The Economic Miracle
If the economy were that great then why all the officials hinting at the need for increased taxes? Shouldn't we be reducing taxes instead because we are now better off than before? Why are multilateral lending agencies advising against spending cuts? Is it because the expansion is really through debt and government spending instead of commerce?
Erap's Housing Program
Shouldn't we be thanking his Housing Czar for delivering so many homes to the people? Wasn't that the job of then VP Gloria? So Erap should really thank her for doing such a great job in the Erap government?
Tough Cop
Where is Ping Lacson?
The Ratings Upgrades
Why is the administration so proud of an upgrade in outlook when its not the same as an upgrade in rating? Didn't we get two or three downgrades during this administration? Does that mean we're still worse off in the eyes of investors?
Friday, April 30, 2010
Liberal Party 509
I've been trying to get to the Liberal Party site for 2 hours now. I've been getting a Bandwidth Exceeded error (error 509). Have we reached a new level in the presidential campaign? Or is this a case of bad hosting choice? Tune in for further developments.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Manuel Villar
I've finally found the supposed Nacionalista Party Platform. Why do I say supposed? Simply because I can't find any link to it through their Party website nor through Manny Villar's sites. It's not hosted on any official site. It's on Scribd. If the situation changes please let me know, hopefully before May 10.
Now, before I go through the platform itself, let me explain the significance of the Platform's location. Without a link to any official NP website we are not certain that the party or at least a party official recognizes the Scribd based platform. In short, it could be a fake. God knows the mud has been thick in the air these past few months. I wouldn't be surprised to see faux platforms used as a way to discredit or misinform people.
How did I find this document? I Googled it. That in itself is also significant. It's like the boss telling his subordinates:
Boss: "We have a strategic plan! Everyone must be on the same page so read it!"
Subordinates: "Great boss give it to us!"
Boss: "Its somewhere in the building... look for it"
Sounds like a Dilbert strip? Here's the catch. In a democracy the people are the boss so that conversation is actually:
Boss: "Lets fix the company. Where is your strategic plan?"
Applicant : "Its in the building. Look for it!"
Sorry, that one little act is indicative of character. And the character is disregard for people. Is access to the platform a privilege for the few? Should I even bother to read the platform given that the party behind it does not respect the citizens? Should I even bother to analyze something that may be fake?
Now before this turns into a rant I will do the appropriate thing.
walks out
Now, before I go through the platform itself, let me explain the significance of the Platform's location. Without a link to any official NP website we are not certain that the party or at least a party official recognizes the Scribd based platform. In short, it could be a fake. God knows the mud has been thick in the air these past few months. I wouldn't be surprised to see faux platforms used as a way to discredit or misinform people.
How did I find this document? I Googled it. That in itself is also significant. It's like the boss telling his subordinates:
Boss: "We have a strategic plan! Everyone must be on the same page so read it!"
Subordinates: "Great boss give it to us!"
Boss: "Its somewhere in the building... look for it"
Sounds like a Dilbert strip? Here's the catch. In a democracy the people are the boss so that conversation is actually:
Boss: "Lets fix the company. Where is your strategic plan?"
Applicant : "Its in the building. Look for it!"
Sorry, that one little act is indicative of character. And the character is disregard for people. Is access to the platform a privilege for the few? Should I even bother to read the platform given that the party behind it does not respect the citizens? Should I even bother to analyze something that may be fake?
Now before this turns into a rant I will do the appropriate thing.
walks out
Eduardo Villanueva
Brother Eddie placed last among the presidential aspirants in 2004. I’m not exactly sure why. Some people distrusted his intentions because he is a pastor. The rabidly Catholic feared a mass conversion to Protestantism. The rabidly secular feared a dismantling of the separation of church and state. Some others said he did not have the political experience. Like Nick Perlas, nobody knew him.
And now he’s at it again. (http://broeddie.ph/)
And, like before, he has a platform
(http://broeddie.ph/what-does-brother-eddie-c-villanueva-stand-for/)
Like Gibo, he's had it revised and it is now a party platform:
Bangon Pilipinas Party Platform
Unlike Gibo though, Brother Eddie has had a comprehensive and cohesive platform since 2009. So if there are similarities between the two then forgive me for thinking that somebody copied his seatmate's work. I also appreciate the act of maintaining the webpage of the previous platform. I consider it a gesture of honesty.
The new platform is more aggressive, cohesive and confident. No, I don't mean assertive nor progressive, I mean aggressive.
Check out the first chapter. Reinstatement of the death penalty. Ok, suck it in. This is coming from a pastor. Chapter 2: Policy of Self Help before Foreign Assistance. Same chapter: Developing Smart Labor. Same chapter: Purchasing Power as an Economic Target instead of the Exchange Rate. Just read the document. It's pretty juicy.
The original platform, while sensible, rational and cohesive lacked impact. It was too safe. I originally thought Bro. Eddie spent 40 days and nights in the desert writing out the old platform. I was wrong. That was like the baptism in the Jordan. The new article is the one that came out after 40 days in the desert. And even if he brought a few disciples to help him, the new platform is better thought out. And frankly it can get pretty scary.
How scary? A push for Federalism. A Greener Philippines. Budget redistribution along regional lines. Privates sector development programs in exchange for tax credits. Those are pretty big and bold changes. Education in moral values. That sounds suspect because dictatorial regimes tend to harp on it. Some people will not like their stand on abortion.
Its pretty much a real platform. It identifies problems, its identifies the ideal situation, it has a plan to solve the problem and reach the ideal. I am thankful that there are more candidates who understand the concept of a platform.
My misgivings about Bro. Eddie relates to his background. I really prefer my government secular. Nothing against religions per se, more like the tendency of the religious to impose their own culture on others. Since the Philippines is generally a multi-cultural society, this could cause conflicts and broad division.
As with most things, I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. There will be instances where Bro. Eddie will seem like a dogmatic Pharisee and others where the liberal activist roots show through.
There is also that question of capability. As an outsider, he doesn't have the connections or the machinery of the more experienced politicos. That is the real cross of the outsider, of candidates with little exposure to the machinations of politics. We can bet he doesn’t have the connections, the political favors to call upon, the financial networks and the insider knowledge. He is burdened with the utter lack of ability to politick like a traditional politician. On the other hand that may not be such a bad thing.
Sarcasm aside, I am not sure how to judge his capability for governance save his ability to sway his flock. And during this campaign the flock is moving alongside people with different beliefs. To overcome the apparent lack of funds they've been getting creative with things like the Human Chain event and Operation Living Ads. Whether the man wins or loses I think it's worthwhile to watch his methods.
Finally, Bro. Eddie, like all the other outsiders, is a living challenge. Do I have the guts to actually vote for the non- traditional if that appears to be the best option? We have a few days to find out.
And now he’s at it again. (http://broeddie.ph/)
And, like before, he has a platform
(http://broeddie.ph/what-does-brother-eddie-c-villanueva-stand-for/)
Like Gibo, he's had it revised and it is now a party platform:
Bangon Pilipinas Party Platform
Unlike Gibo though, Brother Eddie has had a comprehensive and cohesive platform since 2009. So if there are similarities between the two then forgive me for thinking that somebody copied his seatmate's work. I also appreciate the act of maintaining the webpage of the previous platform. I consider it a gesture of honesty.
The new platform is more aggressive, cohesive and confident. No, I don't mean assertive nor progressive, I mean aggressive.
Check out the first chapter. Reinstatement of the death penalty. Ok, suck it in. This is coming from a pastor. Chapter 2: Policy of Self Help before Foreign Assistance. Same chapter: Developing Smart Labor. Same chapter: Purchasing Power as an Economic Target instead of the Exchange Rate. Just read the document. It's pretty juicy.
The original platform, while sensible, rational and cohesive lacked impact. It was too safe. I originally thought Bro. Eddie spent 40 days and nights in the desert writing out the old platform. I was wrong. That was like the baptism in the Jordan. The new article is the one that came out after 40 days in the desert. And even if he brought a few disciples to help him, the new platform is better thought out. And frankly it can get pretty scary.
How scary? A push for Federalism. A Greener Philippines. Budget redistribution along regional lines. Privates sector development programs in exchange for tax credits. Those are pretty big and bold changes. Education in moral values. That sounds suspect because dictatorial regimes tend to harp on it. Some people will not like their stand on abortion.
Its pretty much a real platform. It identifies problems, its identifies the ideal situation, it has a plan to solve the problem and reach the ideal. I am thankful that there are more candidates who understand the concept of a platform.
My misgivings about Bro. Eddie relates to his background. I really prefer my government secular. Nothing against religions per se, more like the tendency of the religious to impose their own culture on others. Since the Philippines is generally a multi-cultural society, this could cause conflicts and broad division.
As with most things, I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. There will be instances where Bro. Eddie will seem like a dogmatic Pharisee and others where the liberal activist roots show through.
There is also that question of capability. As an outsider, he doesn't have the connections or the machinery of the more experienced politicos. That is the real cross of the outsider, of candidates with little exposure to the machinations of politics. We can bet he doesn’t have the connections, the political favors to call upon, the financial networks and the insider knowledge. He is burdened with the utter lack of ability to politick like a traditional politician. On the other hand that may not be such a bad thing.
Sarcasm aside, I am not sure how to judge his capability for governance save his ability to sway his flock. And during this campaign the flock is moving alongside people with different beliefs. To overcome the apparent lack of funds they've been getting creative with things like the Human Chain event and Operation Living Ads. Whether the man wins or loses I think it's worthwhile to watch his methods.
Finally, Bro. Eddie, like all the other outsiders, is a living challenge. Do I have the guts to actually vote for the non- traditional if that appears to be the best option? We have a few days to find out.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Nicanor Perlas III
Nick who?
It's unfortunate Nick Perlas remains obscure.
I call him Mr. Consistent. He's had a platform since 2009 and it has barely changed. Lets add emphasis.
Out of all the candidates, it seems he's the one who spent the most effort in crafting his plans. Not only that, he did extra work and actually outlined his whole ideology. How's that for A grade?
The platform of Pangmasa promotes several measures which are derived from current scientific research or implements current technology. Nick Perlas cites the use Gardner's Multiple Intelligence framework in education. He espouses environmentally conscious practices. He wants to create measures to safeguard us against rising sea levels. He's the only one promoting household energy production. He recognizes the importance of online journalism.
If Brother Eddie has the "Wrath of God" platform, Nick Perlas has the "Discovery Channel + Nat Geo" platform. It even starts with the entymology of the word Democracy. Pure geek heaven. For me, that is positively a good thing.
If there's any problem with his approach is that it may be difficult to grasp for the Regular Juans and Marias. His use of language is unusual. There are terms like Promote Holistic Education and Inner Change, bio-geographical equity, and societal threefolding partnerships. Come on man, get a marketing consultant! Heck, get an English professor to edit! This is practically specialist jargon. It gives off the image of an unapproachable intellectual. You want people to relate to you through your words, immediately. Approachability helps in politics, no really, it does. I find it ironic given that the party calls itself Pangmasa.
It's sad because the parts that I do understand without resorting to Google make sense like:
I have one appeal. In case Mr. Perlas loses the election, can the new president at least get him as a consultant?
It's unfortunate Nick Perlas remains obscure.
I call him Mr. Consistent. He's had a platform since 2009 and it has barely changed. Lets add emphasis.
Nick's platform has, so far, stood the test of time
Out of all the candidates, it seems he's the one who spent the most effort in crafting his plans. Not only that, he did extra work and actually outlined his whole ideology. How's that for A grade?
The platform of Pangmasa promotes several measures which are derived from current scientific research or implements current technology. Nick Perlas cites the use Gardner's Multiple Intelligence framework in education. He espouses environmentally conscious practices. He wants to create measures to safeguard us against rising sea levels. He's the only one promoting household energy production. He recognizes the importance of online journalism.
If Brother Eddie has the "Wrath of God" platform, Nick Perlas has the "Discovery Channel + Nat Geo" platform. It even starts with the entymology of the word Democracy. Pure geek heaven. For me, that is positively a good thing.
If there's any problem with his approach is that it may be difficult to grasp for the Regular Juans and Marias. His use of language is unusual. There are terms like Promote Holistic Education and Inner Change, bio-geographical equity, and societal threefolding partnerships. Come on man, get a marketing consultant! Heck, get an English professor to edit! This is practically specialist jargon. It gives off the image of an unapproachable intellectual. You want people to relate to you through your words, immediately. Approachability helps in politics, no really, it does. I find it ironic given that the party calls itself Pangmasa.
It's sad because the parts that I do understand without resorting to Google make sense like:
Irrigate all rice lands using both large-scale irrigation infrastructure and artesian wells for small farmsor this:
Advocate for the removal of pork barrel from the national budget to ensure that tax pesos are used, not to promote transactional politics that worsen the condition of the poor, but to eradicate povertyIt's sad for another reason. While I find Nick Perlas intelligent and capable, I get the impression that he lacks empathy. Perhaps other people feel this way and will look for their president elsewhere. Who would follow a leader that can't be understood? How can you? That platform with the great ideas will be so much wasted brain juice.
I have one appeal. In case Mr. Perlas loses the election, can the new president at least get him as a consultant?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Gilberto Teodoro
Speaking of Kamaganak, Inc. I stopped over at DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro's site to check it out again. Last time I visited, it had two separate areas dealing with his plans for the country: a detailed strategy for each region of the country and a list of issues he deems important. (urls were http://gibo.ph/strategy.aspx and http://gibo.ph/issue.aspx)
Well, those are now GONE! Go ahead and check the 404.
Sec. Teodoro has a brand spanking new platform which is the Lakas Kampi CMD party platform.
And so we have a winner for the Most Improved in Platform Authoring!
Unlike the previous incarnations which were too disjointed, this one actually makes more sense and appears more consistent. Here's one example from the previous format: He identifies innovation as a key economic issue yet none of his strategies addresses this. Instead there are a lot of infrastructure development ideas without an overarching rationale. It's a grocery list. Where's the innovation in that? To further confuse the message, the site had Sec. Teodoro declaring the age of copying previous trends passe. My impression was that the strategies and issues were written by a band of consultants who did not consult the candidate or each other.
The newer platform is a quantum improvement. For the issue of infrastructure it notes the need for the integration and convergence of all transport modalities. It calls for the expansion of inter-island transportation and communication. The infrastructure agenda coincides with and supports the thrust for rural and agricultural development (which are separate platform items). Things work together.
If the party hired a multitude of consultants to write this script, I'm glad they're now talking to each other and to their candidate! So team Gibo gets an A for effort instead of cousin Noynoy.
Too bad there's still that stigma associated with the old regime. In previous statements he openly admitted favoritism for Gloria Arroyo and even professed a debt of gratitude to her for giving him his break in government. In a TV interview he expressed his hesitance in pursuing graft charges because of these reasons. Disturbing statements indeed. Who else will he let off the hook because of a debt of gratitude? What if these people were guilty of severe crimes?
Those troubling statements have also disappeared from his website. I think it's part of the move to sanitize his image. If I monitor elections again, I will be shamelessly copying the interesting statements from political sites. That way I can keep a better record of a campaign's development.
I doubt the recent move to create distance from PGMA will do much good in the middle of the game. Something more dramatic needs to happen before people completely dissociate the Secretary from the passing administration.
Gibo Teodoro redeems himself on Platform but his past life leaves a big question mark on character. Admittedly, he's well trained and capable. The question is: capable of what?
Well, those are now GONE! Go ahead and check the 404.
Sec. Teodoro has a brand spanking new platform which is the Lakas Kampi CMD party platform.
And so we have a winner for the Most Improved in Platform Authoring!
Unlike the previous incarnations which were too disjointed, this one actually makes more sense and appears more consistent. Here's one example from the previous format: He identifies innovation as a key economic issue yet none of his strategies addresses this. Instead there are a lot of infrastructure development ideas without an overarching rationale. It's a grocery list. Where's the innovation in that? To further confuse the message, the site had Sec. Teodoro declaring the age of copying previous trends passe. My impression was that the strategies and issues were written by a band of consultants who did not consult the candidate or each other.
The newer platform is a quantum improvement. For the issue of infrastructure it notes the need for the integration and convergence of all transport modalities. It calls for the expansion of inter-island transportation and communication. The infrastructure agenda coincides with and supports the thrust for rural and agricultural development (which are separate platform items). Things work together.
If the party hired a multitude of consultants to write this script, I'm glad they're now talking to each other and to their candidate! So team Gibo gets an A for effort instead of cousin Noynoy.
Too bad there's still that stigma associated with the old regime. In previous statements he openly admitted favoritism for Gloria Arroyo and even professed a debt of gratitude to her for giving him his break in government. In a TV interview he expressed his hesitance in pursuing graft charges because of these reasons. Disturbing statements indeed. Who else will he let off the hook because of a debt of gratitude? What if these people were guilty of severe crimes?
Those troubling statements have also disappeared from his website. I think it's part of the move to sanitize his image. If I monitor elections again, I will be shamelessly copying the interesting statements from political sites. That way I can keep a better record of a campaign's development.
I doubt the recent move to create distance from PGMA will do much good in the middle of the game. Something more dramatic needs to happen before people completely dissociate the Secretary from the passing administration.
Gibo Teodoro redeems himself on Platform but his past life leaves a big question mark on character. Admittedly, he's well trained and capable. The question is: capable of what?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Benigno Aquino III
Noynoy has a platform. In fact he had it up before December 2009. Sadly for him, it won't silence the critics. Just like Richard Gordon's platform, this one is long on vision and short on solution. I'm tempted to cut and paste bits of the previous Dick Gordon post. The observations are about the same.
There is a difference though. Noynoy attempts to get at the root of the problems instead of just recognizing inadequacies. Look at health care:
Noynoy: From treating health as just another area for political patronage to recognizing the advancement and protection of public health, which includes responsible parenthood, as key measures of good governance.
Dick: we must provide adequate access to HEALTH CARE for all our people, especially the needy
Check that one out. Senator Aquino thinks politics is a reason for the poor state of health care. Senator Gordon is merely telling us health care is poor. I'm surprised. No actually I'm a bit shocked. It seems Senator Aquino is making some effort to actually create solutions. By identifying the cause he now has a target. I did not expect it from him. And if he didn't write his platform, at least he got someone who is trying to think.
Still, an A for effort will hardly cut it given our immense problems.And stopping without offering concrete plans hardly merits an A.
And what of capability and character? Honestly, I can't pin anything on him except for the old Kamaganak, Inc. accusations that emerged during his mother's administration and the Hacienda Luisita situation. While the accusations sound grave, I've always wondered why it's taking everyone so long to resolve it. If the critics have any solid evidence against the clan then let them present it in the proper forum. Its been decades already and these two issues conveniently crop up during elections. Once those are over, the issues conveniently vanish without resolution. It's my impression that many of these critics actually profit from their periodic silence. How convenient....
As it is I'm getting weary of all this anonymous mudslinging via text or internet. Like the boy who cried wolf, these agents will likely find the public disbelieving their claims, true or not. Who will suffer then? I bet it's not the text brigades.
Usually you start getting black propaganda when you earn the ire of rivals. That occurs when you do something they don't like. If you don't do anything, they won't react. In this case, Sen. Aquino attracts attacks because of sheer popularity. You can check the bills filed during his tenure. He's not exactly a paragon of hard work. Nothing there to earn the enemy's ire.
So this is what the LP selling: an upstanding guy with a spotty plan and indeterminate ability. It's apparent why no one stands out among the aspirants. They are all lacking in one way or another.
There is a difference though. Noynoy attempts to get at the root of the problems instead of just recognizing inadequacies. Look at health care:
Noynoy: From treating health as just another area for political patronage to recognizing the advancement and protection of public health, which includes responsible parenthood, as key measures of good governance.
Dick: we must provide adequate access to HEALTH CARE for all our people, especially the needy
Check that one out. Senator Aquino thinks politics is a reason for the poor state of health care. Senator Gordon is merely telling us health care is poor. I'm surprised. No actually I'm a bit shocked. It seems Senator Aquino is making some effort to actually create solutions. By identifying the cause he now has a target. I did not expect it from him. And if he didn't write his platform, at least he got someone who is trying to think.
Still, an A for effort will hardly cut it given our immense problems.And stopping without offering concrete plans hardly merits an A.
And what of capability and character? Honestly, I can't pin anything on him except for the old Kamaganak, Inc. accusations that emerged during his mother's administration and the Hacienda Luisita situation. While the accusations sound grave, I've always wondered why it's taking everyone so long to resolve it. If the critics have any solid evidence against the clan then let them present it in the proper forum. Its been decades already and these two issues conveniently crop up during elections. Once those are over, the issues conveniently vanish without resolution. It's my impression that many of these critics actually profit from their periodic silence. How convenient....
As it is I'm getting weary of all this anonymous mudslinging via text or internet. Like the boy who cried wolf, these agents will likely find the public disbelieving their claims, true or not. Who will suffer then? I bet it's not the text brigades.
Usually you start getting black propaganda when you earn the ire of rivals. That occurs when you do something they don't like. If you don't do anything, they won't react. In this case, Sen. Aquino attracts attacks because of sheer popularity. You can check the bills filed during his tenure. He's not exactly a paragon of hard work. Nothing there to earn the enemy's ire.
So this is what the LP selling: an upstanding guy with a spotty plan and indeterminate ability. It's apparent why no one stands out among the aspirants. They are all lacking in one way or another.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Party List Fiasco
The Party List Mechanism was a good idea until it got hijacked. This was taken from the Philippine Daily Inquirer and is placed here for posterity.
Millionaires to represent ‘balut’ vendors in House
Millionaires to represent ‘balut’ vendors in House
MANILA, Philippines—They properly belong to the party set, not to a party-list representing a so-called marginalized sector.
Among the nominees of Ang Kasangga, the party-list group of First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo’s sister, are multimillionaires and influential people, not balut vendors and other micro-entrepreneurs, administration critics said yesterday.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said the first two nominees of Ang Kasangga—Teodorico T. Haresco and Eugenio V. Lacson—are multimillionaires linked to the Arroyo administration.
“They do not fall within the category of micro-entrepreneurs,” he said.
“The law and Commission on Elections guidelines are clear: A party-list nominee must not only be an advocate of the sector it is representing,” Bayan and the poll watchdog Kontra Daya said in a joint statement.
“The nominee must belong to the marginalized sector,” it said.
In its website, Ang Kasangga claims it represents micro-entrepreneurs.
In the House of Representatives, it is represented by Maria Lourdes Arroyo, sister of the First Gentleman.
Her “entry into Congress drew heavy criticism because it was alleged she did not represent small business. It was during this period that Ang Kasangga defended her, saying she represented small businessmen, including balut vendors,” noted Reyes.
The party-list group defines micro-entrepreneurs as “those with individual capital of P3 million and below.”
‘Bridges to nowhere’
“If Ang Kasangga’s nominees are allowed to stand as nominees, what will prevent big business interests to seek or even buy a seat in Congress in the future?” said Reyes.
Haresco is a member of the board of directors of the state-run Philippine National Oil Co., said Reyes. He was reportedly involved in the President’s controversial Bridge Program which has drawn criticism for allegedly being the “bridges to nowhere.”
Among many other things, Haresco is chair and chief executive officer of Winace Holdings Philippines, which is involved in the acquisition and sale of stocks, bonds and investment securities, Reyes said.
Lacson is a three-term city mayor and is ranked No. 79 among the top 100 stockholders of Fidelity Stock Transfers Inc. Others in the list are businessman Luciano Tan and several members of the Ortigas and Villonco families, all of whom are not considered micro-entrepreneurs, Reyes also said.
Lacson was being considered by the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD as a vice gubernatorial candidate in Negros Occidental for the May elections before he decided to run under the party-list system.
Arroyo-linked groups
There are at least 14 other party-list groups with links to the Arroyo administration, according to Reyes:
• Ang Galing Pinoy, whose first nominee is Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo. The group’s other nominees are Mayor Dennis Pineda of Lubao, Pampanga, and Mayor Romeo Dungca of Bacolor, Pampanga. The party, formerly known as Guardians Anti-Crime, Pro-People Organization, claims to represent security guards, tricycle drivers and vendors.
• 1-Utak, party-list of the transport sector, whose nominees include former Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes and lawyer Vigor Mendoza, ex-official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
• Batang Iwas Droga, BIDA, which says in its website it was the “brainchild” of Efraim Genuino, chair of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor). Its nominees include Efraim’s daughter Sheryl Genuino-See; businessman Johnny Tan and Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio, currently a nominee for the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
• Kabayan, which claims to represent transport sector workers, farmers and fisherfolk, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, anticrime crusaders, and overseas Filipino workers, among others. Its nominees include Ron Salo, former subordinate of ex-Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
• Pacyaw, which claims to represent urban poor youth, has tourism assistant secretary Janet Rita Lazatin and former consul Reynaldo Pineda as nominees.
“Also in the list are Association of Labor and Employees, Abot Tanaw, APO 1, Bantay True Marcos Loyalists, Aangat Tayo, Abono, Abante Tribung Makabansa, Alliance of People’s Organizations, and Anad, an “anticommunist group believed to be supported by the Armed Forces,” Reyes added.
Among the nominees of Ang Kasangga, the party-list group of First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo’s sister, are multimillionaires and influential people, not balut vendors and other micro-entrepreneurs, administration critics said yesterday.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said the first two nominees of Ang Kasangga—Teodorico T. Haresco and Eugenio V. Lacson—are multimillionaires linked to the Arroyo administration.
“They do not fall within the category of micro-entrepreneurs,” he said.
“The law and Commission on Elections guidelines are clear: A party-list nominee must not only be an advocate of the sector it is representing,” Bayan and the poll watchdog Kontra Daya said in a joint statement.
“The nominee must belong to the marginalized sector,” it said.
In its website, Ang Kasangga claims it represents micro-entrepreneurs.
In the House of Representatives, it is represented by Maria Lourdes Arroyo, sister of the First Gentleman.
Her “entry into Congress drew heavy criticism because it was alleged she did not represent small business. It was during this period that Ang Kasangga defended her, saying she represented small businessmen, including balut vendors,” noted Reyes.
The party-list group defines micro-entrepreneurs as “those with individual capital of P3 million and below.”
‘Bridges to nowhere’
“If Ang Kasangga’s nominees are allowed to stand as nominees, what will prevent big business interests to seek or even buy a seat in Congress in the future?” said Reyes.
Haresco is a member of the board of directors of the state-run Philippine National Oil Co., said Reyes. He was reportedly involved in the President’s controversial Bridge Program which has drawn criticism for allegedly being the “bridges to nowhere.”
Among many other things, Haresco is chair and chief executive officer of Winace Holdings Philippines, which is involved in the acquisition and sale of stocks, bonds and investment securities, Reyes said.
Lacson is a three-term city mayor and is ranked No. 79 among the top 100 stockholders of Fidelity Stock Transfers Inc. Others in the list are businessman Luciano Tan and several members of the Ortigas and Villonco families, all of whom are not considered micro-entrepreneurs, Reyes also said.
Lacson was being considered by the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD as a vice gubernatorial candidate in Negros Occidental for the May elections before he decided to run under the party-list system.
Arroyo-linked groups
There are at least 14 other party-list groups with links to the Arroyo administration, according to Reyes:
• Ang Galing Pinoy, whose first nominee is Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo. The group’s other nominees are Mayor Dennis Pineda of Lubao, Pampanga, and Mayor Romeo Dungca of Bacolor, Pampanga. The party, formerly known as Guardians Anti-Crime, Pro-People Organization, claims to represent security guards, tricycle drivers and vendors.
• 1-Utak, party-list of the transport sector, whose nominees include former Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes and lawyer Vigor Mendoza, ex-official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
• Batang Iwas Droga, BIDA, which says in its website it was the “brainchild” of Efraim Genuino, chair of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor). Its nominees include Efraim’s daughter Sheryl Genuino-See; businessman Johnny Tan and Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio, currently a nominee for the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
• Kabayan, which claims to represent transport sector workers, farmers and fisherfolk, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, anticrime crusaders, and overseas Filipino workers, among others. Its nominees include Ron Salo, former subordinate of ex-Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
• Pacyaw, which claims to represent urban poor youth, has tourism assistant secretary Janet Rita Lazatin and former consul Reynaldo Pineda as nominees.
“Also in the list are Association of Labor and Employees, Abot Tanaw, APO 1, Bantay True Marcos Loyalists, Aangat Tayo, Abono, Abante Tribung Makabansa, Alliance of People’s Organizations, and Anad, an “anticommunist group believed to be supported by the Armed Forces,” Reyes added.
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