MANILA – Posibleng tatlong kandidato na lang sa panguluhan ang pagpilian ng mga botante pagsapit ng halalan sa Mayo 10 kapag natuloy ang babala ng Commission ng Elections laban sa anim na iba pang kandidato dahil sa paglabag umano sa patakaran sa campaign material.

Ayon kay Atty. James Jimenez, tagapagsalita ang Comelec, nakapagdokumento ang
Education and Information Department (EID) ng ahensiya tungkol sa ginagawang paglabag ng mga kandidato sa patakaraan sa paggamit ng mga campaign propaganda sa halalan.

Ang mga presidentiables na nadokumentuhan na lumalabas sa campaign rules ay sina Sen Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III (Liberal Party), dating pangulong Joseph M. Ejercito Estrada (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino – UNO), Sen Richard J. Gordon (Bagumbayan), Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), evangelist Eddie C. Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas), at Sen Manuel Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party).

Kasama rin sa mga lumalabag umano sa patakaran ng Comelec sina vice presidential candidates Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay at dating Metro Manila Development Authority chief Bayani Fernando; senatorial bets Senator Lito Lapid, Atty. JV Bautista, at broadcaster na si Rey Langit.

“We would not expect this normally since they are very staunch advocates of obeying the law (but) everyone is equally in violation it would seem,” pahayag ni Jimenez nang makapanayam ng media.

Partikular na paglabag na ginagawa umano ng mga kandidato ay ang paglalagay ng mga campaign paraphernalia sa hindi sakop ng “common poster areas.” Bukod pa rito ang paggamit ng mga materyales na higit sa itinakdang sukat ng batas.

Kabilang sa mga lugar na sakop ng “common poster areas” ang mga plaza, pamilihan, at barangay center. Samantala, ang mga party-list group at political parties ay pinapayagan lamang ng gumawa ng poster na may sukat na 12 x 16 feet. Habang ang bawat kandidato ay dapat 4 x 6 feet lang ang sukat ng poster.

“The state of compliance is rather dismal,” ayon kay Jimenez tungkol sa ginagawang paglabag ng mga kandidato.

Sinabi niya na ipadadala umano nila ang ulat ng EID sa Comelec Law Department para sa “kaukulang hakbang.”

“We will submit this report to the law department so that the law department, if they feel that it’s necessary, initiate legal action as soon as possible,” pahayag ni Jimenez.

Ipapaalam din umano ng Comelec sa mga kandidato ang kanilang paglabag at bibigyan sila ng tatlong araw para alisin ang mga campaign material na hindi umaayon sa batas.

“Kung hindi nila tinanggal, we will have to talk about legal action, that is an election offense, there is the possibility of disqualification,” babala ni Jimenez.

Mas makabubuti rin umano kung ang maghahain ng reklamo laban sa mga kandidato ay magmula sa hanay ng mamamayan sa halip na manggaling mismo ang inisyatiba sa Comelec.

“How can we, on our own, file a case, if we have to decide the case ourselves,” ayon sa tagapagsalita ng Comelec. – GMANews.TV

President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino took a swipe at two of his rivals to loud cheers of his supporters on Friday.

However, he refused to name them.

“Iyong mga tinatawag ang sarili nilang oposisyon, mga sinungaling iyan, lalo na iyong kumukuha ng kulay ko,” Estrada said before orange-clad supporters from the Citizens Movement of Justice, Economy, Environment, and Peace, more commonly known as JEEP ni Erap.

(Those who consider themselves as part of the opposition, they’re all liars, especially the one who has appropriated my campaign’s official color.)

One of his rivals in the presidential race, Senator Manuel ‘Manny’ Villar, uses orange as his campaign color.

Meanwhile, still refusing to name names, Estrada said: “Iyong isa naman, nag-apologize na nga iyong nanay, siya ayaw naman.”

Aquino’s mother, the late president Corazon apologized for her participation in the so-called EDSA 2 that deposed Estrada and catapulted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to power in 2001

Later asked by reporters if Aquino already apologized to him, Estrada answered in the negative.

“Hindi pa [humihingi ng tawad]. Wala naman akong inaantay [na humingi siya ng tawad],” Estrada said.

(Not yet. And I’m not waiting for one.)

Asked if he was hurt by the gesture, Estrada continued: “Siyempre.. Pero napatawad ko na.”

(Of course. But I’ve let that pass already.)

Erap’s trust rating goes up

Estrada’s ratings caught up in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, gaining two points from previous survey results.

Estrada scored 15 percent, third to Aquino’s 36 percent and Villar’s 34 percent. Aquino lost six points, while Villar lost one point.

Estrada’s camp is targeting a 30-percent trust rating come Election Day to ensure his victory through house-to-house campaigns from JEEP members.

“We are seeing a six-percent increase in President Erap’s ratings by the end of March, and another six percent by the end of April, and 30 percent by Election Day,” JEEP chairman Horacio Morales said.

Donations to bishops

Estrada also defended his donations to the Catholic Church, reacting to Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales’ statement frowning on candidates’ donation to the Church in exchange for photo opportunities.

“Of course I donate in exchange for nothing. ‘Di pamumulitiko iyon. Nagsasakristan pa ako noon, nagdodonate na ako.”

(It’s not politicking. Even when I served as an altar boy when I was younger, I already made donations.)

Asked if he was seeking the support of the Catholic prelates, Estrada said that “he would love [bit of] every support” but he would not interfere with their choice. -NIKKA CORSINO, GMANews.TV

Three presidential candidates have already used more than half of their allowed television airtime in two networks, a coalition monitoring campaign expenses bared Wednesday.

According to Pera’t Pulitika (Money and politics), Sen. Manny Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party) is the presidential candidate who has used the most airtime so far for his political advertisements.

Candidates are given up to 120 minutes of airtime for their political ads for each TV network.

Citing information from Nielsen Media, the group said Villar has already used 76.5 minutes both in GMA 7 and ABS-CBN, followed by former President Joseph Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) with 65 minutes (GMA 7) and 77.5 minutes (ABS-CBN), Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (Liberal Party) with 66 minutes (GMA 7) and 76 minutes (ABS-CBN), and Sen. Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan) with 48 minutes (GMA 7) and 52 minutes (ABS-CBN).

Covered by the monitoring was the period from February 9 to March 9, according to a report in GMA News’ “24 Oras.”

Candidates still have until May 8 to campaign.

Malou Mangahas, executive director of the Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), said a “gap” in the law could allow these candidates to circumvent the 120-minute airtime limit.

“Maaaring magpalusot sila, halimbawa yung political party ang kanilang gamiting ad buyer, o kaya party-list groups (They can circumvent the airtime limit by using their political parties or a party-list group as the ad buyer),” she said.

Lawyer Roberto Cadiz of Pera’t Pulitika said this practice leads to the “corruption of the party-list system.”

“Apparently some party-list groups are being created not so much to advocate minority interests or the underrepresented sector but to get around the campaign finance laws,” he said.

The group noted the similarity of the Akap Bata party-list group’s TV ad, which shows children singing about poverty, to Villar’s.

Akap Bata, however, said it is aware of the comparison but added that Villar has nothing to do with them. – KBK, GMANews.TV

Dasmariñas, Cavite – Presidential candidate Senator Manuel Villar Jr. on Wednesday said he will not join Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao’s victory motorcade upon the latter’s arrival in the country.

Villar made the statement a few days after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned candidates against using Pacquiao’s victory motorcade to campaign for the May 10 elections. [See: Poll candidates warned vs politicizing Pacquiao victory]

“Sa unang araw lang naman, iiwan ko muna yung formal ceremonies sa bayan bilang parangal sa isang bayani. Ibigay natin sa kanya yan (On the first day, I will leave the formal ceremonies to the public to let them honor a hero. Let’s give him that),” Villar told reporters during his visit to the Dasmariñas Kadiwa Public Market in Cavite on Wednesday morning.

However, Villar was quick to add, “Sa ibang araw ibang usapan na (It’ll be different on other days).”

Pacquiao, the party’s congressional bet in Sarangani province, is expected to arrive in Manila on March 22, four days before the start of the campaign period for local posts. The Pinoy pugilist triumphed over boxer Joshua Clottey last Saturday (Sunday in Manila). [See: Pacquiao dominates Clottey, wins by unanimous decision]

The Nacionalista Party will be conducting a separate victory motorcade and celebration for Pacquiao. Villar said Pacquiao would accompany him in his sorties in different parts of the country.

“Not necessarily Sarangani, pwedeng sa buong Pilipinas sumama (Not necessarily Sarangani, he can join us all other sorties in the country),” Villar said. “Sa akin, kung ano ang gusto ni Manny. Bilang isang kaibigan ay natutuwa ako na gusto niya ako tulungan, it’s something na ina-appreciate ko (I’m okay with whatever Manny wants. As a friend, I’m happy that he wants to help me, it’s something that I appreciate.”

Wednesday is the second time that the NP has campaigned in Cavite, which is the third most vote-rich area in the country. Aside from Dasmariñas market, the NP bets also visited the Imus public market.

As of posting time, the NP is currently conducting a mini-rally at Brgy. San Juan in Dasmariñas. Present were NP vice presidential bet Sen. Loren Legarda and senatorial bets Gilbert Remulla, Adel Tamano, Liza Maza, Satur Ocampo, and Ramon Mitra III. Detained colonel Ariel Querubin was represented by his son Martin. - TJD, GMANews.TV

Economist and GMA Public Affairs correspondent Winnie Monsod asked presidential aspirant Manuel Villar about the striking parallels between his desire to run amid the accusations of graft and corruption against him, and the predicament of former president Joseph Estrada in 2000.

“Bilang House Speaker noong taong 2000, kasama kayo sa pagi-impeach kay Pang. Estrada for using his position to enrich himself while in office. Ngayon bilang Senador at dating Senate President, kayo naman ang inaakusahan for using your office to enrich yourself kagaya po noong realignment ng DPWH roads, getting accomodations from the SEC and the PSE. My question is, if you wanted Mr. Estrada out in 2000, why should you seek the presidency now? Ano po ng diperensya ng kaso niyo sa kaso ni Pres. Estrada?”

Watch the video for Villar’s response.

For the first time, Isang Tanong sourced questions from the Internet via GMANews.TV. Presidential aspirant Manuel Villar, who uses “Sipag at Tiyaga” as his campaign slogan, randomly chose a question from web user Michael Salustiano about the concerns of the labor force in the country.

“Anu-anong mga hakbang ang gagawin ninyo upang tuluyan nang mawasak o maglaho ang mga networks at makinarya ng diskriminasyon at pang-aabuso sa mga manggagawa?”

Watch the video for Villar’s answer.

GMA News and Public Affairs Pillar Vicky Morales asked presidential aspirant Manuel Villar about what he intends to do about the scandals and controversies hounding the Arroyo administration.

“May mga ugong-ugong ho na kayo po ang secret candidate ni Pang. Arroyo dahil perceived to be least hostile kayo kay Pang. Arroyo kumpara sa ibang kandidato. Ano po ang magiging stand niyo sa mga issue tulad ng Hello Garci at iba pang kontrobersyang kinasasangkutan ng pamilya Arroyo?”

Watch the video for Villar’s response.

(UPDATED – 3:30 p.m.) Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada has turned down the offer of the Nacionalista Party (NP) to become its guest senatorial candidate.

Estrada, who earlier promised to withdraw his signature from a Senate resolution clearing Sen. Manuel Villar in the C-5 road mess, has informed the NP presidential aspirant of his decision not to run under the latter’s party.

In his letter to Villar, copies of which were given to media on Friday, Estrada also said that his father, former President Joseph Estrada, will have his own senatorial slate under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) where Jinggoy holds post as executive vice president.

At a press conference in the Senate, Estrada also denied that he was planning to transfer to NP. “(K)ahit kailan hindi po ako pwedeng umalis sa aming partido at siyempre ang aking susuportahan ay walang iba, ang aking ama.”

(I will never leave the party and of course I will support, no other than, my father.)

Sen. Estrada decided to withdraw his signature from the pro-Villar resolution not because he thought that the NP standard-bearer was guilty, but because the resolution was prematurely made public.

Despite the withdrawal, Estrada said he remained in good terms with Villar. “I am not severing my ties with anybody, especially with Sen. Manny Villar. I respect him as one of my colleagues here in the Senate. I still value him as a dear friend.”

He said his signing of the resolution and expression of gratitude to the earlier invitation from NP to be its guest candidate were being exploited by some quarters “to sow intrigue against me in an attempt to undermine my own father’s candidacy.”

“Such premature filing might give rise to doubts, suspicions and wild speculations against us, the signatories, thus obliterating its otherwise honest intent,” he said.

There were rumors that the 12 senators who signed the resolution received P10 million each. Villar and the other senators who signed the document had denied the allegation.

Jinggoy said he was assured that the resolution would be presented after the Committee of the Whole had rendered its final report on the matter.

The chairman of the committee looking into the alleged conflict of interest of Villar on government road projects is Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, a close ally of the Estradas.

Jinggoy said he felt sorry for the unintended harm or strain that the developments might have inflicted on his “close” relationship with Enrile, the chairman emeritus of PMP.

“This is precisely what I wanted to avoid – to be perceived as having no respect nor due regard not only for the process but for the Senate President,” said Estrada. – AMITA O. LEGASPI, GMANews.TV

The children of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos on Friday formalized their support for the May 2010 bid of Senator Manuel Villar Jr. as the once mighty Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) entered into a coalition with the presidential hopeful’s Nacionalista Party.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the KBL reached its decision to join Villar after much consultation and debate within the party.

“These harried times demand painful decisions – a choice between friends and allies, amongst those who have borne the fight of the opposition throughout the years,” Bongbong said. “And we choose for our president, the Honorable Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party.”

Former First Lady Imelda Marcos was not around during the forging of alliance, but Bongbong said he has consulted the matter with members of the family.

Bongbong will be running under the NP’s senatorial slate, although he is also included as a guest candidate in the senatorial line-up of former president Joseph Estrada, who will also be seeking the presidency next year. [See: Bongbong a guest candidate in Erap's senatorial slate]

Incidentally, former president Marcos used to be an NP member before he founded the KBL in 1978.

Senator Benigno “Simeon” Noynoy Aquino III – the son of the late strongman’s political rival, the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. – is perceived to be one of Villar’s strongest rivals for the presidency.

The signing of the coalition agreement between the NP and the KBL took place at the Villar-owned Laurel house in Mandaluyong City. The stage was decorated with orange and blue colored pin wheels – replicas of Ilocos Norte’s energy-generating wind farms.

Symbolic colors

The NP-KBL coalition coincided with the first day of filing of certificates of candidacy for all elective posts. The filing period will last up to December 1.

After the signing, Bongbong gave Villar an orange-colored salakot which he said symbolizes leadership. The Ilocos congressman also hailed Villar as someone who understands the plight of the underprivileged.

“He (Villar) started life with so little, just like the ordinary Filipino,” Bongbong said. “Ngunit naahon nya ang sarili at pamilya sa hirap at kamangmangan (But he was able to pull himself and his family out of poverty and ignorance).”

Bongbong wore a red shirt in the event, as red is the KBL’s signature color. Elder sister Imee, herself a former congresswoman, wore an orange blouse. Orange is the color associated with the NP.

“Alalay lang ako. Mas maganda ang alalay walang masyadong responsibilidad (I’m just assisting him. It’s better this way because I don’t have too many responsibilities),” Imee said, adding that she will not be seeking any elective post in next year’s polls.

Unresolved issues vs Marcos

Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, who is in talks with the NP over his possible inclusion into the NP senatorial slate, expressed concerns over the NP-KBL alliance.

“We have laid down clearly with Manny Villar our outstanding issues with the Marcoses: compensation for human rights victims and recovery of ill-gotten wealth, on which we cannot compromise,” Ocampo said in a text message.

“Should the NP-KBL alliance compromise our stand, we’ll review our impending support for Manny Villar,” he said.

Aside from Ocampo, the progressive party-list bloc will also field Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza in the senatorial race next year. Ocampo told GMANews.TV in a phone interview that they will announce their decision on whether they’ll run under the NP slate early next week.

During the coalition signing, Villar said he expects issues against the Marcoses to be revived by some sectors.

“But I’d rather look at his (Bongbong) qualification as a public servant,” said Villar.

Bongbong also ran for the Senate in 1995, but lost. He served for four terms as Ilocos governor: first in 1983 to 1986 then for three consecutive terms in 1998 to 2007. - Amita Legaspi and Jam Sisante, GMANews.TV

The entry of popular television host Edu Manzano into the political arena as the vice presidential bet of administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD has spiced up the electoral race, rival political party leaders said Friday.

Nacionalista Party (NP) standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar Jr., the only prominent presidential candidate who has yet to announce his running mate, said Manzano’s partnership with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is a good match.

“I suppose magiging exciting ang labanan (The race will become more exciting),” the senator said on the sidelines of the Kapisanan ng ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas top level management conference in Tagaytay City.

However, Villar maintained that his still unnamed candidate–rumored to be Senator Loren Legarda–is better. “Nasa bayan na kung sino ang magugustuhan nilang ihalal (The public will decide who they want to elect),” he said.

Senator Legarda also wished Manzano well.

Meanwhile, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, the Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential bet, said Manzano is a worthy opponent. “I trust that Filipinos will choose their candidates based on a strong platform for real change,” Roxas said.

With the announcement of Teodoro’s running mate, the LP is assuming that Villar and Legarda will team up for the 2010 polls, said LP spokesperson Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III.

“The tandem of Noynoy [Aquino] and Mar [Roxas] will have to work hard to maintain the trust of the people all the way to election day,” Tañada said in in a text message.

Aquino and Roxas have been taking the top spots in recent public preference surveys.

Earlier in the day, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno–who previously declared his vice presidential ambition, only to later withdraw from the race –announced that Manzano will be Teodoro’s running mate. [See: Edu Manzano chosen as Gibo's VP]

Manzano is the former chairman of the Optical Media Board chairman and has served as vice mayor of Makati City.

Puno, whom Manzano said he considers a “mentor,” paved the way for the formation of the Teodoro-Manzano tandem.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita had earlier said other personalities that were considered to become Teodoro’s running mate were Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, and Legarda. – Johanna Camille Sisante and Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV