You can’t blame self-styled “international lawyer” Elly Pamatong for trying.

Days after announcing his presidential bid, Pamatong seeks to disqualify three of his rivals – former defense chief Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and senators Manny Villar and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Teodoro, Villar, and Aquino should be excluded from the presidential race after they violated the previous ban on premature campaigning for 823 days, Pamatong claimed in a petition filed late Monday.

The self-proclaimed international lawyer was pertaining to the SC ruling reversing its decision dated September 11, 2009 that decriminalizes any political activities done before the start of the campaign period.

In the Sept. 11 decision, the justices voted 8-7 to disqualify Santa Monica, Surigao del Norte mayor Rosalinda Penera when she held a motorcade after filing her candidacy on November 30, 2006 for the May 2007 elections.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, a motorcade is considered a political activity.

SC spokesperson Jose Midas Marquez said the justices, voting 9-5, ruled that the conduct of political activity such as broadcasting infomercials before the start of the campaign season should be considered as “an exercise of the candidates’ freedom of expression.”

“While the split ruling in Penera vs. Comelec was reversed on November 25, Sec. 80 of the election code and the September 11, 2007 Penera vs. Comelec ruling was very much in effect from July 2007 to November 25 – a period of 823 days,” he said.

But Pamatong said although this may have “retroactively cleansed,” the respondents of criminality, their “moral turpitude and evil character” was contrary to the intentions of the Omnibus Election Code.

“All the respondents have knowingly ignored or disregarded this legal position taken by the Comelec and the Supreme Court to level the playing field between the poor and the rich,” said Pamatong, who once caused an uproar five years ago by throwing metal spikes along EDSA, Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare.

“Do you really think that allowing the elites to campaign for as long as they want really fair?” he added.

Petition seeks Pacquiao, Lapid disqualification

In a separate petition, Pamatong also called for the disqualification of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao who is seeking a congressional seat in Saranggani and Senator Lito Lapid who is seeking reelection.

Quoting Justice Isagani Cruz, Pamatong said Pacquiao and Lapid should be prevented from running in 2010 because they are just “unqualified professional entertainers.”

“Both Pacquiao and Lapid are politically blind, being unschooled in the art of governance and politically leadership. We cannot just simply hold our hands akimbo and idiotically watch our republic being feasted upon by these power-hungry political pedestrians who want to grab everything in sight,” he said.

After weeding out the nuisance candidates and settling the disqualification cases, the Comelec said it will come out with the official list of candidates by the end of December. – RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV

The Supreme Court on Tuesday junked a petition seeking to disqualify former President Joseph Estrada from running in next year’s presidential elections.

Radio dZBB’s Teresa Tavares quoted the High Court decision as saying that it is not the proper forum for the petition but the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The petition was filed last week by a group called Vanguard, reportedly headed by one Elio Mallari, a lawyer.

In her report, Tavares quoted Supreme Court deputy spokesperson Gleo Guerra as saying that disqualification cases can only be elevated to the High Court once the Comelec has made a decision on the matter.

At present, two petitions to disqualify Estrada from the 2010 presidential race are pending before the Comelec: one filed by Evillo Pormento and another by lawyer Oliver Lozano.

Both petitions stated that Estrada could no longer seek reelection since he has already occupied the presidency from 1998 to 2001.

Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution states that: “The President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.”

But Estrada’s camp repeatedly argued that the provision does not apply to him because he only served two and a half years in office.

Estrada, elected in 1998, was forced to step down in January 2001 amid corruption charges. He was convicted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan in September 2007 and was meted reclusion perpetua and disqualified from seeking any public office.

He was, however, pardoned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in October 2007. - Andreo Calonzo/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV

Aside from President Gloria Arroyo, three other popular personalities – former President Joseph Estrada, Filipino boxing champ Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, and television host Willie Revillame – also carry the proverbial “kiss of Death.”

This was one of the findings of a new survey conducted by pollster Pulse Asia in late October.

“Small to sizable majorities (58 percent to 79 percent) are surely/probably not supporting a presidential bet endorsed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former President Joseph Estrada, Mr. Willie Revillame, and People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao,” Pulse Asia said in its Website.

On the other hand, it said the presidential bid of a candidate endorsed by these personalities “would be surely/probably supported by 15 percent to 37 percent of Filipinos.”

While it said a candidate supported by television personality Kris Aquino would “surely/probably get the support of 45 percent of Filipinos,” that candidate “would surely/probably not be elected by 49 percent.”

On the other hand, Pulse Asia noted a presidential bet endorsed by any of these personalities would certainly get the support of at most 11 percent of Filipinos only.

“Electoral endorsements for president coming from any of these individuals would have no effect on the presidential choices of 2 percent to 5 percent of Filipinos, while 3 percent are unable to say what impact such endorsements would have on their choice for president in the May 2010 elections,” it added.

KISS OF DEATH. Candidates who would be endorsed by President Arroyo, former President Estrada, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, and game show host Willie Revillame may not get the public’s votes, according to Pulse Asia’s latest survey. Photos from AP (Arroyo, Pacquiao), PEP.Ph (Revillame), and Danny Pata (Estrada)

67 percent believe polls to take place

Amid speculations of about a “no-election” (No-El) scenario in 2010 to keep the present administration in power, two of three Filipinos still believe next year’s polls will push through.

But that survey showed that nearly half of Filipinos believe there would be “much trouble” in the country if the polls are canceled.

“Most Filipinos (67 percent) believe that there is a big possibility that next year’s elections will push through as scheduled while a big plurality (49 percent) is of the opinion that there will be much trouble in the country should the May 2010 elections be postponed or canceled,” the survey indicated.

It said 21 percent to 24 percent of Filipinos are not decided on whether the polls will take place as scheduled, while 11 percent believe there is a small possibility the polls will not take place.

On the other hand, some 26 percent do not think much trouble will occur in case the elections are not held.

“Between August and October 2009, there was a decline in the percentage of Filipinos inclined to believe that the postponement or cancellation of the May 2010 elections will result in much trouble (-11 percentage points) and an increase in the percentage of Filipinos who hold a contrary view (+8 percentage points),” Pulse Asia said.

The survey showed majorities across geographic areas and socio-economic classes (57 percent to 80 percent) believe is it highly likely that the May 2010 elections will be held as scheduled.

Residents of Region 10 and Caraga are most inclined to believe otherwise (25 percent) while those in Southern Luzon are most ambivalent on the matter (33 percent).

The belief that violence will result if the May 2010 elections do not push through, is expressed by big pluralities to small majorities (43 percent to 64 percent) in Metro Manila, the Visayas, the rest of Luzon and particularly Northern/Central Luzon, and Region 11.

In Southern Luzon, about the same percentages either think much trouble will result from the cancellation or postponement of the May 2010 elections or express ambivalence on the matter (41 percent versus 34 percent).

In Mindanao, especially Regions 9, 10, 12, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and Caraga, nearly the same percentages express either agreement or disagreement with the view that there will be much trouble if next year’s polls are not held (37 percent to 39 percent versus 36 percent to 39 percent).

49 percent to support protests following No-El

Slightly less than half of Filipinos (49 percent) are inclined to support but not join any protests that might arise if the May 2010 elections will not push through.

“In the event that next year’s polls will not push through as scheduled, a near majority of Filipinos (49 percent) will support but will not join any protest actions resulting from the postponement or cancellation of the elections,” it said.

Pulse Asia said the rest will either not support and not join (41 percent) or will support and join such protests (10 percent).

It said these figures are essentially the same as those recorded in August 2009.

Near to big majorities (47 percent to 68 percent) of Metro Manilans, residents of Northern/Central Luzon, Western and Eastern Visayans, and those in all socio-economic classes say they will support but will not join protest actions should the May 2010 elections not be held as scheduled.

Non-participation (not supporting and not joining) is most pronounced in Central Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in Regions 9, 11, 12, and the ARMM (51 percent to 58 percent).

Almost the same percentages of those in the rest of Luzon and especially Southern Luzon, the Visayas as a whole, and Region 10 and Caraga in Mindanao will either support but not join or will not support and will not join such protest actions (46 percent to 49 percent versus 41 percent to 48 percent).

64 percent believe teachers can handle automated polls

While only two of five Filipinos are aware of the automated system to be used next year, almost two out of three (64 percent) Filipinos believe the country’s public school teachers will perform their duty as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI).

A similar percentage (65 percent) believes the teachers are capable of managing the automated election system (AES) in next year’s polls.

“The predominant public sentiment among Filipinos is one of trust in the impartiality of the public school teachers in their role as members of the BEI (64 percent). This is the view articulated by majorities in every geographic area (including sub-areas) and socio-economic class (55 percent to 80 percent), with the exception of Region 10 and Caraga (44 percent). Western Visayans are most inclined to believe in the impartiality of public school teachers as BEI members (80 percent),” Pulse Asia said.

Only seven percent of Filipinos express a contrary opinion while 29 percent are ambivalent on the matter. Public indecision and distrust are most pronounced in Region 10 and the Caraga (38 percent and 18 percent, respectively).

About two in three Filipinos (65 percent) believe that the country’s public school teachers are capable of managing the AES for the May 2010 elections.

Such a sentiment is shared by majorities across geographic areas (including sub-areas) and socio-economic classes ranging from 55 percent in Region 11 to 86 percent in Western Visayas.

“Again, the exception here is Region 10 and Caraga where fewer respondents (45 percent) are inclined to believe in the capability of public school teachers to manage the new system for next year’s polls,” it said.

Less than one in ten Filipinos (7 percent) does not think public school teachers are capable of managing the AES while nearly three in ten (29 percent) express indecision on the matter.

Residents of Region 10 and Caraga are not only most ambivalent on the matter (39 percent) but are also most inclined not to believe in the capability of the country’s teacher to implement the AES next year (16 percent).

On the other hand, only about two out of five Filipinos (40 percent) are aware of the AES that will be implemented in May 2010.

The survey showed one in five (21 percent) said they have almost no or no knowledge about the new system to be used in the May 2010 elections.

Some 13 percent claim to have a great deal of knowledge about the AES while 26 percent say they know enough about it.

Across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, about the same percentages of those in Metro Manila and Class ABC either have enough or little knowledge as regards the AES (35 percdnt versus 33 percent and 36 percent versus 31 percent, respectively). In the rest of Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Classes D and E, big pluralities to near majorities (36 percent to 47 percent) know little about the AES.

40 percent believe automated counting will lead to clean polls

Two in five Filipinos (40 percent) think the automatic counting of votes will result in clean elections with credible results.

Less than one of five (16 percent) hold the opposite view while 43 percent profess indecision regarding automation’s possible effect on the forthcoming elections.

Big pluralities to small majorities (47 percent to 54 percent) of those in Western Visayas and Mindanao, particularly Regions 9, 11, 12, and the ARMM, believe that the outcome of next year’s elections will be credible due to the automation of vote counting.

Meanwhile, the prevailing public sentiment in Metro Manila, Central Visayas, Region 10 and Caraga, and Classes ABC and D is one of indecision (44 percent to 52 percent).

In the rest of Luzon and Eastern Visayas, nearly the same percentages of respondents are either ambivalent on the matter or believe that automation of vote counting will make election results credible for the citizenry (40 percent to 49 percent versus 35 percent to 46 percent).

On the other hand, a near majority of those in Class E (47 percent) is optimistic that the automation of vote counting will contribute to the credibility of election results.

52 percent say religious endorsement a boost

Some 52 percent of Filipinos will “surely/probably” vote for a presidential candidate endorsed by their church, the survey showed.

But 43 percent of Filipinos are surely/probably not voting for a presidential candidate endorsed by their church.

The survey was conducted October 22 to 30, using face-to-face interviews with 1,800 representative adults 18 years old and above.

Pulse Asia said its nationwide survey has a +/- 2 percentage error margin at the 95 percent confidence level, error margins of +/- 6 percent for Metro Manila, +/-4 percent for the rest of Luzon and +/-5 percent for each of Visayas and Mindanao, at 95 percent confidence level.

At the time the survey was made, developments dominating the news headlines were: the formal declaration of former President Joseph Estrada of his bid for the presidency in 2010 and questions about its legality; Senator Lorna Regina Legarda’s declaration of her plans for the May 2010 elections and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno’s withdrawal from the vice-presidential race; Senator Francis Escudero’s departure from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC); the search for a running mate by presidential bets Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Senator Manuel Villar Jr.; late registrants catching the last days of registration for the May 2010 elections; the resignation of Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.; relief efforts in the aftermath of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng”; and the freeze on oil prices and other energy products, as well as basic commodities, imposed by the government. - LBG/KBK GMANews.TV

The 11-day filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2010 polls drew more aspirants – from the serious to the bizarre – vying for national posts compared to the previous national elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.

THE SLATES

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Ang Kapatiran

President: Olongapo City councilor John Carlos delos Reyes
VP: lawyer Dominador Chipeco Jr.

Senators:
1. Columnist Manuel Valoehuesa Jr.
2. Lawyer Adrian Sison
3. Prof. Reginald Tamayo
4. Lawyer Jo Aurea Imbong
5. Chief Airmen Examination Board Hector Tarrazona
6. Consultant Rizalito David
7. Lawyer Zosimo Jesus Paredes II

Bangon Pilipinas

President: Bro. Eddie Villanueva
VP: Former SEC chairman Perfecto Yasay

Senators:
1. Lawyer Ramoncito Ocampo
2. Broadcaster Ma. Katherine Luningning “Kata” Inocencio
3. Writer Zafrullah Alonto
4. Teacher Israel Virgines
5. Broadcaster Alex Tinsay

Lakas-Kampi-CMD

President: Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
VP: Actor/TV host Edu Manzano

Senators:
1. Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
2. Sen. Lito Lapid
3. Broadcaster Rey Langit
4. Ramon Juico, League of Municipalities of the Phils. president
5. Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III
6. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (guest candidate)
7. Charter change proponent Raul Lambino

Liberal Party

President: Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III
VP: Sen. Mar Roxas

Senators:
1. Former Socio-Economic Planning Sec. Ralph Recto
2. Sonia Roco, wife of the late Sen. Raul Roco
3. Rep. Teofisto Guingona III
4. Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon
5. Akbayan Rep. Ana Theresa Baraquel
6. Lawyer Alexander Lacson
7. Former Rep. Nereus Acosta Jr.
8. Detained Scout Ranger officer Danilo Lim
9. Dr. Martin Bautista
10. Yasmin Busran-Lao, founder of Al-Mujadillah Development Foundation
11. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon
12. Former Sen. Serge Osmena (under negotiation)

Nacionalista Party

President: Sen. Manny Villar
VP: Sen. Loren Legarda

Senators:
1. Lawyer Adel Tamano
2. Lawyer Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana
3. OFW advocate Susan Ople
4. Former Marine Capt. Ramon Mitra III
5. Sen. Pia Cayetano
6. Marine Col. Ariel Querubin
7. Ilocos Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
8. Gabriela Rep. Lisa Maza (guest candidate)
9. Sen. Mirriam Defensor-Santiago (guest candidate)
10. Sen. Bong Revilla (guest candidate)
11. Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo (guest candidate)
12. Former Rep. Gilbert Remulla

Partido ng Masang Pilipino – UNO

President: Former Pres. Joseph Estrada
VP: Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay

Senators:
1. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
2. Former Rep. Jose Apolinario “Jun” Lozada Jr.
3. Lawyer JV Bautista
4. Rep. Rodolfo Rodrigo Plaza
5. Businessman Jose de Venecia III
6. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile
7. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (guest candidate)
8. Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla (guest candidate)

One presidential aspirant Rigoberto Madera Jr., for example, declared that if he gets lucky, he would move on to conquer the US, the United Nations, and eventually the world.

Another presidential hopeful, 73-year-old Manny Lopez, meanwhile, said he’s better than US President Barack Obama.

Alicman Ali, a Maranao running for vice president, said he has the ability to stop the decades-old war in Mindanao.

More established presidential candidates, meanwhile, resorted to gimmickry – from marathons to marching bands to rallies – to make the formalization of their bids noticeable.

“Mas maraming nag-file ngayon dahil umaasa sila sa mas malinis at mas makatotohanang eleksyon, primarily dahil sa automated elections,” lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan, head of the Comelec Law Department, said.

(More people filed COCs this year because they are hoping for a clean and honest elections, primarily because of the automation.)

More candidates this time

The filing of COC at the Comelec main office, which ran from November 20 until midnight of December 1, drew 99 presidential hopefuls compared to 84 in 2004. Of the 84, only five were considered official candidates.

On the other hand, there are 20 vice presidential candidates who filed their COCs this year, which is one candidate shy of the 21 in the previous national elections. Of the 21, only four were allowed to run during the election proper.

For senatorial aspirants, a total of 158 filed for next year compared to only 88 in 2004. Of the 88, only 48 were declared official candidates.

Rafanan also said the period for the filing of COCs was generally peaceful.

“Napaka-peaceful except yung nangyari sa Maguindanao. Everything is transparent,” he said, referring pertaining to the massacre in Ampatuan town that killed at least 57 people, including 30 journalists.

Among the prominent presidential aspirants were Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Manuel Villar, Jr., Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, Richard Gordon, former President Joseph Estrada, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, and former Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro, Jr.

On the other hand, the known filers for the vice presidential post include Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, and actor Edu Manzano.

What’s next?

Rafanan said they would now be encoding the COCs so that they would be able to extract some statistics for future reference.

Those who oppose the candidacy of a person have five days from the last day of filing to file a verified position, Rafanan said, adding that the poll body would tackle the cases “motu propio” or on its own.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez told GMANews.TV in a separate interview that during the last elections, the poll body held a hearing where they gave aspirants a chance to defend why they should not be regarded as nuisances candidates.

According to Comelec Resolution No. 8678, a nuisance candidate is one who “put(s) the election process in mockery or disrepute,” “cause(s) confusion among the voters by the similarity of names of registered candidates,” or one who “has no bona fide intention to run for the office.”

Rafanan said it would be up to the commission to decide when to release the names of those deemed as nuisance candidates. He said the target date is by middle of December. “This will be a very busy Christmas for the Comelec,” he said.

He, however, clarified that the official list of candidates would be released on a later date, probably by the end of December.

A total of 17, 888 government seats are up for grabs in the 2010 elections. There is one slot for president and vice president each; 12 for senators; 222 for Lower House representatives; 80 for governors and vice governors; 762 for provincial board members; 120 for city mayors and vice mayors; 1,514 for municipal mayors and vice mayors; 1,346 for city councilors; and 12,116 for municipal councilors.

A total of 68,000 candidates ran in the May 2004 elections while some 46,000 aspirants filed their COCs in the 2007 local elections. – KBK, GMANews.TV

Senator Richard Gordon and former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando on Tuesday formalized their bid for the country’s top two posts in next year’s elections.

Presidential aspirant Gordon and running mate Fernando, who both came in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Manila in native barong Tagalog, filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at exactly 2:30 p.m., hours after they announced their team-up.

Fernando, who left the MMDA and the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD after he was not chosen as its presidential pick, said he initially approached Gordon to become his vice-president, but ended up becoming the senator’s running mate instead.

“Natagpuan ko ang taong kasing-paniwala ko. Nakita ko na hindi na kami magkakahirapan pa ng pagsasama at nakita ko na ito ang magdudulot ng kabutihan sa atin (I found a like-minded person in Senator Gordon. I saw that our team-up would not be difficult and realized that working with him will bring us good),” he said.

Gordon, for his part, said “leadership” sets their team-up apart from other tandems for the 2010 polls. “Filing a COC is not a joke. This is a commitment. This requires courage. You cannot hide behind money. You cannot hide behind a birthright or pedigree. You need leadership and proven tasks,” he said.

The tandem, running under the Comelec-accredited Bagumbayan, vowed to generate jobs and spearhead “transformational politics” if elected to office.

Gordon officially announced his team-up with Fernando Tuesday afternoon. Fernando said the tandem was finalized only last night after a discussion with the senator. [See: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/178226/gordon-fernando-announce-tandem-in-2010-polls]

Gordon, who is also the current head of the Philippine National Red Cross, was elected to the Senate in 2004. He has authored and sponsored landmark bills, most notably the Election Automation Act and the Veterans’ Bill, during his six years as senator.

Fernando, meanwhile, was also a former Public Works and Highways secretary. – KBK, GMANews.TV

Here come the “transformers.”

That’s how Senator Richard Gordon and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Bayani Fernando want to be called as they officially announced Tuesday their tandem for the May 2010 presidential elections.

“You can call us the transformers. We are here to transform the nation,” Gordon said at a news conference held at the Senate press office in Pasay City.

Gordon and Fernando were accompanied by their respective wives, former Olongapo Mayor Kate Gordon and Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando.

The two are to file their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila later in the day.

Gordon and Bayani will be running under the former’s Bagumbayan Party which was accredited by the Comelec as a political party two months ago.

Gordon said they will not be fielding any senatorial candidates “because [they] are willing to work with everybody.”

“Pareho kami ng values, pareho ng vision (We share the same values, we share the same vision),” the senator added, referring to his tandem with Fernando, who earlier sought to be the standard bearer of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD but lost the nomination to former Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Fernando said it was him who tried to convince Gordon to be his running mate although it was the latter who eventually convinced the former to run as vice president.

Gordon said he agreed to team up with Fernando because he witnessed how the latter transformed Marikina City the same way that he transformed Olongapo City.

“BF is a great mayor of Marikina, may character talaga. We are the most experienced, we have the vision, we have the ability to transform the nation. We are the national executives of the country. We are the mayors of the Philippines,” he said. - Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMANews.TV

Former Defense chief Giberto “Gibo” Teodoro on Tuesday led bets of the the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party in filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs), saying he is confident that the Filipino people will realize the value of the “tested leadership” which they are offering.

“Hindi po panahon ng eksperimento ngayon, panahon na ng subok na liderato at yan po ay maibibigay namin sa ilalim ng Lakas-Kampi-CMD (This is not the time for experimentation, it’s time for tested leadership and Lakas-Kampi-CMD can give you that),” Teodoro told reporters.

Teodoro was welcomed by his supporters who had set up mini-stage outside the Commission on Elections (Comelec) national office, where they performed a short program in support of the former Cabinet secretary.

The Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer came with his vice presidential bet, actor-turned-politician Edu Manzano and his senatorial bets broadcaster Rey Langit and Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico, who is also head of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

Manzano said whatever the Filipinos are looking for in a leader can be found in Teodoro.

“Ang kanyang track record ay subok na, ang kanyang liderato ay subok na (His track record is tested his leadership is also tested),” he told reporters.

Teodoro, however, said that he is confident that the voters will be able to discern this for themselves.

He added that despite his low ratings in recent surveys, the former secretary said nothing is for sure yet. “We will run our campaign not on the basis of negatives but on the basis of positives,” he said.

And even though they do not have a complete senatorial slate, Teodoro said this is “best” for the party. “Ito ang pinaka-optimal para sa partido namin, na sa tingin namin kayang ipanalo (This is the most optimal situation for our party wherein we will be able to win),” he said.

So far, the Lakas-Kampi-CMD has only four senatorial candidates: Langit, Guico and reelectionists Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Manuel “Lito” Lapid. But Teodoro said they are not closing their doors on adopting guest candidates.

“We will have to determine that because there are a lot of those who are running who deserve to be elected or reelected to the senate,” he said.

Earlier, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said she was invited as a guest candidate under the Lakas-Kampi banner, but Teodoro did not mention her.

If elected, Teodoro said he will have no specific priority but that he will push for reforms in education, peace process, disaster reduction, and the economy, among others.

Meanwhile, Teodoro said he expects President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who recently declared her intention to run as representative in Pampanga, to help the party in their campaign in the province.

“Kung siya ang administration candidate, natural lamang iyon, makakatulong din ang pangulo sa aking kampanya sa Pampanga (If she is an administration candidate, that is just natural, the President will be able to help our campaign in Pampanga),” he said. – LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV

Nine people who once made up former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada’s Cabinet gathered on Thursday to express support for his presidential bid.

“Ever since, we’ve been solid,” said former Energy Secretary Mario Tiaoqui at the Rotary Club of Manila meeting at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

“I guess it’s just more of a reaffirmation of our continued support for the president,” he added.

Also present in the event were former presidential spokesman Ronaldo “Dong” Puno, Bienvenido Laguesma (Labor), Benjamin Diokno (Budget), Alberto “Quasi” Romualdez (Health), Jun Rivera (Public Works), Renato “Boy” Ampil (Customs), and Rod Reyes (Press Secretary).

The former president was introduced by his former Finance secretary Jose “Titoy” Pardo, who said that Estrada continued to enjoy the solid support of his former secretaries because “he is the most transparent and most sincere” among all the presidential contenders for the 2010 polls.

Pardo added that Estrada “did not have any corrupt motives” during his term that he even gave then vice president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a Cabinet position.

Mrs. Arroyo served as Estrada’s Social and Welfare Secretary before she resigned from his Cabinet in 2000 to join the ouster calls against him.

Estrada, who was ousted in 2001 and convicted of plunder in 2007, has been stressing his eligibility to take a second shot at the presidency.

Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution states that, “The President shall not be eligible for any re-election. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.”

But Estrada said the Constitutional provision applies only to incumbent presidents and those who were able to serve for more than four years.

“If the incumbent President Arroyo, who had already served three and a half years as president can run for reelection as president, why will Joseph Estrada, who only served for two and a half years be barred from running again?” Estrada said.

In case the Commission on Elections and the Supreme Court allow him to run, he would be pitted against Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party, former Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi, and Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nationalista Party, among others. – Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV

Former senator Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III on Thursday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as an independent senatorial aspirant with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), stressing that he still supports the presidential bid of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party.

“Para kay Noynoy pa rin ako (I’m still for Noynoy),” said Osmeña, who was previously part of the LP senatorial slate until the entry of former socio-economic planning secretary Ralph Recto.

Ex-Senator Serge Osmena on Thursday filed his COC with the Commission on Elections as an independent candidate but said that he still supports the presidential bid of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino. - Kim Tan

But the former senator said he wanted to deviate from traditional politics so decided to not run under the LP banner.

“There was a difference in philosophy. Kumukuha ng mga trapo para sumama sa kanila. Ayoko ng ganun, mag-slow down naman kayo diyan (You keep taking in traditional politicians. I don’t like that, slow down),” he told reporters.

Osmeña said there have been offers for him to join the senatorial slate of other presidential aspirants like former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada and Senator Manuel Villar. However, he said he had to decline because he still supports Noynoy’s candidacy.

“Opo naman, napakabait nila (Of course, they’re all very kind), (but) I have to politely decline them because I’m still for Noynoy,” he said.

And even though he won’t have a party machinery at his disposal, the former senator said he is confident that the voters will choose wisely.

“Wala naman nakakatiyak, bahala na ang taumbayan. Wala naman nang party votes (Nobody is sure, it’s up to the people to decide. There are no more party votes anyway),” he said.

If elected again to the Senate, he said he would continue his projects concerning agriculture, job creation, limiting of taxation, senior citizens, and the disabled.

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He also said that even though the Supreme Court has declared premature campaigning to be non-existent, he would not come out with advertisements before the campaign period. “I would use some television commercials but only during the campaign period,” he said.

Osmeña III, grandson of former President Sergio Osmeña, previously served two terms in the Senate, from 1995 to 2001 and from 2001 to 2007.

The former senator was previously an LP member from 1998 to 2001 before transferring to the PDP-Laban of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Nene”Pimentel Jr.

He was the vice presidential running mate of Alfredo Lim (now Manila mayor) under the LP banner in 1998. They both lost.

Some of the LP senatorial aspirants include former Senate President Frank Drilon, Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, and former Bukidnon. Rep. Nereus Acosta, who are all LP members.

The others are Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros and Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III of the political movement Kaya Natin.

Since Friday, at least 29 presidential, two vice presidential, and 20 senatorial hopefuls have filed their COCs with the Comelec. – with Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMANews.TV

Olongapo City Councilor John Carlos “JC” De los Reyes on Monday formalized his presidential bid in the 2010 elections by filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), becoming the 16th aspirant for the country’s top elective post.

De los Reyes, the 39-year-old bet of the Ang Kapatiran National Political Party, filed his COC with the Comelec law department at 2:10 p.m.

Ang Kapatiran’s presidential bet JC De los Reyes, together with running mate Dominador Chipeco Jr. and senatorial candidate Reginald Tamayo, formalizes his bid for the government’s highest post in 2010. - Andreo Calonzo

Interviewed by reporters, De los Reyes said he filed his candidacy early “to get it over with.”

“We also wanted it to coincide with the Mass just held at the Sta. Cruz Church. It’s just a general message to the lay faithful that even if we perfect the automation, if we elect rotten leaders, everything will still go to waste,” he said in Filipino.

De los Reyes was accompanied by his running mate Dominador Chipeco Jr., and his party’s seven senatorial candidates: social scientist Rizalito David; lawyers Jo Aurea, Zosimo Paredes, and Adrian Sison; teachers Reginald Tamayo and Hector Tarrazona; and former United Nations executive Manuel Valdehuesa, Jr.

He said his party’s bets might not be popular but are all “local gems” who do not practice traditional politics.

In the 2007 elections, De los Reyes was the only winner among the Kapitaran Party candidates. He placed second in the 10 slots for the Olongapo City council. He studied B.A. Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, USA. After graduating, he taught Philosophy at the University of Asia and Pacific.

He later pursued his graduate studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1999 and his law degree at the Saint Louis University in Baguio City in 2005.

In September, De los Reyes appeared as guest on GMANews.TV’s web show “Exchange” where he talked about the implications of being an independent candidate.

The Olongapo City councilor is married to Dunia Valenzuela with three children, Gabriel 10, Santiago, 7, and Barbara 5.

Since Friday, 21 presidential aspirants, one vice presidential aspirant, and 10 senatorial aspirants have filed their COCs with the Comelec. – RSJ, GMANews.TV