The wealthiest candidate, Manny Villar and his Nacionalista party slate caused a massive traffic jam in Calamba Laguna where they staged their proclamation rally. While his erstwhile rival in the ratings game, Senator Noynoy Aquino led his Liberal partymates to a rally in Tarlac. Others, like Bro. Eddie Villanueva had his in Luneta, while former president Joseph Estrada had a field day explaining his comeback with the poor masses in Plaza Miranda.

Others like Jamby Madrigal, JC delos Reyes and Nicanor Perlas spent their days as common and as usual as any other day.

What would happen in May is anybody’s guess. There is a rising number of undecided voters who is massing up and turning out as a “swing vote”.

Though both Aquino and Villar are leading the pack, there is still a chance for third placer, Joseph Estrada, to regain his old form and cause his magic again in the minds of the people.

Who is really being censored in this C-5 road scandal, which, according to the report, cost Filipinos 6.2 billion pesos? Is it the Senators who signed the committee report for release? Or that man who met the one named in Makati Shangri-la a few months ago?

As it stands, the accused has stubbornly refused to face his accusers, but has faced members of the media and used his resoures to get his ads across. My daughter asked–what is so different between the media and the Senate? By choosing the media, Senator Manny Villar probably thought that journalists are more gullible than his colleagues at the Senate. Villar, having been accustomed to the ways of this world, probably thinks that he and his handlers can manage the public sphere more effectively than his not-so-gullible colleagues led by Enrile etal. That Enrile refused that indecent offer shows principled politics, while Villar probably thinks that media could succumb to his millions.

Yet, like the rest of us, journalists are also standing up against Villar. Many radio commentators have said their pieces in public and Villar is being portrayed as a villain instead of an oppressed dog like what his supporters want us to believe.

Villar does not want to be censured but he, himself, is doing censorship. Who among us does not want to know te truth? Who does not want the public to read the Committee report? Is it not Villar?

For me, this is the end of the line for the esteemed Senator. Villar thinks that he has effectively dodged this issue. Woe to us, Filipinos, if we elect someone with an ethical case hanging like a Damocles sword above his head. Woe to us that we now have someone who thinks that it is of no consequence if a member of the Senate refuses to follow the rules and thinks that it is his right to get concessions for being in public office. And woe to us that we now have a man who chose not to face his detractors, his accusers and for thinking that he is above all of us.

The poor, the class which I belong, are not schemers nor robbers. We have a code. We only have our honor and our integrity to latch on. We don’t consider those who steal, who cheat and those without the will to face the consequences of his immoral acts as a member of the society of the poor and of the oppressed.

Anyone can claim that he belonged to the poor. Let his actions speak for itself.

Juan Ponce Enrile

Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile said that nine senators have already signed the C-5 road project report which convicts fellow colleague Manny Villar. Only three more signatures are needed for the report to be calendared and debated on the floor.

If you remember, Villar was accused of profiting from the extension of the C-5 project. Villar, according to Enrile, was the one who recommended the project. According to witnesses presented by Senator Jamby Madrigal, Villar reportedly got more than 800 million pesos from the project.

Villar never presented himself during the ethics probe. He even accused the senate as a “Kangaroo court”.

Without his participation, the Senate continued the probe.

There’s no denying that Villar did, indeed, came from the proletarian ranks. And there’s simply no denying also that he’s now a multi-billionaire, especially when he sold his Capitol Bank. But, that’s another story.

That TVC tries to address two issues—to disabuse the minds of the public that Villar is rich and wealthy and two, to try and make an emotive connection with the poor segments of the electorate. Villar’s ad is simply a lie.

For example, a line in the song says that “Si Villar ang tunay na mahirap. Si Villar ang may tunay na malasakit.” That is what we in the advertising world describes as a “claim”. A claim, to be truthful, must reflect the present. Is Villar a true blue member of the country’s poor? No. He belongs to the billionaire’s club.

The Advertising Board of the Philippines should look into this matter very seriously.

Manny Villar's platform is a no-nonsense one

Satur Ocampo, former Nationalist Democratic Front (NDF) head and Lisa Masa, the recognized women’s rights activist, are running under the Nacionalista Party as guest senatorial candidates.  In an interview, Satur said that the reason why they aligned themselves with the Nacionalista, a traditional political party headed by no less than billionaire Manny Villar were for two reasons: first, other parties are not interested in adopting the Makabayan platform of government and only Villar says the party is ready to accept these points as part of the Nacionalista platform.

I secured for myself, a copy of the Nacionalista Party platform and read it. I also have a copy of the platform of the Liberal Party, the main political rival of the Nacionalista in the forthcoming elections. Armed with these two documents, I am trying to put them into a matrix, comparing their points and seeing if these are responsive to the current social needs.

Based on data culled from the National Statistics Coordinating Board (NSCB), the Bangko Sentral’s Consumer Confidence Index and the current AC Nielsen reports, Filipinos’ top five (5) concerns are:

1. Stability of the local economy

2. Job security

3. Increases in bills (electricity, power, water)

4. Increases in gasoline prices

5. Good governance issues (re: graft and corruption)

The Nacionalista Party platform focuses on two main points: the issue of poverty and social injustice. Reading the document, the platform provides concrete solutions to the issue of poverty—develop the rural sector and enhance or strengthen local industries. Their anti-poverty program is the most concrete and the most responsive since it addresses the root causes, and presents not just cosmetic solutions.

For one, the Nacionalista Party wants to create a self-reliant and independent local economy. In order to do just that, the Nacionalista Party intends to improve the conditions in the countrysides by implementing agrarian reform, increase rural productivity and develop and strengthen local industries.

The Nacionalista Party believes in the concept of land-to-the tiller, the main essence of true agrarian reform. The Party also seeks to provide CARP beneficiaries of funds support thru rural finance and also provide technical supports. It seeks to compensate small and medium-sized land owners who were previously not given any by the government.

For the Nacionalista party, development of both the rural and the urban sectors of the economy should go hand-in-hand and results to job generation. While developing the economy, the Nacionalista Party hopes to involve the stakeholders in preserving the national patrimony, by introducing the National Land Use policy and infusing ecologically-sound practices on farm production. Fisherfolks will be involved in conserving marine resources.

Micro-financing, strengthening rural finance infrastructures, safety nets against the onerous effects of trade liberalization, promotion of subsidies and SMEs loans are just some of the support mechanisms propounded by the Nacionalista party. This shows a very close involvement of government in supporting both the rural and urban economies. However, it is curious to know though how the Nacionalista Party would address the budget deficit problem that may arise in the implementation of these programs.

In addressing social injustice, the Nacionalista Party encourages the involvement of all sectors. The platform recognizes the strengthening of human rights, promote involvement of stakeholders in preserving people’s and individual rights and likewise highlight the role of the Youth, women and labor sectors. Social injustice is viewed on two levels: domestic and foreign. In the domestic front, the Nacionalista wants to review onerous contracts entered into by government, prosecute officials who committed graft and corruption, liberalize the social sphere by respect of human rights and shield the people from grave injustices. Transparency in government transactions and the promotion of integrity are some of the solutions being offered by the party. In the foreign sphere, a review of the Visiting Forces Agreement and some trade pacts entered by the previous dispensation is offered.

For me, the Nacionalista Party platform is responsive. It gives no motherhood statements, no broad strokes solutions and no bull-shit phrases and promises. It is not a slogan merely to satiate the reformist tastes nor a program which offers the same old and tired strands of pseudo-nationalist propaganda. It is well-thought out and direct to the point.

Manny Villar--a lover of space and freedoms

Manuel Bamba Villar was born on December 13, 1949. Based on his natal charts, Villar is a gambler, an adventurer at heart, someone who loves to travel around, a risk taker and exhibits an independent streak in him.

Villar loves space and freedom. Under a Villar presidency, the people will enjoy more space in expressing themselves and more freedom. It will be an enriching life for all Filipinos since Villar views life as an adventure, a journey, endlessly interesting and full of possibilities.

In how he will execute the laws, Villar will probably try different permutations first before arriving at one concrete and solid decision. In his past, Villar experimented with different things before settling to a career in real estate which allows him to travel. After achieving the pinnacle of his career in that field, it is expected of Villar to venture into politics, since this allows him to interact with people more. That explains why he is investing a lot in winning the presidency because this career allows him to travel, meet new people and explore other possibilities.

It will be a new era under a Villar presidency, a dynamic government, willing to take risks and open to new ideas. Villar is an incurable Optimist, with big dreams and aspirations. Villar harbors deep faith in what is possible and does not easily lose enthusiasm or faith in a venture.

And since he is quite open to change, those who want charter change will definitely find it easier to deal with him, than, Noynoy Aquino.

Villar will surely encourage people to take on entrepreneurial pursuits and will use government to use its resources to support innovators and entrepreneurs. Villar has the ability to sense future trends, to see the big picture and like to theorize or speculate.

Villar communicates in a very open, direct and somewhat blunt manner. Villar is insensitive at times. Yet, this trait of his will surely be appreciated by the people.

Villar has a tendency to be reckless, aggressive and combative at times. Though he is cautious and careful on how he behaves in public, Villar will definitely fight those who will oppose his administration.

Villar has a deep belief in what he can do and the potentials of doing great. Villar is attracted to the mystical, the beautiful and the arts.

His administration will showcase inventiveness, creativity, freedom and concrete achievements. Villar likes to manage people. He wants clear and realistic targets and not easily impressed with boastful or exaggerated claims or promises. He is a good strategist.

Under a Villar presidency, expect life to be better, freer and more stable.

Bro Eddie Villanueva--Bangon Pilipinas

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has just released the list of qualified candidates for the May 10, 2010 elections. Here are the lucky ones:

President:

1. Senator Noynoy Aquino (Liberal Party)
2.  JC delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran Party)
3. former president Joseph Estrada (Pwersa ng Masa)
4. Senator Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan Party)
5. Senator Jamby Madrigal (Independent)
6. former DND secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro (Lakas-KAMPI CMD)
7. Bro. Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas)
8. Senator Manny Villar (Nacionalista)

Nicanor Perlas, the environmentalist, was not included in the list. Perlas says he will contest his non-inclusion before the Comelec and possibly before the Supreme Court.

For Vice President, here is the list:

1. Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino)
2. Dominador Chipeco (Ang Kapatiran)
3. Bayani Fernando (Bagumbayan)
4. Sen. Loren Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition)
5. actor Edu Manzano (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
6. Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II (Liberal Party)
7. broadcaster Jay Sonza (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan)
8. former Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Perfecto Yasay Jr. (Bangon Pilipinas)

For senatoriables, here are the short-listed names:

Liberal Party:

1. Nereus Acosta
2. Risa Hontiveros
3. Martin Bautista
4. Ruffy Biazon
5. Franklin Drilon
6. Teofisto Guingona III
7. Alexander Lacson
8. Yasmin Lao
9. Ralph Recto
10. Sonia Roco

Lakas-Kampi-CMD:

1. Silvestre Bello III
2. Bong Revilla Jr
3. Ramon Guico
4. Raul Lambino
5. Rey Langit
6. Lito Lapid

Nacionalista Party:

1. Pia Cayetano
2. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
3. Ramon Mitra
4. Susan Ople
5. Ariel Querubin
6. Gilbert Remulla
7. Adel Tamano

Nationalist People’s Coalition:

1. Rodolfo Plaza
2. Vicente Sotto II

Ang Kapatiran:

1. Rizalito David
2. Jo Imbong
3. Zosimo Paredes
4. Maria Gracia Piñozo-Plazo
5. Adrian Sison
6. Reginald Tamayo
7. Hector Tarrazona
8. Manuel Valdehuesa

Bangon Pilipinas:

1. Zafrullah Alonto
2. Kata Inocencio
3. Ramoncito Ocampo
4. Reynaldo Princesa
5. Alexander Tinsay
6. Israel Virgines

Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino:

1. JV Bautista
2. Joey de Venecia III
3. Juan Ponce Enrile
4. Jinggoy Estrada
5. Apolinario Lozada

PDP-Laban:

1. Henry Caunan
2. Gwendolyn Pimentel

People’s Reform Party:

1. Miriam Defensor-Santiago

Grand Alliance for Democracy—Francisco Tatad.

Kilusang Bagong Lipunan:

1. Shariff Albani
2. Alma Lood
3. Regalado Maambong
4. Maria Judea Millora
5. Imelda Papin
6. Hector Villanueva

Independent candidates:

1. Satur Ocampo
2. Liza Maza
3. Sergio Osmeña III
4. Jovito Palparan Jr.

Noynoy Aquino still tops Presidential surveys

Noynoy Aquino, the Liberal party standard bearer, continues to lead the presidential surveys. In the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, Aquino surpassed his closest political rival by 27%, garnering 47% of the total preference choices of 1,200 respondents last November 4 to 8.

Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party got 20%, while Senator Chiz Escudero and Joseph Estrada each got 12% percent of respondents. Lakas-Kampi CMD bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro “improved” his ratings, getting 3 percent. While Bangon Pilipinas standard bearer Eddie Villanueva and Bagumbayan bet Bayani Fernando each got 1 percent.

Richard Gordon got a slice of what Bayani has, followed by Independent presidential bet Jamby Madrigal with 0.4% and Nicanor Perlas, 0.01%. Former DPWH Hermogenes Ebdane who initially expressed an intention to run but backed out and filed his candidacy for governor of an indescript province, did not get any single preference.

Manny Villar's ratings are going south

Now, take note that the survey was commissioned way weeks before Senator Chiz Escudero announced his intention not to run for the presidential post. Now that Escudero is out of the presidential game, how would this impact on the chances of both Nacionalista bet Villar and Estrada? Will this improve the ratings of Noynoy more?

What is certain is that Villar’s numbers are plummeting, a confirmation of what Patricio Mangubat of www.newphilrevolution.blogspot.com wrote that the Nacionalista Party bet’s ratings have plateau-ed and will definitely get a rough beating in the future and will start going down.

What is the probable reason for this? The reason is simple—Villar is just perceived to be a moneyman, a Kingmaker, not presidentiable material. His lack of a platform is affecting him. He must do something drastic to correct this.