CEBU: TEODORO WINS FORUM'S MOCK ELECTION
AFTER PRESIDENTIAL FORUM
CEBU CITY,
JANUARY 22, 2010
(STAR) Lakas standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro
bested other presidential candidates during a mock election held following the
presidential forum at the Cebu International Convention Center yesterday
afternoon.
During the mock election, Teodoro garnered 456 votes from among those who witnessed the forum, dubbed the “Choices and Voices for 2010.”
Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party received 296 votes while Sen. Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party got 88 votes. Sen. Richard Gordon garnered 45 votes while evangelist Eddie Villanueva got 29 votes.
Former president Joseph Estrada, who was just allowed by the Commission on Elections to pursue his run for the presidency, got 19 votes. —Lucky P. Malicay (FREEMAN NEWS)
For Peaceful Conduct Of Polls: Presidentiables sign covenant By AJ de la Torre (The Freeman) Updated January 23, 2010 12:00 AM
[PHOTO
AT LEFT - BLOOD TIES: Second cousins Sen. Benigno Aquino III and Gilbert Teodoro
Jr., who are running for president in the May 2010 elections, greet each other
before the start of the People of the Year awards night at the Sofitel
Philippine Plaza the other night. Aquino’s mother former President Corazon
Cojuangco Aquino was a first cousin of Teodoro’s mother Mercedes Cojuangco
Teodoro. MIKE AMOROSO]
CEBU, Philippines - Six presidential aspirants, who faced the Cebuanos in a forum held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City yesterday, signed a covenant that shall be their guide in the conduct of their campaign for the May 10 elections.
The covenant was prepared by the organizing business organizations of Cebu and was presented to the candidates after the two-hour forum that started about an hour late.
All six – Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, former president Joseph Estrada, Sen. Richard Gordon, former defense chief Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro, evangelist Eddie Villanueva and Sen. Manuel Villar, signed the covenant.
Before the signing of the covenant, they also answered several questions raised in the forum co-organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Cebu Business Club.
Dubbed as “Choices and Voices for 2010, an Encounter with the Presidentiables,” the forum was witnessed by an estimated 2,000 people at the jam-packed hall and thousands of others over SkyCable TV.
Supporters of the aspirants, who could not be accommodated at the main hall where the forum was held, were seated at the nearby exhibition hall where three wide screens were put up.
The supporters came in their campaign colors and cheered loudly for their bets when they were introduced and when they strike a point in the forum that was moderated by businessman Manuel ‘Bunny’ Pages.
Each was given three minutes for an opening statement, where former president Estrada drew a lot of laughter from the crowd, when he forgot the time limit and was hardly into his opening spiel when cut off.
The organizers also noted down the promises of the candidates. Pages told the aspirants that the organizing business groups will publish these promises of the candidates and will hold the winner accountable for his promises.
While Estrada may have generated the most laughter due to his candidness, Teodoro, who is supported by the ruling One Cebu Party of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, drew the loudest cheers when he entered the CICC and during the first time he was introduced.
Questions were also asked by representatives from various sectors including an eight-year-old grade two pupil, who asked them about what they could do for the street children.
The presidential aspirants gave different views about the question, but all citing the need to address poverty and to increase the budget for education.
The candidates also took the opportunity to throw barbs at their opponents like when Gordon said that one thing that he will do when he becomes president would be not to pardon those who will be convicted for corruption.
The answer drew cheers and jeers from the crowd as Estrada, who was ousted from Malacañang in 2001, was later convicted for plunder, but pardoned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The legality of Estrada’s candidacy was raised to the Supreme Court, which ruled the other day that the ousted president can seek the highest post of the land once again.
Estrada, in several instances during the forum, had to be cut short when his time ran out and at one time took a jab at the Cebuano crowd when he asked if the audience understood Tagalog.
Villanueva said that among the presidential aspirants he is the only one not beholden to any party or advocacy group except to God.
Villar pointed out his achievements being a true to life ‘rags to riches’ story and cited the need for hardwork to address poverty.
Aquino, who also has a lot of supporters in Cebu, said that while he did not say that the others are not capable of becoming president, he is the one who speaks sincerely.
Gordon said that like Subic, which is his flagship, Cebu is one place in the Philippines that has shown that it can overcome many obstacles and rise above the rest.
Teodoro cited the need for a new airport runway to help boost the economy in central Philippines and the building of new bridges linking Cebu and Mactan, Cebu and Bohol, and even Cebu and Negros.
He also said that if elected, he will push for genuine reconciliation.
The presidential forum was supported by Aboitiz Equity Ventures and the Visayan Electric Company.
CCCI President Samuel Chioson said that they hope that through the event, they would be able to help the Cebuanos make a smart and wise decision as who to vote during the election in order to out the best person in the highest position in the Philippine government.—/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)
6 PRESIDENTIAL BETS FACE CEBUANOS IN FORUM
(STAR) THE FREEMAN -By Antoniette Parce - The Cebuanos will get a first hand look at the presidential aspirants today in a forum dubbed as “Choices and Voices for 2010: An Encounter with the Presidentiables,” at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.
Six hopefuls have been invited to the forum that starts at 4 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m.
This forum is jointly organized by three major business organizations — Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), and the Cebu Business Club (CBC) in partnership with the Aboitiz Equity Ventures and the Visayan Electric Company (VECO).
At 8 p.m., there will also be a demonstration of the automated elections to be done by SMARTMATIC-TIM.
The six presidential aspirants, who have confirmed to attend, are Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III of the Liberal Party, former president Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro Jr. of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas, Sen. Manuel Villar of the Nationalista Party and Sen. Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan Party.
Socio-political issues will be tackled in the two-hour forum that will be aired live by several radio stations and beamed live by SkyCable TV over channel 15.
There are limited seats available at the CICC and those attending are advised to be there at least an hour before the event starts.
Cebuano businessman Manuel ‘Bunny’ Pages will be the moderator of the forum.
He is the CEO and Chairman of Pages Holdings Inc.
Dilaab Foundation, Cebu Bankers Club, Philexport-Cebu, Philippine Retailers Association, Ateneo Graduate School of Business-Cebu Core Group, different local chambers and sectoral groups in the Visayas and the leading universities in Cebu are the groups that signified their interest to participate in the forum.
For security reasons, the organizers will strictly enforce the no ticket-no entry policy.
The entrance gate will be open at 1 p.m. while the plenary hall will be strictly closed at 3:30 p.m.
Only 250 supporters per party with IDs can be accommodated inside the Summit Hall.
Event Chairman Carmel de Pio-Salvador said, “Thousands of supporters are also expected to gather at CICC’s parking lot to witness the Presidential Forum.”
“Security arrangements are underway to ensure an orderly and safe event,” Salvador added.
Gene Gregorio, PR manager of SMARTMATIC-TIM Corporation said, “As we move closer to the Election Day, SMARTMATIC-TIM and COMELEC are now undertaking a massive and nationwide effort to educate voters from all sectors on the automated process of voting.
“We are pleased that our company will get a chance to demonstrate the use of PCOS machine before an audience of well-respected businessmen and community leaders in Cebu.” —/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)