Religious Leaders for President: Better Alternatives?

Religious leaders are now more vocal and involves themselves in the political activities with the hope that they can also provide the change Filipinos are longing for. It is stated in our constitution that there is a separation of the church and the state but with the recent developments in our politics today, it seems that this prohibition may not deter people from the church to participate in election.

The number of people from religious organization interested in the 2010 national election is increasing. They are hoping that, with huge following, they have an edge from traditional politicians.

Those who are willing to run for the presidency in the coming elections are the following:

Gov. Ed Panlilio - priest on leave Roman Catholic Church
Brother Eddie Villanueva - (JIL) Jesus is Lord Founder
Brother Mike Velarde - El Shaddai Founder

Are we expecting for more when the filing of candidacies starts in November? Who do you think is the best alternative leader from these candidates? How big is thier chance to win the election?

Should we expect that Iglesia ni Cristo will also field their candidate?

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.

General Danny Lim Will Run as Senator

Detained General Danny Lim announced today that he will be running for senator in the 2010 national elections. He is confident that he can also duplicate what Senator Trillanes did to grab a seat in the senate. He also changed his voters registration to his home province where he meet some of his supporters.

General Lim believes that he can do more things if elected in the senate. The problem that he will be facing is the same with Senator Trillanes. Can he serve fully the filipino people if inside a cell?

Peace Talks With MILF and Clashes in Mindanao

Senator Biazon raised some concern on the peace talks initiated by the government with the MILF. He was alarmed on the failure of the MILF leaders to control their group. With the recent clashes between the government troops and the abu sayyaf, it was reported that some of the break-away members of the MILF gave support to the Abus which lead to the bloody encounter and claimed the lives of more than 20 soldiers. The worst thing is, many civilians were also reported as casualties.

The government should reassess their plans of keeping peace in MIndanao.

1 Million Dinner by the President vs. 30 Million Hungry Filipinos

Secretary Remonde scolded the media for sensationalizing the issue of 1 million worth of dinner of the President in New York during her visit and meeting with President Barack Obama. He emphasized that poverty and hunger is the main priority of President GMA. But I just have one question.

For almost a decade of Presidency, was she able to eradicate or at least reduced the incidence of poverty in the Philippines?

If there are almost 30 million of filipinos who can't even eat 3 times a day, then 1 million dinner would not be appropriate even if it was shouldered by a congressman.

Willi Revillame, Disrespectful on President Cory Aquino's Cortege?

Below is the video of the statement of Willi Revillame on his TV show while the coverage of funeral procession of the former President Cory Aquino was also being shown at the inset of the TV screen. There is an increasing clamor from different media organization including MTRCB to impose sanction to the TV host of Wowowee.

Willi already explained his side but more Filipinos sees it as a disrespect to the late President. It will be hard for Willie to defend himself. The issue will always be about his atittude as a host. Some comments online shows what they felt on the statements of Willie.



Here are some comments from youtube:

Driggyboy: korek na korek kayo jan VIc and Joey! kahit blocktimer ang show nyo open kayo ma inset or ipasok ang live feed or news interruption dahil mahalaga yon! Sila iba ang humor nila, institusyon na yan, yung Willie na yan puro yabang dahil walang laman ang utak! puro panloloko ang ginagawa sa mga tao parang yung kinabibilangan nyang istasyon!

rainfree14: sa tingin b ni willie people are watching because of wowowee that day??? 99.9% of people watching because of cory so to ask the live streaming of the cortege be removed is just f%$#% disrespectful and arrogant...he need to pick his spot...ABS CBN is just about money if they still dont fire him..he's a disgrace parang ala sya breeding...who cares about his show that time????

aprilfoool83: remember the 2million pesos supposedly given by a politician to willy? if he did not really want to use the money, he shouldn't have accepted it in the first place. yes he did not use it for his own expenses but he used it to make himself look good and heroic to people. in short, to glorify himself. i know it's a different issue but it goes to show the true character of willie. he's a crap!

jonjoyful: naiintindihan ko ang ibig sabihin ni willie kaya lang hindi maganda ang pagkasabi niya dapat sa commercial na lang niya sinabi, kasi si willie akala niya komo nakakatulong siya sa mga tao akala niya tama lagi ang sinasabi niya. minsan naman mag iisip muna sana si willie bago magsalita para di siya matrouble. at ito naman si joey at vic tignan muna ninyo ang sarili ninyo bago kayo magsalita sa kapwa ninyo. eh mga bastos din kayo akala mo kung sino kayong magaling. gago lang ang nanonood sa inyo.


Now his "longtime critic" talks about it on their show:






Now its up to you to decide whether Willie's action is inappropriate. Remember the news is about a former head of state, an icon, the person who freed us and lead us to democracy.

Noynoy for Vice President

After the burial of his mother, former President Cory Aquino, the political party of Noynoy Aquino considers him as a good candidate for the vice presidency. The LP said that it is agood development for their party since they already have 2 winnable candidates. The other one is Kiko Pangilinan who already declared his intention to run for vice president in the 2010 elections.

If Noynoy decides to run as vice president, the party will be forced to follow the selection process for these 2 candidates. Although this is considered by party members as a positive problem since LP is the only party that could fill the top position without inviting other candidates from other opposition parties.



Fielding Noynoy for the vice presidency came up when party members have seen that the Cory Magic is still there. With the huge support of the people for Cory, with the way Noynoy handles the relationship with Malacanang and his statement during the requiem mass, contributed further to his status as a senator and a possible candidate for vice president.

As to the question whether Kris Aquino will run for 2010 national election, NOynoy said that it is not yet time for Kris and he want his sister to be in showbiz rather than be involved in politics.

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?