Court junks Katrina's case against Hayden

(UPDATE) Katrina Halili suffered a big legal setback Tuesday after the Pasig Regional Trial Court junked her case against Hayden Kho over the sex video scandal last year.

Katrina charged Hayden of violations to Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women And Children Act for secretly filming their private intimate encounters without her consent. These videos found its way to the Internet in early 2009 that spurred public outcry that led to a Senate investigation and the eventual revocation of Hayden's professional medical license.

According to the resolution written by Judge Rodolfo R. Bonifacio, the case was dismissed due to the insufficiency of evidence presented against Hayden.

Hayden is accused with two criminal acts: taking a video of the sexual encounter without the knowledge of Katrina and uploading the video on the Internet.

The court resolution stated that the prosecution failed to provide any evidence that Hayden uploaded the videos illegally. It further stated the mere taking of the sex video is not yet a violation of the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act.

As for the recording of the sexual act, the decision states that "the Court itself saw during the ocular inspection that the video camera was situated in an open and unconcealed place which cannot escape unnoticed." This proves that the "camera was never hidden" and that "it was in plain view."

"The video camera was there visible to both of them, it was aimed at the direction of the bed, and it was already the fourth occasion when their libidinous activities were recorded in video," the resolution stated, adding that these instances made it hard to believe that Katrina was unaware of the video taking.

Hayden said in the interview with Yahoo! Southeast Asia that he hopes the case's dismissal will help in his motion for reconsideration regarding the revocation of his medical license.

The quote article is taken from yahoo site.

In short BULOK ang Justice system ng ating bansa. Anong walang sapat na ebidensya??bulag bah sya at di nya nakita ang video..??Sana tama ang naging decision ni Judge Rodolfo R. Bonifacio na ibasura ang kasong ito,sabagay hinde naman natin alam kong ano ang basihan nya sa kasong ito. Sana hinde sya isa sa mga trapo sa pamahala-an natin na nagbulag-bulagan para sa pansariling kapanan..Sana hinde sya nabayan para sa paghatol nya sa kasong ito..

Cabinet Members of P-Noy Administration

This are the list:

• Paquito Ochoa Jr., executive secretary;

• Alberto Romulo, Department of Foreign Affairs;

• Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesman;

• Jose de Jesus, Department of Transportation and Communications;

• Engr. Mario Montejo of the UP College of Engineering, Department of Science and Technology;

• Corazon Soliman, Department of Social Welfare and Development;

• Gregory Domingo, Department of Trade and Industry;

• Ramon Paje, Department of Environment and Natural
Resources;

• Alberto Lim, Department of Tourism;

• Jose Rene Almendras, Department of Energy;

• Proceso Alcala, Department of Agriculture;

• Kim Jacinto Henares, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR);

• Florencio Abad, Department of Budget and Management;

• Julia Abad, Presidential Management Staff;

• Voltaire Gazmin, Department of National Defense;

• Cesar Purisima, Department of Finance;

• Guillermo Parayno, Bureau of Customs commissioner;

• Leila de Lima, Department of Justice;

• Rosalinda Baldoz, Department of Labor and Employment;

• Rogelio Singson, Department of Public Works and Highways;

• Dr. Enrique Ona, Department of Health;

• Armin Luistro, Department of Education;

• Cayetano Paderanga, National Economic and Development Authority;

• Virgilio de los Reyes, Department of Agrarian Reform;

• Teresita Deles, presidential adviser on the peace process;

• Eduardo de Mesa, presidential legal counsel; amd

• Patricia Licuanan, Commission on Higher Education.
Maj. Gen. Ricardo David is reportedly going to be the next Armed Forces chief.

Nograles says goodbye to 14th Congress

Speaker Prospero Nograles on Wednesday bade the 14th Congress goodbye, laying claim to a host of accomplishments that he said the next batch of lawmakers should continue pursuing.

“Our time has come to an end. I think we did our part in the task of nation-building. I have no personal regrets. But all good things must come to pass,” he said.

“The 15th Congress will build from where we left off and our hope is that the new House members will respond to the challenges facing the nation and the new administration. I wish them all and the new Speaker of the House all the best and I pray they will have a successful House of the people,” Nograles said in a text message when asked for his parting message.

Nograles said improvements in the physical structure of the chamber have “restored the dignity of the House.” He cited as among the accomplishment of the 14th Congress the infrastructure projects such as the construction of a new building, “most extensive rehabilitation of the complex in 33 years,” provision of new facilities, scholarship grants to deserving staff, and additional compensation and benefits to employees.

Notwithstanding the flak he got from some colleagues and various groups when the chamber failed to ratify the Freedom of Information bill, Nograles said the House has made headway in passing bills to empower women, improve the banking system, and exempting minimum wage earners from paying income tax.

He also took pride in the passage of the cheaper medicines bill that cut by half the prices of some medicines, the extended rent control bill, additional retirement benefits to members of the judiciary and prosecutors, and the senior citizens bill.

“(The) most extensive upgrading and rehabilitation of buildings and facilities in 33 years, (the) highest record in legislative performance both in quantity and quality, brought the House closer to the people,” he said.

Nograles ran for the mayoralty race in Davao City but lost in the May 10 elections.

In the running for the next Speaker of the House are Quezon City Representative Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman.

Aquino vows to give life to ensure democracy

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has vowed to give his life to ensure that every Filipino will benefit from the democracy that his parents had fought for.

"Ilalaan ko ang aking buhay para siguraduhin ang ating demokradsya ay magiging kapki-pakinabang sa bawat isa [I will give my life to ensure that our democracy will benefit everyone]," Aquino said in his speech after he was sworn in as the 15th president of the country.

Aquino said that he never dreamt that he would become the defender of hope of Filipinos as he only wanted to become a good son to his parents, a good brother to his sisters and a good citizen.

"Hindi ko inakala na darating ang puntong ito... [I never thought that this day would come]" He said.

"Ang pagtayo ko ngayon ay patunay na kayo ang aking lakas [My presence here is proof that you are my strength]," he said.

While he wanted to put an end to the problems of the country, Aquino said he never imagined that he would be the one to take his burden.

"...Ito naman po ang umpisa ng aking kalbaryo [This is the start of my calvary]," he said.

Despite this, Aquino promised to be a good example to everyone.

"Sisikapin ko pong maging mabuting ehemplo [I will try to be a good example]. Hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwalaang pinakaloob [I will not waste the trust that has been given to me]," Aquino said.

Aquino also said that he had forgiven those who have hurt him but was not offering reconciliation without justice.

"Sa mga nang api sa akin, kaya ko kayang patawarin at pinapatawad ko na kayo [To those who belittled me, I can forgive you and I have forgiven you]," Aquino said in his speech.

"Sa mga nang api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan na limutin ang inyong kasalanan [To those who oppressed the country, I have no right to forget your sins]," he said.

Aquino added, "There can be no reconciliation without justice."

Under his administration, Aquino said he would put an end to red tape and abuse of power.

"Walang wang-wang. Walang counter-flow. Walang tong [There will be no sirens. There will be no counterflow. There will be no bribes]," he added.

Possible Same People Of Aquino Administration

Well, election 2010 is just over last May 10, 2010 and we the people of the Philippines choice our best candidates especially in Presidential candidates. We have different bit with different reasons why we choice this person to lead our country but in the end their is only one will stand and win this race and that was Benigno Simon Aquino III even though he did not proclaim yet but we already assure that he is the next President in the Republic of the Philippines. Hopefully by next week Noynoy will be proclaiming as our new President in our country. There are lots of issues already that Noynoy facing in fact he did not in the position yet. One of the controversial that catch my attention is when I saw that Aquino have same people in his administration. I think the image is edited or there are people could not stop given issues to Aquino. I’m not a supporter of Noynoy but I think it’s time that people in the Philippines will grow. Let’s stop the issues and controversial that can destroy the image of our new President instead let’s support him so that he can bring us to the right path as he was promised before.

He said that I will stop the corruption in my administration he will win this race and now the people choice him as a new leader and hopefully he will do an action on what he was promised to the people. I have one (1) challenge to Noynoy in administration, if you would like to stop the corruption in your administration I challenge you to cut off the PORK BARREL. This is one of the reasons why candidates willing to expense Millions during their candidacy because there is a PORK BARREL.

Election Results As Of May 10, 2010 11:10Pm

note: 54.27% of ERs
as of 11:10pm

Presidentiables
1 AQUINO, Benigno Simeon III C. 8,502,178
2 ESTRADA EJERCITO, Joseph M. 5,395,850
3 VILLAR, Manuel Jr B. 2,908,915
4 TEODORO, Gilberto Jr. C. 2,224,704
5 VILLANUEVA, Eduardo C. 651,667
6 GORDON, Richard J. 324,860
7 ACOSTA, Vetellano S. 90,801
8 PERLAS, Jesus Nicanor P. 28,303
9 MADRIGAL, Jamby A. 25,662
10 DE LOS REYES, John Carlos G. 23,341

Vice Presidentiables
1 BINAY, Jejomar C. 8,495,657
2 ROXAS, Manuel A. 7,734,188
3 LEGARDA, Loren B. 2,186,574
4 FERNANDO, Bayani F. 609,707
5 MANZANO, Eduardo B. 369,717
6 YASAY, Perfecto R. 209,961
7 SONZA, Jose Y. 35,301
8 CHIPECO, Dominador Jr F. 26,186

Senatoriables
1 BONG REVILLA, Ramon, Jr. B. 10,605,235
2 ESTRADA, Jinggoy E. 10569411
3 DEFENSOR SANTIAGO, Miriam P. 9,732,467
4 DRILON, Franklin M. 8,914,314
5 ENRILE, Juan Ponce -. 8,835,074
6 CAYETANO, Pilar Juliana S. 7,752,137
7 MARCOS, Ferdinand, Jr. R. 7,646,757
8 RECTO, Ralph G. 6,925,155
9 SOTTO , Vicente III C. 6,796237
10 OSMEÑA, Sergio III D. 6,412,498
11 LAPID, Manuel M. 5,980,573
12 GUINGONA , Teofisto III D. 5,785,503
13 HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, Ana 5237549
14 BIAZON, Rozzano Rufino B. 4899080
15 DE VENECIA, Jose III P. 4719310
16 REMULLA, Gilbert Cesar C. 4283926
17 LIM, Danilo D. 4190421
18 ROCO, Sonia M. 3771873
19 QUERUBIN, Ariel O. 3729820
20 PIMENTEL, Gwendolyn D. 3429303
21 ACOSTA, Jr. Nereus O. 3251461
22 LACSON, Alexander L. 2836794
23 TAMANO, Adel A. 2255281
24 MAZA, Liza L. 2155536
25 OCAMPO, Saturnino C. 2002132
26 OSMEÑA, Emilio Mario R. 1993623
27 TATAD, Francisco S. 1873741
28 LOZADA, Jose Apolinario Jr L. 1517278
29 LANGIT, Rey M. 1509044
30 MITRA, Ramon B. 1483714
31 BELLO, Silvestre III H. 1326405
32 OPLE, Susan V. 1124075
33 LAO, Yasmin B. 1061124
34 PAPIN, Imelda A. 1029220
35 BAUTISTA, Martin D. 1010313
36 PLAZA, Rodolfo G. 771564
37 BAUTISTA, J.V. L. 735525
38 GUICO, Ramon, Jr. N. 607892
39 LAMBINO, Raul L. 580449
40 INOCENCIO, Ma. Katherine L. R. 511881
41 VILLANUEVA, Hector L. 489785
42 OCAMPO, Ramoncito P. 489657
43 PALPARAN, Jovito Jr S. 444229
44 TINSAY, Alexander B. 415978
45 TAMAYO, Reginald B. 354997
46 ALONTO, Zafrullah M. 328864
47 ESPINOSA, Nanette M. 291937
48 MAAMBONG, Regalado E. 252732
49 DAVID, Rizalito Y. 244544
50 VIRGINES, Israel N. 243779
51 PAREDES, Zosimo Jesus II M. 233524
52 ALBANI, Shariff Ibrahim H. 218037
53 SISON, Adrian O. 216687
54 PRINCESA, Reynaldo R. 193774
55 NIKABULIN, Adz G. 181227
56 IMBONG, Jo Aurea M. 175912
57 CAUNAN, Henry B. 117814
58 VALDEHUESA, Manuel Jr E. 101560
59 TARRAZONA, Hector M. 81798
60 RIÑOZA-PLAZO, Maria Gracia D. 81107
61 LOOD, Alma A. 61676

Election Results As Of May 10, 2010 10:47Pm

note: 49.38% of ERs
as of 10:47pm

Presidentiables
1 AQUINO, Benigno Simeon III C. 7,680,525
2 ESTRADA EJERCITO, Joseph M. 4,893,266
3 VILLAR, Manuel Jr B. 2,633,205
4 TEODORO, Gilberto Jr. C. 2,011,048
5 VILLANUEVA, Eduardo C. 591,167
6 GORDON, Richard J. 296,986
7 ACOSTA, Vetellano S. 81,712
8 PERLAS, Jesus Nicanor P. 25,519
9 MADRIGAL, Jamby A. 23,279
10 DE LOS REYES, John Carlos G. 21,046

Vice Presidentiables
1 BINAY, Jejomar C. 7,701,554
2 ROXAS, Manuel A. 6,980,679
3 LEGARDA, Loren B. 1,989,178
4 FERNANDO, Bayani F. 552,388
5 MANZANO, Eduardo B. 330,443
6 YASAY, Perfecto R. 189,627
7 SONZA, Jose Y. 31,944
8 CHIPECO, Dominador Jr F. 23,732

Senatoriables
1 BONG REVILLA, Ramon, Jr. B. 9,489,032
2 ESTRADA, Jinggoy E. 9,464,744
3 DEFENSOR SANTIAGO, Miriam P. 8,703,431
4 DRILON, Franklin M. 7962074
5 ENRILE, Juan Ponce -. 7914997
6 CAYETANO, Pilar Juliana S. 6930721
7 MARCOS, Ferdinand, Jr. R. 6883870
8 RECTO, Ralph G. 6191178
9 SOTTO , Vicente III C. 6096034
10 OSMEÑA, Sergio III D. 5706050
11 LAPID, Manuel M. 5361195
12 GUINGONA , Teofisto III D. 5159190
13 HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, Ana 4677333
14 BIAZON, Rozzano Rufino B. 4378926
15 DE VENECIA, Jose III P. 4222825
16 REMULLA, Gilbert Cesar C. 3836546
17 LIM, Danilo D. 3748506
18 ROCO, Sonia M. 3354916
19 QUERUBIN, Ariel O. 3339067
20 PIMENTEL, Gwendolyn D. 3046711
21 ACOSTA, Jr. Nereus O. 2889988
22 LACSON, Alexander L. 2529337
23 TAMANO, Adel A. 2017987
24 MAZA, Liza L. 1923705
25 OCAMPO, Saturnino C. 1790826
26 OSMEÑA, Emilio Mario R. 1754096
27 TATAD, Francisco S. 1669627
28 LOZADA, Jose Apolinario Jr L. 1352069
29 LANGIT, Rey M. 1349575
30 MITRA, Ramon B. 1320260
31 BELLO, Silvestre III H. 1187927
32 OPLE, Susan V. 1007042
33 LAO, Yasmin B. 943743
34 PAPIN, Imelda A. 914942
35 BAUTISTA, Martin D. 900668
36 PLAZA, Rodolfo G. 680286
37 BAUTISTA, J.V. L. 655042
38 GUICO, Ramon, Jr. N. 542373
39 LAMBINO, Raul L. 519628
40 INOCENCIO, Ma. Katherine L. R. 457854
41 OCAMPO, Ramoncito P. 435052
42 VILLANUEVA, Hector L. 434618
43 PALPARAN, Jovito Jr S. 397164
44 TINSAY, Alexander B. 372681
45 TAMAYO, Reginald B. 315199
46 ALONTO, Zafrullah M. 292186
47 ESPINOSA, Nanette M. 259314
48 MAAMBONG, Regalado E. 220139
49 VIRGINES, Israel N. 217285
50 DAVID, Rizalito Y. 217062
51 PAREDES, Zosimo Jesus II M. 208269
52 ALBANI, Shariff Ibrahim H. 193449
53 SISON, Adrian O. 192987
54 PRINCESA, Reynaldo R. 171284
55 NIKABULIN, Adz G. 160578
56 IMBONG, Jo Aurea M. 155557
57 CAUNAN, Henry B. 104642
58 VALDEHUESA, Manuel Jr E. 89757
59 RIÑOZA-PLAZO, Maria Gracia D. 73268
60 TARRAZONA, Hector M. 71906
61 LOOD, Alma A. 54552

Loren Legarda Must Know How To Follow The Rules

MANILA, Philippines - Some registered voters in Malabon got irritated when Nacionalista Party (NP) vice-presidential guest candidate Loren Legarda went ahead of the queue at the precinct when polls opened on Monday.

Some supporters in Potrero, Malabon cheered "Loren, Loren, Loren" when she arrived, while other voters reminded Legarda that she should fall in line.

"Ma'am, pila po kayo," some voters said.

"Ay pila ba to, ay sorry ha? Gusto nyo akong pumila, balik ako sa pila? Sobrang bagal ba?" replied Legarda.

Despite the appeal of those who were in line, Legarda still proceeded to vote ahead of them.

Meanwhile, Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino II chose to fall in line in his designated polling precinct in Tarlac.

As of posting time, Aquino was still waiting to cast his vote since the PCOS machine deployed in his precinct malfunctioned.

Aquino said that they were informed that 2 hours since his precinct opened, only 100 people had been able to cast their votes.

He said they were told that there was no spare PCOS machine, and voters have to wait for a Smartmatic-TIM technician to fix the problem before they can actually vote.

Due to the automated election system, the Commission on Elections clustered 5 to 7 precincts into one. As a result of having more voters per precinct, the poll body prolonged voting hours from 7 am to 3 pm to 7 am to 6 pm.

Under the manual system, there were 300,000 precincts; now, there are 76,347 precincts. The number of registered voters, meanwhile, rose from around 45 million to an all-time high of 50 million. -- With reports from Marie Lozano, ABS-CBN News and Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News

Cagayan de Oro Vote Buying Is On Public

I just finished voting to the people who I think they have the power to run our country and lead us to the right path. When I'm on the area where I'm voting I observed that vote buying is happening in the area. I did not get any pictures or video co'z I forgot to bring my phone (sayang)...

I think vote buying is already part of the every election happened in our country and it is already the traditions of Filipino that if election is coming we expect money from the candidates, what ever is that election is, Local, National or even SK election is already learn on how to buy votes. This election is the first automated election and their are lots of problem that this automated election encounter. In Cagayan de Oro I saw and witness some vote buying happened in our city from Congressman, Mayor candidates down to councilors are all buying votes.

There is congressman or congresswoman who buy votes for 200-500 pesos so that her/his name will be vote.
For Mayor candidates they buy votes for 500-800 pesos each person who will vote for them.
and for candidates who run for a councilors they buy votes for 50-150 pesos per person.

We could not say that this election will consider a clean election. If we will vote this people for there position that they are running our country will become poorer because of this politicians where in they run for the personal interest. So hopefully to the person who will win and become our nest President please do your job because Filipinos is now more and more smarter when it comes to choice the next leader in this country.

5 Reasons why People Won't Vote For Noynoy

1. Noynoy is incompetent, has a very poor track record and has no leadership qualities.

* Why I Won't Vote for Noynoy - a serious look at his resume
* Side-by-Side Comparison of the 2010 Presidential Candidates


2. Noynoy called the Luisita farm workers' strike illegal, defended military and police action during the Luisita Massacre, gave the media two conflicting accounts of the massacre on the same day, and told congressmen not to investigate what had happened.

* How a workers' strike became the Luisita Massacre


3. Noynoy's supporters, the corrupt Kamag-anak Inc. would be back in power.

* Aquino Administration Corruption
* Greed and Betrayal

4. Noynoy has refused to reveal where he used his pork barrel. He didn't do anything at all for Tarlac in the 9 years(!) he was congressman.

5. Noynoy has claimed that the only way he could lose was through cheating, and has threatened to lead a People Power revolt should he lose. What was the basis for his claim? Surveys? Did you know that some of the prominent members of the board and stockholders of Pulse Asia are Noynoy's relatives? And the corporate records of both firms show interlocking directorship with several personalities appearing as stockholders of both SWS and Pulse Asia? The fact that they have never fully disclosed their connection to Noynoy makes their surveys very suspicious.

* The Maturation of Philippine Democracy
* The Pulse Asia/SWS-Noynoy Connection

Survey Reasons why they don't Vote For Noynoy

1. Pangit na Cojuangco
2. Kalbong Pinoy
3. Bobong Atenista
4. Matabang Haciendero
5. Tuliro sa Pagiisip

Ano ang "5 reasons mo Bakit di Iboto si Noynoy" hehehe

1. Walang napatunayan/Walang Nagawa
2. Kulang pa/Hilaw na Dilaw
3. Mediocre/Walang track record
4. Wala akong tiwala sa pamamlakad niya/Ututo
5. Ang pagbabalik ng KAmag Anak Inc. et al

"Wala hong tatalo sa record ko dyan."
- Noynoy Aquino, on his legislative track record

VILLAR: Bills authored & passed into law
* Barangay Microbusiness Enterprises Act
* Overseas Absentee Voting Act
* Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act
* Granting Additional Benefits & Privileges to Senior Citizens Act
* Anti-Violence Against Women & Children Act
* Cheaper & Quality Medicines Act
* Anti-Money Laundering Act
* New Balikbayan Act
* Strengthening Promotion, Devt & Assistance to Small & Medium Enterprises Act
* Rabies Control & Elimination Act
* General Appropriations Act
* Anti-Smoking Act
* Citizenship Retention & Reacquisition Act
* Clean Water Act
* and 30 others

TEODORO: Bills authored & passed into law
* Granting Provincial Airways Corp. a Franchise Act
* Granting Radio Maria Foundation a Franchise Act
* various road conversion laws

MADRIGAL: Bills authored & passed into law
* Anti-Child Pornography Act

GORDON: Bills authored & passed into law
* Holiday Economics Act
* Automated Elections System Act
* Sin Tax Act
* Abolition of Death Penalty Act
* WW II Veterans Pensions & Benefits Act
* Tourism Act, formation & promotion of Tourism Enterprise Zones
* Act Penalizing Violations Against International Humanitarian Law
* Biofuels Act
* Fixing Regular Elections in ARMM Act
* Fixing Tax Regime in Special Economic Zones and Freeports Act
* Food Donation Act

ESTRADA: Bills authored & passed into law
* Construction of Irrigation Projects Act
* Protection and Propagation of Carabaos Act

AQUINO: Bills authored & passed into law
* NONE
The decision is yours..We could not blame you if you are one of the Noynoy Loyalist..:-)

Possible Reasons Why Election Will Fail

(The 2010 presidential candidates, minus Erap Estrada and Acosta. Image source: http://www.asiasociety.org/.)

"The skeptic does not mean him who doubts, but him who investigates or researches, as opposed to him who asserts and thinks that he has found” --- Miguel de Unamuno. That being said, here are nine reasons for democracy to fail:

1. Lack of voting machines. Some precincts share only a single PCOS machine (clustered precincts). If by any chance the unit breaks the local election there will be deadlocked.

2. Dubious voters. Last week Smartmatic reported 17 ghost precincts and a 79% increase in voter population in ARMM, Malfeasance Capital of the Philippines. It was there PGMA allegedly rigged the 2004 elections with the aid of former COMELEC official Virgilio Garcillano. Maguindanao, a region in ARMM, is also such place for the politically-motivated Ampatuan Massacre to occur.

3. Incompetent operators. During a dry-run of the voting process, several media men cited some misses in the operating procedure of the PCOS machine. When the USB was inserted, particularly, the operators did not inform the voting public and the routine went on unbeknown. It is alarming, some of them thought, because it only takes 3 seconds to insert a USB. If the operators don't announce the switch, it could be an opportune moment for cheating and the public won't even know.

4. Power shortage. There may be an increasing insistence on the side of government --- and its overly-trusting supporters --- that power rotations will not affect the electoral process, but it doesn't help with the paranoia one bit. Note that power companies keep on reiterating their dependence on natural events. This can doubly act as an alibi for who can blame CEPALCO, for example, if there's just too less water running in Maria Cristina?

5. Easy hack. The COMELEC software system isn't really what you would consider a prime technology. In fact, many computer specialists already express their concern over its vulnerability to programming vandals.

6. Corrupt COMELEC officials. Even before the election, questionable spendings are already plaguing the COMELEC camp. But these are not just ordinary men with the usual bribes, mind you; these are big-wigs with access to a multi-billion government funding. Remember the ballot folders (secrecy folders) which cost 380 pesos each?

7. No parallel voting. Ironically, those who are against the idea fear it would only cause confusion: "what if the results from the automated poll won't match the manual count?" Well, that's simple: the automated poll failed and cheating occurred. Still, COMELEC slammed parallel voting irregardless.

8. Defective equipments/ballots. On countless occasions the PCOS machine have proved its liabilities. Fact: when your ballot gets even the slightest ink stain or simply defective from production, no dice, the machine will reject it. Will your votes be counted? Maybe. The operators will take your defective ballot and place it inside a [mystery] "folder" where it will be "investigated" afterward. Will you ever get to see your ballot again? COMELEC can't answer.

9. "Hello Garci Boys". The same people who worked close with the disgraced Virgilio Garcillano during the 2004 election fraud still control much of Mindanao today, a region which by itself has 10 million voters. Save Lintang Bedol --- who has gone into hiding --- the rest of the shady "Hello Garci Boys" are proud and happy as Regional Election Directors and Provincial Election Supervisors.

The issue here is not pessimism, it's organization. 4 days before election and still COMELEC is facing issues with it's procedures. Given that they actually had 6 years to prepare for this single event, of course the public will be worried. They're not really what you might consider a beacon of honesty are they? (See: Hello Garci scandal). To be fair nonetheless, COMELEC did lay out contingency tactics (See: Comelec lays out plans in case of poll disruptions) so that when the house does come burning down we'll know who to blame.
Source:glennpaoloagoopioblogspotcom

Promises and Quotes of the 2010 Presidential Candidates

Days have been counts for the 2010 Presidential Election before it will happen. There are lots of promises that they give to the people of the Philippines so that people will get their trust. If you not decided yet on who is your President for this coming 2010 Presidential Election then maybe this post can help to you. Just read below on what are the promises and quotes of the Presidential candidates.

1. Aquino, Benigno Simeon III Cojuangco “Noynoy” Liberal

“I will not steal.”

2. Villar, Manuel Jr Bamba “Manny” Nacionalista

“I did not steal.”

3. Teodoro, Gilberto Jr. Cojuangco “Gibo”

Lakas Kampi – CMD

“I don’t need to steal.”

4. Gordon, Richard Juico “Dick” Bagumbayan-VNP

“We should not steal”.

5. Perlas, Jesus Nicanor Pineda “Nick” Independent

“It’s not humane to steal.”

6. De Los Reyes, John Carlos Gordon “JC” Ang Kapatiran

“It’s against God’s will to steal”.

7. Villanueva, Eduardo Cruz “Bro. Eddie” Bangon Pilipinas

“It’s not godly to steal”.

8. Estrada Ejercito, Joseph Marcelo “Erap” PMP

“I need to steal again”.

Incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

(she is running for Congress)

“You have nothing to steal anymore!”

Now, I wonder why Independent presidential candidate Jamby Madrigal is not included in the list?

Thanks for arkhilario.com

12 Reasons Why Filipino Won't Vote NOYNOY For President

1st reason why Noynoy is clueless: he thinks that if there is no corruption there will be no poverty.

Reality check:

Corruption certainly contributes to poverty, but corruption is everywhere, even in the greatest democracy and the richest country in the world, the USA. President Obama has surrounded himself with many senior appointees who have been proven to be tax evaders. Large US MNCs give out bribes as a regular way of doing business. Corruption is a way of life in the USA, but it is a very rich nation. While reducing corruption certainly is important, economic progress comes when those at the helm of government know what they are doing and have political will, like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore.

Noynoy has no experience and will be quickly overwhelmed by the complexity of governance.

2nd reason why Noynoy is clueless: he thinks that since he is not corrupt, then there will be no corruption.

Reality check:

Corruption is unfortunately deeply ingrained in the Philippine political system. That is not to say that we should not do something about it. But it is to recognize that it is not only the President but those around him/her who matter. Cory was quite saintly, but Kamaganak Inc. rampaged through her Presidency. Frank Drilon, the President of the Liberal Party, is himself known as corrupt.

Noynoy has no governance experience, whether in business or politics, and those close to him can easily run circles around him.

3rd reason why Noynoy is clueless: he believes that poverty would be eliminated if only there is clean governance.

Reality check:

There is widespread poverty in the Philippines not because of corruption, but because of social injustice. That is, the rich grow richer, and so the poor grow poorer. There are enough resources in the nation for everyone to have a decent life. But the rich elite, a very small part of the population, has taken a very large and disproportionate share of the nation’s wealth.

How do we eliminate poverty? By sharing. This is what the first Christians did. The rich shared their wealth with the poor, and the result was that there was no one in need (Acts 4:34). This is not just about giving handouts. Part of sharing is sharing the opportunities to make money, giving just compensation to employees, giving land to the landless.

The social injustice is perpetrated by the entrenched elite economic and political families, such as the Cojuangcos, Roxases, Aranetas, Madrigals, etc. A prime example is the case of Hacienda Luisita, where the farmers have been deprived of what is rightfully theirs. In fact, they have been killed for asking for what is due them.

Noynoy is part of this social and economic elite, and cannot be expected to stand against them in favor of the poor. He has already shown this in the case of Hacienda Luisita.

4th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not understand the poor.

Reality check:

The poor make up the overwhelming majority of our people. They make up the greater part of a President’s national constituency. Thus care for the poor should be a primary concern of any President.

Perhaps we cannot judge Noynoy harshly, because he has not experienced deep material poverty. If you have not been poor, you cannot truly empathize with the poor. That is why social workers at times live with the poor, to somehow become one of them, to experience what they experience.. He does not understand how the poor care for their relatives, even to the point of going into debt, or perhaps, even stealing. He does not understand the nobility of the poor. As with many who are rich and elite, perhaps he looks on the poor with disdain, considering them lazy, dirty, of no good to society. This might be unfair to Noynoy, but did he not in fact show no concern for the farmers of Hacienda Luisita? He even accused them of being communists when they rallied for their rights.

The most urgent need for our nation is the eradication of poverty. Noynoy cannot accomplish this because his heart is not with the poor. In fact, in desiring to eliminate corruption, would that not benefit the rich businessmen most? Then they will only grow richer, and the poor poorer.

5th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not understand that reproductive health means abortion.

Reality check:

Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, said it again quite clearly: “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health. And reproductive health includes contraception and family planning and access to legal, safe abortion.” It is the goal of the US government, together with powerful forces such as the European Union, elements of the United Nations, billionaire philanthropists, liberal media, homosexualist forces, to force abortion on the whole world as a human right.

If Noynoy claims to be against abortion but for the RH bill, then he is either being naive or deceptive. Reproductive health promotes condoms, condoms fail and result in unwanted pregnancies, then women procure abortions. That is how it has happened in the US and elsewhere. It is a clever step-by-step process that the anti-life forces promote. If we accept the RH bill, abortion will not be far behind.

6th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he believes that EDSA is his birthright.

Reality check:

EDSA was a miracle of God. It belongs to all of us. It was a work of the Spirit that resulted in the dismantling of the Marcos dictatorship. God used Ninoy and Cory, but the glory belongs to God and the honor to the whole Filipino nation.

But Noynoy has appropriated the EDSA spirit for himself and his campaign. He is using the Laban sign, the color yellow (this is not the color of the Liberal Party), the songs, the slogans, even what his parents had done. What a blatant theft of what belongs to us! Now many Filipinos are distancing themselves from EDSA symbols simply because they are automatically looked on as pro-Noynoy. What a shame! What a disservice to the nation. Noynoy is destroying that most loved Filipino treasure that is EDSA.

Further, Noynoy is clueless in thinking that because his parents are revered, he now deserves to be President.

7th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he thinks his good intentions are enough to govern the country.

Reality check:

To be an effective President, one needs experience, political will, intelligence. One cannot just have good intentions. One cannot just be uncorrupt. One must be prepared, with a working platform of governance. One must hit the ground running on Day One, and not have to learn the ropes while in office. One must not just rely on subordinates and hangers on, but must have a clear vision and know what to do.

Noynoy has no executive experience. His legislative experience includes not passing any bill at all. He has no performance to speak of. As Congressman and Senator, he has not made any positive impact on behalf of his constituencies or the nation. Simply put, he is a non-performer.

8th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not understand that to be effective as President, he has to work with other powers-that- be, and so he should show respect.

Reality check:

The Presidency does not exist by itself in the political system. In fact, the legislature and the judiciary are equal partners in governance. Then there are other economic and social forces.

Noynoy belittled the Church when Cardinal Vidal took him to task for being pro-RH bill. He threatened the Supreme Court justices with impeachment if they accepted the appointment of a Chief Justice. He attacks President Arroyo even if she is not a candidate for President (and blatantly claims that he is the only real opposition). He maligns his main political opponent, making wild and unfounded claims, with half-truths and outright lies. He ridiculed a political pollster when the findings showed Villar closing in on him. He accuses the Comelec of imagined irregularities. He stokes conflict between the chiefs of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police. He makes it his priority to prosecute GMA.

Noynoy is a divisive person. He attacks and maligns, often without good basis. He creates enemies instead of trying to win them over. He is disrespectful, of good people and important institutions. In a political system as we have in the Philippines, that is a sure way to division and disunity.

9th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he still has the EDSA hangover and has no qualms about not following the rule of law.

Reality check:

The rule of law, flawed as it might be at times, is crucial to a democracy. EDSA is an extraordinary experience, perhaps never to be repeated again.

Noynoy has no qualms about not following the rule of law. In his disagreement with the appointment by GMA of a Chief Justice, he has resorted to threats and demonstrations, instigating his followers in the latter. He has threatened the justices with impeachment. In contrast, the Nationalista Party, also disagreeing with GMA’s potential action, took the issue to the Supreme Court as an appeal to its decision.

Noynoy does not see that an extraordinary extra-judicial move is not a first option, but the last. When we discard the rule of law, we are well on our way to chaos.

10th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not know what is good for the economy or the nation.

Reality check:

Taxes are the lifeblood of the nation. Without adequate taxes, there would be no resources with which to run government and serve the people.

Noynoy immediately announced that he would not raise taxes (he later backtracked) . He was either playing up to the businessmen and the people, or he was totally naive. After GMA, the coffers would be empty. He would first enforce collection, and cut down on tax evasion and corruption. But if these were not enough, he would have to raise taxes. Now that is being open, sincere and wise.

Noynoy either does not know how to run the government, or is impulsive and does not think issues through well enough, or practices the old politics of making promises that cannot be kept. In any way, he is not fit to be President.

11th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not know what the Presidency entails, how awesome a task it is.

Reality check:

Being President is an awesome responsibility. While many are legally qualified to run for President, only a few can really do well as President. Part of being qualified is the actual experience of governance, preferably from the bottom up.

Let us look at Hacienda Luisita. It is a large piece of land, it has economic activity, it has poor people working (or out of work), it has a social system, it has the entrenched elite (the owners), it has management-labor problems. It could be a microcosm of the Philippines. Now what good has Noynoy done, as one of the owners and as the scion of the Cojuangco clan? He claims he owns only 1%, but that is evading the moral responsibility that would be expected of someone who aspires to be President of the Philippines. And in fact, was he not head of their security agency when there was the killing of farmers? Did he not malign and fault the farmers as being communists? Did he not oppose the granting of land to the farmers as was the original agreement of the Cojuangcos with the government?

Now he says that if elected President, he would look to distributing the land. What? Elect you first before you act? Why not do it now? This is just another empty promise, playing up to the gallery, just like the vow not to raise taxes.

Noynoy looks to his own and his family/clan’s well-being, not to that of the poor farmers. He looks to the interest of the small minority rather than the greater majority. He cannot be trusted to be able to run the nation, or to do justice to its poor.

12th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not realize that in resorting to half-truths and lies in his effort to malign his major political opponent, he is acting in a very unchristian way.

Reality check:

The Philippines is a Christian nation. Noynoy professes to be a Christian Catholic. As Christians we are all children of God. But one who lies becomes a child not of God but of Satan, who is the father of lies.

It is wrong to say that anything goes when it comes to politics. That is what makes politics dirty, which it should not be.

Noynoy’s political opponents has kept the high ground in this campaign. He sticks to issues, not malicious attacks. He does not retaliate, even in the most blatant lies thrown against him, but just patiently and calmly explains. It can be done! Even in disagreement, there should always be respect.

Senator Francis Escudero Promoting Noy-Bi or Noy Noy - Binay

The Liberal Party is not taking Senator Francis Escudero's reported impending endorsement of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay against him, the party's top two candidates said Wednesday.

At a press conference in Cagayan de Oro City, LP standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said there is no problem with Escudero backing up his candidacy and Binay's instead of the candidacy of Aquino's running-mate Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.

"He is endorsing in a personal capacity. He has endorsed me. I cleared this with my partner [Roxas] and there is no issue between my partner and me with regards the endorsement of Senator Escudero," Aquino said.

The LP standard bearer also welcomed the reported endorsement by Ang Ladlad, a partylist representing the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender sector, of him and Binay.

Roxas said in a separate statement that he was happy with Escudero's endorsement of Aquino.

"Magkaibigan kami ni Senator Chiz. Magkaiba ang pananaw namin sa pulitika. Natutuwa ako na sinusuportahan nya ang kandidato ko sa pagkapangulo, at para sa akin, ok na yun (I am friends with Senator Chiz. We have different views on politics. I am happy he is supporting my candidate for president and for me, that is okay)," Roxas said.

Escudero is reported to be coming out with an ad endorsing Binay. Although this has yet to come out, a GMA News report aired on Wednesday night showed a glimpse of the ad showing Escudero tell the public, "Ang bise-presidente ko, di pinanganak na mayaman. Di rin ilustrado (My vice-president was not born rich. He's not an ilustrado too)," in a seeming jab at Roxas who is a member of a wealthy landed family.

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Early this month, brief tension gripped the LP campaign after staff members of Escudero working for the LP during the election period were relieved of their duties as media coordinators allegedly due to Escudero's support for Binay. Escudero's staff were brought back as media coordinators one day later, after journalists covering the campaign complained of the pull-out. (See: Brief tension in LP after change in media staffers)—JV, GMANews.TV

MAX’S Restaurant Cagayan de Oro

I usually refrain from posting reviews about chain restaurants with international branches, but it seems that every establishment has its weaknesses. While Max’s Restaurant Cagayan de Oro is renowned for its delicious food, attracting many customers, particularly during holidays and special occasions, my recent experience at their Cagayan de Oro branch was disappointing enough to warrant this feedback.

This is my first time writing a negative review about a restaurant, but I feel compelled to share what happened.

Last Sunday, April 18, 2010, we held an SEO Mini Forum event in the function room of Max’s Restaurant Cagayan de Oro. The room rental was 2,500 pesos, which was supposed to be consumable. However, the function room lacked essential equipment, providing only a speaker box and microphone, which we didn’t use. Since this was a Mini Forum, we needed a projector for presentations, which we brought ourselves. To our surprise, a staff member informed us that we would be charged 500 pesos for using the projector, even though it was our equipment. Reluctantly, we agreed to avoid disrupting the event, but we felt this charge was unfair.

As the event progressed, participants ordered food. When it concluded, we asked for the bill for the function room, excluding the projector charge. The bill amounted to 2,258 pesos, so we ordered additional food to meet the 2,500 pesos requirement for the room rental.

After settling the 2,500 pesos, the officers argued that we should not be charged for using our own projector, especially since this was not mentioned during the reservation. The staff insisted it was our fault for not informing them in advance about the projector. During the argument, the supervisor or area manager did not intervene, instead handing us a calling card. This lack of resolution and communication was frustrating.

To expedite our departure, we paid the total bill of 2,800 pesos, which included the projector charge. However, it took nearly an hour to receive an official receipt, which is unacceptable for a computerized system. This delay and the overall experience suggest significant management issues at Max’s Restaurant Cagayan de Oro.

In summary, the restaurant's handling of this situation reflects poor customer service and management. Who is at fault here? Is it the group for not informing the restaurant about using a projector, or the restaurant for not clarifying their rules during the reservation?

I believe Max’s Restaurant Cagayan de Oro needs to improve its customer service and management practices. This experience has left a negative impression, and I hope they address these issues promptly. Despite its good food, the service at Max’s Restaurant Cagayan de Oro needs serious improvement.

Momoy Palaboy With Dick Gordon Video

Moymoy Palaboy Dick Gordon Video - Because the Philippine 2010 Election is nearing its date, a video from Youtube of Moymoy Palaboy with Dick Gordon is now spreading on the internet. It's really entertaining to watch! hehee! You can check the video below. I think it is part of his campaign strategies and he use the Moymoy Palaboy brothers.


What a candidate, they well do everything to get the trust of the people and vote them during election. I admit that I was entertain by this video but is this the kind of President are we looking to serve our country? Lets think and vote wisely for this coming 2010 Presidential Election.

Until Now Politics In The Philippines Did Not Change

I don't have any intension today to post in my politics blog but when I hear this video I decided to post it to this blog because it is the right also of the people of the Philippines will know what our government do in their positions and what plans do they have.



I have seen this posted on Facebook probably four times today. I listened to it and I couldn’t believe it. Whether this is true or not, it’s something to be concerned about. The voice sounds so much like Senator Bong Revilla Jr. voice and I am unsure who’s behind the persona who uploaded it on Youtube but this is BIG.

Are the threats for real? Blatant cheating still around? And the cops? “Sa ‘ten ang pulis!” ?? What the heck is going on? Listen in and find out. Is this a credible recording? You decide.

Noynoy: I Won't Let My Parents Down

Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III vowed not to squander the opportunity to lead the country on the road to development. Aquino, the only son of the late former President Corazon Aquino and martyred former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., also said he would not destroy the legacy of his revered parents. Aquino said he would want to face his parents one day and tell them that he continued their fight for democracy that led to the first EDSA people power revolution in 1986. Aquino will lead the commemoration of the event today with thousands of his supporters at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Aquino said the LP organized today’s rally as a showcase of the real strength of its campaign – the thousands who demonstrate the true spirit of volunteerism. “That is the idea of people power. We want to demonstrate it,” he said. Top entertainers including Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, Sponge Cola, Brownman revival and others will enliven the gathering.

Aquino said President Arroyo, who was a product of the second people power revolt, had failed to live up to the spirit of EDSA. He said Mrs. Arroyo allowed corruption in government and denied the people their due.

Aquino said that if he is elected president, this would be his last campaign and he would retire from politics after his term. He said he wanted to be able to tell himself at that time that the country was better off when he left than when he came in. “And once God tells me, finished or not finished pass your paper, I can face my parents - looking up, not looking down to be hit on the head - proud to be able to tell them that I continued their fight and finished it, through the help of the people,” Aquino said.

Aquino’s “Yellow Army” of supporters and various groups will gather at Araneta Center today to celebrate the first EDSA revolution, which the senator said was a defining moment in the country’s history.

The event will have the theme “People Power is Equal to Vote Power, learning from the past, fighting for the future,” according to LP spokesman Sen. Francis Pangilinan. Not to be left behind, the Nacionalista Party (NP) of presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. said they would match Aquino’s yellow army rally by holding a rock concert at the SM Mall of Asia tonight. Television host Willie Revillame of “Wowowee” will lead the Rockatropa concert and “will paint the town orange,” Villar’s campaign color, the NP said. -With Christina Mendez

Pulse Asia: Filipinos still distrust GMA

Public distrust in President Arroyo remains the most dominant sentiment toward her, according to the latest survey by independent polling group Pulse Asia. Survey results showed that nearly seven in ten Filipinos (68 percent) distrust Mrs. Arroyo, while only about one in ten (11 percent) trusts her. Pulse Asia said the chief executive’s overall trust rating is the same as that in December 2009, adding that it is the lowest she has attained since March 2001.

Mrs. Arroyo’s nine-year administration, which had been hounded by accusations of election fraud, corruption and extra-judicial killings, ends this year. Meanwhile, the pollster said that among aspirants battling to succeed Mrs. Arroyo in the May polls, Senators Manuel Villar and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III enjoyed majority trust ratings at 70 and 64 percent, respectively. Aquino and Villar are the closest rivals in the presidential race, recent surveys showed. Former President Joseph Estrada, out to reclaim his thrown, registered practically the same trust and distrust ratings (33 percent versus 37 percent).
For administration bet Gilberto Teodoro, public assessment of his trustworthiness is divided, with 36 percent of Filipinos ambivalent on the matter, 32 percent trusting him, and 31 percent distrusting him. Compounding the situation for Teodoro was the fact that a small majority of Filipinos (52 percent) will certainly not elect a presidential candidate endorsed by President Arroyo, survey results added.

Meanwhile, among those running for vice president, Senators Manuel Roxas II and Loren Legarda are trusted by most Filipinos with ratings of 73 and 61 percent, respectively. Makati City mayor Jejomar Binay, Estrada’s running mate, enjoyed a 44 percent trust rating, while former Optical Media Board chairman and actor Eduardo Manzano scored 45 percent. Pulse Asia’s survey was conducted from January 22 to 26, 2010 using face-to-face interviews of 1,800 representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a ± 2 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.

“The next president after me will be lucky!” PGMA Said, Is She Kidding..??

Last 2 weeks ago, the Arroyo Administration came up with a two-page advertisements in newspapers titled, “Ganito Tayo Noon, Ganito Tayo Ngayon” trumpeting their achievements. Now, I don’t have a copy of the ad because my secretary was busy with her Farmville. I do not want to disturb her, lest I’d be voted out as the cutest boss to work for.

Now, the other day, Noynoy Aquino’s speech at the Makati Business Club’s Event was very well received by the business community. In that speech, he talked about the looming fiscal crisis. He was talking about the budget deficit.

“In 2010, our next President will inherit a continually bloating deficit. As of November 2009, the deficit of the national government already reached P272.5 billion, or 4.1% of GDP. In addressing the looming fiscal crisis, good governance and the drive against corruption are critical components in our strategy. We will refrain from imposing new taxes or increasing tax rates.” (Source: A PHILIPPINES THAT WORKS: ECONOMIC VISION AND PLATFORM)

Actually, Noynoy’s number are lower. Although I lost the link, the projected budget deficit for 2009 is $320 billion.

Now, what is budget deficit? It simply means that the government spent more than what it was allowed to spend. Bottom line? Purdoy.

When there is huge budget deficit, who suffers? Us. The population, for the social programs due us evaporates. Here’s a very simple example. Have you seen those pictures coming out of Maguindanao that showed how decrepit the schools were? The teacher that was interviewed said that there was no budget.

Then maybe you’d ask, if the government does not have any money with that budget deficit, how are they able to operate?

UTANG.

Yes, utang in the form of bonds. What are bonds? It’s just a piece of paper telling you that you’d be paid x amount of money for say 10 years at this x rate. Like this one: here, they’re trying to sell Samurai Bonds to help fill in the budget gap. See?

Where in the world have they been spending the monies? Oh, I don’t know. All I know is that, the Bicol corridor to this day does not have any decent superhighway that spans from Manila all the way to Matnog, Sorsogon. Pwe!

Ok. You’d ask. Who’s going to pay all these then?

No worries. In all these bond issues, there is a Sovereign Guarantee. And what shit is this? Well, I thought I’d share you what CBCP thought about Sovereign Guarantee. According to them, “Sovereign Guarantee” is in reality nothing more than an exploitative government doing the following:

- First, it is the government that officially seeks and gets one big loan after another from this or that foreign or local sources.

- Second, it is the same government that gives the solemn promise and assurance that the Filipinos are the ones who shall make full payments for all the loans made plus the interests incurred.

- Third, it is precisely the same government that thereafter directly gets the money and gleefully spends it according to its design and desire.

- Fourth is precisely the same government that imposes and collects heavy and continuous direct and indirect taxes from the people, young and old, rich and poor, oligarchs and beggars alike to pay the borrowings made.

- Fifth is definitely the same government that again seeks and gets more loans—and the same cycle goes on and on. (Source: Sovereign Guarantee)

They went on to say:

“There would be no problem with a government that gets loans, that gives “Sovereign Guarantee”, that spends the money if those in government, especially the leading figures, are known for their honestly and integrity, and not infamous instead for the long litany of gross graft and flagrant corrupt practices.”

So that’s where we are right now. We are saddled with so many bloody Sovereign Guarantees, budget deficits and loans that our soul have already been mortgaged and sold to the world and that was part of Noynoy’s speech where it touches the budget deficit. People don’t discuss this much because we don’t have any damn shit control as to how the government spends money. Who amongst them would want transparency anyway?

And this only means one thing really – it will not be looking good for the next President and the people.

Except one person.

Gloria.

Gloria Arroyo claims that she had already laid down the groundwork for a robust economy.

“Swerte ang susunod na Pangulo sa akin [The next president after me will be lucky],” she said. Boasting of her accomplishments after nine years in office, Arroyo said the peso was stronger, tax reforms were in place, and social services available to most Filipinos.”

“Ito lang yata ang administrasyon na lumakas ang piso kaysa humina [This seems to be the only administration where the peso got stronger instead of weaker],” she said. As the country’s top leader, Arroyo said her role was to lay the foundations of the economy.

“Ang papel ko ay ihanda ang pundasyon. . . . Andyan na yan, ang pundasyon ng matatag na ekonomiya at inaasahan natin na itutuloy niya iyon para maramdaman ng mga Pilipino [My role is to lay down the foundation…It’s there, the foundation of a strong economy and we expect that this will be felt by the Filipinos],” Arroyo said. (Source: Inquirer)

What an unbelievable selfishness! I’ll make exception to Erap but not only has she discredited the past Presidents, she’s also taking away everything else for the new President! For if the economy improves way after Gloria, the glory is hers. And if the economy goes down the pit, she had already laid out her excuse slip that it won’t be her fault for she has already “laid down the foundations”.

Sen. Manny Villar C-5 extension corruption scandal Issue

The feeding frenzy now surrounding the involvement of Sen. Manny Villar in the alleged C-5 extension corruption scandal is taking a political toll on his campaign for presidency. Whatever the outcome, damage has been done by the issuance of a Senate Committee-of-the Whole report on the matter.

The accusers do not need the completion of the Senate processes to do it. The circumstances around the issue will have already made Villar vulnerable.

First, the decision not to face the issue in the Senate arena of formal committee investigation, I think was the initial mistake. It merely postponed the inevitable and put the political initiative in the accuser’s hand.

Second, the Villar campaign line of “mayaman na galing sa mahirap” was seriously undermined–the Senate probe results cast doubt on the source of his wealth.

Third, his maneuvers regarding the issue also put the doubt on his capability to lead and manage the affairs of government–a key campaign argument he uses effectively against Noynoy Aquino.

What all these amount to is the current Villar calvary–arriving at this crucial moment when he is trying to narrow the Aquino lead in the surveys. The latter is already a tough job considering the narrowing window for positioning before the formal campaign starts on February 9.

Sen. Villar does not need the crucification by his Senate detractors. His campaign is already in peril.

Is May 2010 Presidential Election Ready For The Automated Elections?

Automation of the Election has been an issue since last year and specially these days. Comelec has made the deal and we will have a new election process this May, an Automated Election. We just now have 3 months before the election, the question is are we ready? I have read in the news that the Comelec is having a hard time implementing the new process. The time allocated is not enough to get it done. The vulnerability of the machines, time to educate the people or voters, testing, implementation and security has been an issue. What do you think, is the 2010 elections ready for the automated..??