Category: 2016 elections

Gordon to Comelec officials: ‘If you cannot do the job, resign.’

Published by Ellen on March 14, 2016

It’s as simple as that.

Former Senator Richard Gordon who is running again for the Senate slammed officials of the Commission on Elections for painting a doomsday scenario if they were to comply with the Supreme Court decision to have the election machines on May 9 issue receipts of the voter’s vote.

He said postponing the May 9 elections is out of the question. “The Comelec is painting a doomsday scenario so that we will be afraid. It will not happen. What they should paint is they can do it. If they do not want to do it, stop giving excuses, leave your job and give it to somebody who can do the job,” said the principal author of the Election Computerization law and one of the petitioners who asked the High Court to compel the election body to follow the law.

In a vote of 14-0, the High Court last Tuesday ordered the Comelec to “enable the vote verification feature of the vote-counting machines which prints the voter’s choices…”

With SC decision, expect donations to flow into Grace Poe’s campaign

Published by Ellen on March 8, 2016

Grace Poe at International Women's Day in Liwasang Bonifacio — Grace Poe at International Women’s Day in Liwasang Bonifacio

It was an obviously elated Grace Poe that came to the Liwasang Bonifacio to celebrate International Women’s Day organized by the militant women’s group, Gabriela, yesterday.

She had just received word that the Supreme Court, voting 9-6, junked the disqualification decisions of the Commission on Elections on the issues of citizenship and residency and declared that she is qualified to run for the presidency of the Philippines.

Is that so?

Published by Ellen on March 3, 2016

Fact-checking Mar and Chiz on their claims about poverty in their respective province.

Creative image makers are very much in demand this election campaign.

In the candidates efforts to boost their credentials to the public or to hide unpleasant information about them, they tell stories – some true, some false. There is no dearth of image-specialists that candidates can tap to re-package themselves to what appeals to the voters.

Packaging is the thing. Never mind the truth.

Voting for a candidate is no different from buying a merchandise. You want to get the real deal. Just like when you buy honey, you want honey syrup made by bees. Not a thick syrup that is half sugar.

To help voters see beyond the nice packaging of the candidates, VERA Files is doing a fact check.

Pacquiao’s ‘abhorrent’ remarks could be blessing in disguise

Published by Ellen on February 18, 2016

Two days after boxing icon Manny Pacquiao rebuked same sex couples as worse than animals, shoe giant Nike dropped him as endorser.

That was fast.

Observers said that was an easy decision for Nike because Pacquiao, 37, is at the sunset of his career after losing in two major fights: the one against Floyd Mayweather in May 2015 and earlier, in December 2013, to Juan Manuel Marquez. He says his April 9 fight with Timothy Bradley would be his last, although he has said it before with his other fights and went on to do more.

Nike’s announcement: “We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent. Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community. We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao.”
It’s a knockout punch for Pacquiao whose endorsements make up the bulk of his boxing earnings. His camp is worried, we are told, that other sponsors might follow Nike.

Candidates define campaign in kick-off rallies

Published by Ellen on February 12, 2016

If only the evidence of corruption against Vice President Jojo Binay were not overwhelming, I would consider voting for him in the May election simply because of his promise that those earning P30,000 a month (annual income of P360,000) and below will be exempted from paying income tax.

Kim Henares’ BIR is really a heavy cross for freelance workers who are not earning a lot.

When I was a fulltime employee of Ang Pahayagang Malaya, filing of income tax returns was taken care of by the office accountant. Since my retirement from the newspaper, I have been doing freelance work. I have to do my own filing with the BIR. It’s so stressful.

I was compelled to register as “single proprietor” with the BIR because companies I deal with require receipts. With or without income, I have to file a monthly percentage tax. Then I have to file the quarterly tax, then the annual income tax return and renewal of annual registration every January.

It’s like my life now is devoted to filing something with the BIR every month. It has happened a number of times that I missed filing the monthly percentage tax and the quarterly income tax. Even just a one day delay, I had to pay P1,000.

Ang bigat.

What happens if winner in May elections is disqualified?

Published by Ellen on January 24, 2016

Of the eight presidential candidates that the Commission on Elections approved to be listed in the ballots for the May 9, 2016 elections, two are facing disqualification cases: Grace Poe and Rodrigo Duterte.

Grace Poe and Escudero oblige a selfie with student in Cebu.

The eight names that Comelec said would be in the ballots are: Jojo Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA); Miriam Defensor Santiago of the People’s Reform Party (PRP); Rody Duterte of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban); Mel Mendoza of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP); Grace Poe, independent;Mar Roxas of Daang Matuwid Liberal Party (LP); Roy Señeres of Partido ng Mangagawa at Magsasaka Workers (WPPPMM); and Dante Valencia,independent.

Printing of the ballots will start on Feb. 1 although Senate President Franklin Drilon, an LP stalwart, is asking the poll body to delay it and wait for the resolution of the disqualification cases being heard by the Supreme Court.

Binay biggest gainer in ‘destroy Grace Poe’ crusade

Published by Ellen on January 17, 2016

Binay's office released this photo to prove that he was not booed in the Sinulog celebration in Cebu — Binay’s office released this photo to prove that he was not booed in the Sinulog celebration in Cebu

The “Eliminate Grace Poe” from the presidential race crusade has benefitted Vice President Jejomar Binay who has regained the lead in the latest survey of candidates for president in the 2016 elections by the Social Weather Stations.

Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas, whose allies in the Commission on Election delivered the strongest blow against Poe, has gained from it a little because he is now in a statistical tie with Poe and another candidate, Rodrigo Duterte. But it doesn’t bring him closer to the presidency because Binay is pulling away.

By helping destroy Poe, Roxas is delivering the presidency to Binay.

My Christmas wish list

Published by Ellen on December 24, 2015

I have only three items in my Christmas wish list.

First, may the sick be healed. May they be given the strength to cope
with the trials they are going through.

Special mention in my list is the healing of my niece Rachelle who is
battling cancer. She has conquered cancer of the breast and she is now
battling tumor in her lungs. She is a very brave girl.

Another special mention is my boss, Malaya publisher Jake Macasaet who
suffered a stroke recently. Remarkably, he has recovered his speech
and is now back to his trademark “SOB”s against hypocrites.

He is undergoing daily physical therapy.

It still won’t be Roxas even if Comelec eliminates Poe

Published by Ellen on December 18, 2015

If Pres. Aquino believes the strategy that if Mar Roxas’ lawyers in Comelec succeeds in eliminating Grace Poe from the presidential race, the presidency would be an easy clinch for his anointed, he is dreaming.

If the fight is three-way – Rodrigo Duterte, Jojo Binay and Roxas, Duterte will win.
If it’s between Binay and Roxas, Binay will win.
If it’s between Duterte and Roxas, Duterte will win.

He should take a look at the latest nationwide survey by the Magdalo Group conducted last Dec. 9- 11 among 2,914 respondents. It has a margin of error of 1.8 percent.

Sampalan match: Mar vs Duterte

Published by Ellen on December 15, 2015

Tama. Huwag na yung mga presidential debate na yan. Sampalan na lang. Mas exciting pa.

Sino kaya ang pwede mag-organisa nito. Hindi siguro mahirap maghanap ng sponsor dahil sigurado maraming manonood nito.

Sa isang korner ay ang Liberal Party presidential candidate na si Mar Roxas at sa kabilang korner naman si Rodrigo Duterte, ang kandidato ng PDP-Laban.

Pwedeng gawing so MOA Arena. Hindi pwede sa Araneta Colisuem at pag-aari yan ng pamilya ng nanay ni Roxas. Magkakaroon ng hometown decision.

Kunin na judges ay ang tatlo pang kandidato sa pagka-presidente na sina Grace Poe, Jojo Binay at Roy Señeres. Ang referee si Miriam Santiago, isa ring presidential candidate.