It’s all over but the Nacionalista Party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition shouting it out loud.Tribune sources said “everything, all the kinks, have been ironed out between the NP standard bearer and the NPC vice presidential bet. It’s a definite go, barring any untoward incident.”
The sources did not elaborate.
Sen. Loren Legarda will be the running mate of NP standard bearer Sen. Manuel Villar.
Legarda herself yesterday gave broad hints to the media that the deal between the two has been sealed, with them forming a tandem in the May 10, 2010 polls.
The formal announcement will come sometime next week.
The senator fell short of naming Villar as her presidential team mate when confronted by reporters in an interview on whether she has arrived at a decision in forming a tandem with the standard bearer of the NP or with the administration’s bet, Defense Secretary
Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro.
“I have already made a decision but I will make an announcement if I have planted one million trees,” she said, initially attempting to evade the topic.
She hinted broadly at being Villar’s running mate, however, when she said that “green” which is her color as one who embraces environmentalism, and “orange,” a color adopted by Villar for his campaign.
Ironically, however, orange is identified with former President Joseph Estrada, as this has always been his campaign color.
But when asked if her decision was final, she merely gave this reply: “from what you know of me, am I one who keeps on changing my decisions?”
Talk on the looming Villar-Legarda tandem had been in circulation long before she announced her decision to take another crack at the vice presidency, even before her party mate, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero who was supposed to be the NPC’s standard bearer for the coming polls, resigned from his political party.
Villar also earlier gave broad hints that he had already picked a running mate, adding that he is willing to team up with a candidate from another party, and will formally introduce their team up in less than two weeks’ time.
Legarda said the same, saying that formal announcement will be made in less than 10 days or before the start of the filing of certificates of candidacies, between Nov. 20 to 30.
“I have already been given the NPC’s blessings and support for my forming an alliance, following his (standard bearer’s) platform and many in the NPC will be supporting her running mate,” she said.
When asked if among her options is to run without a presidential candidate, Legarda was quick to dismiss this scenario, emphasizing that she will surely have a presidential candidate come campaign season.
She then said in jest, pointing to a television crew member wearing an orange shirt, the known color of Villar, as among those that she likes.
Former Sen. Vicente Sotto III earlier said that the NPC may field a presidential candidate but Legarda said this was not an option.
Legarda’s decision to run with Villar leaves the Lakas-Kampi party still searching for a vice presidential bet.
Thus far, there have been names mentioned by party leaders, but all those personalities mentioned however, thumbed down the offer of the party officials.
Opposition Senator Escudero, for his part, yesterday said alliances or tandems for the 2010 elections must be based on platform and not on the strength of party machinery, personal popularity, or financial capability.
”I have made my stand known on key issues which need to be addressed for real change to happen in this country. Any alliance or coalition can only be forged if there is agreement, or a consensus on resolving these long-standing concerns,” the 40-year old lawmaker said.
Escudero, who is expected to announce his political plans before the Dec. 1 deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy, has publicly declared that he is for a P125 wage increase and against labor contractualization.
He has also called for the abolition of the pork barrel and the repeal of the oil deregulation law.
The Bicol lawmaker said those seeking the highest office of the land should now state their positions on these issues.
“These are fundamental issues that matter most to our people. The people deserve to know from the presidentiables what they stand for and what their plans are, if they become president in the next six years,” he said.
“For a long time now, our people have been given the raw end of the electoral deal. I hope that this time they will be able to decide whom to choose on the basis of a candidate’s agenda for governance,” Escudero said.
He also reiterated that if he decides to run for the presidency, he will be doing it without being influenced by anyone or dictated by any political party.
“This should be the first test of leadership of any putative candidate -- for him to decide on his own and take full responsibility for the decision on whether not to run and what position to run for,” he said.
Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles also yesterday called on the electorate not to vote for persons but for programs, referring to the candidates that are planning to run for the coming May 2010 polls.
Arguelles said what the country needs today are leaders who have great and good ideas for the country’s future and not just the same old trash that had put to us to our current situation.
“Personality centered elections are now over. We should put an end to that because it only brings chaos,” he declared.
He also urged voters to be more discerning on the candidate’s platform of government so as to be able to assess to what direction the candidate will take the country.
The Batangas prelate appealed for voters vigilance this coming elections since there had been reports of possible election manipulations.
“We citizens should wake up. Let us not allow this to happen anymore,” he said.
In 2004, President Arroyo was accused of rigging the elections due to the Hello Garci scandal where her conversation with former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garciallno had been wiretapped by the Intelligence department of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Arguelles, a supporter of Arroyo, was one the bishops who claimed that Arroyo only did a little cheating, and that this was alright.
“The coming 2010 elections is our chance to change the system. So, let us try to practice real democracy. Our country’s future is in our hands,” added Arguelles.
The NP meanwhile slammed Liberal Party (LP) presumptive bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino for his apparent ignorance on the developments on the Senate hearing regarding the double insertion issue on the C-5 road extension project alleged to have benefitted NP president Villar, accusing the brother of controversial television host Kris Aquino of acting as mere mouthpiece for his political handlers.
In a text message, Cavite Rep. Crispin Remulla said Noynoy’s statement which was published in a national daily yesterday only further bolsters belief that the LP standard bearer whose claim to fame is being the only son of the late President Cory Aquino, a virtually unknown housewife but was also catapulted to power after her husband Sen. Benigno Aquino, Jr. was assassinated, triggering massive protest actions nationwide, is only being spoon-fed with political tirades against his rivals by his handlers.
“Had Sen. Noynoy Aquino regularly attended the ethics committee hearings on the C-5 road extension project, he would have known that all of the witnesses presented by the accusers exonerated Senator Villar,” said Remulla.
“(Senator) Aquino should have also known that the accusers failed to prove any of their allegations,” one of the prospective NP 2010 senatorial bets added.
Aquino was quoted saying that Villar should submit himself to the Senate investigation and answer the allegations against him on the C-5 road extension project adding that “the (Senate) investigation should not be never ending.”
“We cannot sidetrack all other issues just because it’s election season. This is one issue that must be resolved,” Aquino was quoted saying as he called on on his peers to come up with a resolution on the issue as soon as possible.
Remulla also advised the LP presidentiable to be careful in everything he says if he is serious in his ambition to get elected to the country’s highest elective post.
“As a presidential candidate, Aquino should be more careful in his statements and not just say whatever his handlers tell him to say,” Remulla said.
Also, amid the burning issues of the failure of the previous administrations to solve the issues on land reform and hig electricity costs, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos yesterday dared would be presidential candidates to come up with solutions to the problems that has gripped thousands of farmers and millions of households around the country.
Marcos said Senators Manny Villar and Noynoy Aquino, former President Joseph Estrada and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro should offer solutions to the twin problems if they want to win the hearts and serve the Filipino people.
According to Marcos, poor voters are eager to know the take of these so-called presidentiables on the skyrocketing cost of electricity, particularly the one being sold by Lopez-controlled Manila Electric Company (Meralco), and strict implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
“A presidential candidate who truly loves the country must be willing to stop Meralco from imposing high electricity rates on its consumers. He should also be ready to wage war against big landlords by implementing CARP without fear or favor. If he can do these, he surely is a pro-masa (masses),” Marcos pointed out.
At the same time, Marcos urged the public not to vote for presidential candidates who avoid the issues of high electricity costs and agrarian reform.
He said CARP implementation must be one of the primordial concerns of the candidates and that they would care less if they come up against landowners, who normally give huge campaign contributions to politicians.
“They (presidentiables) must prove that they are on the side of the farmers and not of the landlords,” Marcos stressed. Angie M. Rosales, Marie A. Surbano, Charlie V. Manalo and Gerry Baldo
Source: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20091107hed1.html
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