.

Unity Walk of Presidentiables

Its good to see politicians walk hand in hand for clean and orderly elections. The recent event sponsored by GMA 7 network and other organization, Tatakbo Ka Ba Election 2010 is a good example on how the private sector and the public can help in unifying candidates and urging them to follow election laws.

They signed a manifesto stating that they will not use force,money and other illegal activities during the elections in 2010. They also took an oath so we just hope that they will honor and follow what they have signed and promised.

Some of the candidates present were:

Senator Mar Roxas
Senator Jamby Madrigal
Senator Loren Legarda
Senator Dick Gordon
Senator Manny Villar
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando
Former President Erap Estrada
Brother Eddie Villanueva
Senator Kiko Pangilinan
Ang Kapatiran


Other presidentiables were not present due to previous commitments or out of the country on official travel.

Bro Mike Velarde Plans to Run for President in 2010 Elections

Brother Mike Velarde of El Shaddai said in an interview that he thought of running for President on 2010 national elections. He still have to make his final decision after consulting his followers. A survey is being conducted on all El Shaddai member to know if they can bring 20 more supporters for Bro. Mike.

Bro Mike Velarde also said that his support for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ends in 2010. Other politicians suggests that Brother MIke velarde should just endorse a candidate rather than running for president. He lacks the political machinery needed to have a successful national campaign.

New Presidentiables for 2010 Elections

The latest personalities and politicians who acknowledge their intention to run for the highest office in the land for the 2010 national election:

Senator Jamby Madrigal

Governor Grace Padaca

Brother Eddie Villanueva

Who's next?

Advocacy Ads: Does It Help The Presidentiables?

Questions whether politicians who are having advocacy ads on television are violating election laws are still unanswered. Our election code permits appearances in mass media provided they are not directly campaigning for a particular position. They are after the words, vote for me, elect me, i campaign,,, and so on. Anyway, this is the Philippines, we have so many laws with so many loopholes.

In the recent survey, the presidentiables for the 2010 election seems to be well prepared to take all the strategies just to be noticed by the public regardless of the cost involved.



If you want to know how these presidentiables spend money for their advocacy ads (or campaign ads if we can say that). These are the numbers:

Mar Roxas - 140 million
Manny Villar - 90 million
Loren Legarda - 10 million

There are also some politicians who are spending a lot on tv ads like Mayor Jejomar Binay and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

The question is, if they are spending a lot of money in the coming election, do you think they will not get it back when elected? We know that these people are not philanthropists.

Problems with the New Coalition LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD

Few days ago, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando commented on how the coalition handles its selection process for the presidency in 2010 elections. He asked why Vice President Noli de Castro and defense secretary Gibo Teodoro tops the lists of Presidentiables where in fact they are not yet members of the party. De Castro is an independent while Teodoro is still a member of Danding Cojuangco's political party.

Are we expecting more conflicts as the May 2010 election becomes nearer? In my point of view, it will definitely happen. Fighting for positions and endorsement will be a problem for these 3 big political parties.

So its not surprising that some opposition are going after some of its party members. It was reported that some members of LAKAS-CMD were being courted by the group of Manny Villar.

The political adviser of the president also commented on the standing of Sec. Teodoro in the surveys. If he wants to win, he should at least compete in the top list. With less than 5%, he is not the type of candidate that will win the race. However, if they use some illegal strategy, they could change the result of the election, as what the administration is doing for the past years.

Merging of Lakas Kampi CMD Final

The merging of LAKAS KAMPI CMD becomes final with the recent meeting of the party representatives. They agreed that they will be fielding only one candidate for top position in the coming 2010 national elections. For me, this is a good development since we will be having smaller number of candidates to choose from. although we still dont know how many candidates the opposition has.

The possible tandem for the 2010 presidential election for the LAKAS KAMPI CMD coalition is VP Noli de Castro and Secretary Puno or VP Noli de Castro and Defense Secretary Teodoro.

Presidentiables for 2010 Elections

The latest Pulse Asia survey showed that it is too early to determine who will dominate the next Presidential elections in 2010. Based on the results, the aspirants are still sharing almost the same percentage of the voters preference.

Here are the list of Presidentiables with corresponding percentage:

Noli de Castro - 19%
Chiz Escudero - 18%
Loren Legarda - 12%
Joseph Estrada - 16%
Manny Villar - 15%
Mar Roxas - 8%
Panfilo Lacson - 6%
Jejomar Binay - 2%
Bayani Fernando - 1%

As to geographical areas and socioeconomic class ABC,
Metro Manila:
Chiz Escudero - 27%
Visayas:
Manny Villar - 25%
Mindanao:
Noli de Castro - 24%
Joseph Estrada - 23%


Vice Presidential Candidates
Loren Legarda - 22%
Chiz Escudero - 26%


Senators:
Jinggoy Estrada - 52.8%
Pia Cayetano - 48.8%
Mar Roxas - 48.8%
Miriam Santiago - 47%
Franklin Drilon - 42.7%
Jamby Madrigal - 38.8%
Ramon Revilla Jr. - 37.8%
Koko Pimentel - 36.1%
Ralph recto - 35.5%
Sergio Osmena III - 33.8%
Edu Manzano - 33.4%
Vicente Sotto III - 31.2%
Korina Sanchez - 28%
Juan Ponce Enrile - 27.6%
Richard Gordon - 26.9%

Other aspirants and being pushed to run for the presidency are Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Supreme Court Chief Justice REynato Puno. El Shaddai Brother Mike Velarde also said that he will run if there will be an approval from the CBCP.