The Padyak is Back!

A feisty Mar Roxas announced his vice-presidential bid as Noynoy Aquino's running mate under the Liberal Party (LP) for next year's May 2010 National Elections.

This early in the game, Roxas dissed Defense secretary and administration/Lakas-NUCD candidate Gilbert Teodoro saying that Aquino is much better than Teodoro.

When Aquino announced his bid to become the country's next president, he said that he's offering the VP position to Roxas. It should be noted that Roxas too aspired to become president, but a former president's death and the rise to political fame of that president's son prompted Roxas to withdraw his bid and settle for the passenger seat.

The pair said that they are partners in the "fight for genuine change." Looks like we have a slogan that we'll hear quite frequently the next few months.

I pity Roxas and his padyak dreams for the nation. He aimed so high only to find out that he's only suited for the next best thing.

And the same question still lingers in my mind: Would the political move wedding between Roxas and Korina Sanchez still happen?

Hmmmmm.

Pink is Out!

You and I both know how I really, really, REALLY DO NOT LIKE Bayani Fernando. I hate his tarps, his pink fences, his urinals, his ugly footbridges, his sucky online game, his freakin' political will. And as much as I don't like Mar Roxas as well, I'd easily choose him over Fernando if the universe conspires that I choose only from the two.

Imagine my joy when I learned that after much deliberation, Lakas-CMD chose Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro to become it's standard bearer in next year's elections over the Pink Dude.

In a closed door meeting of the political party, only 5 of 47 members voted for Fernando. While the rest voted for Teodoro.

Lakas-CMD conducted the meeting after Vice-President Noli de Castro categorically announced that he will not run for the administration.

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I was able to interview Teodoro back in 2007 while I was still a student and he was still a congressman. I was writing our Congress beat paper for our news writing subject and he was one of the authors of the bill that I was writing about. I did not set-up an appointment with him. But he was gracious enough to accommodate my friends and I in his office even if we 'ambushed' him. He answered my questions candidly and he clearly knew what he was talking about. I didn't think then that the man that I interviewed would later on become a Presidentiable three years after - proof that our political landscape changes by the second.

So long Pink Dude!

The Replacement

In 1983, Sen. Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in what is now the airport named after him. Much grief was felt by the country who lost a person who could have delivered them from the hands of the dictator that is Marcos.

The clamor for change was resounding all over the country. And Filipinos saw that in the form of a widow named Cory Aquino. The death of Ninoy changed the political landscape of the country permanently. People realized their potential to create change in society - People Power 1 of 1986 was instrumental in bringing democracy back the Filipinos. Cory was then dubbed as the Mother of Democracy of the country since.

On August 1, 2009, Pres. Cory Aquino died. Many mourned the passing of Mother of Philippine Democracy. Amidst all the sadness was a man named Noynoy. The Ninoy and Cory's only son. People acknowledged that with the death of Pres. Aquino, Noynoy and Kris were given much political influence. They're children of Ninoy and Cory after all. Then speculations started.

And like the unfolding of classic Filipino drama with all its surprises, twists and turns - Mar Roxas backs off the presidential race in support of Noynoy's bid. This morning, as of this writing, Noynoy announced his intent to run for President for the May 2010 Presidential Elections. And suddenly a lot of Filipinos declare support for the senator.

We replaced Ninoy with Cory, and now are we trying to replace Cory with Noynoy?

But the real question is this: If Noynoy declared his intent to run for President prior to the death of his mother (and I mean no disrespect) would you have voted for him?

No More Padyak?

Mar Roxas backed out of the race.

Well, armed with his padyak, the probablity of him winning the race was slim.

Last night, in a room packed with microphones and rolling cameras, Roxas announced that he is supporting Sen. Noynoy Aquino as the Liberal Party's (LP) leading man for the May 2010 National elections.

ABS-CBNNews.com published his full statement:

Country above self. Bayan bago ang sarili.

Iyan ang habilin ng aking lolo, President Manuel Roxas.

Our nation is in trouble. Leadership is bankrupt. Institutions are in disarray. People are hungry.

Noynoy Aquino and I share the same outrage over the mess we are all in, the same way we share the solution-clean, honest, selfless public service.

Marami at matindi ang mga problema ng bansa. Kailangan nating ayusin. Matindi ang kalaban. We need a determined force for good far stronger than the festering evil around us.

We need to fight just as our own fathers fought dictatorship, and just as both died believing that good will conquer evil.

Noynoy and I want to make a difference, but we also know that we need to unite to achieve what we want.

I am the President of the Liberal Party.

It is within my power to preside over a potentially divisive process or to make the party a bridge for the forces of change. I choose to lead unity, not division. Bilang pinuno ng aking Partido, magdedesisyon ako.

Mahal ko ang Partido Liberal. My grandfather founded it. My father led it during the most difficult times of Martial Law. Sa harap ng peligro, sa kabila ng napakaraming tukso-hindi siya sumuko.

He inspired me-to stay the course, to fight the good fight, to pass the test of true character. To believe.

Over the weekend, Noynoy and I had many long conversations... Masinsinang usapan. We agreed: Let us forget about ourselves for a moment. This is not about us, this is about our people and our country. This is about our common dream. The dream of our parents.

But let us not remain a country of dreamers. Tama na ang pangarap. Gawin na natin, ngayon.

Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010.

Noy has made it clear to me that he wants to carry the torch of leadership.

The passing of our beloved former President Aquino has reawakened a passion among us. I acknowledge this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dream: Good will triumph over evil.

Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko. Maniwala man kayo o hindi, ginagawa ko ito para sa bayan, para sa inyo. I do this for unity in support of change. And if that means that somebody must make the sacrifice, it must be me. Ako na.

To you Noy, I say: I began the campaign to sow the seeds para sa pagbabago at reporma. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership.

Hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Noy. I will stand with him.

At sa aking mga kababayan, sa mga nagtiwala sa akin: Mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Mahal na mahal ko po ang ating bayan. Hindi rin tayo maghihiwalay. Itutuloy natin ang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Itutuloy natin ang laban para sa reporma!

Kay Noy, at sa aking mga kababayan: Country above self! Bayan bago sarili!

Hindi ko kayo pababayaan! Lalaban tayo!

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And so we wait for Aquino's official announcement if he will run the race that Roxas and his padyak backed out off.

Two questions though:

1. Now that he's backed out, would the Roxas-Sanchez Nuptials still commence? Or is the whole thing out the window now? Including the Wowowee stunt of crying on national TV? Or is it true love?

2. If not for Pres. Aquino's death (I do not mean any disrespect), would Aquino have the same influence as a politician as he has now?

Second in Command

So far, the ones making noise are the Presidentiables (i.e. Roxas and his padjak invading Friendster profiles, BF and his ridiculous online game, and the most disgusting political move known to man, Jamby and her yellow beads.

Not much is heard from people who are planning to run for the second highest seat in the bureaucracy - the vice presidency.

Currently, it is filled by former broadcaster Noli de Castro whose claim to fame is his Saturday show that specializes on anything related to the Halloween.

And this got me thinking, among all our politicians, who would actually qualify to become Second-in-Command?

Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan has already expressed his desire to run for the position. I will not vote for him though.

Buzz is rising on the possibility that Sen. Noynoy Aquino might actually run for the position. Ever since the late Pres. Cory Aquino's death, much talks have been raised regarding the Sen.'s plans for next year's national elections.

I think, Noynoy would make a good vice-president provided that he is second to the right President.

Who do you think would make a good vice-president?

Shameful

I've always thought that the political ads that are obviously in preparation for the national elections next year, are just plain disgusting. BF's humongous tarps spreading across the metro and the small ones across the country even if we all know that his jurisdiction stops outside Metro Manila. Mar's padjak TVC. Villar's Akala Mo campaign. So far, it was an even playing field. Until Jamby Madrigal came along. Having announced that she too will run as President, all hell broke loose. And so far, what she did is the most shameful and disgusting campaign move I've seen. Seriously.

Facebook user H Appy Feraren narrated her experience while waiting for the late Pres. Cory Aquino's cortege at the South Super Highway, entitled Shame on you Jamby Madrigal!

Now that we’ve remembered, relived and recreated the spirit of ’86 let’s make sure this yellow ribbon doesn’t get tangled up in other people’s political campaigns.

Subtle electioneering IN A FUNERAL?!?! SHAME ON YOU. Do not ride on Cory’s wave to pursue your vested interest. The people who waited in the streets weren’t there to see you! The revolution doesn’t belong to you, phony politician, it belongs to the people. And what makes you think you could get away with such a dirty trick? Cory’s lasting impression of sincerity, humility and honesty is now the benchmark of what leaders are supposed to be. You think people don’t see through you? The respect we have for Cory is not something you acquire with falsity (or through endorsement from Judy Ann Santos) it is earned. How dare you pose as someone offering sympathy to the Aquino family while you think about the votes you’re going to get come election time.

As I waited for the cortege (news networks’ new favourite word) along the South Super Highway, my mom and I bought 2 yellow umbrellas from this street vendor who was also selling nuts. And then as we paid, he pulled out something from his pocket – a yellow beaded bracelet nicely packed in a small clear plastic bag. Upon handing it over to us, he said: “Eto o, bonus para sa inyo.”Of course my mom and I were pleased and were all “awww how sweet.”Until I actually looked at the bracelet and saw a little tag with the name and photo of Jamby Madrigal.

I called out to him and asked, “O bakit may Jamby Madrigal itong bracelet na ito” and when I looked at the vendor for an answer he had already walked away.

Maybe an hour before this incident, I saw her car passing by the growing sea of people. Window open, flashing the L sign and strangely enough, a cameraman in front filming the people. My mom started shouting “Transparencyyyy!” and then I looked at her asking if I could put up my middle finger and my mom looked at me and said I should just shout transparency, accountability or good governance. In other words “BOOOOOOOO!!!!” And then the two of us just started shouting BOO JAMBY!!!

I am utterly disgusted by you, Ms.Madrigal. And to you other filthy politicians, behave yourselves because we are all watching you, even if you’re supposedly Cory’s “favorite” mayor. Genuine democracy is People Power and everything Ninoy and Cory stood for. It also means that now, whenever there’s a phony claiming he or she is there to protect Cory’s legacy, we will be able to speak up and act with the same fearless fervour we had before.

You know sometimes I wish I could march in the government offices with a magical broom that can sweep away all the dirty politicians we have in this country. A giant clean up, but this time not just for the environment but for our government. Haha, imagine if we could really do that? I'm already writing down the names of the people I'd attack first with my magic walis!

So, before you file for candidacy (a bit too late though in this case) think again. Actually, good luck! The people have remembered.

SHAMEFUL. DISGUSTING. PATHETIC. DESPERATE.

Of Banner Photos

The photo above is the Philippine Star's banner photo for today. Shot by Jun Medoza, it had this caption: "Sen. Mar Roxas is welcomed by STAR employees while riding with children on a pedicab during a visit to The Philippine STAR office in Manila yesterday."

Really now??

The accompanying story isn't even remotely related to the photo! (Read article here.)

That guy carrying a kid, a pedicab beside him, and all these blind people rejoicing around him. Looks familiar? Oh. Isn't this his political ad? Then what is it doing as a banner photo in one of the country's major broadsheets? (Oh by the way, because of this publicity stunt which you allowed to happen on your pages, I believe a lot of people's respect for you made an abysmal plunge.)

I do not believe that this is a legitimate story to merit such an amount of publicity. Oh wait, this is a form of publicity for him! So there's Wowowee, his P.I carnage at a Makati rally, his attempts at being makatao by voluntarily drenching himself under the rain, his supposed love with that broadcaster, that hideously fugly padyak ad, denggit.. the list just goes on and on and on.

But wait, has the campaign period started?

Fighting Back

Kung palabas lang ang tira ko kay Pangulong Arroyo, eh bakit napipikon sa mga banat ko?

The Senators are fighting back.

During her "performance," PGMA told Presidential aspirants not to speak bad words in public - a clear reference to Mar Roxas' P.I. carnage at a Makati rally recently.

"To those who want to be President, this advice: If you really want something done, just do it. Do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Don’t pander. And don’t say bad words in public."

And so, since Twitter is the best thing, Roxas' tweeted this back: MARoxas "Gloria, I have to say bad words in public because of bad deeds done in secret."

Then, in an Inquirer article, Presidential son/sucky actor Mikey Arroyo is said to be "mad" at the opposition for being such actors in the arena of Philippine politics. He points out how Sen. Francis Escudero clandestinely asked for the President's blessing and endorsement for next year's Presidential elections. An accusation that Escudero denies.

In a statement released today by Escudero that I've posted below, he vehemently denied all allegations that he asked for support from the President.

"I have not sought, nor will I seek, the endorsement of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Nor have I authorized anyone to do so.

Let Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando or Vice President Noli de Castro, or anyone else who might want her blessings, get that endorsement which they have been seeking from day one for all I care.

I have not even declared yet. And if I do, I will seek only the endorsement of the Filipino people and will run as Opposition simply because I have been consistently against and questioned the mandate of this administration from the very start.

I supported and was spokesperson of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. in the 2004 presidential elections; I led impeachment complaints against Arroyo in the House; voted consistently against the administration on major policy positions, i.e., the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), EVAT, and the Human Security Act.

To get back at me, this vengeful administration has withheld the release of my Countryside Development Fund (CDF) since 2005. And now, its proxies have taken the debate over its performance in the past nine years down to the gutter by spreading intrigues against my person."

I smell trouble brewing. Don't you?

It Ain't So Wow(owee)

I HATE WOWOWEE. It commodifies poverty. I think it's one of the suckiest shows on local telly ever. (Besides those starred by Richard and Gerald that are beyond idiotic.)

Three months ago, the country witnessed the awesome pretentiouness that was the "proposal" of Mar to Korina on the aforementioned show. We all know how the thinking people reacted to that and how "simpletons" (Villarica, 2009) thought that it was the most romantic thing they've seen.

Saturday, June 25, 2009 - I woke by by 2pm. Mom instantly called me to watch what was going on. This huge Orange shirt donning guy was on Wowowee. (Sidenote: you should know that our cable connection got cut since we haven't paid for that particuar bill and we're not bothering to get connected again since no one's barely at home so having cable is pretty useless)

The guy, apparently, was Sen. Manny Villar (CUE IN: Trippy Akala Mo song.) and so I didn't bother watching. Mom later tells me that, the Senator gave away house and lots to OFW's who are guests on the show. Surprised? Not really.

I think guesting on a show such as Wowowee to further expand one's political aspirations is just plain - DESPERATE. And I'd leave you to think why this is so. :)