Not a single bill passed by Escudero, Cayetano — TU exec

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 05:52pm (Mla time) 04/19/2007
MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial bets Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Alan Peter Cayetano had been too preoccupied trying to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that they failed to pass even a single bill in Congress, an official of the administration party said Thursday.

Aurelio “Reli” German, TEAM Unity campaign manager, said the “two stalwarts in the opposition” had authored measures but they were not able to push through their bills.”

“If only they spent more time pushing their bills instead of grandstanding, they could have pushed their bills,” said German at a forum in Makati City.

“But what have they done?” he asked. “They’re always in the media trying to earn brownie points, ranting, wrangling.”

Escudero led two failed impeachment bids against Arroyo in the House of Representatives in 2005 and 2006. Cayetano meanwhile had accused the Arroyo family of maintaining a multi-million dollar account in Germany.

Being with the opposition is not an excuse to be remiss of legislative duties, German said, citing former president Joseph Estrada who was able to pass measures while an opposition senator.

“What I’m saying is you do your work as oppositionist but at the same time don’t forget your role as legislators,” German said.

Genuine Opposition spokesman Adel Tamano defended Escudero and Cayetano.

“We have to understand that the role of senators and congressmen is not just legislation. Under our constitutional system, they have three (functions) — legislative, investigative and oversight,” Tamano said in the same forum.

“In fact, both of these roles — the investigative and oversight — have no legislative functions,” he said

Admin campaign manager calls GO ad ‘revolting’

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 06:55pm (Mla time) 04/19/2007
MANILA, Philippines — “Revolting.”

This was how the campaign manager of TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) Unity on Thursday described the Genuine Opposition’s new political advertisement carrying the mnemonic acronym of its candidates — Plan Co Revolt.

Plan Co Revolt stands for (Aquilino “Koko”) Pimentel III, (Panfilo “Ping”) Lacson, Alan (Peter Cayetano), (Benigno) Noynoy (Aquino III), (Anna Dominique) Coseteng, (Sonia) Roco, (Francis) Escudero, (Manuel) Villar, (John) Osmena, (Loren) Legarda, and (Antonio) Trillanes.

“The acronym is too aggressive for their [GO’s] candidates,” Aurelio “Reli” German said. “Plant a lover, I think that’s more okay because everybody loves a lover.”

“Plant a lover” was the first acronym the opposition considered.

German said the administration’s acronym, “Mas Para sa Kidz Mo,” was definitely better.

“If we put the two side by side, I would say that ‘Mas Para sa Kidz Mo’ is much better, with a message to impart that is not negative,” he said.

“The other one is too aggressive. The word revolt itself is revolting,” he said.

GO spokesman Adel Tamano admitted he himself would prefer their old acronym but explained they had to change it because there was still a pending case involving Aquino’s namesake, Ted Aquino, who had been declared a nuisance candidate by the Commission on Elections.

“If it’s just Aquino, then that may spoil the ballots, that’s why we had to put Noynoy Aquino,” he said.

But still, Tamano said, it would be up to the Filipino people to decide how they take to the opposition’s new campaign memory aid.

“I guest this was the best one that we could think of,” he admitted.

Cordillera police chief flagged down at Abra checkpoint

04/19/2007 | 08:11 AM

Police checkpoints in Abra province are now so tight that even the regional police chief of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) found himself flagged down Wednesday night.

Cordillera regional head Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales disclosed Thursday he was riding in a private vehicle when police manning a checkpoint in the province flagged him down.

“Araw-araw may checkpoint. Kagabi sumakay ako sa private vehicle, pati ako na-checkpoint. Ganoon kahigpit ang checkpoint natin (Checkpoint operations are now ongoing daily. I was riding a private vehicle Wednesday night when one of the checkpoints flagged me down. That’s how strict our checkpoints are now),” he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

While he did not say if he got mad at the police personnel manning the checkpoint or commended them, he said police in the region need to implement tighter security as the May 14 polls draw nearer.

Since December 2006, Abra has been placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over election-related violence there.

Gonzales said checkpoints in Abra continue to net high-powered firearms, including an M-14 rifle confiscated from a businessman recently.

He did not name the businessman but said the offender was charged for violating the Comelec gun ban and for illegal possession of firearms.

“Walang permit dahil lahat ng permit to carry firearms ay canceled (We will not honor permits to carry because all permits to carry firearms have been canceled during the election period),” he said. – GMANews.TV

Pacquiao ‘mutates’ into a politician at GenSan parade

04/18/2007 | 09:00 PM

On Wednesday morning, he was acting like a boxing champ that he was, waving to thousands of supporters who crowded the roads of General Santos City and other towns of South Cotabato.

In the afternoon however, after the hero’s welcome, radio dzBB reported that Manny Pacquiao rode in another float, changing his mien to that of a politician’s. He is running for Congress against incumbent General Santos City Rep Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

The report said Pacquiao wore his campaign vest and mingled with other local candidates in the May 14 elections when he transferred into another parade vehicle with a ‘People’s Champ Movement” written on it.

DzBB said Pacquiao did not give portions of his winnings to people during the parade, but nevertheless distributed a truckload of food to his supporters who witnessed the parade.

The report said Pacquiao asked apology from his rain-drenched supporters after his group ran out of food from the truck. It was also reported that Pacquiao distributed 300 sacks of rice to the city’s poor people. – GMANews.TV

Tax case puts Goma’s Senate bid in jeopardy

04/18/2007 | 05:32 PM

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Wednesday day asked the Commission on Elections to disqualify actor Richard Gomez from the senatorial race for failing to settle his P7-million tax case with the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Gomez (Richard Frank Icasiano in real life), a staunch critic of the Arroyo administration, is running as an independent senatorial candidate in the May 14 elections.

In 2005, the BIR lodged a tax evasion suit before the Department of Justice for P100 million against Gomez for failing to file his income tax returns for taxable years 2000 to 2003. However, upon investigation of the case, the actor’s actual tax liability dwindled to just P7 million.

In a one-page memorandum to Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos, Gonzalez said the all candidates in all elective positions should be good taxpayers and those found to be remiss in their duties should be disqualified from running.

“He (Gomez) is seeking a senatorial post, a high and esteemed office in government. Will it not be proper to disqualify Mr. Gomez for repeatedly refusing to settle his tax accounts with the government he is seeking to serve?” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez added that while it might not be specified in the Omnibus Election Code, people seeking high-profile officers should comply with basic laws of paying one’s taxes and the filing of corresponding ITR.

“These are signs of patriotism and acts of good faith and sincerity especially since the candidate is seeking an office in government. Paying our taxes promptly reveals an important facet of our character. I urge the Comelec to review and ponder upon this query,” he said, noting that tax evasion is criminal in nature and is penalized under the law.

During an interview with reporters, Gonzalez insisted that he was not singling out Gomez.

“This is for all the candidates. Richard Gomez was just a specific example that I mentioned because I’m familiar with his case. It’s been pending with the DOJ for some time now because he told us that he would settle (his liability) but he never did despite repeated requests. I think we have a strong case against him,” he said.

Gonzalez recalled that the actor-politician even approached him once to assure him that he would soon settle his tax obligations, and he even asked Speaker Jose de Venecia to intercede for him.

The BIR earlier claimed that Gomez did not file his income tax returns for taxable years 2000 to 2003 with the payment of a documentary tax of P786,975 on Nov. 6, 2003 for the purchase of a P52 million-Forbes Park property.

The bureau said the actor allegedly did not declare his source for the acquisition of the posh Forbes property. It likewise disclosed that Gomez has actively pursued his profession as an actor, model, and commercial talent and show host from 2000 to 2003, such that his talent fees from the country’s two leading television networks had earned him a minimum of P1 million per year.

Furthermore, the BIR said Gomez made several films under Regal Films, Viva Films, and Star Cinema during the three-year period. – GMANews.TV

Disqualification of 34 Palace-backed party-list groups sought

04/19/2007 | 07:42 PM

Two non-government groups on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to order the Commission on Elections to disqualify 34 party-list organizations believed to be backed by Malacañang.

In a 45-page petition for certiorari, Bantay Republic Act 7941 and Urban Poor for Legal Reforms asked the high court to order the Comelec to recall the accreditation it gave to the party-list groups, which they accused of “bastardizing” and “prostituting” RA 7941 or the Party-List Law.

Petitioners claimed the Comelec violated the provisions of RA 7941 as well as the eight-point guidelines set by the Supreme Court in the case of Ang Bagong Bayani v. Comelec in 2001, which states that “not only the candidate party or organization must represent marginalized and underrepresented sectors; so also must its nominees.”

They also asked the high court to issue a temporary restraining order preventing the Comelec from proclaiming any of the respondent party-list organizations running in the May 14 elections as winner until the petition is resolved with finality.

The groups claimed the stern refusal of the public respondent therefore to release the list of the names of nominees constitute grave abuse of discretion on the part of Comelec.

Named respondents in the petition were party list groups Biyaheng Pinoy, whose nominee to the congressional post Arsenio Abalos is brother of Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos; Kapatiran ng mga Nakakulong Na walang Sala (Kakusa), Barangay Association for National Advancement and Transparency (Banat), Ahon Pinoy, Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. (Agap), Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Mamamayan, Inc. (Agham), Babae Para sa Kaunlaran (Babae Ka), Aksyon Sambayanan (Aksa), Alay sa Bayan ng Malayang Propesyunal at Repormang Kalakal (Abay-Parak).

Also being sought for disqualification are Agbiag Timpuyog Ilocano, Inc. (Agbiag), Abante Ilonggo, Inc. (Aba Ilonggo), Aangat Tayo (AT), Aangat ang Kabuhayan (Anak), Bago National Cultural Society of the Philippines (Bago), Aangat Antas-Kabuhayan Pilipino Movement (Aangat ka Pilipino), Arts Business and Science Professional (ABS), Assosayon ng mga Maliliit na Negosyanteng Gumaganap Inc. (Amang), Sulong Barangay Movement, Kasosyo Producers Consumer Exchange Association, Inc (Kasosyo), United Movement Against Drugs (Uni-Mad), Parents Enabling Parents, Alliance of Neo-Conservatives (ANC).

Filipinos For Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM), Bigkis Pinoy Movement (Bigkis), 1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-Untak), Alliance for Barangay Concerns (ABC), Biyayang Bukid, Inc, Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD), Akbay Pinoy OFW-National Inc., (APOI), Alliance Transport Sector (ATS), Kalahi Sectoral Party (Advocates for Overseas Filipino) and Association of Administrators, Professionals and Seniors.

According to petitioners, the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion when it granted accreditations to the party-list groups even without determining whether the nominees of the organizations are qualified or not.

They claimed that the poll body failed to determine whether or not the nominees belong to the marginalized and underrepresented sector, in accordance with No. 7 of the eight-point guidelines prescribed by the Supreme Court.

They also said the Comelec was in clear error in not following Section 7, Article III (Bill of Rights) of the Constitution, which states that “the right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized.”

The provision further stated that “Access to official records and to documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.”

Petitioners cited as example the group Biyaheng Pinoy, while claiming to be a group of marginalized sector of tricycle drivers, its nominees are not tricycle drivers themselves. The group’s primary nominee is lawyer Jesus Cruz, the incumbent vice-mayor of Mandaluyong City, while Arsenio Abalos is a physician.

“How can a lawyer and an incumbent vice-mayor of a highly urbanized city like Mandaluyong credibly claim to be a tricycle driver? How can a physician like Dr. Abalos say that he is also a tricycle driver?” petitioners said.

On the other hand, the petitioners said Kakusa did not fit under the definition of a marginalized sector.

“The name is absurd. How can convicted prisoners claim not to have political rights to vote, and be voted upon for logical reasons?” the NGOs said, adding that the group’s nominee, lawyer Omar Rivera, is an employee of the House of Representatives.

“Obviously, private respondent Kakusa was organized to serve the interests of some powerful individuals,” the petitioners added.

Meanwhile, Barangay Association for National Advancement and Transparency (BANAT) is reportedly fielding lawyer Raul Lambino, convenor of the Palace-backed Sigaw ng Bayan, which had pushed for people’s initiative to amend the Constitution. – GMANews.TV

Church issues 6 criteria for choosing leaders

04/18/2007 | 05:02 PM

After issuing “10 commandments” to voters on which candidate to vote for on May 14, the Archdiocese of Manila issued six more guidelines for voters in making their choices.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales issued the guidelines Wednesday in a pastoral letter to be read in all churches covered by the Manila archdiocese.

“Choosing and holding the leaders accountable to the governed is a critically important choice that must follow moral guidance. The sacredness of an election recalls to us that votes are not for sale or to be bartered with favors. Neither can a vote be cast under any form of coercion. The search is for the best possible leader,” he said in his letter.

He added election is a process of choosing leaders who, with the people, will seek the common good of all.

The six guidelines of the “best possible leader” that voters should choose for include:

* A person who loves and fears God

* One who is guided by a well-formed conscience, always sensitive to the choice of what is good

* One who lives and serves consistently with moral principles

* One who is honest, non-violent and compassionate

* A person who respects and protects the limited sources in nature and requires others to do the same

* One who is ready to sacrifice personal, party or group interest for the sake of unity, peace and the integral development of the country and the people

“In the past, enormous sufferings resulted from political ambitions, maneuvers and group adventurism resulting in the country’s poor becoming even poorer,” Rosales lamented.

He also urged the faithful to pray for guidance so that God may “softly suggest in prayer” that the country needs “moral, humble and repentant trustworthy leaders.”

Rosales also reiterated his call to teachers, the men and women of the armed forces, the youth and volunteer citizens who help the Commission on Election (Comelec) ensure that votes are properly cast, accurately counted at the precincts, are authentically reported to the municipalities and cities.

They should also help ensure the votes are then forwarded safely and un-tampered to the COMELEC Provincial and National offices. – GMANews.TV

PNP tags 7 areas as hotspots in Pangasinan

04/19/2007 | 12:14 PM

Citing the likelihood of election-related violence there, the Philippine National Police has placed at least seven areas in Pangasinan as election areas of concern in the northern Philippine province.

Sun-Star Pangasinan reported Thursday that the PNP based its recommendation on the high level of violence that marred the areas in the 2004 elections.

Tagged as election hotspots were the towns of Natividad, Tayug, Binmaley, Bugallon, San Nicolas, San Manuel and the city of San Carlos.

Pangasinan police provincial director Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez said Natividad is included in the list of election areas of concern due to the strafing on Nov. 9, 2003 of the house of municipal election officer Rodolfo Ruiz and his assassination on March 9, 2004.

Intense political partisan political rivalry among the mayoral candidates there was also noted.

Authorities cited the fatal shooting of SPO4 Hidalgo Palisoc in San Carlos City on April 9, 2004.

Palisoc was a security escort of then re-electionist third district Rep. Generoso Tulagan. There is also intense political partisan rivalry among local candidates there.

In Tayug, the house of barangay councilman Mario Fernandez was strafed on April 9, 2004 while the house of Roberto Ramirez, supporter of then mayoralty candidate Guerrero Zaragoza was peppered with bullets on April 13, 2004.

There were two incidents that transpired in the last elections which led to the inclusion in the list of Bugallon town.

On Nov. 27, 2003, Vice Mayor Ernesto Mata and his and his companions were ambushed in Barangay Umandan, Bugallon. On Jan. 9, 2004, Mata, then running as mayor, and four of his his partymates received death threats.

Nerez said the towns of Binmaley, San Nicolas and San Manuel also landed in the list due to intense political partisan rivalry among the mayoralty candidates. – GMANews.TV

PPCRV Website Is Up! At Last….

The official web site of the National Parish Pastoral Council For Responsible voting is up. It was been since a lot of people are waiting for the additional information. We know that surely those responsible will set it up because it is a part of the standard operation procedure. But because of the issues that has rocked Namfrel that has somewhat affected the operation of PPCRV. One of the reason was the vote of no confidence by some sectors of the Church on running the show of the last election and its result. Well, these are allegation, but the very fact that it has caused some problems by fundamentally submitting the application for accreditation of a watch dog for political exercise of this coming election.

Now, some issues are resolve through the entrance of NASSA. Nassa is the acroname of National Secretariat f Social Action -Justice and Peace, one of the agency of the Catholic Church which concentrates on the issues and activities which governs Church Social Action. It is final that the umbrella organization will be the Nassa that will coordinate with the function of Poll watching to PPCRV and of Quick Count to Namfrel. Fundamentally, these are two names, two set of officers but the members are almost one and the same.

However, Namfrel was reinserted because the chairman Jose Concepcion resign to pave the way for a more neutral personality. Personality, I do not have a clear info on this but thats what the news has to say. I have posted several election related news here for your easy perusal.

Now, the PPCRV website has two sites, two features but the same content

http://www.ppcrv.org

http://www.ppcrv.net