6 senatorial candidates slugging it out for last 3 slots Philippine Daily Inquirer

Nine administration and three opposition candidates are leading the race for the Senate, according to the final preelection poll taken by the Social Weather Stations on May 2 and 3.

But those in the last three spots are not sure of still being there next Monday, Election Day.

One administration candidate and five opposition candidates are slugging it out for these last three spots.

The nine administration candidates are Team PNoy’s reelectionist Senators Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Antonio Trillanes IV, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and political newcomers Grace Poe and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino.

The three opposition candidates are United Nationalist Alliance’s Nancy Binay, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito and reelectionist Sen. Gregorio Honasan.

Fighting to wrest the last three spots from Angara, Trillanes and Honasan are Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. (UNA), former Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. (LP/Team PNoy) and former Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri (UNA).

Legarda still tops

Controversy swirling around Legarda (NPC/Team PNoy) involving underdeclaration of assets failed to dislodge her from the first place in the Top 12 of the latest SWS poll.

On May 2, self-styled public interest advocate Louis Biraogo accused Legarda of not declaring real property on Park Avenue, New York City, for four years.

Legarda denied the accusation, calling it “black propaganda” intended to pull her down from the top in the preelection polls.

Results of the latest SWS poll showed Legarda with 57 percent, 2 percentage points down from her April rating.

Legarda’s rating could be virtually unchanged from last month, considering the poll’s margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Biggest gainer

Poe (Independent/Team PNoy), former chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, posted the most gain, with 45 percent, 6 percentage points up from her April rating.

Poe, who ranked fifth in the latest SWS poll, previously occupied the 10th to 11th spot.

Villar (Nacionalista Party/Team PNoy) suffered the biggest decline, garnering 44 percent, 5 percentage points down from her rating last month.

Villar slid from third to fourth place in April to sixth to seventh place in the latest poll.

The rest in the top nine spots saw minor changes from their April ratings, considering the poll’s error margin.

Trailing Legarda was Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (NP/Team PNoy, 50 percent), who also shed 2 percentage points from the April poll.

Newcomer

Political newcomer Nancy Binay (UNA) retained the third to fourth spot, with 48 percent, down by 1 percentage point from last month.

Tied with Binay in third to fourth spot was Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero (Independent/Team PNoy, 48 percent), up by 1 percentage point from his April rating that put him in the fifth place.

Along with Villar in sixth to seventh spot was San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito (UNA, 44 percent), up by 1 percentage point from the previous poll, where he ranked seventh to eighth.

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (PDP-Laban/Team PNoy) secured the eighth place with 43 percent, unchanged from his previous rating. His previous ranking, however, was seventh to eighth.

In ninth place was Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV (LP/Team PNoy), first cousin of President Aquino, who slid from sixth place last month, garnering 41 percent, down 3 percentage points from the previous poll.

Both in 10th to 11th place were Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (LDP/Team PNoy, 38 percent) and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV (NP/Team PNoy, 38 percent).

The rear

At the tailend of the list of probable winners was Sen. Gringo Honasan (UNA), whose 37 percent rating was unchanged from last month’s poll, in which he placed 12th to 13th.

Although they failed to make it to the top 12, three candidates could still statistically figure in the top 12: Enrile Jr. (35 percent, 13th place), former Senator Magsaysay (33 percent, 14th to 15th place) and Zubiri (33 percent, 14th to 15th place).

Noncommissioned poll

For the noncommissioned poll, SWS asked 2,400 registered voters nationwide the question, “If the elections were held today, whom would you most probably vote for senator of the Philippines?”

Twelve of the 24 seats in Senate are at stake in midterm elections next Monday.

SWS said 44 percent of respondents chose a full slate of 12 candidates; 3 percent were either undecided or did not have an answer; another 3 percent had invalid ballots.—Lawrence de Guzman, Inquirer Research

Power interruptions continue in NCR as NGCP maintains power supply back to normal

A day after a massive power outage hit Luzon, some areas in Metro Manila were still experiencing power interruptions early Thursday morning. 
 

The affected areas include parts of Quezon City where power was restored Wednesday night but went out again before dawn Thursday, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported.

 

However, the Department of Energy maintained power had been restored as of Wednesday night, and the Thursday morning outages could be "localized."

 

"Baka 'yan ay localized. Baka within the distribution system," DOE Electric Power Industry Management Bureau Director Mylene Capongcol said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

She said that as of 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, power had been restored and the yellow notice reflecting a deficiency in reserve power had been lifted.

 

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said that as of 6 a.m., there was a reserve of 262 megawatts for Luzon, whose system capacity outlook for Thursday was at 8,567 megawatts.

 

For Visayas, it said the system capacity outlook was at 1,803 megawatts, with reserves of 359 megawatts.

 

Investigation

 

Capongcol said their initial investigation showed a failure in the special protection system of the Calaca Unit 2 and the Calaca Biñan line that eventually cascaded and resulted in the loss of 3,500 megawatts.

 

She said the DOE has tasked the NGCP to complete its evaluation.

 

Also, she said the DOE asked the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association to submit logs of the generation facilities involved. —KG, GMA News

Mother Lily’s children out of wedlock FUNFARE By Ricky Lo (The Philippine Star) |

Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde with Pres. Noynoy ‘P-Noy’ Aquino…

Unless somebody surfaces at the last minute and waves a “birth certificate” claiming that he or she is,ehem, “one of them,” as of press time yesterday (6:30 p.m.), Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde has publicly recognized 15 “children” out of wedlock (as in mga anak sa labas) in addition to her and (Father) Remy Monteverde’s five legitimate children (Winnie, Roselle, Meme, Dondon and Goldwyn).

No, Mother Lily didn’t give birth to her other children; she very simply claims them as her own.

You guessed it: All 15 are running in the May 13 elections and they swear by Mother Lily’s legendary “Magic Touch” — you know, that her anointed ones believe in their hearts that they are assured of victory. Mother Lily’s “regal” batting average is beyond reproach.

As I was saying, it was Mother Lily who recognized the power of the movie press in spreading the platform of candidates because, as you must have known by now, movie stories are read by people from both the AB and CD crowds, even by those in far-flung places. Mother Lily first did it in 1992 for then presidential candidate Fidel V. Ramos for whom she hosted a movie presscon and a victory dinner for President-Elect FVR. Other candidates followed suit, all of whom Mother Lily has embraced as her children.

During the campaign season, the children seek out their adoptive mother for help, as children of any color, any race and any belief usually do in times of need. Mother knows best.

She could win hands down if ever she run for a public office but Mother Lily would rather stay in the background, acting as the wind beneath her children’s wings, basking in their victory and without expecting anything in return. It’s a mother’s unconditional love.

Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

What makes Mother Lily an effective endorser, with the highest credibility quotient among showbiz endorsers (bar none!), doing so without being paid (unlike star endorsers who earn millions by simply raising the hand of a candidate…easy does it, see?) and, in fact, spending her own money by hosting movie presscons for them, gratis et amore?.

And what are her criteria in taking a candidate under her wings?

“I only support senatoriables who I believe can help the country. I endorse only those whose values and principles are remarkable. Some of them have approached me, some are truly good friends. I like to help that’s why I am doing this,” said Mother Lily who calls every one of her (political/adoptive) children “anak.”

Here are Mother Lily’s mga anak sa labas (at random, since she plays no favorites):

• Pres. Noynoy “P-Noy” Aquino who touched Mother Lily’s heart when he visited her at home after she was diagnosed with an early-stage lung cancer.
• Sen. Loren Legarda (consistent topnotcher in surveys): An original anak way back when, who remembers Mother Lily even in off-campaign seasons.
• Former Sen. Dick Gordon: He’s Mother Lily and her daughter Roselle’s partner in Red Cross projects.
• Grace Poe: Mother Lily has known her since she was a child because Grace’s parents did movies for Regal.
• Bam Aquino: “A goal-oriented person who lets his work speak for itself.”
• Risa Hontiveros: Whose initials are stamped on the widely-debated RH Bill that she helped pass.
• Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte: Whose family is the Monteverdes’ long-time friends.
• Sen. Chiz Escudero: As far as Mother Lily is concerned, he can’t go wrong.
• Former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar: The “wonder woman” who has initiated innovative projects with Water Lily (made into bags, baskets, etc.).
• Nancy Binay: Said to be the silent political strategist of her father, Vice Pres. Jojo Binay.
• Sen. Antonio Trillanes: Mother Lily would love to film his colorful life story.
• Former Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile: “I believe he can put food on every Filipino family’s table.”
• Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano: “I will never forget when he brought me a bouquet of get-well-soon flowers.”
• Sen. Koko Pimentel: At yesterday’s presscon, he served fresh buko, as if to say, “Drink coco, think Koko!”
• Sen. Gringo Honasan: Like Father Remy, a proud native of Sorsogon (where Father Remy’s dad was known as Copra King).

Former pope moves back to Vatican

Benedict XVI has moved back to the Vatican, opening an uncertain era in Catholic Church history where an “emeritus pope” and a ruling pontiff will live as neighbours for the first time.

By Philip Pullella, Vatican City

Benedict, the first pope to abdicate in 600 years, will live in a restored convent in the Vatican gardens with a view of St Peter’s Basilica and just a short walk from the residence of his successor, Francis. 

Benedict, 86 and in frail health, arrived by helicopter from Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence south of Rome, where he had been staying since Feb 28 while the convent was restored. 

The Vatican said Francis greeted Benedict at his new retirement home, and the two prayed together in the adjoining chapel. 

It was first time they had met since Mar 23, when Francis visited Benedict at Castel Gandolfo and Benedict renewed a pledge of “unconditional reverence and obedience” to Francis. 

The small building includes a chapel, a library, quarters for his aides, and a guest-room for his older brother, Georg, a monsignor. 

While the presence of a reigning pope and a former one is a new situation, experts say it would only cause difficulties if Benedict tried to influence Pope Francis’s decisions, something he has promised not to do.

Tax charges vs Corona set

DISGRACED CHIEF Justice Renato C. Corona will be facing tax evasion charges worth over ₱120 million for failure to file his income tax return for several years, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ).

THEN CHIEF Justice Renato C. Corona being sworn in during the impeachment trial -- BW file photo

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In a 65-page resolution dated April 26 and released to the media yesterday, state lawyers led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Rosanne G. Elepaño said "there is probable cause that respondent [Mr. Corona] committed the crime of tax evasion and willful failure to file his income tax returns (ITRs) for taxable years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2010" worth ₱120,498,219.52, inclusive of surcharges and interest.

The charges were based on complaints filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Aug. 30, 2012 using evidence presented during his impeachment trial at the Senate, including Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), deeds of sale, and bank accounts.

The chief justice was ousted by the Senate on May 29, 2012 after he was found guilty of betraying public trust for failing to declare all his assets in his SALN.

"The information thus obtained showed respondent Corona had cash assets deposited in various banks and undeclared real properties," read a statement from the DoJ released yesterday.

"These all point to the respondent’s underdeclaration of his taxable income by more than 30%, which is sufficient to constitute prima facie evidence of a fraudulent return."

The BIR claimed Mr. Corona undervalued three of his properties and underdeclared cash by ₱17.3 million and ₱134.44 million, respectively, as well as failed to declare two other properties valued at ₱12.75 million.

The DoJ panel, affirming the BIR findings, then recommended that "criminal information against him [Mr. Corona] should be filed covering the aforementioned taxable years" as the issue can be "best addressed in a full-blown trial."

Sought for comment, the former chief justice said via text that he never expected fair treatment from the government.

"What fairness could I have expected from the DoJ whose head, Secretary [Leila M.] de Lima, testified against me during my sham impeachment trial," he said.

Mr. Corona reiterated his innocence, saying, "I do not owe any tax liability to the government. I have never in all my life ever received even a single notice of deficiency assessment from the BIR."

"The contrived claims of the BIR will fall flat on its face because they are without legal, factual and moral bases, and are just part of the continuing political harassment and persecution that they have been incessantly inflicting on me," he added.

Meanwhile, the BIR also filed tax evasion complaints against Mr. Corona’s daughter Ma. Carla Beatriz C. Castillo and husband Constantino T. Castillo III for alleged income tax liabilities of ₱20.24 million and ₱9.93 million, respectively.

Their cases are still pending before the DoJ.

The Castillos were dragged into the impeachment trial after the bureau found out that they bought certain properties named after Mr. Corona.

The cases were filed under the BIR’s Run After Tax Evaders program.

Mr. Corona was an appointee of then president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but his assumption to the highest judicial post was rocked by controversy as it was done during an election ban on appointments, prompting President Benigno S. C. Aquino III to personally lobby for his removal from office.

His appointment was, however, upheld by the Supreme Court which ruled that its justices are exempt from the constitutional restriction. -- D. E. D. Saclag

No drop for Chiz in latest Pulse Asia surveys, unlike in other polls

Unlike the surveys conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), the latest Pulse Asia surveys show that Senator Francis Escudero's ranking remains unchanged despite the recent negative press about his love life.

The latest Pulse Asia pre-election national survey, conducted from April 20 to 22, showed thatEscudero remained at second place next to re-electionist Senator Loren Legarda.

His ranking in the Pulse Asia March 16-20 survey was also the same.

This is contrary to the last two SWS surveys which showed him dropping from second place to third to fourth places and then to fifth place.

The parents of Escudero's girlfriend, actress Heart Evangelista, held their first press conference against the senator on March 19.

LP vs UNA

Of the 16 candidates who have a "statistical chance of winning," 11 were  from the Liberal Party-led coalition while five were from UNA, just like in the last survey conducted by the firm in March.

The 11 administration candidates were: re-electionist Senators Loren Legarda (1st-2nd place), Escudero (1st-3rd), former MTRCB chair Grace Poe (3rd-4th), Alan Peter Cayetano (3rd-7th), former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar (4th-9th), Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV (4th-10th), President Benigno Aquino III's cousin Benigno "Bam" Aquino (4th-10th), Sen. Koko Pimentel (6th-12th), Aurora Rep. Edgardo Angara (8th-14th), former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros (12-17th), and former Sen. Jun Magsaysay (12-17th).

On the other hand, the five UNA bets were: San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada (5th-11th), Vice President Jejomar Binay's daughter Nancy (5th-11th), former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (10th-16th), re-electionist Sen. Gregorio Honasan (11th-16th) , Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile (11th-16th).

Former Sen. Richard Gordon, who was previously in the list, dropped to 14th-18th places after losing 8.3 points.

Also among those who lost substantial points were, Pimentel (9.0), Honasan (8.9), Cayetano (8.7), Enrile (5.2), and Binay (5.0).

Among the 16, only Poe and Hontiveros gained points. Poe gained 0.3 points while Hontiveros 1.5, allowing her to break into the top 16.

The other candidates ranked in the survey were former Senator Maria Consuelo "Jamby" A. Madrigal (17th-18th), Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn (19th-21st), Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay (19th to 22nd), Bro. Eddie Villanueva (19th-22nd), former Senate President Ernesto Maceda (20th-23rd), former Tarlac Governor Tingting Cojuangco (22nd-24th),, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino (23rd-24th), Sammy Alcantara (25th-29th), JC De Los Reyes (25th-32nd), Ramon Montaño (25th-32nd), Bro. Lito Yap David (25th-33rd), Grego Belgica (25th-33rd), Bal Falcone (26th-33rd), Ricardo Penson (26th-33rd), Llasos (26th-33rd), and Christian Señeres (28th-33rd). - VVP, GMA News

MILF chair to candidates: “you can come and talk to our people”

By Carolyn O. Arguillas on April 29 2013 11:39 pm

DARAPANAN, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao  (MindaNews/29 April) — The chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said candidates running for elective posts on May 13 “can come and talk to our people” but  the MILF stand has not changed: “we will not participate … but we will not prevent people to participate.”

“If they want to vote, they can vote,” MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim told a press conference at the launching Monday noon of the Facility for Advisory Support for Transition Capacities (FASTRAC), a three-year program in partnership with the United Nations and the World Bank.

Along the three-kilometer stretch from the highway  to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s main gate, posters of candidates lined the roadside, many of them posted on coconut trunks.

There were no posters of national candidates (for senators),  just regional  (for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM)  and local (for Maguindanao).

Most of the posters were from the team of Datu Tucao Mastura and Ali Midtimbang, candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) for governor and vice governor of Maguindanao, and Mastura’s nephew, Vice Governor Ismael Mastura who is now running for ARMM Assemblyman.

The elder Mastura is mayor of Sultan Kudarat town where the MILF camp is based, Midtimbang is former Talayan mayor

Mayor Mastura is a brother of  MILF senior peace panel member Michael Mastura, father of Ismael.

Posters of  ARMM gubernatorial bet Pax Mangudadatu and his running mate Bashier Dimalaang  Manalao were also visible.

Mangudadatu, former governor of Sultan Kudarat province, is an uncle of incumbent Maguindanao governor Esmael Mangudadatu of the Liberal Party while Manalao is former governor of Lanao del Sur.

A few posters of  the first district congressional candidates – reelectionist Bai Sandra Sema (Liberal Party) and Baisendig Dilangalen (Ind), were also seen. Russman Sinsuat, Jr. who is

Mastura-Midtimbang posters dominate on the road to the
MILF's Camp Darapanan. MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas

running for provincial board member under the Liberal Party also had some campaign materials.

There were no posters of reelectionist governor  Mangudadatu and the ruling party’s candidate for ARMM governor, Mujiv Hataman and his running mate, Al-rashid Lucman although Hataman has reportedly been endorsed by both Mastura and Esmael Mangudadatu.

Both candidates for Maguindanao governor have repeatedly committed their support to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro  which the government and MILF peace panels signed on October 15, 2012.

“The MILF has not changed its official policy of non-involvement in the ongoing electoral process,” Murad said, adding this has been “the policy of the MILF since the very beginning.”

“We will not participate in the electoral process but then we will not also prevent the people to participate.”

Murad clarified that ‘it is only the MILF officials who are prevented from participating (in the elections).

“Now at this point in time you’d notice that when you enter Camp Darapanan, you will notice there are so many posters of candidates (along) the route. This is not a violation of the policy. We do not see it as a violation of the policy. We do not see also as a violation of the policy for candidates to come and talk to our people because as I have said, we are not preventing them. If they want to vote, they can vote. Only some officers are prevented from voting,” Murad said.

He acknowledged that there are candidates “coming to Darapanan to talk to our people”  but did not name them. But he reiterated that the MILF’s policy on the elections has not changed. “The policy remains as is,” he said.

When a reporter asked if it is true that the MILF would hold a “proclamation rally” in Shariff Aguak town on May 5, allegedly to announce the candidates they would support, Murad replied there is no such rally.

“That is not true. There is no proclamation rally of the MILF because we are not participating in the elections. So there is no truth to the information that there will be a proclamation rally on May 5. We are not a party to that. The MILF is not a party to that,” he said .

Asked if there was an MILF activity in Shariff Aguak on May 5, Murad replied their provincial committee may have “but it is not related to the political exercise.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews).

PH buying 2 brand-new warships

The Philippines is getting two brand-new frigates as part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said on Monday.

He told reporters that the Department of National Defense (DND) had earmarked P18 billion for the purchase of the two vessels through a public bidding. He said a number of countries, including South Korea, Spain and Singapore, would participate in the bidding.

Manalo also disclosed that the DND had been negotiating for a government-to-government acquisition of 12 jet fighters from South Korea.

He said the DND had decided to scrap previous plans to acquire refurbished frigates since secondhand vessels would be more costly to maintain. He said the DND had allocated P9 billion for each frigate, or fast warship.

“The purchase of the frigates has been in the pipeline,” Manalo said.  “We are just waiting for the Navy to submit their ‘decision package.’ After that, we will review it and issue an acquisition decision memorandum signed by (Defense) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin,” he said.

Manalo said the process could take a week. “After that, we’ll schedule one or two prebid conferences.”

“We originally wanted to buy secondhand frigates but then we realized that it would be expensive in the long run if we are going to buy secondhand,” he added.

He noted that older ships required more maintenance repairs compared to new vessels. He said the DND had previously approved P6 billion for each refurbished frigate.

The Philippine Navy has only one battleship, the 48-year-old Hamilton-class cutter BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which the Philippines acquired from the United States in 2011.

A second warship, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, would finally sail to the Philippines in June after undergoing repairs in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Navy earlier said the Alcaraz, a 45-year-old frigate, was expected to arrive this month.

The Hamilton-class cutter was acquired for P450 million by the AFP from the US Coast Guard on May 22, 2012, as part of the US government’s military assistance program for the Philippines.

In his State of the Nation Address last year, President Aquino announced that the Alcaraz would arrive from the United States in January 2013 as part of the much-needed AFP upgrade.

“We are not sending paper boats out to the sea. Now, our 36,000 kilometers of coastline will be patrolled by more modern ships,” the President then said, referring to the decades-old vessel, which the US Coast Guard decommissioned on March 30, 2012.

Formerly known as USCGC Dallas, the AFP’s second frigate was named after the late Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a World War II hero who commanded the Q-boat Abra, which shot down three Japanese aircraft.

Like its sister ship, the Alcaraz was classified as a high-endurance cutter built in 1968.

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/399539/ph-buying-2-brand-new-warships#ixzz2RzHl63YP 

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Rating fall puzzles Binay Veep approval drops 8 points in new SWS poll

“Puzzling” was how the Office of the Vice President (OVP) described the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in which public satisfaction with Vice President Jejomar Binay slipped, spoiling his “excellent” rating streak that stretched for five quarters.

The net satisfaction ratings of other government officials and institutions also declined in March.

The survey, conducted from March 19 to 22, found Binay’s net satisfaction rating dropping eight points from an “excellent” 70 (79 percent satisfied, 9 percent dissatisfied) in December 2012 to a “very good” 62 (75 percent satisfied, 13 percent dissatisfied) in March.

Results of the survey, first published in BusinessWorld, used 1,200 face-to-face interviews nationwide and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

In an earlier report, President Aquino’s net satisfaction rating went up by four points from 55 in December to 59 in March, both within the “very good” category.

In a statement, the OVP on Monday observed that the SWS survey overlapped with that of Pulse Asia but produced divergent results.

“While SWS showed a decline [of eight points], the Pulse Asia survey showed an increase of six points in the Vice President’s performance and trust ratings,” it noted.

Binay’s spokesman, Joey Salgado, said despite that, the Vice President remained grateful for his high approval ratings. “Since 2012, the Vice President’s ratings ranged from very good to excellent,” Salgado said.

Since Binay assumed the vice presidency in June 2010, his net satisfaction ratings ranged from a low of 57 in November 2010 to a high of 76 in August 2012.

Political dynasty

Binay is campaigning for the senatorial slate of the “opposition” United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), which includes his daughter Nancy.

The Binays have been accused of building a political dynasty, as the Vice President’s son is a reelectionist mayor in Makati City while another daughter is running for reelection as representative of the city. The wife of the Vice President, like himself, is a former mayor of Makati.

The Catholic Church is among the groups campaigning against political dynasties in the country.

Backlash

A political analyst is not puzzled at all by the decline in Binay’s satisfaction rating.

Ramon Casiple said Monday night that backlash over the issue of political dynasty was the main reason for the drop in the net satisfaction rating of Binay.

“A turn-off is the charge of political dynasty. There’s no doubt in the minds of the people that he brought in his daughter as a senatorial candidate simply because she is his daughter,” Casiple said by phone.

The perception that Binay was “too eager” to become the country’s next leader also did him in, he said. “He has an image problem. He has come across as too eager for the position. He’s the only one who has announced his candidacy,” he said.

The net satisfaction rating of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, a stalwart of the UNA like Binay, suffered a 17-point decline from a “good” 47 (63 percent satisfied, 16 percent dissatisfied) in December 2012 to a still “good” 30 [rounded off] (53 percent satisfied, 24 percent dissatisfied) in the latest survey.

As Senate President, Enrile’s satisfaction ratings ranged from a low of 5 in December 2008 to a high of 65 in August 2012.

Slew of controversies

Enrile is campaigning for his son Jack, a senatorial candidate of UNA.

Casiple said a slew of controversies—the grant of bonuses to favored senators, smuggling in Port Irene, in his home province of Cagayan, and his son’s checkered past—pulled down the net satisfaction rating of Enrile.

“That was corruption; unlawful or illegitimate use of public money,” he said of Enrile’s grant of P1.6 million in additional maintenance and other operating expenses to 18 senators last Christmas. Four senators critical of Enrile each received only P250,000.

Belmonte, Sereno slide

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.’s net satisfaction rating slid by four points, from 15 in December 2012 to 11 in March. Both numbers are within the “moderate” rating.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno registered a five-point decline from a “moderate” 14 in December 2012 to a “neutral” 9 in March.

The SWS classifies a net satisfaction rating of 70 and above as “excellent”; 50 to 69, “very good”; 30 to 49, “good”; 10 to 29, “moderate”; 9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; -50 to -69, “very bad”; and -70 and below, “execrable.”

Institutions

The net satisfaction ratings of major institutions also declined, with the Senate slipping by six percentage points from December 2012’s “very good” 51 (65 percent satisfied, 14 percent dissatisfied) to a “good” 45 (63 percent satisfied, 18 percent dissatisfied) in the latest survey.

Net satisfaction with the Cabinet also fell by three percentage points from 26 (45 percent satisfied, 19 percent dissatisfied) in the previous quarter to 23 (44 percent satisfied, 21 percent dissatisfied).

On the other hand, the Supreme Court and the House of Representatives’ net satisfaction ratings slipped by two percentage points.

The high court’s rating fell from 36 (55 percent satisfied, 18 percent dissatisfied) to 34 (54 percent satisfied, 20 percent dissatisfied) in the latest survey.

The House’s net satisfaction rating declined from 31 (50 percentage satisfied, 20 percentage dissatisfied) in the previous quarter to 29 (49 percent satisfied, 20 percent dissatisfied) in March.—Lawrence de Guzman, Inquirer Research; Jerry E. Esplanada and TJ A. Burgonio

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/399533/rating-fall-puzzles-binay#ixzz2Rz0BQl8q

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Philippine Campaign Violations you Need to be Aware Of

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote (and who do not give a damn!). 

As the May 2013 election draws near, more and more campaign violations can be observed along the streetwalk and other campaign venues. 

Here are the set violations by our Commission on Elections: 

Unlawful Campaigning

Campaigning on Maundy Thursday, March 28

Campaigning on Good Friday, March 29

Campaigning on the eve of Election Day, May 12

Campaigning on Election Day, May 13

Foreign Intervention

A foreigner, or foreign entity, aiding a candidate directly or indirectly, or spending for a candidate’s campaign

Prohibited Campaign Propaganda

- Printed materials such as leaflets, exceeding eight and one-half inches (8 ½”) in width and fourteen inches (14”) in length

- Posters made of cloth, paper, cardboard or any other material, whether framed or posted, with an area exceeding two feet (2’) by three feet (3’)

- Streamers exceeding three feet (3’) by eight feet (8’) in size displayed at the site and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally.

- Said streamers displayed more than five (5) days before the date of the meeting or rally or NOT removed within twenty-four (24) hours after said meeting or rally

- Use of hazardous materials in campaign materials; use of plastics in jurisdictions where plastics are banned

-Absence of this information on printed propaganda material: “political advertisement paid for,” followed by the true and correct name and address of the candidate or party for whose benefit the election propaganda was printed or aired; and “political advertisements paid by,” followed by the true and correct name and address of the payor

Source: www.philstar.com

- To print, publish, broadcast or exhibit any such election propaganda donated or given free of charge by any person or publishing firm or broadcast entity to a candidate or party without the written acceptance by the said candidate or party and unless they bear and be identified by the words “printed free of charge,” or “airtime for this broadcast was provided free of charge by”, respectively, followed by the true and correct name and address of the said publishing firm or broadcast entity

-To show, display or exhibit publicly in a theater, television station, or any public forum any movie, cinematography or documentary portraying the life or biography of a candidate, or in which a character is portrayed by an actor or media personality who is himself a candidate

-To post, display or exhibit any election campaign or propaganda material outside of authorized common poster areas, in public places, or in private properties without the consent of the owner thereof.

NB: “Public places” include any of the following:

-Electronic announcement boards, such as LED display boards located along highways and streets, LCD TV displays posted on walls of public buildings, and other similar devices which are owned by local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, or any agency or instrumentality of the Government;

-Motor vehicles used as patrol cars, ambulances, and other similar purposes that are owned by local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, and other agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, particularly those bearing red license plates;

-Waiting sheds, sidewalks, street and lamp posts, electric posts and wires, traffic signages and other signboards erected on public property, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, flyovers and underpasses, bridges, main thoroughfares, center islands of roads and highways;

-Schools, shrines, barangay halls, health centers, public structures and buildings or any edifice thereof;

Public utility vehicles such as buses, jeepneys, trains, taxi cabs, ferries, pedicabs and tricycles, whether motorized or not;

Within the premises of public transport terminals, such as bus terminals, airports, seaports, docks, piers, train stations, and the like.

So what will you do if you see these violations? Report it. COMELEC has a program called ISUMBONG MO which is open to valid reported violations. All submitted reports to COMELEC are treated as CONFIDENTIAL unless the one reporting requests otherwise.

You can call in your valid and detailed report through the COMELEC Cebu hotline: 4169773. Manila hotline numbers are 5275574; 5259345; 5259302

For those more "techie", the COMELEC earlier called on the public to report violations on campaign rules by tweeting the poll body @comelec and using the hashtag #sumbongko. Don't forget to give out your email address and just wait for COMELEC's Direct Message (DM) where they will reply to your report or they can ask further queries regarding your report. 

You can also leave a comment or PCOSdemo fanpage. The same thing, you need to give out your email address and other contact information. 

Visit www.mycomelec.tv for more information.

Or-- you can also leave a valid comment below so we at iSTORYA.NET can also help out in reporting such violations. 

So, what are you waiting for? Be vigilant and let us help each other in having a smooth-flowing campaign period and a successful election day this May! 

And to all registered voters, do not forget to vote!

“Have you ever stopped to ponder the amount of blood spilt, the volume of tears shed, the degree of pain and anguish endured, the number of noble men and women lost in battle so that we as individuals might have a say in governing our country? Honor the lives sacrificed for your freedoms. Vote.” - Richelle Goodrich

Source: www.comelec.gov.ph

Gordon banks on experience in Senate bid

By Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) 
Updated April 16, 2013 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator Richard Gordon is making a political comeback by seeking a seat in the Senate under the United Nationalist Alliance.

Gordon’s history on executive, legislative and humanitarian works spans more than three decades.

A lawyer by profession, Gordon started early in public service. He was in his mid-20s when he became the youngest delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention (ConCon).

As mayor of Olongapo City from 1980 to 1986, he made waves by turning Olongapo into a highly urbanized city. He introduced volunteerism, color-coding of vehicles, and proper waste disposal long before they were adopted by other localities.

In 1987, Gordon became governor of the Philippine Red Cross and he is now serving his fourth term as chairman of the humanitarian agency.

He rose to national prominence even more when he got Olongapo City back to its feet after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption and the pullout of American bases in early ‘90s.

Gordon also became secretary of the Department of Tourism from 2001-2004, during which he launched the world-renowned “WOW Philippines” campaign to attract foreign tourists into the country.

This year, Gordon is gunning for a Senate seat on May 13. And he is banking on his accomplishments as a senator from 2004 to 2010 and his long experience in public service.

“I have experienced the Senate... I’ve passed important laws - the automated (election) law, tourism law, international humanitarian law, and the economics,” Gordon said.

“I have the wisdom that comes from being a lawyer; being a ConCon delegate, the youngest at that in 1971; being a mayor, a local government official for 13 years; handling business conglomerates at the SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority); being a secretary of tourism and chairman of Red Cross. That experience you cannot get anywhere,” he added.

Gordon promised that if again elected as senator, he would initiate laws that would improve the country’s education system and uplift the lives of teachers who are earning much lower salary compared to their counterparts in Asia.

He also expressed concern over the country’s “weak” defense and its lack of functional air force and navy amid the territorial disputes with other nations.

Gordon admitted that he sometimes longs for the “intelligent discourse” that he had at the Senate.

“It’s not only making laws... You have to make sure, why tourism law is not being enforced. Why is there so little employment despite the high income, despite the Gross Domestic Product going up, why power (program) is not implemented in Mindanao,” he said.

“It’s not talking for the sake of talking. It’s talking for your country. Senators are after all elected to discuss policies... That’s why there are senators who cannot do anything.  They cannot communicate, they don’t attend meetings,” he added.

Gordon lamented that even though Filipinos have elected leaders since 1946, “it seems that every time we elect, we have not really grown like the other countries in Asia.”

“We’ve gone down and everybody has overtaken us. Every time there is an election, we are supposed to improve. There’s been no improvement. It seems we are not voting for the right people,” he observed.