ERAP: I SHALL RETURN TO MALACAÑANG /
VILLAR WOOS MAKATI BIZ CLUB
[PHOTO
AT LEFT -
Former President Joseph Estrada kicks off his campaign in Plaza Miranda.
Mike Amoroso]
MANILA, FEBRUARY 11, 2010 (STAR) By Jose Rodel Clapano - Former President Joseph Estrada vowed to return to Malacañang and reaffirmed his commitment to continue his programs to lift the Filipino people from poverty and hunger.
Estrada held his proclamation rally in Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila yesterday, marking the start of the campaign season for the May 10 elections.
Estrada told the gathering that he would continue his fight against corruption in government and lift the Filipino people from poverty and hunger if he is given a fresh mandate in May.
Estrada said he is running again to regain the power that he claimed was stolen from him in 2001.
“We are all here today to regain the power that was stolen from the Filipino people... We are all here today to let them know that we are tired of rampant corruption and stealing from government coffers,” Estrada told the crowd.
He also urged voters to accept the money offered by candidates but put his name in the ballot on election day.
Estrada said he would ensure that the Filipino voters wouldn’t get cheated again, referring to the hotly contested elections in 2004 between President Arroyo and his bosom buddy, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr.
Estrada introduced his running mate, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay.
“With my running mate, the next vice president of the Philippines, Jojo Binay, and the entire slate of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), together, we join you, our people, to reclaim back our government and restore the power of the Filipino people. We will get back what they stole from you,” Estrada said.
Former ambassador Ernesto Maceda, campaign manager of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino-United Opposition (PMP-UNO), claimed an estimated 15,000 people attended the proclamation rally sending off Estrada and Binay on the campaign trail.
Maceda said the attendance at the rally only proves that the public welcomes Estrada’s intent to return to Malacañang and finish all the pro-poor programs he had started.
“The lack of peace and order in the country is the root cause why we remain poor today when in the 1950s, we were second only to Japan in economic growth. There is no peace and order, warlordism, kidnappings, hold up, rebellion and secessionist movement continue in Mindanao,” Estrada lamented.
“Even if we have the best economists in the country... if you do not have peace and order, we will fail and that is what happened to our country. We had all the best platforms of government, but we have failed because there is no peace and order, because of an insurgency movement and the secessionist group in Mindanao,” Estrada said. He urged rebel groups to “submit to only one flag, one Armed Forces and one government.”
“No more, no less. It is my duty as president and commander-in-chief to protect the territorial integrity of our country at all costs... even if it costs my life. We have a very small country, then you will divide it,” he said.
Estrada announced his plans to talk peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) if he is elected president.
“I am prepared to negotiate with the MILF or any rebel group, but I will negotiate from a position of strength,” Estrada told the rally.
Strength in numbers
Maceda said the number of people who attended the rally was more than that of other presidential candidates.
“The sheer number of people here dwarfs those in our opponent’s rallies, and surely belies the results of those surveys claiming the other candidates are ahead of Erap,” he said.
Maceda expressed confidence Estrada’s survey ratings would increase during the campaign period.
“Our campaign is gearing up and we expect to overtake the other candidates in the surveys in the days to come. Erap will surely return to Malacañang,” he said.
Yesterday’s rally also launched Estrada’s new campaign jingles and advertisements that focused on his achievements as president.
Estrada’s Senate slate includes Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, NBN-ZTE whistle blower Joey de Venecia III, Apolinario Lozada, detained Army general Danilo Lim, former senators Francisco Tatad and Sergio Osmeña, Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, lawyer JV Bautista, former election commissioner Regalado Maambong and guest candidates Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ramon “Bong” Revilla.
Before the proclamation rally, Estrada and Binay and the rest of the candidates attended Mass at the Pinaglabanan Church in San Juan City.
Binay told the gathering that the next administration would face a tough challenge in restoring public confidence in the government.
“Choosing the next leader of the country is not an easy task since we will be facing tough problems after Mrs. Arroyo steps down. Filipinos cannot afford to allow those who have no capability and experience to lead the government because they would only abuse power and serve their self-interest,” Binay said.
Binay also urged the people to remain vigilant, particularly on election day.
Binay said he and Estrada would lead the people in protest rallies if cheating in the election occurs.
Villar woos Makati Business Club, bares pro-poor agenda By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) Updated February 11, 2010 12:00 AM
[PHOTO
AT LEFT - Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar stands beside
Ayala Corp. chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala during a meeting with
members of the Makati Business Club yesterday. Also in photo is Villar’s running
mate Sen. Loren Legarda. ERNIE PENAREDONO]
MANILA, Philippines - After bombarding voters with his rags-to-riches story, Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. faced yesterday a critical business group to declare his commitment – and capability – to steer the country out of poverty.
“Just as I have promised to the people, we will make poverty alleviation our top priority. However, this is something that everyone, including the poor themselves, must strive for and work towards,” Villar said in a speech before the Makati Business Club.
“What I can do is give more access and opportunities to those who don’t have it because they are poor,” Villar said.
MBC members are generally critical of the Arroyo administration. A survey among its members has shown their wide support for Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Aquino III.
Villar was accompanied by his running mate, Sen. Loren Legarda.
“I will build safety nets for the less fortunate - more access to health care, for example. For our OFWs, there must be a system to address their needs when they encounter trouble overseas and to bring them back if need be,” he added.
Prior to his speech, Villar had a lunch of Salisbury steak with vegetables and steamed rice with businessman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Ramon del Rosario, Cesar Purisima, Rizalino Navarro, Dave Balangue, Felipe Alfonso, Ricardo Romulo, and Jose Cuisia, who are trustees of the MBC.
He jokingly told his hosts that he thought he was sitting with the Cabinet members of his closest rival, Aquino.
He admitted that he was reluctant at first to accept the invitation of the MBC to the Presidential Series, saying “I am not exactly your favorite candidate.”
“Although one must mention that the survey I saw represented only 13 percent of your membership. Someone even warned me that it would be like Barrack Obama addressing the Ku Klux Klan,” Villar said in jest.
Emphasizing anew that it would take an experienced manager to lead the country and that the presidency is not an on-the-job training, Villar said his administration would have zero tolerance for graft and corruption.
“Sadly, there is no country in the world that has been able to eliminate it (corruption) completely. I will work hard to reduce it significantly,” Villar vowed, adding that his administration would “set the tone for a competitive environment.”
He also pushed for job creation, which he claimed is “critical to solving the poverty problem.”
“What I will do is to create an investment climate where our country will be back on the radar screen of foreign investors. Simply leveling the playing field is not good enough,” he said.
“What good is a level playing field here, if the field in other countries is much more attractive?” he asked.
“All investors want clear rules, simple tax laws, availability and competence of labor and decent infrastructure,” he pointed out.
He also vowed to institute vast and immediate improvements in infrastructure, citing his “first things to do list” included the project to connect the Northern Luzon Expressway with the Southern Luzon Expressway.
Since funding is limited, Villar said he will consider implementing it through a build-operate-transfer scheme.
“I will strike a delicate balance between balance and safeguarding the environment,” he added.
MBC survey
MBC executive director Alberto Lim said the perception of businessmen, especially those in the MBC, may change after Villar has outlined his platform during the forum.
Lim believes the “low” ratings of Villar “could change” because he had a good showing.
“That’s why he accepted the speaking engagement because he is not merely talking to the MBC but the entire business community,” Lim told reporters.
“I have been accused of C-5 which is to me a clear concoction. I have answered that many times... there are others that I am supposed to be the candidate of GMA. I have not talked to GMA ever since I was ousted as Senate president,” Villar said.
“This morning, I got my cell phone (and saw text message) that I supposedly slept at the house of Ampatuan before the massacre,” he added, causing laughter among the audience.
New taxes
Villar also did not rule out initiating additional taxes “if necessary.”
“I cannot promise no new taxes as the next administration will inherit empty coffers. The fiscal deficit this year is projected to balloon to over P300 billion or about 3.5 percent of GDP,” he said.
“It would be irresponsible of me to limit my options knowing the magnitude of the problem,” he said.
“Of course, we will push to raise revenues and spend wisely. But as we have seen, raising revenues is not a simple matter. We already have one of the highest tax rates in the region,” he said.
“But people will have to pay their taxes. I am beholden to no one that I will be in a strong position to reduce tax evasion and smuggling in this country,” Villar said.
“I reserve the option to increase taxes. I did not say I will do this. We will stop smuggling, we will go after them. I will show that we are capable of going after them,” Villar said. With Dino Maragay
Erap on losing post again: Over my dead body By Jose Rodel Clapano (The Philippine Star) Updated February 11, 2010 12:00 AM
DAGUPAN CITY , Philippines – Former President Joseph Estrada vowed yesterday that the presidency will not be stolen from him again if he gets a fresh mandate on May 10.
Speaking to reporters at the Regency Hotel in this city, the standard-bearer of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino-United Opposition said the people would have to kill him first before they could remove him from Malacañang a second time.
“Over my dead body,” he said. “I will really fight this time.”
Estrada said he was forced to leave Malacañang in 2001 because he did not want to spill the blood of any Filipino.
“My stepping down in 2001 resulted from concern for the Filipino people and because I do not want bloodshed,” he said.
He twice refused a government offer to leave the country two weeks after he left Malacañang in January 2001, he added.
Estrada said his “God-given charisma” is enough to boost his presidential bid on May 10, and he does not need backup from popular personalities like Willie Revillame and Dolphy.
“I am not so handsome. I admit that Fernando Poe Jr. is more handsome that I am.
“If there are (popular) movie actors, you cannot tell if the people come because of you. This is not a stage show. We are here to tell the people that we have a platform for the people. I don’t have money to pay for them also. It is expensive.”
Estrada said he chose to start his campaign in Urdaneta, Pangasinan because it is the home province of FPJ.
“It’s like in 1998,” he said.
“It never changed. The reception of the people is overwhelming. We will campaign harder. On the ground, the people’s reception is very warm.”
Estrada said like in 1998, he is campaigning for the support of the youth because he lacked the capability to pay for a lot of ads.
“They should be more well-informed,” he said.
Estrada said the poor, not the elite, must be allowed to choose their own leader, because the poor are the ones making the economy move forward.
“Ever since, Erap is para sa mahirap (for the poor) even during the first time that I entered politics,” he said.
“Ninety percent of the roles that I played in movies are the roles of the poor, squatter, driver, NPA (New People’s Army). I know the feeling of the poor. I absorbed the needs of the poor.”
Binay to solve problems in education
Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Estrada’s running mate, vowed to solve the problems in education once he is elected vice president.
On the other hand, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile urged Pangasinenses to vote for the most capable and experienced presidential candidate on May 10.
“This election is very important,” he said.
“If you commit mistakes, you will be the one to suffer... President Arroyo has the blood of a Pangasinense, but she had forsaken the people of Pangasinan.
“The PMP ticket will give the right directions to the ordinary people. Erap knows what to do.”
The May 10 elections are most important because of the serious problems facing the country, he added.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada pledged to give P500,000 for scholarships for the poor in Urdaneta.
Estrada’s ticket was warmly welcomed during their motorcade in Urdaneta, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Calasiao, San Carlos City and Bayambang.
Some of Estrada’s supporters carried placards bearing the words: “Erap ayos ka na sa amin (Erap, you’re okay with us).” -Jose Rodel Clapano
It's Rizal's birthplace for Villar, NP By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) Updated February 10, 2010 12:00 AM
CALAMBA, Laguna, Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. kicked off the 90-day campaign period yesterday at the birthplace of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
A festive atmosphere prevailed during the rally, which was also filled with games and songs rendered by personalities led by rapper Blackjack and Bugoy Drilon of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) fame.
After almost a three-hour wait, emcees Valerie Concepcion and Raymond Gutierrez introduced the NP senatorial bets, including Mon-mon Mitra, re-electionist Sen. Pia Cayetano, Gilbert Remulla, lawyer Adel Tamano, Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos, Toots Ople, Gwen Pimentel, and Martin Querubin, who represented his detained father, Col. Ariel Querubin.
Also present during the rally were guest candidates Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Reps. Liza Maza and Satur Ocampo.
Another guest candidate, Sen. Bong Revilla, was called on stage but he was not around.
Santiago, a guest candidate from the administration, was the first to speak to the crowd and outlined her anti-corruption campaign.
Santiago had harsh words for Villar’s critics “in Manila,” calling them “ugly” and “lizards.”
In an interview before the rally, Remulla lambasted the other parties for resorting to name-calling.
“I think they are panicking because what we believe to be an insurmountable lead is a lead no more,” Remulla, also NP spokesman, said.
The NP also downplayed Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Noynoy Aquino’s charges that Villar had struck a deal with the administration to favor President Arroyo once the NP standard-bearer is elected president.
NP secretary-general Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said the LP camp should realize that the presidency is something that is attained by hard work and not sheer influence.
“They say Sen. Villar had a secret deal with President Arroyo, but it’s his relative (aunt) Lupita (Kashiwahara) who is a close adviser of the President. All those surrounding Noynoy are former advisers of President Arroyo,” Cayetano said.
Villar defends himself
Villar, in his speech, answered questions on his vast wealth, narrating how he struggled to get himself and his family out of poverty.
“Like many of you here, I persevered, I struggled and did well to free myself from poverty. With God’s mercy, I was able to attain my dream - to lift my family from poverty and succeed in life,” Villar said in Filipino.
By running for the top post, the NP standard-bearer said he merely wanted to return the blessings and opportunities given to him by giving back to the poor.
He did not mention the controversial C-5 Road issue but defended himself from questions on his vast wealth and rampant ad spending.
“But there are a lot of people who want to discredit my name. They said I am so rich. They ask where my wealth came from. They try to put malice on my success,” Villar said.
“I can explain my wealth. I worked hard for so long to raise our company. Now, this is the leader in the industry,” he added.
Villar reiterated what he has been stressing in presidential debates that he will not enrich himself and his family once he is elected president.
Women empowerment
Villar’s running mate Sen. Loren Legarda, on the other hand, emphasized the need for a holistic platform of governance as the country nears a change of leadership. She called on the voting public to consider a candidate’s concrete and tangible record of action in their choice of leaders.
“Our biggest fight is not a fight among politicians. It is a fight against poverty and hopelessness. That is what my seven-point agenda directly addresses,” said Legarda, who did the rounds of public markets in Laguna before attending the rally.
Legarda’s seven policy pronouncements and principles included a pro-people leadership: a leadership premised on the principles of good governance, strong anti-corruption mechanisms, efficient delivery of vital social services such as health and education, and upholding the rule of law.