Neophyte crushes grizzled pol in Ecija capital

PALAYAN CITY – A neophyte politician has been proclaimed mayor-elect in this provincial capital, beating by landslide a grizzled former three-term congressman on the comeback trail in a monumental upset.

          Arriane Mae Cuevas of the Liberal Party garnered a total of 11,529 as against the 6,931 of former congressman Pacifico Fajardo of the Nationalist People’s Coalition-Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (NPC-Balane)  or a margin of 4,598.

          In what city election officer Westly Rey Del Fonso said is one of the most lop-sided scores in this city’s political history, Cuevas won 65 percent of the votes in the 19 barangays in this city where the Fajardos used to be political kingpins.

          However, Cuevas’ running mate, outgoing three-term Mayor Romeo Capinpin lost to Florante Mercado in the vice mayoral race. Mercado of NPC-Balane - son of former three-term Makati vice mayor Nestor - amassed 10,375 votes as against Capinpin’s 7,391 or a vote difference of 2,984.

          Cuevas’ allies won six seats in the 10-man Sangguniang Panlungsod. They are Capinpin’s son Romaric who obtained 9,630 votes; Jesusa Fajardo (9,071), Abegail Bantegui (6,409), Rogelio Piadozo (6,126), Ernesto Lutap (6,116) and outgoing Vice Mayor Moises Carmona Jr. (5,374).

          Mercado’s partymates who won were Ian Howell Guyud (7,251) and Rosalia Merez (6,828). Independent Petronio Garcia got 6,433.

          Fajardo’s defeat could signal the end of a checkered political career for one of Nueva Ecija’s acknowledged political heavyweights which started when he became mayor for three terms.

          In 1992, he became congressman in a stunning upset,  bringing down Hermogenes Concepcion Jr., a former justice of the Supreme Court in the third congressional district. Their face-off was a classic David vs Goliath fight.

Fajardo handily won reelection in 1995 and 1998. His political clout as a Lakas-CMD stalwart resulted in three consecutive three-year terms as mayor for his wife Leonora and one term for their daughter, Lorelei, a former deputy presidential spokesperson and presidential assistant for Central Luzon under the administration of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

          Fajardo ran for governor in 2001 but lost by landslide to then-governor Tomas Joson III. At the height of Edsa Dos which thrust Mrs. Aquino into power, Fajardo was appointed administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority which he served for seven months.

          A successful businessman before he entered politics, Fajardo has held various posts in government and the private sector, including director of San Miguel Corp. (Manny Galvez) 

Legarda Hails Enactment of K to 12 Law

Senator Loren Legarda today hailed the enactment into law of Republic Act 10533, the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, and stressed that the Philippines’ upgrade to a twelve-year basic education will make it at par with the education system and standards of other countries.

Legarda, co author of RA 10533, said that the K to 12 Law brings a multitude of benefits to the Filipino youth.

“I am happy that the K to 12 program is now institutionalized through the law which President Aquino recently signed. This law addresses the problem of poor families who have no means to bring their children to kindergarten. Moreover, the 12-year basic education cycle addresses the need of highschool graduates who opt out of the university system by preparing them for possible technical-vocational education,” she explained.

Legarda said that under the law, basic education program will now encompass one year of kindergarten education, six years of elementary education, and six years of secondary education.

The Senator added that another salient feature of the law is the use of regional or native language of learners for kindergarten and the first three years of elementary education, instruction, teaching materials, and assessment, which is important for children to better understand their lessons in the first years of formal school before being introduced to a new language.

“This enhanced system of education will ensure that our children will be prepared to enter school through kindergarten and will be better prepared to choose the path they wish to take after having finished basic education through the additional years in highschool. Furthermore, this system makes them more globally-competitive since they will no longer be forced to master their lessons in a shorter span of time,” Legarda said.

Drilon wants Comelec, DFA to explain poor participation in absentee voting abroad

Despite an increased budget allocated to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for a wider implementation of the overseas absentee voting (OAV) law, less overseas Filipinos took part in the last elections and Senate Finance Committee head Sen. Franklim M. Drilon wants an explanation from the two agencies.

“I hate to sound like a broken record, but I again deplore the dismal implementation of the absentee voting law in the just-concluded midterm elections,” said Drilon, who was one of the principal sponsors of Republic Act No. 9189, or the Overseas Absentee Voting Act, when it was enacted by Congress in February 2003. “I want the DFA and the Comelec to explain why.”

Drilon, who was campaign manager of the administration Team PNoy senatorial slate, disclosed that of the 737,759 registered Filipino voters abroad, only 113,209 voted with a voters’ turnout of only 15. 35 percent.

“This turn out,” Drilon noted, “is way below the already low 26 percent overseas absentee voting turnout during the 2010 elections. Its seems that less and less Filipinos abroad are inclined to exercise their right to vote, contrary to the intention of Congress when this law was enacted.”

“When we crafted the absentee voting law, we wanted to empower the overseas Filipino workers in the hope that at least they can influence the result of the election by electing qualified leaders," recalled Drilon. “However, the turnout is getting more and more disappointing by the election.”

Drilon, who presided over the deliberation of the 2013 national budget in the Senate in September last year, noted that P105.038 million was allocated for the Comelec and another P43.41 million was allocated to the DFA for the implementation of the absentee voting law this year.

“With only 113,209 overseas Filipinos voting, the cost of each absentee vote is now P1,310 per vote. This is outrageous. I wonder how the Comelec and the DFA can justify these numbers,” Drilon said.

During the budget hearings, Drilon recalled that he specifically directed the DFA to find ways to increase the participation of overseas Filipinos in absentee voting (OAV) in the 2013 midterm elections, amid the tightening fiscal position of the government.

After 2010 elections, Drilon lamented the poor absentee voting turnout, noting that the actual number of voters that participated in that elections totalled 153,323, which represented only 26 percent of the 589,830 registered absentee voters.

Legarda to push for ‘Pantawid Tuition Program’, ‘zero backlog’ in classrooms

Senator Loren Legarda today said that the continuous improvement of the country's education system will be among her priorities in her third term in the Senate, stressing support to the Department of Education's goal of addressing the backlog of classrooms.

Based on DepEd's records, the country still has a backlog of 50,921 classrooms in 2012.

“Karapatan ng bawat batang Pilipino ang makapag-aral, at makapag-aral sa isang kapaligirang angkop sa kanya. Sisikapin nating solusyunan ang kakulangan sa klasrum ng sa gayon wala ng Pilipino ang kailangang problemahin kung saan siya papasok at mag-aaral,” the re-elected senator said.

“President Aquino has already signed the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, which would upgrade the quality of our education system through a 12-year basic education program. In line with this, we must also aim to address problems related to physical infrastructure such as classrooms,” said Legarda, co-author of Republic Act 10533, the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.

From 2010-2012, Legarda allocated a total of 146 million pesos for 291 classrooms and school buildings in various parts of the country.

Legarda, who will be serving her third term, also vowed to push for the passage of the ‘Pantawid Tuition Program’, a bill that would fund one college graduate in every poor Filipino family.

"Ang aking hangarin, ang aking gagawin, at ang aking sisikapin sa aking susunod na termino ay magkaroon ng kahit isang diploma ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino, lalo na yung nasa ilalim ng 4Ps, para ang bawat mahirap na pamilya ay siguradong magkakaroon ng isang college graduate," she said.

Mga kandidato ng Partido Liberal, wagi sa Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija-Nagwagi ang mga kandidato ng Partido Liberal sa mga bayan ng Llanera, Carranglan, General Tinio at lungsod ng Cabanatuan.

 

Muling nahalal bilang alkalde ng Cabanatuan si Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara na lumamang ng 78,470 boto laban sa 45,761 boto ni Emmanuel Antonio Umali ng Unang Sigaw.

 

Kasabay ding naiproklama ang kanyang Biseng si Marius Garcia at linya ng mga konsehal: Jean Yasmin Cruz, Ariel Severino, Mario Seeping, EJ Joson, Bunso Roque, Jonjon Del Rosario at Lito Saclolo Jr.

 

Bukod tanging sina Janjan Cecilio, Gave Calling at Bok Diaz lamang ang nakapasok sa hanay ng mga konsehal ni Umali.

 

Samantala, sa bayan ng Llanera, nagwagi ang buong alyansa ni reelectionist Liberal Mayor Lorna Mae Vero at kanyang bise Ronnie Roy Pascual.

 

Nagwagi din ang mga kandidato ng Liberal sa bayan ng Carranglan, punong bayan Mary Abad at Bise Efren Alfonso Jr. at sa General Tinio, punong bayan Virgilio Bote at kanyang bise Ferdinand Bote. (Camille C. Nagano)

Suansing, Violago, Ipinroklama na bilang kinatawan ng una at ikalawang distrito sa Nueva Ecija

LUNGSOD NG CABANATUAN, Nueva Ecija-Ipinroklama na kagabi ng Provincial Board of Canvassers sina Estrellita “Ging” Suansing at Joseph Gilbert Violago bilang kinatawan ng una at ikalawang distrito sa lalawigan.

 

Ayon kay Lydia Pangilinan, provincial election supervisor, lumamang sa ika-unang distrito si Suansing sa puntos na 109,059 laban sa 90,125 na boto ng katunggaling papalabas na Mayor ng Quezon, Mariano Cristino Joson at 17,219 na puntos ni Renato Diaz.

 

Sa ikalawang distrito naman nanatili sa kinauupan si Violago na tumakbong walang kalaban nitong nakaraang halalan at sinolo ang 164,214 na boto.

 

Kasabay na ding ipinroklama sa pagkaboard member sina: Eduardo Rey Joson (121,000 boto), Belinda Palilio (111, 608 boto), at Eric Daniel Salazar (79, 408 boto) para sa unang distrito.

 

Sa ikalawang distrito, sina Joseph Ortiz na may 102, 982 na boto at Ed Agliam na may 87,795 na boto.

 

Samantala, inaasahan ng Provincial Board of Canvassers na matatapos na din ang transmisyon ng mga boto sa ikatlo at ikalawang distrito ng lalawigan. (Camille C. Nagano)

Noveras, Angaras proclaimed in Aurora

BALER, Aurora – Outgoing Vice Gov. Gerardo Noveras was officially proclaimed Tuesday night as the duly elected governor in Aurora, heralding the changing of the guard in the Capitol in this province where the Angaras are the political kingpins.

          Noveras was proclaimed by the Provincial Board of Canvassers led by Commission on Elections provincial election supervisor, lawyer Jocelyn Postrado at the packed session hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at 11 pm Tuesday along with his allies board members-elect Bobong Ong and Mariano Tangson.

          A few minutes later, congressional chief of staff Rommel Angara was also proclaimed duly elected vice governor over former Baler mayor Emil Etcubanez and her aunt, outgoing three-term Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo as winner in the race for the lone House seat.

          Noveras of the Nationalist People’s Coalition garnered 47,167 votes as against the 37,312 of his rival, outgoing three-term Baler Mayor Arthur Angara of Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

          Noveras won in five of the province’s eight municipalities, including a margin of 4,000 in his hometown Maria Aurora. He lost in the towns of Dingalan, Dinalungan and in this town.

          Noveras’ midnight proclamation was made even with the results in the town of Dilasag not yet transmitted to the provincial canvassing center here after it was erroneously reported in a television station that the Comelec proclaimed Mayor Angara as duly elected governor.

          The controversial report of TV 5 was personally watched by the vice governor himself.

          This prompted Noveras to file a motion for his proclamation on the ground that it is no longer possible to affect the outcome of the elections even without the results in Dilasag. The PBOC granted the request.    

          Noveras said Mayor Angara conceded defeat and congratulated him. “He relayed to me his wish that I would continue to pursue the vision for development of the Angaras,” he said. – Manny Galvez

Umali, running mate headed for landslide victory in polls

CABANATUAN CITY – Reelectionist Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali and his running mate, Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos appear headed for landslide victories based on partial unofficial tallies of election returns.

          Based on a tally of 1,390 out of 1,850 ERs or 74.7% covering 735,979 of 1,363,633 registered voters, Umali of the Liberal Party/Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago, obtained 416,069 votes as against 254,156 of outgoing first district Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson of the Nationalist People’s Coalition-Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (NPC-Balane) or a difference of 161,913.

          Padiernos garnered 404,379 votes as against Joson’s brother-in-law and running mate, ex-vice governor Eduardo Joson IV’s 228,875 or a margin of 175,504.

          Umali also posted landslide victories in the 2007 and 2010 gubernatorial races over Joson-Manuel’s husband, former vice governor and outgoing Quezon Mayor Mariano Cristino and then-vice governor Edward Thomas Joson, respectively.

          Official tallies from the Provincial Board of Canvassers chaired by lawyer Lydia Pangilinan also showed Umali getting 300,133 votes as against Joson’s 174,322 while Padiernos got 290,863 to Joson’s 158,988 as of presstime.

          Pangilinan said they have yet to receive electronically transmitted results in the cities of Cabanatuan and Gapan and the municipalities of Cabiao, Gabaldon, Guimba, Jaen, Licab and Pantabangan.

          In the congressional races, Board Member Estrelita Suansing holds a wide margin over Mariano Cristino and comebacking former two-time congressman Renato Diaz in the first district.

          Suansing, wife of Customs deputy commissioner Horacio, obtained 85,469 votes as against Joson’s 71,179 and Diaz’s 13,862.

          In the third district, Umali’s wife, reelectionist Rep. Czarina is headed for another landslide win with 105,952 votes as against human rights lawyer J.V. Bautista’s 58,989.

          In the fourth district, outgoing three-term Rep. Rodolfo Antonino’s daughter Magnolia is leading the four-way congressional race with 106,813 as against 35,205 of two-term San Leonardo Mayor Froilan Nagano, the 25,759 of former two-term congresswoman Julita Villareal and the 16,871 of Villareal’s sister-in-law, former San Isidro mayor Sonia Lorenzo.

          In Cabanatuan City, Umali’s younger brother, outgoing Board Member Emmanuel Antonio, is trailing reelectionist Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara (33,529-57,118). – Manny Galvez    

LEGARDA CALLS FOR MASSIVE CLEAN-UP AFTER ELECTIONS

A day after the May 13 elections, Sen. Loren Legarda has instructed her staff, campaigners and supporters to engage in "oplan linis."

            Legarda, a staunch environmentalist, said all her regional political officers will be responsible for cleaning up and gathering her campaign materials like posters and tarpaulins in every city and municipality across the country.

            In order not to put to waste these campaign materials, the senator plans to donate them as recyclable materials.

            She also plans to mount an exhibit in the Senate to showcase arts from trash.

            “The trash or garbage from the campaign has an effect on the environment. It behooves all candidates to instruct their campaigners and supporters to gather their trash and practice proper waste segregation,” she said.

Legarda is the principal author of the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which  provides for recycling as well as segregation of garbage at its source, segregated transportation, processing, treatment and proper disposal of solid waste.

She said local government units (LGUs) should also be at the forefront of this massive clean-up drive after the elections.

Public school teachers in CL ready to give “full degree of service” this election

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, May 13, 2013-Public school teachers have taken a break from the preparations for the full implementation of K to 12 curriculum this coming school year in order to give their  “full degree of service” for the midterm polls.

“As practiced, our personnel will give its full degree of service quality to the citizenry. We have already organized election task forces at the regional and division level” said Department of Education Regional Director Isabelita Borres.

Around 15,800 public school teachers in Central Luzon will go on duty for this election or 35 percent of the total workforce.

“We are now giving P3,000 for the honoraria plus P500 for transportation allowance and extra P500, that is about P4,000 per teacher” Borres added.

There is also an insurance of P13,000 in case there are minor accidents that may transpire and as assistance in terms of harassment.

Central Luzon has 5,823,044 registrants for the midterm polls the third biggest in the archipelago. 

Bulacan has the most number of voters in the region at 1,497,873 followed by Nueva Ecija with 1,363,646; Pampanga-1,239,372; Tarlac-692,948; Bataan-456,648; Zambales- 444,202; and Aurora-128,355.

Southern Tagalog remains the nation’s most vote rich area with over eight million followed by Metro Manila with 5.9 million. 

Meanwhile, Some 1,429 local positions will be up for grabs in Region 3 consisting of 21 congressional seats, 7 gubernatorial, 7 vice gubernatorial, 68 provincial boards, 130 mayoral, 130 vice mayoral, and 1,066 councilors. (Joelyn G. Baluyot)

Police, Army nab six armed men in Bulacan

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, May 12, 2013-Six armed men, who are allegedly members of the New People’s Army (NPA), were nabbed on Friday at a Commission on Elections (COMELEC) checkpoint in Villarama Highway, barangay Bitungol in Norzagay town in Bulacan.

 

“The group, who converted a civilian vehicle into a military type transport were apprehended by the combined elements of Norzagaray Police and 56^th Infantry Battalion” said 7^th Infantry Division (7ID) Public Affairs Officer Captain Mark Anthony Ruelos.

 

According to initial investigation, the group was headed to the municipality of Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT), also in Bulacan, to initiate election fraud activities.

 

Confiscated from the apprehended men were one 6x6 truck that was illegally painted with military green, one Hummvee, colored desert storm fatigue, and a white Montero Sport SUV with no plate.

 

The vehicles were reportedly loaded with two M653 rifles, one .45 cal and 9 mm pistols.  Also onboard the vehicles were Dumagats.

 

Charges, which include illegal possession of firearms and violation of COMELEC gun ban, were immediately filed against the considered extortionists while the Dumagats were released for lack of evidence.

 

The group as well as the recovered firearms and vehicles were brought to the Bulacan Police Provincial Office headquarters for proper disposition and further investigation.

 

“I would like to congratulate the 56^th Infantry Battalion, the Philippine National Police and other stakeholders for successfully neutralizing what we now consider to be just remnants of these lawless leftist groups and performing once more what you have recently achieved in Bulacan. Hopefully with these accomplishments and incomparable efforts of our men in uniform, I believe that we can have an honest, credible, and fair midterm polls this coming Monday,” 7ID Commander Major General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Legarda Thanks Supporters as 2013 Campaign Ends

Reelectionist Senator Loren Legarda today said she wants to end the campaign for the 2013 Elections expressing her gratitude to all the individuals and groups that have endorsed her senatorial bid as well as the Filipino electorate for making her always number one in the surveys.

“I am truly grateful to all the groups that endorsed my candidacy and to every individual who has chosen me in every senatorial survey conducted by various pollsters. With this outpouring support, I can only say that I am sincerely thankful and that I will continue to serve the people through the programs that I have presented to them throughout the campaign,” said Legarda.

Legarda’s track record and legislative accomplishments proved to be greater than any black propaganda hurled against her as she has continuously received the endorsements of various religious, sectoral and cause-oriented groups.

Abono Party list endorsed Legarda citing her Pantawid Tuition Program that will contribute to improving the plight of Filipino farmers by sending children of farmers to school; while Lakas Manggagawa Labor Center (LMLC) announced its support for her stressing that the lady senator is not only pro-environment but is also a champion of labor rights as she pushed hard for the passage of the Kasambahay Law in the Senate.

The Trade Union Congress Party (TUCP), the country’s largest labor confederation, has also included the lady senator in their list of candidates, saying that she was at the forefront in passing laws protecting the rights of workers; while the Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization (PTGWO) expressed their support for Legarda, highlighting her initiatives “to improve jobs, raise decent wages for workers, and advance consumer protection.”

The Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL), the Manggagawa para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan (MAKABAYAN), and the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) are also supporting Legarda’s third run for the Senate. 

Meanwhile, overseas Filipino organizations such as the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG) and the Global Filipino Diaspora Council (GFDC) have announced that they are endorsing Legarda. Both organizations made their choice based on criteria of competence, integrity and a track record of accomplishing observable good results that benefit people.

Religious groups including the command vote of Iglesia ni Cristo; The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, led by Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy; and the Independent Bishops Conference of the Philippines (IBCP), all expressed their support for Legarda.

Furthermore, Mother Lily Monteverde, the matriarch of Philippine show business, declared her support to Legarda in a press conference for the lady senator.

Also endorsing Legarda are the Purple Ribbon for Reproductive Health Movement; the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and Kabataan Party List; and Ladlad Party List.

Amid these endorsements, Legarda has consistently topped various election surveys including the most recent surveys conducted by pollsters Pulse Asia, Social Weather Stations, and Stratpolls.

LEGARDA HIGHLIGHTS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR NEXT TERM

Granting universal healthcare, a college scholarship each for the 3 million families under the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, as well as measures to mitigate the impact of climate change will top Sen. Loren Legarda’s legislative priorities if given a chance to serve in the incoming Congress.

Legarda reiterated this during Team PNoy’s miting de avance today at the Amoranto Stadium as the campaign period came to a close.

“These are legacy and poverty-alleviating measures which will have greatest impact on the poorest families and significantly change the course of their lives,” Legarda stressed.

            She said “graduating” the poorest households from poverty would be one of the legacies she would like to leave as a senator.

Legarda said when Congress resumes session in June, she will work on finishing the Universal Healthcare bill which she principally authored to benefit the 25 million poorest Filipinos.

            “Once we have the Universal Healthcare law, all families are covered by Philhealth benefits regardless of their status in life. We mean to include everyone, including the informal sector or the unemployed,” Legarda said.

            On her proposed scholarship for indigent families, Legarda said she will make sure that the more than three million families that are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will have at least one college graduate through a scholarship program.

            The  college diploma could be the ticket to bring them out of poverty, she said.

Legarda, who is a staunch environmentalist, said she has already authored several laws to protect the environment and lessen the impact of climate change but there are other environment-related issues that need to be addressed.      

   

            “Marami pang dapat gawin para pangalagaan ang ating kalikasan. Papaigtingin ko pa ang aking mga programa sa larangang ito,” Legarda said, adding that initiatives to make communities safe and resilient from disasters greatly impact the national economy.

She added that future generations of Filipinos should live in enabling environments where natural resources are used in ways sustainable and not destructive.

"I ask everyone to join hands and unite for the common goals that serve our people’s welfare. To work for what matters: whether there is going to be food on the table, education for our children, and clean, safe communities," she concluded.

LEGARDA WELCOMES PASTOR QUIBOLOY’S ENDORSEMENT

International televangelist Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, founding leader and head pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, today endorsed Sen. Loren Legarda, saying her performance as senator and a leading environmentalist have made an impact on people’s lives.

Quiboloy’s endorsement means the votes of his more than six million followers not only in Davao City where his congregation is based but also in other parts of the country and abroad.

Legarda, for her part, said: “I thank Pastor Quiboloy and the leadership of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ for including me in the list of candidates that they are endorsing. This serves as a strong expression of support to the causes that I have been espousing and the programs that I plan to accomplish when I get reelected.”

Besides Legarda, also endorsed by Quiboloy were senatoriables Migz Zubiri, Chiz Escudero, Bam Aquino, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Sonny Angara, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jr., JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay, Edward Hagedorn, and Richard Gordon.

Quiboloy said the names of candidates to be supported came out from thorough discussions and deliberations done by the kingdom leaders.

He said among the qualifications that the kingdom leaders considered during the deliberations were the candidates’ relationship to the kingdom, and platform, vision and program of government.

Quiboloy's endorsement is one of the most sought among religious leaders every election by candidates because of his capability to deliver a command vote.

Legarda was among those invited by Quiboloy during the pastor’s recent Disneyland-themed birthday celebration at the Jose Maria College campus in Davao City.

When asked earlier for his criteria for endorsing candidates, Quiboloy said: "Ayaw namin yung always in power pero wala naman silang ginagawa. Ang gusto kong makita yung impact to the Filipino people especially the marginalized, kailangan madama ng tao yung kabutihan na ginagawa nila para sa tao.”

Trillanes earmarks over P240-M for health care

Reelectionist Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV has set aside over P240 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for medical assistance and hospital rehabilitation across the country since he started receiving the allocation for lawmakers’ special projects in 2010 under the Aquino administration.

 

Trillanes, a staunch critic of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is now detained for a plunder case, did not receive the PDAF during the term of the former leader, but still managed to provide help to those needing medical attention.

 

“Every citizen of this country should have access to our healthcare system. Indigent patients should not be made to wait and suffer just because they don’t have the means to pay,” said Trillanes, who is running under Team PNoy said.

 

He added: “Even though I was not given the PDAF by the GMA regime, we found ways to help our people. It did not stop me from fulfilling my duty to the people.”

 

During the 15th Congress, Trillanes co-authored the Universal Health Care Act that mandates all citizens of the country to be covered by the National Health Insurance Program.

 

Trillanes also filed bills that seek to give tax credit to physicians rendering pro bono services, establish a national cancer center to be known as the Philippine National Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Fund, raise the salaries of medical doctors, and establish an infant mortality program to reduce the rate of infant deaths in the country, among others. 

Binay says vote-buying rampant in provinces

CABANATUAN CITY – “It’s too brazen.”

With these, Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday deplored the rampant vote-buying activities by moneyed candidates, particularly in the provinces which undermine the coming electoral exercise this coming Monday.

Speaking to newsmen following a campaign sortie in Nueva Ecija with his daughter, senatorial candidate Nancy, Binay expressed hope that authorities would arrest those engaged in buying of votes.

Binay said in many whistle stops of the United Nationalist Alliance, they have monitored several instances of vote-buying.

He cited an incident in Puerto Princesa where registered voters line up in a gymnasium receiving money from certain candidates. He said he just came from Capiz where giving out of money was being done in the open.

“Where are the police? I hope they enforce the law,” he said.   

Commenting on the money ban imposed by the Commission Elections to prevent voter-buying, Binay said it would affect legitimate businesses. “What will you do with those receiving wages? And those who have pending loan applications? They might not be able to release the loans,” he said.

He said the ban should be reviewed especially with the reaction of the business sector.

At the same time, the Vice President said there is no way Team PNoy of the administration coalition could score a 12-0 sweep of the senatorial race. “Definitely, there will be no 12-0. Not even 9-3. I think we in UNA will bag at least four Senate seats,” he said.

          Binay acknowledged the votes of the influential Iglesia Ni Cristo sect will be crucial, particularly to candidates at the tail-end of the socalled Magic 12. “When you are on the borderline, the INC votes are extremely crucial,” he said. (Manny Galvez)  

Trillanes vows to advance more pro-women policies

Reelectionist Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV said there is a need to strengthen the role of women in the society as he vowed to introduce more policies that will further protect and advance their rights.

 

Trillanes has put forward a slew of pro-women measures in the Senate, but said there is still much more to be done to institutionalize policies that will care for women and promote their rights.

 

“Women are an integral part of this country, thus, as a policymaker, it is my duty to advance policies toward women’s empowerment in order to protect the rights and improve each Filipino woman’s life,” said Trillanes, who is running under Team PNoy. 

 

Trillanes is the principal author of Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in the Senate. This law seeks to address the loopholes in RA 9208 and the human trafficking in the country particularly in disaster areas where women and children are easy preys of unscrupulous groups.

 

Trillanes is also among the authors of the National Health Insurance Act, which is now enrolled for signature by President Aquino. This bill provides comprehensive health care services that will prioritize those in most need and provide free services to indigents.

 

Other pro-women bills which Trillanes has filed are:

 

·   Senate Bill No. 322 (Increasing Maternity Leave Benefits) – increases the maternity leave of working women to 120 days from 60 days to allow mothers to breastfeed their kids for at least four months.

·   Senate Bill No. 230 (Mother-Child Facility Act) – seeks to institutionalize the pulling up of drop-in centers for non-school age children within the vicinity of every private company which employs at least 100 women workers, whether taking managerial, supervisory or rank and file post.

·   Senate Bill No. 410 (National Cervical Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment Fund) – seeks to create a breast and cervical cancer diagnostic and treatment fund which shall provide financial assistance for the medical care of indigent patients.

·   Senate Bill No. 222 (Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act) – a public education and awareness campaign to inform the general public about the clinical significance of gynecologic cancer and its public health implications such as risk factors, symptoms, need for early detection and methods of treatment associated with gynecologic cancer.

·   Senate Bill 189 (Breast and Cervical Cancer Protection Act) – inclusion of periodic diagnostic services for breast cancer and cervical cancer in the benefit package under the PhilHealth.