PRESIDENTIAL BETS SHOULD ADDRESS CORRUPTION - UK ENVOY
MANILA, FEBRUARY 27, 2010 (STAR) By Pia Lee-Brago - The issue of corruption in the Philippine government should be made the priority of every candidate seeking the presidency in this year’s election in order to achieve the country’s full potential in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction, British Ambassador Stephen Lillie said yesterday.“This is an issue that matters hugely to foreign investors, just as it does to ordinary citizens. So central government will need to continue to keep counter-corruption high on its policy agenda, before and after the elections,” Lillie told the gathering of delegates from the League of Cities of the Philippines and The Asia Foundation.
Lillie made the statement as guest speaker of the conference seeking the review of counter-corruption reforms implemented by six cities supported by the British embassy.
Local officials of the cities of Calapan, Iriga, Roxas, Santiago, Sorsogon, and Tacloban that implemented counter-corruption reforms two years ago had gathered to count their gains from the British-supported project so as to propose more measures that would attract more investors.
Lillie congratulated the Asia Foundation for effectively implementing the project.
The British ambassador told the local officials to continue their effort to improve the system.
Lillie noted the efforts of local officials of the six cities to streamline the bureaucracy, which eliminated red tape and encouraged a favorable business climate to attract more investments.
By applying the recommended reforms, the cities of Calapan, Iriga and Roxas have increased their tax collection.
The conference marked the end of activities under the project. All cities participated in the eight-month Public Service Excellence, Ethics, and Accountability Program (PSEEAP) promoting transparency in service delivery, strengthening the accountability of local bureaucrats, and encouraging a customer-oriented culture in the delivery of basic services.
During the conference, the League of Cities of the Philippines and the Asia Foundation signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to provide the league secretariat with technical assistance in organizational development, financial management, program development, and policy advocacy to continue with the gains they achieved.
'Bro. Mike asked Erap to withdraw' By Dino Balabo (The Philippine Star) Updated February 27, 2010 12:00 AM
MALOLOS CITY , Philippines – Former senator Ernesto Maceda yesterday identified El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde as the emissary of a presidential candidate who allegedly tried to persuade former President Joseph Estrada to withdraw from the presidential race.
El Shaddai spokesman Mel Robles denied yesterday that Velarde discused this directly with Estrada. A source in El Shaddai recalled a television interview wherein Velarde told Estrada “not to run.”
In an interview yesterday on radio dwIZ, Maceda did not directly identify the presidential candidate behind Velarde, but added in Filipino that “it’s easy to identify the presidential bet, because we know who was endorsed by Bro. Mike.”
Sources told The STAR that Sen. Manuel Villar was behind Velarde’s actions.
Velarde endorsed Villar and other Nacionalista Party candidates during a recent campaign rally abroad.
Sources also said that despite gaining in recent popularity surveys, Villar remains threatened by Estrada’s appeal with the masses.
Estrada’s support from the masses has not waned, re-electionist Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) said during the campaign rally in San Jose del Monte City last Wednesday night.
“I don’t believe in surveys, the campaign has just started, they are in for a surprise by May,” he said.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, son of the former president and another senatorial bet of PMP, criticized Villar for imitating the campaign strategy of ex-President Estrada.
“There is a candidate who is imitating my father and claiming that he is also pro-poor. The candidate also imitated the color of PMP and he only lacks a moustache,” Sen. Estrada said.
He warned voters of the possible victory of Villar saying: “delikado ang Pilipino kay Villar (Filipinos will be in peril with Villar).”
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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