Rudelia Palima

Prayers, pleas for Maasin OFW jailed in Iran continue

By Ronald O. Reyes

TACLOBAN CITY—Family and friends of Rudelia Palima, an OFW from Maasin city jailed in Iran for allegedly carrying prohibited drugs, continue seeking help from various  sectors in the country on the immediate resolution of the latter’s case.

Charlie Cinco, Communication and ATN officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs-Eastern Visayas said that they are also closely monitoring the progress of Palima’s case thru the communications they made to Manila and Philippine embassy in Tehran, Iran.

Palima’s case was reported to DFA-Eastern Visayas last April 15, this year.

Cinco said that Palima’s alleged drug case is the first in the region since they opened their office in 2003.

When asked about the latest update on the condition and legal assistance of Palima from the Philippine government, Rep. Roger Mercado of the lone district of Southern Leyte said that DFA undersecretary Esteban Conejos had already been informed on this.

“Sa alam ko na assist na,” Mercado said in his text message.

Earlier, Esther Bangcawayan of Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) based in Hong Kong, a non-governmental agency assisting the various plight of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) said that they will also look into the case of Palima and give help.

Also, Marisa “Dundeet” Lerias, daughter of former So. Leyte governor Rosette Lerias expressed her concerns on the situation of Palima since violating Narcotics law in Iran has terrible consequences.

“The authorities will treat her well if they know that the government is looking out for her concerns,” she said in an email.

Friends and concerned individuals meanwhile continue spearheading prayer vigils for the safety and immediate return of Palima to the country.

Meanwhile, Thereporteronline tried to contact Mitzi Acero Mahait, the alleged employer of Palima, thru her social network address however she has not responded yet to the queries and allegations.

Mahait, who is now in abroad, happened to be a friend and schoolmate of Palima in Maasin city. She passed the teacher’s board in 2003.

“I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money,” the 47-year-old single woman — identified only by the pseudonym “Christine” — told the Straits Times in an interview.

The maid refused to be named in public for fear of possible threats to her life in the impoverished Philippines, where wealthy people have been kidnapped for ransom and some killed by their abductors.

The windfall, including cash and a luxury apartment near the Orchard Road shopping belt, came from the estate of her employer Quek Kai Miew, a medical doctor and philanthropist who died last year at 66.

The maid had also taken care of the doctor’s late mother, and was told that she would be a beneficiary of her employer’s will when it was drawn up in 2008.

“There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get,” the maid recalled.

“Christine” was devastated when Quek died a year ago, as the two were inseparable, and temporarily moved in with the doctor’s nephew for solace.

“It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Doctor Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself,” she said.

“I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her.”

The maid, who is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore, said her newfound wealth had not changed her lifestyle.

“I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person,” the maid, dressed simply in a blouse and slacks with short-cropped hair, was quoted as saying.

“I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same.”

Nearly 200,000 foreign maids, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, work in affluent Singapore, which has a population of five million.

Filed Under: Politics, Government, Benigno Aquino III, history

His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of the diplomatic corps, fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan.

Ang pagtayo ko dito ngayon ay patunay na kayo ang aking tunay na lakas. Hindi ko inakala na darating tayo sa puntong ito, na ako’y manunumpa sa harap ninyo bilang inyong Pangulo. Hindi ko pinangarap maging tagapagtaguyod ng pag-asa at tagapagmana ng mga suliranin ng ating bayan.

Ang layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang: maging tapat sa aking mga magulang at sa bayan bilang isang marangal na anak, mabait na kuya, at mabuting mamamayan.

Nilabanan ng aking ama ang diktaturya at ibinuwis niya ang kanyang buhay para tubusin ang ating demokrasya. Inalay ng aking ina ang kanyang buhay upang pangalagaan ang demokrasyang ito. Ilalaan ko ang aking buhay para siguraduhin na ang ating demokrasya ay kapaki-pakinabang sa bawat isa. Namuhunan na kami ng dugo at handang gawin itong muli kung kinakailangan.

Tanyag man ang aking mga magulang at ang kanilang mga nagawa, alam ko rin ang problema ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Alam nating lahat ang pakiramdam na magkaroon ng pamahalaang bulag at bingi. Alam natin ang pakiramdam na mapagkaitan ng hustisya, na mabalewala ng mga taong pinagkatiwalaan at inatasan nating maging ating tagapagtanggol.

Kayo ba ay minsan ring nalimutan ng pamahalaang inyong iniluklok sa puwesto? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay sawang-sawa na sa pamahalaang sa halip na magsilbi sa taumbayan ay kailangan pa nila itong pagpasensiyahan at tiisin? Ako rin.

Katulad ninyo ako. Marami na sa atin ang bumoto gamit ang kanilang paa—nilisan na nila ang ating bansa sa kanilang paghahanap ng pagbabago at katahimikan. Tiniis nila ang hirap, sinugod ang panganib sa ibang bansa dahil doon may pag-asa kahit kaunti na dito sa atin ay hindi nila nakikita. Sa iilang sandali na sarili ko lang ang aking inaalala, pati ako ay napag-isip din—talaga bang hindi na mababago ang pamamahala natin dito? Hindi kaya nasa ibang bansa ang katahimikang hinahanap ko? Saan ba nakasulat na kailangang puro pagtitiis ang tadhana ng Pilipino?

Ngayon, sa araw na ito—dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa mga daing ng taumbayan. Hindi si Noynoy ang gumawa ng paraan, kayo ang dahilan kung bakit ngayon, magtatapos na ang pagtitiis ng sambayanan. Ito naman ang umpisa ng kalbaryo ko, ngunit kung marami tayong magpapasan ng krus ay kakayanin natin ito, gaano man kabigat.

Sa tulong ng wastong pamamahala sa mga darating na taon, maiibsan din ang marami nating problema. Ang tadhana ng Pilipino ay babalik sa tamang kalagayan, na sa bawat taon pabawas ng pabawas ang problema ng Pinoy na nagsusumikap at may kasiguruhan sila na magiging tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbuti ng kanilang sitwasyon.

Kami ay narito para magsilbi at hindi para maghari. Ang mandato ninyo sa amin ay pagbabago—isang malinaw na utos para ayusin ang gobyerno at lipunan mula sa pamahalaang iilan lamang ang nakikinabang tungo sa isang pamahalaang kabutihan ng mamamayan ang pinangangalagaan.

Ang mandatong ito ay isa kung saan kayo at ang inyong pangulo ay nagkasundo para sa pagbabago—isang paninindigan na ipinangako ko noong kampanya at tinanggap ninyo noong araw ng halalan.

Sigaw natin noong kampanya: “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” Hindi lamang ito pang slogan o pang poster—ito ang mga prinsipyong tinatayuan at nagsisilbing batayan ng ating administrasyon.

Ang ating pangunahing tungkulin ay ang magsikap na maiangat ang bansa mula sa kahirapan, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapairal ng katapatan at mabuting pamamalakad sa pamahalaan.

Ang unang hakbang ay ang pagkakaroon ng tuwid at tapat na hanay ng mga pinuno. Magsisimula ito sa akin. Sisikapin kong maging isang mabuting ehemplo. Hinding hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa akin. Sisiguraduhin ko na ganito rin ang adhikain ng aking Gabinete at ng mga magiging kasama sa ating pamahalaan.

Naniniwala akong hindi lahat ng nagsisilbi sa gobyerno ay corrupt. Sa katunayan, mas marami sa kanila ay tapat. Pinili nilang maglingkod sa gobyerno upang gumawa ng kabutihan. Ngayon, magkakaroon na sila ng pagkakataong magpakitang-gilas. Inaasahan natin sila sa pagsupil ng korapsyon sa loob mismo ng burukrasya.

Sa mga itinalaga sa paraang labag sa batas, ito ang aking babala: sisimulan natin ang pagbabalik ng tiwala sa pamamagitan ng pag-usisa sa mga “midnight appointments.” Sana ay magsilbi itong babala sa mga nag-iisip na ipagpatuloy ang baluktot na kalakarang nakasanayan na ng marami.

Sa mga kapuspalad nating mga kababayan, ngayon, ang pamahalaan ang inyong kampeon.

Hindi natin ipagpapaliban ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga estudyante, kaya’t sisikapin nating punan ang kakulangan sa ating mga silid-aralan.

Unti-unti din nating babawasan ang mga kakulangan sa imprastraktura para sa transportasyon, turismo at pangangalakal. Mula ngayon, hindi na puwede ang “puwede na” pagdating sa mga kalye, tulay at gusali dahil magiging responsibilidad ng mga kontratista ang panatilihing nasa mabuting kalagayan ang mga proyekto nila.

Bubuhayin natin ang programang “emergency employment” ng dating pangulong Corazon Aquino sa pagtatayo ng mga bagong imprastraktura na ito. Ito ay magbibigay ng trabaho sa mga local na komunidad at makakatulong sa pagpapalago ng kanila at ng ating ekonomiya.

Hindi kami magiging sanhi ng inyong pasakit at perwisyo. Palalakasin natin ang koleksyon at pupuksain natin ang korapsyon sa Kawanihan ng Rentas Internas at Bureau of Customs para mapondohan natin ang ating mga hinahangad para sa lahat, tulad ng:

• dekalidad na edukasyon, kabilang ang edukasyong bokasyonal para makapaghanap ng marangal na trabaho ang hindi makapag-kolehiyo;

• serbisyong pangkalusugan, tulad ng Philhealth para sa lahat sa loob ng tatlong taon;

• tirahan sa loob ng mga ligtas na komunidad.

Palalakasin at palalaguin natin ang bilang ng ating kasundaluhan at kapulisan, hindi para tugunan ang interes ng mga naghahari-harian, ngunit para proteksyunan ang mamamayan. Itinataya nila ang kanilang buhay para mayroong pagkakataon sa katahimikan at kapayapaan sa sambayanan. Dumoble na ang populasyong kanilang binabantayan, nanatili naman sila sa bilang. Hindi tama na ang nagmamalasakit ay kinakawawa.

Kung dati ay may fertilizer scam, ngayon ay may kalinga na tunay para sa mga magsasaka. Tutulungan natin sila sa irigasyon, extension services, at sa pagbenta ng kanilang produkto sa pinakamataas na presyong maaari.

Inaatasan natin si papasok na Kalihim Alcala na magtayo ng mga trading centers kung saan diretso na ang magsasaka sa mamimili – lalaktawan natin ang gitna, kasama na ang kotong cop. Sa ganitong paraan, ang dating napupunta sa gitna ay maari nang paghatian ng magsasaka at mamimili.

Gagawin nating kaaya-aya sa negosyante ang ating bansa. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance, to business. Sa ganitong paraan lamang natin mapupunan ang kakulangan ng trabaho para sa ating mga mamamayan.

Layunin nating paramihin ang trabaho dito sa ating bansa upang hindi na kailanganin ang mangibang-bansa para makahanap ng trabaho. Ngunit habang ito ay hindi pa natin naaabot, inaatasan ko ang mga kawani ng DFA, POEA, OWWA at iba pang mga kinauukulang ahensiya na mas lalo pang paigtingin ang pagtugon sa mga hinaing at pangangailangan ng ating mga overseas Filipino workers.

Papaigtingin namin ang proseso ng konsultasyon at pag-uulat sa taumbayan. Sisikapin naming isakatuparan ang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon na kinikilala ang karapatan ng mamamayan na magkaroon ng kaalaman ukol sa mga pampublikong alintana.

Binuhay natin ang diwa ng people power noong kampanya. Ipagpatuloy natin ito tungo sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala. Ang naniniwala sa people power ay nakatuon sa kapwa at hindi sa sarili.

Sa mga nang-api sa akin, kaya ko kayong patawarin, at pinapatawad ko na kayo. Sa mga nang-api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan na limutin ang inyong mga kasalanan.

To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. Sa paglimot ng pagkakasala, sinisigurado mong mauulit muli ang mga pagkakasalang ito. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

Ikinagagalak din naming ibahagi sa inyo ang pagtanggap ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide sa hamon ng pagtatatag at pamumuno sa isang Truth Commission na magbibigay linaw sa maraming kahinahinalang isyu na hanggang ngayon ay walang kasagutan at resolusyon.

Ang sinumang nagkamali ay kailangang humarap sa hustisya. Hindi maaaring patuloy ang kalakaran ng walang pananagutan at tuloy na pang-aapi.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflicts, inclusive of the interests of all – may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalI defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. Sa tamang pamamahala gaganda ang buhay ng lahat, at sa buhay na maganda, sino pa ang gugustuhing bumalik sa panahon ng pang-aapi?

Kung kasama ko kayo, maitataguyod natin ang isang bayan kung saan pantay-pantay ang pagkakataon, dahil pantay-pantay nating ginagampanan ang ating mga pananagutan.

Kamakailan lamang, ang bawat isa sa atin ay nanindigan sa presinto. Bumoto tayo ayon sa ating karapatan at konsensiya. Hindi tayo umatras sa tungkulin nating ipaglaban ang karapatang ito.

Pagkatapos ng bilangan, pinatunayan ninyo na ang tao ang tunay na lakas ng bayan.

Ito ang kahalagahan ng ating demokrasya. Ito ang pundasyon ng ating pagkakaisa. Nangampanya tayo para sa pagbabago. Dahil dito taas-noo muli ang Pilipino. Tayong lahat ay kabilang sa isang bansa kung saan maaari nang mangarap muli.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works.”

Inaanyayahan ko kayo ngayon na manumpa sa ating mga sarili, sa sambayanan, WALANG MAIIWAN.

Walang pangingibang-bayan at gastusan na walang wastong dahilan. Walang pagtatalikod sa mga salitang binitawan noong kampanya, ngayon at hanggang sa mga susunod pang pagsubok na pagdadaanan sa loob ng anim na taon.

Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawang-gawa.

Nandito tayo ngayon dahil sama-sama tayong nanindigan at nagtiwala na may pag-asa.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. Sa inyong mga nag-iisip pa kung tutulong kayo sa pagpasan ng ating krus, isa lang ang aking tanong – kung kailan tayo nanalo, saka pa ba kayo susuko?

Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to the people’s needs and aspirations.

Kayo ang nagdala sa akin sa puntong ito—ang ating mga volunteers—matanda, bata, celebrity, ordinaryong tao, na umikot sa Pilipinas para ikampanya ang pagbabago; ang aking mga kasambahay, na nag-asikaso ng lahat ng aking mga personal na pangangailangan; ang aking pamilya, kaibigan at katrabaho, na dumamay, nag-alaga at nagbigay ng suporta sa akin; ang ating mga abogado, na nagpuyat para bantayan ang ating mga boto at siguraduhing mabibilang ang bawat isa; ang aking mga kapartido at kaalyado na kasama kong nangahas mangarap; at ang milyun-milyong Pilipinong nagkaisa, nagtiwala at hindi nawalan ng pag-asa—nasa inyo ang aking taus-pusong pasasalamat.

Hindi ko makakayang harapin ang aking mga magulang, at kayong mga nagdala sa akin sa yugto ng buhay kong ito, kung hindi ko maisasakatuparan ang aking mga binitawang salita sa araw na ito.

My parents sought nothing less and died for nothing less than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

Layunin ko na sa pagbaba ko sa katungkulan, masasabi ng lahat na malayo na ang narating natin sa pagtahak ng tuwid na landas at mas maganda na ang kinabukasang ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Samahan ninyo ako sa pagtatapos ng laban na ito. Tayo na sa tuwid na landas.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!

NSO website shows.

The National Statistics Office report used the results of the 2009 Global Adult Tobacco Survey which showed that almost half or 48% which is equivalent to 14.6 Million of adult males and 9% or 2.8 Million of adult females are current smokers.

On the average, male daily smokers consume 11 cigarettes per day while female daily smokers consume 7 cigarettes per day.

Among adults who smoked 12 months before the survey, 48 % attempted to quit but only 5% successfully quit smoking.

More than one-third (37 percent) of adults who worked indoors or outdoors with an enclosed area at their workplace were exposed to tobacco smoke.

Among adults who used public transportation a month prior to the survey, more than half (55 percent) were exposed to second-hand smoke, while among those who visited government buildings or offices, more than one-third (37 percent) were exposed to second-hand smoke.

The Philippines 2009 GATS is a nationally representative household survey of the population 15 years of age and older. It was designed to collect information on respondents’ background characteristics; patterns of tobacco use; former/past tobacco consumption; age of initiation of daily smoking; consumption of different tobacco products (cigarettes, pipes, cigars and other smoked tobacco); nicotine dependence; frequency of quit attempts; exposure to second-hand smoke; and knowledge about health effects of smoking among others.

The Survey was implemented by NSO with the funding provided by the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use. Survey data were collected electronically during personal interviews conducted from September 10 to October 12, 2009. (PIA

Former First Lady Imelda Marcos during a press conference at Kyle's restaurant in Maasin City. Photo by Jani Arnaiz

By Jani Arnaiz
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 20:05:00 04/30/2010

Filed Under: Cory Aquino, Elections

MAASIN CITY—THE WIDOW of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos thrust herself in the limelight again, saying the late President Corazon Aquino was never elected and should not be considered an icon of democracy.

Imelda Marcos, who is campaigning for the senatorial bid of her son, Ferdinand Jr., said there was no democracy under the rule of Ms Aquino, whose son, Benigno Aquino III, is now a leading presidential candidate.

“For that matter, she (Ms Aquino) was never elected,” said Imelda, who herself is running for a seat in the House of Representatives in her late husband’s home province Ilocos Norte.

“They said she (Ms Aquino) is an icon of democracy when she booted out all elected officials, justices of the Supreme Court and civil service eligibles,” she said here.

The former first lady said the framers of the 1987 Constitution were not elected and merely appointed by Ms Aquino, which she said was not a democratic practice.

So many lies have been peddled about the Marcoses, said Imelda, who herself was charged with the alleged systematic looting of the country’s coffers during the late dictator’s 21-year rule.

She said the national budget during Ms Aquino’s six-year-term reached more than P1 trillion, which was more than double the total budget spent during the 21-year reign of her husband, which she said reached only P400 billion.

The biggest national budget under Ms Aquino was P727 million in 1990.

“And they called Marcos a thief,” Marcos said.

She also said human rights violations were rampant under Ms Aquino.

“What do you call what happened in Mendiola, when the farmers were only asking for a piece of land in Hacienda Luisita,” said Imelda, whose husband was accused of perpetrating the murders of hundreds of political activists and the detention of thousands of dissenters during martial law.

Several farmers marching on Mendiola Bridge were slain after police opened fire on the protesters during the time of Ms Aquino.

Imelda insisted her husband was not a dictator because Marcos held 15 elections, referendums and plebiscites.

By Jani Arnaiz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:50:00 03/19/2010

Filed Under: Local authorities, Government, Politics

IN POLITICS, THERE ARE NO PERMANENT ENEMIES. The protagonists who are wooing Southern Leyte’s 248,258 voters for the May elections have for some time been enemies, then allies, and then enemies again.

For the lone congressional district of the province, it will be the third face-off between incumbent Rep. Roger Mercado (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) and former Rep. Aniceto Saludo Jr. (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino).

It will be the second match-up between Gov. Damian Mercado (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) and Marisa “Dundeet” Lerias (Nationalist People’s Coalition) for the governorship.

In 1998, Saludo, in partnership with then Gov. Rosette Lerias (the mother of Marisa), ran and won by a slim vote margin against Mercado, then the incumbent congressman.

The rivalry then was so intense that three days before the election, Mercado shot and narrowly missed Saludo during a spat shortly after the latter alighted from a helicopter at a sports oval in Mantahan village in downtown Maasin. The helicopter was hit and burst into flames.

The Inquirer’s front-page story of the shooting was photocopied and distributed widely by Saludo, particularly in Panaon and other seaside areas where voters were still not sure on what really transpired.

Mercado was charged with frustrated murder and arson. But the case was dismissed in 2001 after Saludo filed an affidavit of desistance and had reconciled with his foe before the elections that year. They joined forces against the Leriases, who had a falling out with Saludo.
Mercado ran as the gubernatorial candidate of Saludo in 2001, but he lost to Lerias. The two, however, became allies in time for the 2004 elections.

Mercado partnered with Lerias, who was on her third term as governor, and won as representative against Saludo, who was on his second term.

But in the 2007 elections, the Mercados and the Leriases had a falling out after failing to reach a consensus on who would run in the gubernatorial and mayoral races.

Maasin City Mayor Damian Mercado, younger brother of Rep. Mercado, and Lerias are winding up their last terms. Mercado said Lerias had refused to swap positions, with him running for governor and she for mayor.

Lerias’ daughter Marisa instead ran and lost in the gubernatorial race against Mercado. Lerias also lost in an upset to a first-timer, now Mayor Malone Samaco.

Mother-and-daughter Leriases are now running against the incumbents this May. It will be Rosette’s second time against second-termer Samaco, while Marisa will be up against her old nemesis Damian Mercado in the gubernatorial race.

* * *

Since Southern Leyte became a province in 1960, only four families have dominated its politics.

Dominant leaders

The first governor was the late Alfredo K. Bantug, who was followed by Salvacion Oppus Yñiguez, wife of Nicanor Yñiguez, the Speaker during the Marcos dictatorship.

The Yñiguezes ruled the province for more than 20 years but lost their clout and were ousted from power following the 1986 Edsa Revolution. Rosette Yñiguez Lerias is their daughter.

Four less-known political leaders were appointed OIC governors.

Oscar Tan, then the perennial vice governor of Salvacion Yñiguez, won as governor in the regular elections. He completed his three-year full term in 1998.

Tan had wanted to be succeeded by his son Rico, but the latter was defeated by the daughter of the Tans’ benefactor, Rosette Yñiguez Lerias, who completed her three terms.

With the mother-and-daughter Lerias roundly defeated in 2007, the last decade saw Mercado and Saludo taking turns as representative.

* * *

New faces

A few younger political aspirants are coming out from the woodworks, but they are unknown faces.

Jeffrey Jaraba Roden, 31, and his brother Jerome, 33, filed as independent congressional and gubernatorial candidates, respectively. Jeffrey’s certificate of candidacy lists him as a Philippine Stock Exchange trader, while Jerome’s describes him as a “legal researcher.”

Both are running their campaign on the Internet and in their Facebook accounts.

Another unknown, Ruel Dumancas, is running for vice governor.

Bar flunker Vicente Geraldo, a perennial candidate for the last 10 elections, is running again for congressman—his fourth attempt—after failing to win as councilor, vice mayor and mayor of Maasin.

By Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star) Updated February 24, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has overtaken Sen. Manuel Villar as the second most preferred presidential candidate – at least in Davao City.

A survey conducted last Feb. 1-8 among 700 city residents by the polling firm Issues and Advocacy Center (The Center) showed Liberal Party candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III leading the race with 37 percent.

Teodoro came in second with 23 percent, followed by Villar, 15 percent; Sen. Richard Gordon, 11 percent; and former President Joseph Estrada, eight percent.

Davao City has more than 948,000 voters.

Former public relations practitioner-turned pollster and political analyst Ed Malay runs The Center. He was the former media handler of President Fidel Ramos, who is said to be supporting Teodoro.

Aquino’s running mate Sen. Mar Roxas was preferred for the vice presidency by 42 percent of the respondents, followed by Villar’s teammate Sen. Loren Legarda, 27 percent; Jejomar Binay, 11 percent; Bayani Fernando, nine percent; and Edu Manzano, eight percent.

In the senatorial race, Ramon Revilla Jr. led with 51 percent, followed by Pia Cayetano, 48 percent; Miriam Defensor-Santiago, 45 percent; Jinggoy Estrada, 44 percent; Vicente Sotto III, 41 percent; Franklin Drilon, 39 percent; Ralph Recto, 39 percent; Ferdinand Marcos Jr., 37 percent; Serge Osmeña, 34 percent; Teofisto Guingona III, 32 percent; Juan Ponce Enrile, 31 percent; and Rozzano Rufino Biazon, 30 percent.

In 13th and 14th slots were Lito Lapid and Joey de Venecia, both with 29 percent.

In the local contest, Speaker Prospero Nograles, who is running for mayor of Davao City, has widened his lead over his opponent, Vice Mayor Sarah Duterte, daughter of incumbent Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Forty-five percent of the respondents preferred Nograles to be their next mayor against Vice Mayor Duterte’s 35 percent.

Filed Under: Technology (general), Infotech, Eleksyon 2010, Elections, Politics

BALANGA, Bataan, Philippines —Sen. Richard Gordon said on Tuesday he has been going around provinces not only to campaign for his presidential bid but also to help educate voters. Several times he turned down requests for money.

Gordon said: “I don’t indulge them (people) in their childishness.”

He and his running mate Bayani Fernando went around six cities and towns in Pangasinan on Sunday and Monday where Gordon came across a few people who asked for money or who asked him to buy their products.

He replied to them: “If I give you money, I will steal from you. Do you want that?”

Instead, he gave P1,000 loans to at least two old women who lamented they had no capital to start even just a small business. Gordon had them sign a promissory note, saying they would have to pay P10 monthly for the loan.

Gordon said instead of giving dole-outs, he wanted to give people their dignity.

But Gordon said he was also pleased to learn that most voters have become discerning.

Speaking with Urdaneta City Mayor Amado Perez Jr. on Monday afternoon, Gordon said he noticed that “voters are now intelligent.”

He told Perez: “They watched television debates and told me that I did well in answering questions.”

Gordon and Fernando were in Bataan on Tuesday where they spoke at the Balanga and Dinalupihan campuses of the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU).

Gordon said that in his brief conversations with residents, he felt that many of them were already angry.

He said: “The people are angry. They are tired of what is happening.”

Gordon said the national campaign should be a venue for political leaders to consult with their people and learn about their concerns.

Gordon said: “The Presidency is something that is earned. The more you campaign nationally, the better President you will become.”

He surprised students at the BPSU Banzon Tuesday morning when he asked one student who was reading a question from a sheet of paper to try to ask her question without reading her notes.

The student did and the crowd cheered her.

Gordon said he wanted to teach the students not to be afraid.

He also did not hide his disappointment when a few students asked questions whose answers, he said, were already in his opening speech.

Philippines—Ousted President Joseph Estrada on Tuesday revealed that another presidential candidate was offering to reimburse his campaign expenses in exchange for his withdrawal from the May 10 presidential election.

Estrada declined to identify the candidate, but JV Bautista, one of his senatorial candidates, said Villar was the “most likely person to do that.”

“He is the most logical person to do it because the other political contenders, the other candidates, do not have that kind of money to offer to Erap,” Bautista told reporters during a campaign sortie here.

“Remember, Erap is no pushover in [terms of] financial capability. So if you are going to offer something to him, it must be very, very big, which only a billionaire—a billionaire businessman—can offer,” he added.

Estrada said an emissary of the presidential candidate had gone to his house in San Juan City on at least three occasions since about nine months ago. He said each visit, the most recent of which was two weeks ago, came with the offer for him not to run anymore.

Asked if he was insulted with the offer, Estrada replied: “Yes.”

Estrada recalled telling the emissary in Filipino: “I would never back down from any fight.”

Estrada said he surmised that the presidential contender either considered him a major “threat” or wanted to ensure victory by getting his support. He acknowledged that a text message had circulated in the past claiming that he was backing out and would instead support Villar’s presidential ambition.

Estrada said he would not have any face to show his running mate, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, and members of his senatorial slate such as Juan Ponce Enrile and son Jinggoy Estrada, if he accepted the offer to withdraw.

“Why would I withdraw when the people themselves didn’t leave me while I was in jail? Now that I am free, will I leave them behind? That won’t be right. I’ll die first before I do such a thing,” said Estrada who was convicted then pardoned for plunder.

Estrada said he was reluctant to identify the presidential aspirant because the candidate could easily deny that such an offer had been made. “I don’t have any proof or document to reveal the details,” he said.

Shortly after a speech before some 200 supporters at Villa Marines Resort here, Estrada said the public should refrain from selling their votes. “If you sell your votes, it will return to you ten times after the elections with the absence of services and progress,” he said.

“Kunin nyo yung pera, ilagay sa bulsa, pero Estrada sa balota (Take the money, put it in your pocket, but write Estrada on the ballot),” he added.

In his own speech, senatorial candidate Bautista, made reference to Villar by saying in Filipino: “There is one candidate who is running with so much money. Will you accept the money? Yes, because times are hard. But will you vote for him? No.”

The Estrada campaign caravan blitzed through six towns in Batangas and Laguna. Estrada, Binay and members of their senatorial ticket campaigned in Batangas City, Ibaan, Lipa, before proceeding to Sta. Rosa, San Pedro and Biñan in the afternoon.

Filed Under: Elections, Eleksyon 2010, Politics, Inquirer Politics

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar declared Cebu is no longer the territory of the administration because of the warm reception he and his partymates received as they barnstormed in the province on Saturday.

Cebu, which gave President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo one million votes in the 2004 presidential race, has been acknowledged by Ms Arroyo as the province that propelled her to victory in 2004.

Villar, his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda and their senatorial candidates were mobbed as they visited the different public markets in Metro Cebu Saturday.

Villar said they were received warmly in Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz but it was nothing compared to their reception in Cebu.

Villar and Legarda, who decided to separately barnstorm in different areas in Cebu during their two-day campaign here, arrived in their designated visit areas amid fanfare spearheaded by supporters who wore orange t-shirts, Villar’s signature color.

Mounted sound systems blared Villar’s campaign jingles as he stepped into the crowded alleys of the densely populated Barangay Pasil to shake hands with residents.

Electric posts where his convoy passed were festooned with orange ribbons.

Villar also paid a courtesy call on Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

He said he did not seek an endorsement but just the blessing of the prelate whom he described as a “good friend of mine.”

Villar said he discussed a number of topics with Vidal but these were purely personal.

He said Vidal advised him to take care of his health, especially since the campaign schedule can be very exacting on one’s health.

Legarda, on the other hand, separately visted the different markets in Cebu, causing traffic jams on the usually busy streets around the Carbon Market .

Legarda said she was very happy with how the people welcomed her.

She said that while surveys showed that she was tailing behind Liberal Party’s vice presidential candidate Mar Roxas, “the response of the people showed otherwise.”

She said she went to Capiz, Roxas’ bailiwick, before her visit to Cebu, and the people showed their support to her.

The NP team will culminate its campaign in Cebu on Sunday with political rally at Cebu City’s North Reclamation Area starting at 8 p.m.

Television personality Willie Revillame will be attending the rally, said Vilar.

Legarda, while visiting Carbon market, took potshots at Roxas, over the latter’s failed promise to rehabilitate Cebu’s premier public market following last year’s fire.