But perhaps more than the reports of unethical journalistic practices, it is De Castro’s Lopez connection that is the public’s unspoken fear. Long a fixture in Philippine politics and business, the Lopezes preside over an interlocking web of business interests that range from power generation to power distribution, telecommunications to water concessions, infrastructure, to broadcasting and publishing. Because of some of their companies’ histories, the Lopezes are perceived by many as having monopolistic tendencies and prone to ruthless business tactics.

Numerous focus-group discussions conducted by the TV industry show that the viewing public perceives the Lopezes to be using ABS-CBN to further their interests. The question many Filipinos have now is this: Would they likewise use de Castro for their own ends if and when he becomes president?

The group Freedom From Debt Coalition (FDC) says the Lopezes already have done that with the vice president. They say that President Arroyo, through de Castro, allowed the bailout of the Lopezes’ beleaguered Maynilad Water company by allowing the government water agency Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to shoulder some of the Lopez company’s debts.

Aside from this, the government allowed not only Maynilad Water to charge higher rates, but also let the Lopezes’s Manila Electric Company (Meralco) do the same. But Chavez insists, “Noli will never compromise or sacrifice the national interest to big business.” The vice president, says Chavez, understands these things and is aware of the country’s political and economic history and the role cronyism played in the past.

DE CASTRO’S INNER CIRCLE
Friends like Recto are also trying to correct that impression. Recto says de Castro isn’t the type “to favor anyone…He understands that for business it’s leveling the playing field (that’s important). He understands (the need for) equal protection of the law.

Simple naman ‘yun di ba (It’s simple, isn’t it)?” Well, not really, at least not for de Castro. One of de Castro’s former media colleagues says that Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III, President of ABS-CBN Channel 2, is the one person closest to de Castro, the person whose voice is the most often in the vice president’s ear, closer even than his friends in the so-called “Wednesday Group.”

The Wednesday Group is de Castro’s political gang, made up of four other senators he struck a friendship with when he began his political career in 2001. They are former human-rights lawyer Joker Arroyo, businessmen Manuel ‘Manny’ Villar and Recto, and ex-student leader and lawyer Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan. The group meets at least once a week to exchange political gossip, give each other advice, and, since June, help de Castro prepare for bigger things ahead.

Recto describes how the group came together: “Joker became somewhat of a Yoda — considering his age and experience, he’s the eldest in the group. Manny and Noli are of the same age. Me and Kiko are of the same age. Joker, Manny, and I all came from the Ninth Congress so we’ve been together since 1992. Noli was a neophyte as well. We had good rapport in the session hall.”

But de Castro’s former media co-worker describe them this way: “Ralph and Kiko are the outer flank, Manny and Joker are the inner circle, and right beside Noli is Gabby Lopez.”

A “PROBLEMATIC” FRIEND
De Castro, however, has friends of his own outside the realm of politics and big business, and one of them actually put him in a bad light.

When de Castro was named head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and given the Housing portfolio after becoming vice president last year, he brought with him his friend Celso de los Angeles.

In September 2004, de los Angeles was appointed chairman of the National Home Mortgage Corporation (NHMFC), the agency that provides community mortgage programs to urban poor groups. De los Angeles didn’t last a year in office. He filed sick leave prior in mid-July, to going on terminal leave.

Nongovernmental organizations in the housing sector say that the few months that de los Angeles headed the agency was a time of “flagrant and brazen graft and corruption” at the NHMFC. By the last few weeks of de los Angeles’s term, these NGOs were asking President Arroyo to kick him out.

“We believe that one impediment in your housing program for the poor is Mr. Celso de los Angeles,” said the Philippine Undertaking for Social Housing and other groups working in the area of Community Mortgage Program (CMP), in a paid print advertisement addressed to President Arroyo on July 1, 2005. “We urge you to remove him from office because he is not morally fit to be in government.”

Their reasons had nothing to do with the fact that de los Angeles got into a very public fight with TV starlet Regine Tolentino over the P8 million worth of jewelry he supposedly gave her. Neither did they have anything to do with the fact that Ilocos Sur Governor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson, in his testimony during the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada, described de los Angeles as “isang jueteng operator din noong araw (someone who used to be a jueteng operator).”

INSTITUTIONALIZING PATRONAGE
What the housing NGOs had protested was the culture of palakasan and alleged increased incidence of extortion that prevailed at the NHMFC during de los Angeles’s watch. A turning point in the campaign against de los Angeles was the arrest of Nestor Favila, head of the Task Force Community Mortgage Program, on June 24, 2005. Favila was caught in an entrapment operation accepting P85,000. The sting operation had been prompted by several complaints against Favila for allegedly extorting from landowners selling land to the NHMFC.

On top of this, say organizers of the National CMP Congress, NHMFC officials encouraged urban poor residents’ associations to seek the intercession of congressmen, senators, and local officials in following up their community mortgage programs. The result: the institutionalization of patronage politics in the housing sector.

Nobody in de Castro’s circle of close advisers seems to know anything—or wants to talk—about his relationship with de los Angeles. Recto says he never heard of de los Angeles before, while Chavez would only say that de los Angeles was someone whom his staff saw in the 2004 campaign sorties twice or thrice. Yet he is apparently close enough for de Castro to have endorsed as head of a crucial government agency.

But de los Angeles did not seem that indispensable to the vice president. To de Castro’s credit, says Soliman, the vice president immediately took heed when told of reports of controversies de los Angeles found himself in. “Alisin na natin kung ganun (In that case, let’s take him out of that post),” Soliman quotes de Castro saying.

Hopefully, de Castro has no more friends like de los Angeles and Lopez waiting for him to be president. For sure, to most Filipinos, that would hardly be a “plus-plus.”

i Report Issue No. 3 | The Man Who Would Be President

Edward Perdido, Ilocos Norte:  Yes, I’m very convinced that he’ll be a good president since he is doing his appointed job with results. I think it’s enough basis and training for him to be the president.

Not your traditional politician

Nika Santos, Makati City: Yes, I would vote Noli de Castro as the next President of the Republic. He is a capable, honest and hardworking person at hindi mahilig sa pamumulitika.

Danny de Leon, Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia: I don’t see any reason why I would not vote for Noli de Castro as the next president. Compared to other traditional politicians, I think Noli would make a good president. He is pro-poor and honest. He helps OFWs, and he is not corrupt. After him, I’d go for MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and Sen. Manny Villar.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: As of the moment, I am decided about voting for Noli de Castro as our next president. He may not be as scholarly as the other presidential aspirants, but he is the least infected with political germs. He could be the Pres. Ramon Magsaysay of this generation. However, I may change my decision if either Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. or Gov. Grace Padaca or Gov. Ed Panlilio also run for the post.

G. Calupitan, Quezon City: Noli de Castro may be a man of few words, but his few words are rare gifts unlike the words of Loren, Erap, Ping, Villar, Chiz, Jinggoy, JV, Alan Peter, Jamby, etc., which are worthless junk.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Maybe. Kabayan is at least known for his public service. He’s not tainted with scandal as other politicos are and he isn’t egotistical, vain or power-hungry.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Noli, at least, showed respect for and loyalty to the Constitution when he rejected joining the Hyatt 10. He doesn’t engage in useless political bickering.

There are more qualified people

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: I wouldn’t vote for Noli de Castro for president. Let’s just say there are more qualified people for the position and one of them is Sen. Mar Roxas who is competent, honest and upright.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: A Kabayan Noli presidency would be an amalgamation of comedy and tragedy. The thinking citizenry considers him a simpleton catapulted into high public office by his Magandang Gabi, Bayan popularity. As a journalist, behind the veneer of respectability with which he projects himself, he has a Ph.D. in AC/DC.

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Nueva Ecija: I would not vote for him because I have abstained from voting since 1992, the year dagdag-bawas was blatantly done to Miriam Defensor Santiago. Another reason is that he cannot even come close to her in terms of intelligence and guts. He is all form and has no balls.

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: Mr. De Castro might be well-meaning in his popular public service activities but someone out there has more impressive credentials.

His name is clean

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Yes, I would prefer Kabayan. During his reign as VP, his name was never dragged in any major scandal, even in scandals involving PGMA. If we compare him to other likely presidentiables, Noli will stand out because of his almost untainted reputation. Even if he is often silent in the background, I believe he is doing his best in his job.

He has to earn my vote

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: He seems to be too good as housing and anti-squatting czar. He seems to be quite effective in clearing, relocating squatters. I need to see him perform further before I vote for him.

June Deoferio, Cavite City: As of now, no. But if he shows his integrity, honesty and leadership, then he can get my vote.

Lydia Reyes, Bataa:  I’ve been a fan of Kabayan since his broadcasting days but to be the next president, he has to convince me he’s worthy of my vote.

I’d keep him in mind

Jose Sevilla Jr., Quezon City :I’d vote for Noli, by reason of his position, training and experience. He’s service-oriented; his statesmanship needs only some polishing.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: As of the moment, Noli is not included in my list of choices. I have yet to see his programs or plans.

Esperanza Totanes, Parañaque City: If the choices would be narrowed down to Noli and a couple of other bets, I’d rather stick to Noli. Why? Why not?

Popularity is not enough

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: There is no doubt that Noli de Castro has good potential for the presidency if we consider only one aspect: His being a master radio and TV newscaster with a perfect and convincing voice. But, if we audit his balance sheet as a man, I’m sure he is like Lehman Brothers and Fannie Mae of the US: Bankrupt. De Castro’s only asset is his experience as an employee of a major broadcasting company that earned him his popularity. Popularity should not be the main consideration in winning the presidency. One must have money, so De Castro will need sponsors; thus, he will be traveling with a lot of baggage to be paid for later. I have not heard whether he owns or manages a successful business. How, then, will he manage the Philippine economy? This is only one of his several liabilities. Shall we vote for him?

He’s my second choice

Winnie de Castro, Metro Manila: Noli may be my relative but he’s only my second choice, after the apolitical Bayani Fernando.

Action man

Leonard Villa, Batac City :Yes, because while he’s not an intellectual heavyweight, he’s an action man and one with the dignity to govern among all the presidentiables. Noli is the man.

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: I would vote for Noli de Castro as the next President of the Republic because he was my officemate more than two decades ago at the DWWW office of RPN on Bohol Avenue. He was an announcer then and I know him to be a hardworking and honest person. His wife, Arlene, who was then part of the personnel of RPN, is also my friend. I hope they still remember me.

Can he handle the job?

Rizalina Reyes, Las Piñas City: From what I’ve heard and seen on television, Noli de Castro is a devout Catholic, a TV newsreader par excellence, and a knowledgeable radio commentator. Yes, he’s popular, no doubt about that, but his chances for the presidency are nil. What we need now is a strong-willed and intelligent president. Moreover, he will not have the heart to hurt his previous mentor, so all impeachment cases and corruption issues would surely meet their fate in the trash bin. Noli de Castro is a good man, but he will be an ineffectual president. I think he will only be exploited by unfavorable elements. As leader of the nation, the president is confronted with a multiplicity of problems and tasks. Can Noli de Castro tackle all that? Of course, he can resort to a battery of advisers, but the last say is his.

Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province: Does he manage his family well with fidelity? Is he honest? Patriotic? Does he have the political will to enforce laws?

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: I don’t think VP de Castro can speak English, that is why I won’t vote for him. How will he deal with the US?

Ric Vergara, Calamba City: I’m sorry. Maraming mapagpipiliang mas kwalipikado. Pwede rin kung si Erap ang kalaban niya, one on one!

Depends who the other contenders are

Leandro Tolenino, Batangas City: Yes, I might, but it will all depend on who the other contenders would be. I would want to have the option to choose from the many aspirants.

Mario Tejada, Ilocos Norte: Depends who his opponents will be. If it’s Sen. Lacson or MMDA Chairman Fernando, I wouldn’t vote for him. Otherwise, I might consider him. I want somebody who has balls and lots of integrity.

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: It’s too early to answer this question as I have yet to see who the other candidates are. As Vice President, however, he seems to be clean, which could be a point in his favor, but I don’t see in him the other ingredient that I’m looking for in a presidentiable: Strength in character of and strong governance tendency a la Lee Kuan Yew.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Too early to say. It’s 18 months away before the presidential elections. I might consider De Castro if nobody better runs for president.

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Without Bayani Fernando or Mayor Belmonte running for president, pwede na sa akin si Noli de Castro. Masipag siyang tao at seryoso sa trabaho.

He’s sincere

Imee Aglibot, Riza:  Yes, the truth is, Kabayan is a standout among the aspirants. He may be the least qualified in many aspects, but he tops them all in one way: Sincerity. This is how Kabayan was known even when he was a media personality. He has proven this virtue many times in the middle of many crises. He has proven his mettle, too. We are in the direst state and taking a gamble with Kabayan is one proud act I’d make.

Wenceslao Calma, Bataan: Yes, I prefer Noli de Castro as the next president because I find in him the sincerity to help the people, especially the poor ones, without fanfare.

He’s not the man our country needs

Joana Rizza Bagano, Benguet: We’re an impoverished country with a population of 90 million, almost a quarter unemployed; a declining quality of education; a government characterized by rampant graft and corruption; and struggling with the growing complexities in foreign policies brought about by globalization. Noli de Castro may not be the man our country needs.

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: We badly need someone who is competent, honest, upright and God-fearing or Filipinos will be doomed after being under lackadaisical leaders for the last four decades. Noli de Castro lacks some of these qualities.

Moral fortitude is a must

Don Hernandez, Las Piñas City: No, Noli de Castro does not have the backbone nor the balls to assume alpha male status in the arena of Philippine politics. Despite all the corruption and controversies that hounded the GMA administration, he hardly raised a stir and meekly towed the line like a true team player. What we need is a president with an acute sense of moral outrage that will act decisively in ridding our government of corrupt officials and scalawags.

Mandy Rillon, Cabnatuan City: Noli de Castro would be the same old type of president tainted with corruption. I will try Bro. Eddie Villanueva, who has moral fortitude and economic vision.

­ Fortunato Aguirre, Bulaca:  No, his character is weak. He sees, hears or speaks of no evil about anomalies besetting GMA’s administration. Dedma lang; wala siyang kibo. Sayang.

He’ll win anyway

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: No, but he’s going to win anyway for various reasons. Most of us from Oriental Mindoro would remain indifferent to him again as in the last elections. No offense, Ka Noli.

He doesn’t have the intellectual capacity

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: No, De Castro doesn’t have the intellectual depth that makes an ideal president. He’d be too adviser-dependent; thus, he will be indecisive like Cory and Erap.

Dennis de Jesus, Manila: No, why? Because in my personal vision and observation, he’s not the most qualified for that position. Ano ba ang nagawa niya as chairman of HUDCC? Wala po.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Noli, no doubt is excellent as a news reader and he has a good modulated voice. But running the affairs of a country? You must be kidding.

Richard Decena, Quezon City: No to Noli, kasi di pwedeng patakbuhin ang pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng nakahandang script. Bumalik na lang po siya sa  TV.

Mojie Ismael, Lanao del Sur: I wouldn’t vote for Noli de Castro because I believe he is incapable of handling the crisis currently facing the country.

He’s not even the legal VP

Jeff Otseta, Nueva Vizcaya: I will never vote for Noli de Castro. In the first place, he is not the true elected Vice President.

He ought to run as VP again

Juan Deveraturda, Zambales: VP Noli de Castro may be the most popular and most winnable candidate for president but he’s not the most competent and most qualified to occupy the highest position of the government. He should run as vice-president again.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Sorry, Kabayan, you’re not my bet. Don’t be fooled by surveys, that’s a trap to lure you. Just remain at second fiddle, and I’d vote for you.

We need somebody with political will

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Maybe Noli is honest and sincere, but in the Philippine political jungle, what we need is the likes of Bayani Fernando. He is an implementor and has political will.

C. Gaspar, Laoag City: Noli’s popularity rating is not my barometer. The country needs a strong president equipped with a discerning mind and the political will to face challenging issues.

Tony Gomez, Parañaque City: I will give my vote to the most qualified and most deserving, Bayani Fernando.

He hasn’t made a stand

Digoy Coro, Batangas City: Not for now. A good leader makes a stand on important issues. He should not maintain his neutrality in times of crisis.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: I have yet to see him as the leader who can stir this land out of the ICU of Asia’s pool of corrupt nations. He is soft and meek as lamb.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: I will not, for I have somebody in mind already. Noli de Castro is too soft to implement drastic changes needed to build a strong republic.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: No, Noli is a hesitant fighter. He was almost there but he dropped out. Perhaps, he is unsure of his purpose in life. He doesn’t want to be president. I believe he and Villar are GMA’s henpecked, oops, I mean hand-picked possible candidates to support. Whoever wins, she’s assured of a graceful exit and retirement.

It would give the Lopezes more power

Felma Roel Singsco, Northern Samar: Of course not! He worked for the Lopezes for years during his stint at ABS-CBN, and for him to be president of this country would be tantamount to giving the Lopezes political control of this country aside from their already unjust control of electricity and media.

The lesser evil

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: It’s easier for me to say no today; nevertheless, I would vote for him if, to me, he would be the lesser evil among the presidentiables.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: If I were to vote now, I would pick Noli de Castro, the lesser evil among the presidential aspirants.

Loyalty to GMA is his only flaw

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Yes, why not? He could also be a good leader. His only flaw is his loyalty to Ma’am. So far, he is one of the few who do their jobs silently. He is supposed to be accommodating and maka-masa. I haven’t heard talk of any misuse of funds, especially in the agency he handles, Pag-IBIG. His only slight weakness, compared to his contemporaries, is that he didn’t graduate from Harvard. Others belittle him, but for me, he’s real. I saw him at my daughter’s graduation at PICC and when it was his turn to speak,  nawala antok ko. He’s a brilliant speaker and talked with sense, too. Even though he’s the Vice President, he did not make a big deal of it. The masa in him is still reflected, anyway you look at it.

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: No, I would not vote for him. As McCain is to Bush, so is Noli to PGMA. He’s a clone of the administration. Why not Mayor Duterte?

Lacson is my man

June Wenceslao, New York City: No, because I intend to vote for Sen. Ping Lacson. For me, I think he is the one who can drastically change the political scene for the country’s favor and not for oneself.

Villar is more qualified

Alberto Arugay, Manila: No, I am for Sen. Manny Villar. Sen. Villar is more qualified.

THE WAY I SEE IT

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: The treasure trove that Russian authorities discovered in the person of De la Paz must be PNP’s money and can well serve for CSI lab equipment, other logistics.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: People nowadays don’t care about false surveys. What they want is food on the table.

With the country’s economic predicament, another PGMA trip abroad with 40 congressmen (wives and family included) was announced. Pinoy, magdusa ka. – Ed Alawi, Davao City

Source : Philippine Star:  Readers Section >> Inbox World