February 2007 – Page 5 – ellen tordesillas

JV is campaign manager for senatorial ticket

Published by Ellen on February 12, 2007

While the United Opposition is looking for a name that will truly describe the grand coalition that they are now, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito has accepted the role of campaign manager for the senatorial slate.

Opposition sources said, former Senate President Enesto Maceda will take the tougher job of assembling the local line-up for the opposition.

The opposition senatorial ticket is “a grand coalition of people from all sectors— women, the youth, the political sector and civil society,” grand coalition spokesman Adel Tamano said.

Lito Banayo, who had been speaking for UNO, will be running for representative of Manila (Ermita distict).

They deserve each other

Published by Ellen on February 11, 2007

Senators Joker Arroyo and Ralph Recto truly belong to Gloria Arroyo.

We can now throw away whatever illusions we had nurtured for Joker in matters of democratic ideals, honesty and integrity. Never mind Recto. We never expected much from him.

A conversation I heard last week between a PDP-Laban stalwart and a reporter who covered the 2001 senatorial campaign should help explain Joker Arroyo’s puzzling maneuvers in the Senate when it comes to issues against Mike Arroyo as well as his decision to be on the administration ticket for his re-election bid.

Trillanes is officially with UNO

Published by Ellen on February 11, 2007

Detained Lt.(sg) Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes is included in the United Opposition line up, UNO announced today.

For Trillanes’ legislative program visit www.magdaloparasapagbabago.blogspot.com

Update:Troops campaigning for Trillanes to be sacked, AFP says. Click here.

Statement of Joker Arroyo and Ralph Recto

Published by Ellen on February 11, 2007

Try not to puke as you read this:

We ran for the Senate and won on the Arroyo administration slate. Nothing
that has happened since gives us reason not to do the same in our reelection
bid.

We have opposed the President on many major issues, before the Supreme Court no less. And we won.

We fought the Venable contract which involved American money to change the Constitution. We fought the People’s Initiative to do the same. We fought the emasculation of Congress by EO 464 and put the PCGG back under the law when it tried to rise above it. We fought Proclamation 1017, which curtailed freedom of assembly and freedom of the press.

Bayan o bayad

Published by Ellen on February 10, 2007

Masarap pala ang kumandidato sa tiket ni Gloria Arroyo.

Sinasabi ng isang kasama sa Wednesday group na inaalok raw sila ng libreng eroplano at helicopter na gagamitin sa kampanya. May panggastos pa na milyun-milyon.

Kaya sana umu-o na si Ralph Recto at si Joker Arroyo sa tiket ng administrasyon at ng makapasok na si Sonny Trillanes sa United Opposition.

Lawyer group warns against Senate-approved anti-terror bill

Published by Ellen on February 10, 2007

Last Wednesday, the Senate approved the Anti-Terror Bill which will be known as Human Security Act of 2007. It is now sent to the bicameral conference committee.

CODAL (Counsels for the Defense of Liberties) is concerned about the Senate version. Codal said, the Senate version is more draconian than that of the House.

Arroyo loses cool in roundtable discussion with media

Published by Ellen on February 10, 2007

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s infamous temper flared up once more when she abruptly ended an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer in front of a stunned audience which included three Cabinet Secretaries and an official of the International Monetary Fund.

Click here for GMATV’s video report.

President Arroyo was nettled by repeated questions on why the benefits of a spectacular economic growth had not trickled down to the grassroots. She blew her top even before the Inquirer could finish what turned out to be the brief interview’s final question: “Isn’t it a concern for you ma’am that the billionaires during the time of Marcos and Ramos are also the same billionaires now?”

Adel Tamano is UNO spokesman

Published by Ellen on February 9, 2007

Lawyer Adel Tamano has accepted the position of spokesman of the United Opposition. Tamano is a partner in Kapunan Tamano Villadolid & Associates law office…

Nautical highway

Published by Ellen on February 8, 2007

The sadistic streak in the young steward of Starlite Pacific ferry boat must have been on overdrive during the Feb. 3 afternoon trip from Caticlan in Aklan to Roxas in Mindoro Oriental.

The sea was a little rough with the northeast monsoon wind and we, new RoRo (roll on –roll off) travelers, were trying hard to calm down our nervousness with silent prayers. We were glad when the television set was turned on for a movie. At least that would distract our attention from the tossing that the waves was subjecting the ferry boat, we told ourselves.

But our anticipation for a diversion was turned to dismay when we saw the familiar scenes of the movie “Titanic.”

JV Ejercito withdraws from Senate race for Sonia Roco

Published by Ellen on February 8, 2007

San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, one of the candidates of the United Opposition, today withdrew from the senatorial race.

One of UNO’s spokesmen, Rufus Rodriguez, said Ejercito withdrew after consultation with his father, former President Estrada, for a broader, unified coalition.

Sources said JV is giving way for the entry of Sonia Roco, widow of former Sen. Raul Roco.

Just got a text from JV:

I would like to thank you for the trust and support you have given me as a senatorial aspirant. There comes a time when you need to sacrifice for the sake of the country.

Be rest assured that I will continue standing up for what is right and what is just. Para sa Bayan!

Month: February 2007