MANILA, Philippines—New year, old foes.
Critics of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday vowed no respite for her in the new year and in the homestretch of her nine-year term. She has been in Malacañang since 2001.
“There is nothing Ms Arroyo will be able to do in the last few months of her reign of terror that will improve what people think of her,” said Leah Navarro, co-convener of the civil society group Black and White Movement.
Despite four failed attempts to impeach Ms Arroyo, Navarro said her group would continue to “seek redress in that direction” if only to make her accountable for unresolved allegations such as the “Hello Garci” controversy.
Navarro said her group would also continue to block administration efforts to keep Ms Arroyo in office beyond 2009, a lingering suspicion considering moves in the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution.
The move of Malacañang allies to spearhead Charter change can force the fragmented political opposition to forge a unified front against constitutional amendments to ensure that the presidential election in 2010 will take place.
The elusive unity within the opposition was pointed out by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. in separate interviews before the country ushered in New Year’s Day.
Cayetano said that Charter change remained the biggest issue confronting critics of Ms Arroyo in 2009.
Common platform
This will provide a common platform for the warring members of the Senate to unite against a “common enemy,” he said.
The opposition has several presidential aspirants but Cayetano said “the big hindrance—what is stopping these major realignments from becoming manifest—is the possibility of Cha-cha, and the possibility of the President staying on in whatever capacity after 2010.”
He said those in the administration had already made “commitments” to their presidential candidates, mostly in the opposition, “subject to the fact that it won’t be a question of choosing between President Arroyo and the next candidate.”
“In short, any political commitment hinges on there being elections in 2010,” he said.
So far, only Sen. Manuel Villar has declared that he would run for president, while Senators Loren Legarda, Mar Roxas, Francis Escudero, Panfilo Lacson and Richard Gordon are keeping coy about their presidential ambitions.
While there will be individual announcements and party recruitment, there is no realignment taking place “until the certainty of the 2010 elections.”
The prospect of no elections is scary for both the opposition and the citizenry, he said, adding that the first quarter of the year would be “crucial” because of Charter change.
The House initially decided to go it alone—proceed with Charter amendments without the Senate—but later declared a ceasefire during the holidays following a large rally spearheaded by the Catholic Church and the opposition in Makati City.
Joint voting
The Senate has been adamant that any Charter change resolution should be decided by both chambers, voting separately, while the much larger House wants a joint voting. The House will start floor debates on Charter change resolution when Congress resumes session on Jan. 19.
Quoting the “Art of War,” Pimentel said: “Under the Sun Tzu principle of the enemy of your enemy is your friend, they might engage in a unified effort to stave off a brazenly unconstitutional act.”
By “they,” he was alluding to presidential aspirants in the Senate.
INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Prospero Nograles is calling all pro-administration parties to field a common standard bearer for 2010 presidential elections, as negotiations to merge Lakas-CMD and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) near collapse.
In her report in GMA News’ 24 Oras Thursday, Maki Pulido said the merger of Lakas and Kampi seems impossible to attain before 2010 elections. Instead, Arroyo allies are now working to have a common presidential candidate to make pro-administration coalition parties intact.
Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: Although he’s a good man, I won’t vote for Noli de Castro as the next president. He is not an intellectual and will not make an efficient leader.
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.
MANILA, Philippines – Makati City Mayor Jejomar “Jojo” Binay on Tuesday announced his intent to run for president in the 2010 national elections.
A GMA Flash Report said Binay announced his presidential bid during the celebrations of his 66th birthday at the Makati City Hall.
The report quoted Binay as saying that he will accept it if the United Opposition (UNO) will not field him as their standard bearer. Binay is UNO president.
Meanwhile, a report over dzBB radio said Binay had already informed former President Joseph Estrada his plans to run in 2010.
Aside from Binay, those who have announced they will run for president or are reported to be eyeing the presidency in 2010 include Vice President Manuel “Noli” de Castro, Senators Manuel “Manny” Villar, Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Panfilo Lacson, Richard Gordon, Loren Legarda and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando.
Public opinion polling body Social Weather Station on Friday revealed De Castro is the top pick to succeed President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2010. Following his trail are Villar, Legarda, Lacson, Escudero, former President Estrada, and Roxas. – GMANews.TV
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Manuel Villar, who said to be eyeing the presidency in 2010, is a billionaire, records from the Office of the Senate Secretary said.
The same records show that the remaining 22 senators are millionaires and that the ’second-richest’ lawmaker in terms of net worth is Sen. Jamby Madrigal – who is still embroiled in an inheritance battle with other relatives – with P146.5 million.
Villar, a Tondo resident who made a fortune from mass housing, has a net worth of P1,041,383,9246.
“Poorest,” but still a millionaire, is jailed Sen . Antonio Trillanes IV with P2.6 million net worth.
Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., an actor, is the third richest with net worth of P118 million.
Aside from lawmaking, Revilla is still making money from television and movies, the latest of which is his top-grossing film “Resiklo.”
Sen. Mar Roxas, who is also said to be a presidential ‘wannabe’ in the 2010 elections, is fourth with a total asset of P172.4 million.
He however has a total liability of P61.7 million, or a total net worth of P110.7 million.
Fifth is Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, with P98.9 million; Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, P89.4 million; Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, P83.2 million; Sen. Pia Cayetano, P76.4 million; Sen. Loren Legarda, P46 million; Sen. Edgardo Angara, P44.1 million; and Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, P28.2 million.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is also expected as one of those who would run in the 2010 presidential elections, ranked 12th with net worth of P27.3 million; followed by Sen. Richard Gordon,P27 million; Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, P23 million; Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, P16.2 ,million; Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, P14 million; Sen. Francis Pangilinan, P13 million; Sen. Gregorio Honasan, P12.2 million; Sen. Lito Lapid, P12 million; Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., P11.5 million; Sen. Joker Arroyo, P11 million; and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, P7.5 million. – GMANews.TV
