Villar gives P20 bills to kids in Batangas

AMITA O. LEGASPI, GMANews.TV
02/26/2010 | 02:01 PM






Original Story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/184850/villar-gives-p20-bills-to-kids-in-batangas


LIPA CITY, BATANGAS - Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar Jr. gave away P20 bills to a few children who greeted him during his sorties in Batangas City and Lipa City Friday.

Around three or four street children approached Villar, who claims to be a self-made billionaire, while he was shaking hands with market vendors while campaigning together with his senatorial slate in the two cities.

“Hindi ko naman gusto bigyan yung mga bata kasi pangit tingan kaso naawa lang talaga ako," Villar said in a talk with reporters after the Lipa City sortie.

(I didn't really intend to give money because it won’t look good but I really took pity on them.)

“Mas gusto ko sana na pagkain na lang ibibigay kaso matagal pa yun eh, dumadami na yung tao sa puwesto ko," Villar added.

(I would have preferred to give them food but that will take some time and a crowd was already gathering around me, blocking out the kids.)

The senator was a shrimp vendor in Divisoria before working his way up in business and, eventually, politics.

Among those who accompanied Villar during the sorties in Batangas were former governor Armando Sanchez and other NP local candidates, who introduced themselves and shook hands with some people in the market even though the start of the official campaign period for local candidates would only begin on March 26.

Sanchez is running for governor against incumbent Vilma Santos-Recto, who is the candidate of the Liberal Party.

Sanchez promised full support for Villar’s presidential bid but was unable to quantify the number of votes he could deliver. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV


Original Story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/184850/villar-gives-p20-bills-to-kids-in-batangas

Manifesto For Change

Today, as in the past, we Filipinos have been confronted with deep and sweeping political, economic, social, and moral crises- lack of sense for the common good; poor leadership and corruption in government; crime; lawlessness, and insurgency; poverty and constant struggle with the economy; deteriorating quality in education; inadequate access to health care; weakening of the family; and poor environmental protection.

All these conditions plus apathy, indifference, and demoralization, as well as fear, helplessness, and hopelessness, have inured us Filipinos who have become jaded as we continue to face the daily challenges before us. Experience has taught us that the old ways and the old solutions will not work in bailing us out of these crises. To go down in disgust, discouragement, and defeat seems to be the only recourse.

However, we need to look at our problems afresh and we Filipinos must fix them, for only we can fix them, and set the course for a successful future. We have the power to shape our future and determine the destiny of our country. We must rid ourselves of ingrained habits, prejudices, cultural preferences, and our traditional way of doing things. We must refresh our consciousness if we are to rise to new levels in life.

We need to do things, believe things, and think in new ways. It is time for a new direction to bring our dream of a better life for ourselves and for our country into reality - a dream deeply rooted in the dream of a new Philippines, a Bagumbayan. To all of us who share this dream, we must all courageously face the challenges of our times.


Thus, in an act of union and cooperation, we declare:

First, that we must be RESPONSIBLE for ourselves, for our fellow Filipinos, and for our country. We must change our attitudes, and transform ourselves to become horizon-chasers with duty, dignity, and determination;

Second, that we can REINVENT GOVERNMENT to faithfully perform its prime duty to serve and protect the people;

Third, that we can fortify LAW AND ORDER through self-discipline, vigilance, and respect for the rule of law;

Fourth, that we can build a STRONG AND GROWING ECONOMY if we all work, save, and invest in order to prosper;

Fifth, that we must prioritize EDUCATION as the key to national development to compete and lead in the new global economy;

Sixth, that we must provide adequate access to HEALTH CARE for all our people, especially the needy;

Seventh, that we must create JOBS for our people, so that they will not need to seek their fortunes abroad, but rather devote their talents directly to their country and their families;

Eighth, that we must assist our people in securing decent HOMES to live in and LAND to work and build on, so they can be dignified and productive citizens;

Ninth, that we must strengthen and reinforce the FAMILY as the foundation of our nation to develop proper values and virtues in individuals and build solid character; and

Tenth, that we must protect and preserve the ENVIRONMENT for our posterity. We must have the Vision grounded on Values and empowered by Volunteerism to achieve Victory. These are the ideals upon which we lay the foundation of our movement for change. We are the instruments of a movement dedicated to transform the Philippines into a Bagumbayan, a new Philippines.

We invite every patriotic Filipino to join us in this shared struggle. Let us embark together on this grand mission to reclaim, rebuild, and reconsecrate what Rizal— 111 years ago today—bid farewell to as “our Eden lost,� but which remains our birthright and our redemption: Bagumbayan.

Where our heroes have fallen, there shall we rise, reborn.

STAND for CHANGE visit http://www.dickgordon2010.com/advocacies.php

Villanueva woos OFW votes in Hong Kong

By Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com)
Updated February 21, 2010 04:30 PM




Original Story: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=551664&publicationSubCategoryId=200


MANILA, Philippines - Bangon Pilipinas presidential bet Bro. Eddie Villanueva visited Hong Kong on Saturday and wooed the votes of overseas Filipino workers and members of his congregation, Jesus Is Lord Movement there.

Speaking at the 25th anniversary of JIL Church-Hong Kong, Villanueva presented his running mate Perfecto Yasay Jr. and their seven senatorial bets - Zarfullah Alonto, Reynaldo Princesa, Ramoncito Ocampo, Kata Inocencio, Count Habib Adz Nikabulin, Alex Tinsay, and Israel Virgines - before the members of the congregation.

In his message, Villanueva stressed that Filipinos are forced to work abroad because of economic necessities. He cited official government data on unemployment at 7.1 percent and underemployment at 19.4 percent.

“We need a new breed of leaders who have genuine compassion for the Filipino people,” Villanueva said

Hong Kong remains as one of the top three destinations of OFWs. The JIL Church-Hong Kong has a “Saturday Group” composed of more than 2,000 members, majority of whom are OFWs whose day-off falls on a Saturday. It also has a bigger “Sunday Group,” which is composed of over 8,000 members.


Original Story: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=551664&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Bro. Mike backs Toots Ople; Villar, Legarda must wait

By Philip Tubeza
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:37:00 02/19/2010



Filed Under: Inquirer Politics, Eleksyon 2010, Overseas Employment


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100219-254014/Bro-Mike-backs-Toots-Ople-Villar-Legarda-must-wait


MANILA, Philippines—So who did El Shaddai servant leader Mike Velarde really endorse in Hong Kong on Sunday?

While only hinting that he would support the Villar-Legarda ticket, the influential TV evangelist categorically said he would vote for one candidate in May 2010: Nacionalista Party (NP) senatorial candidate Susan “Toots” Ople.

Speaking before hundreds of supporters in the Hong Kong Central District, Velarde said he was the one who urged Ople to run for the Senate, adding that he knew her father, the late Sen. Blas F. Ople.

“I will let her talk later because I will vote for her. I told her to run,” Velarde told his flock, who did not disperse despite the intermittent rain.

Ople was the lone senatorial candidate who attended the prayer rally together with NP presidential standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar and vice-presidential candidate Sen. Loren Legarda.

Velarde made a strong pitch for Buhay Party List which he said was pro-life and against all forms of artificial contraception. He also talked about his long friendships with Villar and Legarda.

Ople, a former labor undersecretary and advocate of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), said she was grateful to Velarde for his encouraging words.

“I admire him beyond words because he has been consistent in looking after the interests of his followers, including thousands of OFWs who have found spiritual strength through El Shaddai,” she said.

Ople is the youngest daughter of the late senator, who was Labor Secretary during the Marcos years and Foreign Affairs Secretary during the Aquino administration before his death in 2003.

She explained to various Filipino community leaders in Hong Kong what comprised the NP agenda for OFWs: An OFW health care program for returning OFWs who became ill while working abroad; a country-specific and experience-based pre-departure orientation program that would include the rudiments of Internet use; a crackdown on usurious lending companies; and the restructuring of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration governing board to include six additional representatives to be nominated by Filipino communities worldwide.

Ople said she would also bat for a higher budget for the Foreign Affairs and Labor and Employment
Departments to ensure quicker response to the problems of OFWs.

The labor advocate said she was against labor-only contracting and vowed that her very first bill in the Senate would prohibit abusive contracts that lead to the exploitation of local workers.

On the other hand, Legarda said Velarde’s support for her and Villar was “as clear as day” after Sunday’s prayer rally.

“The colors spoke louder than words,” Legarda said, noting that El Shaddai members wore orange and white, the colors of the Villar-Legarda ticket.


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100219-254014/Bro-Mike-backs-Toots-Ople-Villar-Legarda-must-wait

Velarde gives Villar virtual blessing

February 15, 2010 06:22:00
Philip Tubeza
Philippine Daily Inquirer



Original Story: http://politics.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&article=20100215-253266


HONG KONG—Surrounded by hundreds of followers wearing orange shirts and skirts, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde Sunday virtually endorsed Sen. Manuel Villar for president during a prayer rally on Chatter Road at Central district here.

Velarde stopped short of declaring the popular Catholic charismatic group’s support for Villar, standard-bearer of the Nacionalista Party (NP), saying the group would make a collective decision on Easter Sunday. He added that the group would “vote as one.”

In his speech, Velarde hinted that he was one of those who had encouraged Villar, an old friend, to run for president.

“During the process when I was still thinking of running, I had a friend and I told him, ‘I am not running. You run.’”

Velarde also referred to Villar’s wife, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, as “Madame First Lady.” Three large posters of Villar and vice presidential candidate Sen. Loren Legarda were prominently displayed below the stage.

Villar was the only presidential candidate invited to the rally.

“Here in El Shaddai, whoever remembers us will be accepted. So if ever somebody asks you why the other candidates were not in Hong Kong, tell them they did not remember us,” he said.

“Those who remembered were the ones who came. So before we proceed, I want to introduce to you our guest who remembered us and who is with us in celebrating Valentine’s. He is a man who has a heart for OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) so he remembered to be with us,” Velarde said.

Both Villar and Velarde met when they began their careers in real estate. Villar reportedly supplied Velarde with sand.

Velarde confirmed their friendship, saying he had always wanted to be president since he was a “little boy” but decided to give way to his “friend.”

“Many were asking me, ‘Bro. Mike, why don’t you run? We heard you were running.’ Let me reveal to you what I promised God. When I went through a quadruple bypass in 1998, I said ‘God, if you will extend my life. I will serve You and no one else for as long as I live,’” Velarde said.

“God knows my dream since I was a little boy was to become president of the Republic of the Philippines because I wanted to live in Malacañang. But you know a dream and a calling are two different things,” he quipped.

“So with that commitment I said, ‘Lord, I’ll forget about my dream to become president. I will not enter politics but You are going to make my candidate win,’” Velarde said.

“For us in El Shaddai during elections, we don’t really endorse. We just vote. So we have promised God we are going to vote as one this election...we are going to examine all the candidates for president and vice president,” he said.

Velarde gave many other hints that Villar was his choice for president.

“Say money,” Velarde said to the applause of the crowd. “Who wants money? OK. I have good news for you. The Lord said ‘Don’t worry about Manny, he can take care of himself.”

Abelina Soliman, an El Shaddai member from Saranggani province who works in Hong Kong, said she and other members wore orange to show their support for Villar.

“We’re orange for Manny Villar. All the workers and attendants are wearing orange for Manny,” she said, adding that it was the members who collectively chose to wear orange.

Velarde noticed this during his preaching, but said that El Shaddai members should still evaluate all the candidates.

“Ngayon ang tingin ko sa inyo, mukhang nagpapahalata (As I look at you, I think you’re trying to show your preference). You are trying to show your colors this very early,” Velarde said.

“But without favoring anybody, we know that our guest today has a heart for (Filipinos) in other countries. He is approachable…(but) we will choose until Easter Sunday. By that time, I will know and all of us will know (whom to vote for). Maybe those of you here in Hong Kong already know,” he said, to the cheers of the crowd.

In an interview Saturday night, Villar said he valued the support of his friend Velarde even if it was just “implicit.”

“That is important...that endorsement even if it is not a formal one,” Villar said.

“We have known each other for a very long, long time. A very long time. Maybe even before El Shaddai was formed, we already knew each other,” he said.

Villar said Velarde supported him because many of his members were also supportive of him.

Villar dismissed allegations that Velarde supported him because the evangelist also benefited from the controversial C-5 road extension project.

“We all know those accusations are mere inventions. I don’t see anything wrong with that project so I don’t see any problem for anyone linked to that,” Villar said.

“That project is something to be proud of because it benefited six million of our countrymen directly and maybe another six million indirectly. (My critics) are trying-hards….They should change their tactics,” he said.


Original Story: http://politics.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&article=20100215-253266

Panlilio ousted (11,000-page Comelec ruling finds Pineda winner by 2,011 votes)

BY GERARD NAVAL



Original Story: http://www.malaya.com.ph/02122010/news1.html


PAMPANGA Gov. Eduardo "Among Ed" Panlilio was unseated yesterday by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) which declared Lilia Pineda, an ally of President Arroyo, as the rightful winner in the 2007 gubernatorial race.

Panlilio said the decision was not surprising since the Second Division had repeatedly ruled against them in previous motions.

"Itong mga pattern na ganito has been leading us to think that we will not get fair treatment in this case," he told reporters.

Asked whether he is preparing to vacate his post, Panlilio said "No."

"Mayroon pa namang legal parameters available to us kung saan pwede kami umapela. What we will do is study the decision and we will move from there," said Panlilio.

In an 11,000-page decision, the Comelec Second Division said the recount showed Pineda defeating Panlilio by 2,011 votes.

Figures from the decision showed Pineda garnered 190,729 votes against Panlilio’s 188,718 votes.

The Provincial Board of Canvassers in 2007 declared Panlilio, a priest on leave, as governor as he edged Pineda by 1,147 votes.

Pineda questioned the result and accused Panlilio of massive cheating, vote-buying and harassment.

The Comelec began the recount last August.

PiNoy Lawyers, a group of volunteer lawyers tasked to protect the votes of Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, slammed the Comelec for exhibiting an apparent bias against the Liberal Party.

"The latest decisions of the Comelec involving grassroots leaders of the Liberal Party are very disturbing, to say the least, because it will have the effect of setting back our campaign in key areas, " PiNoy Lawyers spokesperson Amor Amorado said.

"First, it was Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela and then Bulacan Gov. Jonjon Mendoza," he pointed out.

Amorado pointed out that Padaca, Mendoza, and Panlilio won by comfortable margins but their rivals overtook them in the Comelec recount.

Amorado also expressed concern over a pending case against LP incumbent Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste.

"While there appears to be a rush in decisions involving incumbent LP officials, the Comelec has been pussyfooting in our bid to declare Vitaliano Acosta of the KBL a nuisance candidate. Even if he is finally disqualified, Acosta will remain in the ballot," he said.

"We pray that this is not going to be 2004 all over again. Like in 1986, the people will not allow those with evil designs to triumph," Amorado said.

Pineda’s lawyer, George Garcia, said they will immediately file a motion for execution in order to allow his client to take over the Pampanga capitol.

Comelec gave Panlilio’s camp three days to file their motion for reconsideration before the en banc as it denied an appeal from Panlilio’s lawyer, Sixto Brillantes, for an additional five days.

Brillantes reasoned out the massive number of pages in the decision would make it impossible for them to submit a "modest" appeal.

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said linking the administration to the Comelec decision would just be another "speculative assassination" against the government.

"It is this kind of speculative assassination of our institutions by our critics that leads to the very instability they themselves bemoan," he added

"We urge everyone to get into the habit of respecting due process whether or not we like its outcome," he said. – With Jocelyn Montemayor


Original Story: http://www.malaya.com.ph/02122010/news1.html

Platform of Government and Statement of Basic Principles and Policies For Governance of BANGON PILIPINAS PARTY 2010

Basic Proposition


Bangon Pilipinas Party (BPP) believes that for the country to recover from the terminal cancer of corruption, injustice and poverty, both the leadership and the people must weave back the basic tenets of love for God and love for countryinto the fabric of Philippine politics and governance. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength and love your neighbour as you love yourself", is not only a credo for personal life, it is also the cornerstone of all nation-building. "DIYOS AT BAYAN" is the core philosophy of BPP.

The demand of loving God and loving the country is righteousness. The fruit of righteousness is first of all justice for the poor, for the civil servants, for the labourer, the employee and wage earner, for the businessman and investor, for the youth, for senior citizens, for the farmer, for the soldier and the veteran, for those who have to care for others, for the overseas worker, for the local government unit, for all people and every sector of Philippine society. Righteousness assures honesty, rectitude, transparency, responsibility, accountability, fairness and equal opportunity for all. Righteousness evokes compassion and charity. The blessings of righteousness are peace, development, the well-being of the community, self-respect, and prosperity. And this righteousness must begin in and with government itself, with servant-leadership that has Character, Competence, Courage, and Compassion.

Only love of God and love of country that produces righteousness in the body politic, under a servant-leadership of character, competence, courage, and compassion, can bring true and genuine change in the land. "Diyos at Bayan para sa Tunay at Tama na Pagbabago."

This core value and philosophy translate into a seven-point roadmap of Bangon Pilipinas Party for the country:

I. Eradicate bad governance

BPP strongly believes that for righteousness to prevail in and bless the land, righteousness must begin in and with government itself. People must desire and expect righteousness in government. The first battle order of the new administration, therefore, is to frontally attack and dismantle the apparatus of corruption in government and in the system.

BP will attack corruption through the following: [go to http://bangonpilipinasplatform.net/i-eradicate-bad-governance.html ]

II. Energize the economy

BPP strongly believes that a social structure of poverty is one of the worst, if not the worst, form of unrighteousness, wickedness, or injustice in the social order, and that the end of all economic programs should be the levelling of the playing field for all whereby sufficiency, if not prosperity, is reachable or possible for all and not just for a preferred or favoured few. To achieve this objective, the economic agenda of BPP shall be guided by the following principles: [go to http://bangonpilipinasplatform.net/ii-energize-the-economy.html ]

III. Elevate the living standards of the people

BPP believes that people, as bearers of God's image, should be able to live lives of dignity where their minimum requirements for a decent human life are met and provided for, putting them in a position to further elevate their own living standards by their own industry, creativity and hard work after government has levelled the playing field for everyone. "Levelling the playing field" is a non-negotiable demand of righteousness in the social and economic order and an inescapable offshoot of loving God and loving one's neighbour. [go to http://bangonpilipinasplatform.net/iii-elevate-the-living-stan.html ]

IV. Empower the people

Simultaneous with eradicating bad governance, energising the economy, and elevating the living standards of the people, the Bangon administration will strengthen the moral resolve of the Filipino people to take a more direct hand in plotting their own destinies and strengthening their tools and means towards self-determination through a series of programs that would empower them. It is a situation of unrighteousness when people are left powerless and helpless to take care of themselves or better their conditions. Righteousness demands that people be empowered.

Along with the other programs of the Bangon platform, the Bangon Administration intends to empower the people: [go to http://bangonpilipinasplatform.net/iv-empower-the-people.html ]

V. Emancipate the people

Bangon Pilipinas Party believes that the fruit of righteousness is freedom or emancipation from unjust social structures and systemic greed and exploitation. Neither lawlessness nor licentiousness, but true and genuine liberty to do what is good and right, is the fruit of righteousness.

Bangon will pursue the emancipation of the Filipino people, along with the other programs of the Bangon platform: [go to http://bangonpilipinasplatform.net/v-emancipate-the-people.html ]

VI. Educate the people

Education is a mandate of righteousness. Emancipation and empowerment require the continuing task of educating our people, especially the children and youth, by providing them with adequate training and knowledge with the view of redefining ourselves on the basis of our common history, rich cultural heritage and high ideals and traditions. Through education our people must arrive at a moral and ethical consensus as to who we are, what we want to become, and how we are getting there.

The keystone of our education program is to turn our people into Filipinos thoroughly conscious of their history, culture and destiny as a nation so that they can push the country into an era of productivity not only in agriculture and agroforestry but in entrepreneurship, science and technology. [go to http://bangonpilipinasplatform.net/vi-educate-the-people.html ]

VII. Establish peace and order in the land

Peace is both a work and a product of righteousness. Righteousness demands that peace and order be built upon the foundations of justice and equal opportunity.

A Bangon administration will seek peace and order in the land through the following actions: [go to http://bangonpilipinasplatform.net/vii-establish-peace-in-the-.html ]

Conclusion & Signatories

This is the Bangon Pilipinas Platform for 2010. Its Central Tenet is: Love for God and Love for Country. Diyos at Bayan!

Its main pursuit is righteousness, under a servant-leadership marked by character, competence, courage and compassion.

Its fruit is justice, peace, development and prosperity. For true and genuine change. Para sa Tama at Tunay na Pagbabago!

This is Bangon Pilipinas Party's covenant with the Filipino People! Come and join us for a new Philippines! Bangon Pilipinas, ngayon na!


Signed:

Eduardo C Villanueva
Presidential Candidate

Perfecto Yasay Jr.
Vice-Presidential Candidate


Senatorial Slate
[APOINT-V]

Dr. Zafrullah Alonto
Atty. Reynaldo Princesa
Atty. Ramoncito Ocampo
Kata Inocencio
Adz Nikabulin
Alex Tinsay
Dr. Israel Virgines

This platform of government can be found in full at
http://bangonpilipinasplatform.net .