MADRIGAL DARES UNA: DO SOMETHING CONCRETE FOR PABLO VICTIMS

MANILA, March 19, 2013-Instead of “conquering Southern Mindanao” as what the opposition claims it would do in its sorties here Tuesday/Mar. 19, Team PNoy senatorial bet Jamby Madrigal challenged the United Nationalist Alliance to do something concrete for the victims of Typhoon Pablo who are in dire need of relief and rehabilitation.

“I dare UNA to do away with politics and show their compassionate hearts by helping these people even in the form of a donation. I don’t think they can get away with their song-and-dance acts in these places,” Madrigal said.

Madrigal issued the remarks on the eve of UNA’s scheduled sorties in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, two areas ravaged by floods spawned by Typhoon Pablo last year.

The campaign manager of the Liberal Party-led coalition said he expects the opposition to make promises to woo the votes of Southern Mindanao, but doubts whether it has done anything tangible to alleviate the plight of Pablo’s victims.

“In contrast,” Madrigal said, “the Aquino administration has a solid relief and rehabilitation program in place for some 1,176 barangays in 43 municipalities, six cities and four provinces involving 986,346 families and over four million individuals.”

He said that as of last month, affected families in the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur have been the beneficiaries of  food packs and over a P1 million worth of non-food items such as blankets, clothing, mats and kitchen wares.

An additional P50 million in standby funds, Madrigal said, has been released by the DSWD for the food requirements of the affected families.

Madrigal also cited, among other things, the more than P4 million worth of burial assistance provided to 431 beneficiaries and the cash-for-work (CFW) program amounting to over P47 million.

“So you see, while the opposition has yet to offer anything, the Aquino administration is already doing what it can to ease the suffering of our brethren in Southern Mindanao,” Madrigal said. 

“Hindi puwede ang pa-Gangnam-gangnam dito.”

TRAGIC SUICIDE CASE OF A UP STUDENT OVER TUITION, A WAKE UP CALL TO REVIEW EDUCATION POLICY – JINGGOY

MANILA, March 19, 2013-Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is calling for a review and restructuring of the government’s college education policy, following the tragic suicide case of a University of the Philippines – Manila student after reportedly failing to pay tuition fee.

 

“I join the UP community and the entire student sector in mourning the death of a fellow Iskolar ng Bayan. This unfortunate incident where one promising student took her own life out of frustration should not have happened, especially when she belongs to a state university,” says Jinggoy, who completed his AB Economics degree in UP School of Economics.

 

Jinggoy cites that the “State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

 

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada further notes, “If this happens to the UP which is considered as the country’s premier state-funded university, I can only imagine more students undergoing the same distress and hardship in finishing their college education in private, considerably more expensive academic institutions.”

 

Sen. Estrada filed a proposed Free Public College Education System through his Senate Bill 447.

 

“By instituting a free public college education system in our country, we would be helping more of our less privileged constituents in realizing their dream of obtaining a college diploma. Also, through this legislative measure, we are able to provide these youth with the basic leverage in securing decent employment for them in the near future,” Sen. Estrada says in the bill’s explanatory note.

 

Apart from this, Sen. Estrada authored Senate Bill 496 or the Regional Subsidized College Education Program or RSCEP.

 

The measure seeks to establish a RSCEP in each region of the country which shall provide a free tuition and all school expenses in any four-year college course leading to degrees in engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine, education, computer science, nursing and mass communications; sustained provision for books, subsistence, clothing and transportation allowance; and contingent provision for medical and hospitalization expenses.

 

Both legislative proposals were referred to the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture and Committee on Finance.

 

Sen. Estrada intends to refile both measures in the incoming 16^th Congress and actively push for the passage of the same.

Drilon, Magsaysay appeal to NDF-NPA Participate in the elections, be sincere

Team PNoy campaign manager Sen. Franklin M. Drilon and former Sen. Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay Jr. on Tuesday/March 19 appealed to the Communist-led NDF and New People’s Army not to disrupt the conduct of a peaceful election in May, the first under the Aquino Administration.

“I challenge our fellow Filipinos who are members of the CPP-NPA-NDF to participate in the electoral process,” said Drilon, as the LP-led administration coalition candidates barnstormed the Caraga Region, one of the remaining hotbeds of the four-decade-old Communist insurgency.

One of the country’s poorest regions, Caraga is made up of the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

“The best and most effective way to change the system is by electing to power the people that we believe will carry out the reforms we all want to see,” added Drilon.

Drilon and Magsaysay also challenged the National Democratic Front, which has held on-and-off peace talks with the government since the 1990s, to “demonstrate utmost sincerity in pursuing peace negotiations.”

The government, the two said, is “resolute in finding ways to achieve lasting peace” in the country.

“Panahon na ng kapayapaan. Tapos na ang digmaan. Let us give peaceful elections a chance,” said Drilon.

During the presidencies of Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, Drilon was a consultant in the peace panels that were formed to reach out to Communist and Muslim rebels.

Magsaysay, whose father and namesake was instrumental in ending in the fifties the Huk rebellion tied to agrarian unrest, chided what he called wrongful activities attributed to NPA rebels such as imposing “campaign permits” from P50,000 to P5 million on political candidates visiting rebel-influenced areas.

“Team PNoy will not tolerate such activities as it will only worsen the problem on insurgency,” Magsaysay and Drilon said in a press statement.

Magsaysay said the government will “exhaust all means to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace” amid reports of the NDF’s insincerity in the stalled peace talks with the government.

“A peaceful Philippines is not impossible under the Aquino administration,” Magsaysay said.

“This is evident in the on-going discussions on the framework agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the Bangsamoro entity in which the first of four annexes have already been signed,” Magsaysay said.

“Team PNoy supports all efforts at ending the conflict in Mindanao. That is why the President needs a majority in the Senate, to ensure the success of the peace negotiations with the MILF, as well as with the CPP-NPA-NDF,” Magsaysay said.

CREATE LEGACY FUND TO SECURE FILIPINOS' EDUCATION NEEDS—ANGARA

MANILA, March 18, 2013-In the light of the tragic death of UP Manila student Kristel Tejada, Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on government to tap establish a legacy fund for education out of the revenues derived from the exploitation of the country’s natural resources.

Angara explained that such legacy fund is a more durable and sustainable way of financing the country’s education needs compared to leaving it wholly up to annual Congressional appropriations.

“I call this a legacy fund because legacy means securing the future, and the future is our children,” he said.

“The unfortunate death of Kristel strikes at the heart of what every Filipino family values—education for their children,” said Angara. “As we pray for Kristel’s repose and condole with her family, we must also strive to prevent poverty from driving our people to such extreme measures.”

Angara lamented that public investment in education as a percentage of gross domestic product has been declining. From a high of 3.8 percent in 1998, the present ratio is down to 2.1 percent, barely half of the United Nations’ recommendation of at least 6 percent.

The K to 12 program alone will require as much as P56.6 billion by 2017-2018 to finance senior high school (Grades 11 and 12) enrollment and additional teachers, classrooms, seats, textbooks, and toilets.

Angara cited government’s income stream from the Malampaya natural gas project as a major source for the legacy fund.

He said government share in the proceeds from the Malampaya natural gas project amounted to half a trillion pesos for the past 11 years, averaging $1 billion a year. The remaining 13 years left to the project are expected to further yield P580 billion in revenues for government.

“We should take our cue from the likes of Norway and Timor Leste which have set aside a substantial portion of their oil and gas revenues for social services, especially education,” noted Angara.

Other important sources for the legacy fund are the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, both of which are expected earn about P100 billion each this year.

“The same principle applies—let government set aside a substantial portion of gaming and lottery earnings to support education,” said Angara.

“Our needs are staggering so our response should be resourceful and extraordinary,” he continued.

“The lack of funding should never be made an excuse to abandon reforms. Similary, the lack of money should never inhibit our youth from getting into school. We should be harnessing the potential of young Filipinos like Kristel, not squandering it.”

Legarda Launches LOREN sa Bawat Barangay in Baguio City

MANILA, March 17, 2013-Aiming to address unemployment and underemployment in the country, Senator Loren Legarda will launch tomorrow LOREN sa Bawat Barangay in Baguio City.

LOREN, which means Livelihood Opportunities to Raise Employment Nationwide, will be the implementation of Legarda’s four laws on livelihood and employment—the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Act, the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Barangay Kabuhayan Act, and the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act.

“LOREN sa Bawat Barangay will be a consultation with various sectors of society and concerned local government agencies on how to raise employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. This is a program I did during my first term in the Senate and we will have it in every region in the country,” Legarda said.

LOREN sa Bawat Barangay will be composed of the following elements: implementation of the PESO Law, MSME Law, Barangay Kabuhayan Act, and Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act; conduct of jobs fair; and, disaster risk reduction (DRR) education and information campaign.

“We want to ensure that the livelihood laws we have made are implemented to fully benefit our people. We also want to secure the gains of our people and so it is important to make our communities disaster-resilient, which is why our DRR education and information campaign will be part of the LOREN sa Bawat Barangay,” Legarda explained.

Through the PESO Law, job seekers, including new graduates, are given information on available employment opportunities and services in their city or municipality. PESO officers should also offer job seekers with employment opportunities that are matched with their skills.

The MSME Law provides more assistance to entrepreneurs by requiring lending institutions to allocate at least eight percent (8%) of their total loan portfolio to micro and small businesses. It also provides access to new technologies and regular entrepreneurship training programs for workers to ensure the viability and growth of MSMEs in the country.

The Barangay Kabuhayan Act requires the establishment of livelihood and skills training centers in 4^th, 5^th and 6^th class municipalities for employment generation. It ensures that all livelihood and skills training centers offered by the national government are properly coordinated and implemented at the municipal level.

The Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act provides support to farmers and fisherfolk by requiring banks to allocate 25 percent of their loanable funds to the agriculture sector to finance the acquisition of equipment for farm production.

“This program will be a collaboration among government agencies to address unemployment and underemployment, and to provide not just jobs but also better earnings to the growing labor force,” Legarda said.

Legarda Deplores Student’s Suicide Due to Financial Woes

MANILA, March 16, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda deplored reports that a college student from the University of the Philippines-Manila committed suicide after she was forced to take a leave of absence for failing to pay her tuition fee.

“It is deplorable that this student had to take her own life, but it is even more regrettable if she indeed did it as she was unable to pay for her tuition fee,” said Legarda.

According to news reports, Kristel Tejada, freshman student at the UP Manila, committed suicide on Friday allegedly because she was not able to pay for her tuition fee, and was forced to take a leave of absence.

“Education is supposed to give hope to our youth as it will provide them wide opportunities in life, which is why our government is mandated to offer quality and accessible education to poor Filipinos through public schools and state universities and colleges (SUCs). But when education becomes inaccessible, especially to those who need it the most, then it defeats its purpose,” Legarda explained.

“We need to review the policies of our educational institutions especially our SUCs, which are supposed to prioritize students who are most unable to pay for tuition fees. This is the reason why I would want to take a deeper study on how we can expand our scholarship programs for college students,” she added.

The Senator said it would not be a big dent on the government’s education budget if college scholarships are given to the poorest of the poor since SUCs are already in place and have their regular annual appropriations from the national government.

Among Legarda’s priorities in her next term in the Senate is the expansion of the government’s scholarship program, ensuring one college graduate for every poor family, particularly by granting college scholarships to at least one member of each of the 3.8 million households that are beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program.

Fort Magsaysay hosts second leg of 4X4 off-road challenge

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija, March 15, 2013-Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (FMMR) recently hosted the second leg of Colt45 4X4 Extreme Series that was participated by Luzon members of the National Association of Filipino Off-Roaders (NAsFOR).

“This event seeks to promote Fort Magsaysay as a tourist destination where they can do various activities such as climbing, hiking, downhill mountain biking, camping, motocross riding, 4x4 off-road
driving, zip-line, and horseback riding as well as water sports in our coastal areas in Dingalan, Aurora namely kayaking, scuba diving, windsurfing, jet ski, and para-sailing,” said 7ID Commander Major General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.

“Now that we are seeing the death of insurgency and birth of peace and prosperity in Regions 1 and 3, it's high time that we transform certain parts of our camp into a place of leisure where families and
friends can bond. We want them to say that you haven’t been to Nueva Ecija if you haven’t visited Fort Magsaysay- the home of Kaugnay troopers,” Catapang added.

Participants had to go through three stages one of which was to go through rugged terrains.

In the end, JR Angeles of Nueva Ecija topped the leg with Edison Dunca of Pampanga ending second, and Red Diva of Isabela placing third.

The Reservation, with a total land area of 44,970 hectares, was created by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No.237 dated December 19, 1955.

It consists of the Cantonment area, Training Circuit, Kalinga sa Kawal off-based housing for military personnel, Jethropa Plantation, National Training Center (Balikatan area), and the Libingan ng mga
Bayani.

Legarda: Enrich Our Festivals, Preserve Our Culture

MANILA, March 14, 2013-Reelectionist Senator Loren Legarda encouraged Filipinos to carry on with the tradition of celebrating festivals in towns and provinces during her visit to Pampanga.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, said that the conduct of grand and vibrant fiestas is part of the rich culture of the Philippines and it brings Filipino culture closer to the people.

“We must continue to enrich these celebrations, which not only remind us of the history and traditions of our towns and provinces, but also unite people and communities as they work together in making our festivals successful,” she said.

The Senator explained that festivals are effective tools in preserving Philippine culture since these are conducted every year and involve everyone in the community including the young citizens.

She added that fiestas also help boost local economy through tourism, citing some major festivals in Pampanga, such as the Giant Lantern Festival, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, the Piestang Tugak or Frog Festival, the Apung Iru Fluvial Festival, and the Sinukwan Festival.

“Since Filipinos enjoy these fiestas in their towns and provinces, these celebrations become effective channels in bringing our culture closer to the people, especially to the youth,” she stressed.

“I urge all Filipinos to take that extra step of knowing more about the story behind the festivals in our country and take to heart the traditions passed on by our forefathers as these cultural treasures constitute the Filipino soul,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda to Pope Francis: Heal the Wounds of Division in the World

MANILA, March 14, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today welcomed the election of the Catholic Church’s new Pope.

“I join my fellow Catholics in rejoicing for the election of our new Pope. We should all pray for Pope Francis that he may accomplish his mission as Vicar of Christ and heal the wounds of division in the world,” said Legarda.

“The world is faced with many divisive issues and we find hope that Pope Francis will lead us to the path of reconciliation, respect, and continuous dialogue not only with our fellow Catholics and Christians but also with the members of other faith and religion that we may find unity even among our differences,” she added.

Early Thursday (Manila time), the cardinals of the Catholic Church elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as the new Pope. He is now known as Pope Francis.

Legarda to Gov’t: Prevent Humanitarian Crisis from Sabah Conflict

MANILA, March 14, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today called on the government to do everything in its capacity to prevent the occurrence of a humanitarian crisis that could arise due to the ongoing conflict in Sabah.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that while the government is already preparing for the needs of Filipinos returning from Sabah and arriving at the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, it can also call for help from humanitarian organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

“As our government is trying to provide humanitarian and consular assistance to Filipinos involved and are caught in the conflict in Sabah, many of those who have voluntarily evacuated from Sabah are proceeding to Sulu, Tawi-Tawi or Basilan, and with the influx of evacuees, there is a greater need for food, water, and temporary shelter,” she stressed.

“To prevent a humanitarian crisis, it would be prudent to seek assistance from the IFRC not only for those who are already in the country but also for the Filipinos who remain in Sabah. This we must do without abandoning reports of inhumane treatment of Filipinos in Sabah because these allegations need to be immediately verified by our government and action should be undertaken to put the alleged atrocities under check,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda to Gov’t: Prevent Humanitarian Crisis from Sabah Conflict

MANILA, March 14, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today called on the government to do everything in its capacity to prevent the occurrence of a humanitarian crisis that could arise due to the ongoing conflict in Sabah.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that while the government is already preparing for the needs of Filipinos returning from Sabah and arriving at the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, it can also call for help from humanitarian organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

“As our government is trying to provide humanitarian and consular assistance to Filipinos involved and are caught in the conflict in Sabah, many of those who have voluntarily evacuated from Sabah are proceeding to Sulu, Tawi-Tawi or Basilan, and with the influx of evacuees, there is a greater need for food, water, and temporary shelter,” she stressed.

“To prevent a humanitarian crisis, it would be prudent to seek assistance from the IFRC not only for those who are already in the country but also for the Filipinos who remain in Sabah. This we must do without abandoning reports of inhumane treatment of Filipinos in Sabah because these allegations need to be immediately verified by our government and action should be undertaken to put the alleged atrocities under check,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda to Gov’t: Prevent Humanitarian Crisis from Sabah Conflict

MANILA, March 14, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today called on the government to do everything in its capacity to prevent the occurrence of a humanitarian crisis that could arise due to the ongoing conflict in Sabah.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that while the government is already preparing for the needs of Filipinos returning from Sabah and arriving at the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, it can also call for help from humanitarian organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

“As our government is trying to provide humanitarian and consular assistance to Filipinos involved and are caught in the conflict in Sabah, many of those who have voluntarily evacuated from Sabah are proceeding to Sulu, Tawi-Tawi or Basilan, and with the influx of evacuees, there is a greater need for food, water, and temporary shelter,” she stressed.

“To prevent a humanitarian crisis, it would be prudent to seek assistance from the IFRC not only for those who are already in the country but also for the Filipinos who remain in Sabah. This we must do without abandoning reports of inhumane treatment of Filipinos in Sabah because these allegations need to be immediately verified by our government and action should be undertaken to put the alleged atrocities under check,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda to Gov’t: Prevent Humanitarian Crisis from Sabah Conflict

MANILA, March 14, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today called on the government to do everything in its capacity to prevent the occurrence of a humanitarian crisis that could arise due to the ongoing conflict in Sabah.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that while the government is already preparing for the needs of Filipinos returning from Sabah and arriving at the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, it can also call for help from humanitarian organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

“As our government is trying to provide humanitarian and consular assistance to Filipinos involved and are caught in the conflict in Sabah, many of those who have voluntarily evacuated from Sabah are proceeding to Sulu, Tawi-Tawi or Basilan, and with the influx of evacuees, there is a greater need for food, water, and temporary shelter,” she stressed.

“To prevent a humanitarian crisis, it would be prudent to seek assistance from the IFRC not only for those who are already in the country but also for the Filipinos who remain in Sabah. This we must do without abandoning reports of inhumane treatment of Filipinos in Sabah because these allegations need to be immediately verified by our government and action should be undertaken to put the alleged atrocities under check,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda to Bulakenyos: Take Pride in Your Rich Historical Heritage

MANILA, March 13, 2013-Reelectionist Senator Loren Legarda urged the people of Bulacan to take pride in their rich historical heritage and to contribute to preserving and promoting it.

During her visit to the province, Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, said that Bulacan is home to many great men and women—heroes and artists alike.

“Bulakenyos are descendants of heroic and artistic Filipinos—the great propagandist Marcelo H. Del Pilar, the hero of Tirad Pass Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar, prominent poet Francisco Balagtas, musician Nicanor Abelardo, and National Artist for Sculpture Guillermo Tolentino, among many others; and Bulacan is a province where several highlights in the history of our country happened,” she pointed out.

“I urge the people of Bulacan to help promote their historical heritage and contribute to a reawakening of the Filipinos’ pride for our history and culture,” she said.

The Senator also said that Bulacan was the venue of many historical events related to the country’s independence such as the signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, the establishment of the Capital of the First Philippine Republic in Malolos, and the drafting and ratification of the Malolos Constitution.

“In this era of modernization and technological advancements, we are faced with the great challenge of reminding our citizens of their historical and cultural roots. While we acknowledge that there are more pressing needs, such as food, jobs, education, and healthcare, we should also take time to look back at our history, which would make us have a deeper appreciation of what we have now, like independence and democracy, which the heroes of our nation have mightily fought for,” said Legarda.

Legarda to 2013 Graduates: Explore More Options in Job-Searching

MANILA, March 12, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda urged college graduates to explore more options in searching for work opportunities, stressing that the government has various programs and agencies that can help those seeking for employment.

Legarda said that while the government is seeking for ways to generate more jobs, college graduates should explore other available options in the government, such as those provided for by Public Employment Service Offices (PESO), that could help them land a job.

“Public Employment Service Offices, which every local government unit must have, serve as information centers where job seekers can ask about available employment opportunities and services offered by the Department of Labor and Employment and other labor-related agencies,” she explained.

“Furthermore, PESO officers should take a more proactive role of being local employment policy advisers, employment creation managers, and training managers,” she added.

Legarda, co-author of Republic Act 8759 or the Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, said that PESOs are tasked to urge employers and business owners to inform them about job vacancies, which they can offer to job seekers.

Every PESO should also undertake programs such as job fairs, livelihood bazaars, and other similar activities.

“Our graduates, armed with their diplomas and the knowledge and experience they have gained in the years they have spent in school, aside from applying directly to companies, should also visit the PESO in their areas since these offices can offer them not only employment opportunities but also information on how to get the job that they want,” Legarda said.

TEAM PNOY TO BRING ‘GOOD NEWS’ TO ELECTORATE

MANILA, March 12, 2013-Candidates of the administration coalition Team PNoy on Tuesday/Mar. 12 said President Aquino need not fret on the lack of media exposure of his administration’s various accomplishments.

Saying good governance always has a way of getting appreciated, the Team PNoy candidates vowed to do the relaying of the good news to the people themselves.

They cited the recent Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia surveys showing the continued domination of the administration’s senatorial candidates as proof of this appreciation.

Reacting to reports that President Aquino is dismayed over the lack of media exposure on his administration’s achievements, former Sen. Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay said he will personally relay them to the electorate particularly the increased tourist arrivals, the construction of more classrooms and the soaring local stock market.

“This has to be appreciated by the people in the light of opposition claims that they can offer a better alternative,” said Magsaysay, son of the popular late President Ramon Magsaysay.

Former Sen. Jamby Madrigal said it is important for the electorate to put people in the Senate who can help the President continue his reform programs.

“We have to make sure that the programs he has put in place will be sustained so inclusive economic growth in the country can be realized,” Madrigal said.

The Team PNoy candidates pointed out that with the government’s revitalized tourism campaign, the country generated 37 million domestic travelers in 2011, exceeding the government’s 2016 target of 35 million.

The stock market, they added, has repeatedly broken records, most recently reaching the 6,800 mark.

By the end of this year, the government hopes to solve the shortage of 66,800 classrooms, they said.

PULSE ASIA POLL SHOWS PINOYS WANT ISSUE-ORIENTED CAMPAIGN, SAYS TEAM PNOY

MANILA, March 11, 2013-The administration coalition Team PNoy on Monday/March 11 said the latest Pulse Asia survey showing its continued overwhelming dominance of the opposition UNA only proves that the electorate is responding positively “to a clean, issue-oriented, and message-driven campaign.”

Team PNoy spokesman Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo said the nationwide poll released by Pulse Asia on Monday confirms what the Liberal Party-led coalition has been saying all along -- that "a clear positive message, more than mud-slinging campaign style coupled with hoopla and entertainment,  is what the people have been aching to hear from the candidates.”

“This campaign has always been about issues and our people are listening, responding, and reacting to our candidates in a meaningful way. All our sorties bear this out. Sawa na sila sa maka-lumang kampanya ng paninira," he said.

Bam Aquino’s almost 12% rise in the survey made him the biggest gainer of Team PNoy's positive campaign style. "In just one month, Bam rose from 13^th place to 6^th place without having to resort to mud-slinging,” Quimbo said.

Another significant survey gainer is Team PNoy candidate Grace Poe, the former MTRCB chairman. Despite being dropped by UNA from its slate, she got an 11.2% boost in her rating, landing her in the 4th-10th spot.

Quimbo said Poe’s meteoric rise “only means that UNA lacks endorsement power,” referring to UNA's decision dropping Poe and two other Team PNoy bets, Sen. Legarda and Escudero, as guest candidates from its slate last month.

“UNA’s decision has had a liberating effect on her. Noong nilaglag siya ng UNA, du’n pa tumaas ang rating niya,” Quimbo said. He likewise observed that Legarda and Escudero continue to top the surveys despite the dropping by UNA.

The Marikina lawmaker said the Pulse Asia survey “is a complete validation of the previous SWS poll conducted a week before the Pulse Asia survey which showed Team PNoy candidates holding an overwhelming lead over those of UNA.

“I wonder if this time, UNA will accept these results,” Quimbo said.

He also pointed out that the survey was conducted when the Sabah issue dominated the news headlines. “Again, this confirms our position that the said issue, contrary to what UNA candidates had been saying, will have no negative effect on Team PNoy candidates,” he said.

The pre-election survey, conducted between Feb. 24-28, showed that of the 15 candidates who have a ‘statistical chance of winning,” nine were under the Team PNoy slate while six were from UNA.

Re-electionist Senators Legarda, Escudero, and Alan Peter Cayetano – all from team PNoy-- shared the first three places while former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada, Bam Aquino, and Nancy Binay were in joint 4^th to 9^th places.

Poe was tied in 4^th to 10^th places, re-electionist Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel was at 4^th to 12^th place and re-electionist Gregorio Honasan at 8^th to 13^th place. Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile and re-electionist Antonio Trillanes IV tied at 9^th to 15^th places; Aurora Rep. Edgardo “Sonny” Angara at 10^th to 15^th place; and former senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Richard Gordon at 11^th to 16^th places.