Election 2007 – Page 15 – ellen tordesillas

Satur’s transfer to Leyte aborted on mid-air

Published by Ellen on March 19, 2007

A chartered plane carrying Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo to Leyte yesterday turned around over Masbate island after the police received a fax transmission from the judge who had ordered his arrest allowing his continued detention at the Manila Police headquarters.

Judge Ephem S. Abando of branch 18 of the Leyte regional trial court early in the morning said in a radio interview he had agreed to an oral representation of Ocampo’s lawyers that their client’s appearance be deferred until after the Supreme Court hearing on Friday on a petition to stop service of the arrest warrant.

The police, however, said they needed more than a voice over the radio to stop the transfer of Ocampo.

Update on Satur

Published by Ellen on March 19, 2007

Early this morning, before 5 a.m., PNP officers forcibly took out Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Satur Ocampo from the Manila Police District and brought to the Manila Domestic Airport. They want to bring him to Hilongos, Leyte.

ABS-CBN reported that Satur refused to take a military helicopter to Leyte as originally planned by the PNP.

Satur missed the 6 a.m. flight to Tacloban and is now at the airport waiting for the 10 a.m. flight.

6 GO,4 TU, 2 IND in latest Pulse Asia survey

Published by Ellen on March 14, 2007

The latest Pulse Asia survey conducted early this month showed that if the May 2007 elections were held today, 17 senatorial candidates would have a statistical chance of winning a seat in the Philippine Senate. Of those in this group, eight belong to the “Genuine Opposition” while another one is a guest candidate of this political coalition, six are running under “Team Unity”, and two are independent candidates.

Pulse Asia explained that for this particular survey, respondents were asked to write down the names of their preferred candidates on a “ballot” and to drop this in a “ballot box” to simulate the act of voting. Additionally, some “spoiled ballots” were counted involving senatorial candidates with namesakes who are also running for the Philippines Senate, namely, Tarlac Representative Aquino (2%) and Taguig-Pateros Representative Cayetano (5%).

Ang P200 milyong pangako kay Cesar Montano

Published by Ellen on March 12, 2007

Update:Malaya’s report on Montano’s problem.

Ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit medyo nanlalamig si Cesar Montano sa kanyang kandidatura sa pagka-senador sa ilalim ng team GMA ay hindi pala nabibigay ang P200 milyon na ipinangako ng Malacañang sa kanya hanggang ngayon.

Ito ay nanggaling sa isang malapit na tao kay Montano.

Itong mga nakaraang araw, napabalita na hindi sumisipot si Montano sa mga rally ng Team GMA at umu-ugong na baka mag-withdraw siya. Siyempre ang press relase ni Gabby Claudio, ang political operator ni Glori Arroyo, ay nag-aadjust pa raw si Montano sa kultura ng pulitika.

Trillanes’ statement on denial for media access

Published by Ellen on March 12, 2007

This is one of the items in my accumulated mail. Trillanes issued this last Saturday:

Last Wednesday, I was informed of the denial of my motion to grant reporters and other media practitioners access to me at my place of detention at the Marine Brig, Marine Base at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. I will not deny that I am greatly disappointed by the Court’s ruling.

I believe with great faith that my motion was fair and reasonable. I am not asking that I be allowed to go out of my place of detention to campaign. I know my place and I will never ask for anything which would be unreasonable.

I am simply asking that the reporters and media practitioners who wish to interview me be allowed to visit me at the Marine Brig. There are no laws, rules or regulations which will be broken; no public interest will be prejudiced; no government expense incurred; and no security issues. I, therefore, cannot understand why such a simple request was denied by the Honorable Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Makati.

Continue readingTrillanes’ statement on denial for media access

Migrants’ Election Manifesto

Published by Ellen on March 8, 2007

A group called “Concerned Overseas Filipinos Worldwide” is harnessing the power of Filipino overseas to effect change in the country through this coming election.

It has come out with the following manifesto:

We, the Overseas Filipinos worldwide, urge each and everyone in the coming May electoral contest to implore all political parties, emerging parties and their respective candidates to bring forth a platform-based campaign so that the electorate can choose credible persons who are worthy to lead the nation. In order to advance democratic governance in the Philippines, there should be a structure or process of reform that promotes increasingly participatory and accountable governance. In this context, the will and voice of the people should be respected at all times and the sanctity of the ballots must be safeguarded.

Continue readingMigrants’ Election Manifesto

Chavit in hot water for playing Santa Claus

Published by Ellen on March 6, 2007

By Gerard Anthony Naval

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will ask Team Unity candidate Luis “Chavit” Singson to explain why he should not be disqualified for giving away cash during a sortie in Misamis Oriental last Sunday.

“We will be sending him a letter,” said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.

Under the Omnibus Election Code’s Section 104, candidates are prohibited from giving donations or gifts in cash or in kind.

Pikon sa katotohanan

Published by Ellen on March 5, 2007

Bakit kaya galit ang kampo ni Mike Arroyo sa political ad ni Alan Cayetano, kandidato para senador ng Genuine Opposition, na pinapakita ang kanyang ginawa noong hearing sa kongreso sa kasong kanyang isinampa laban kay Alan?

Hindi naman niretoke ang kanyang mukha at kanyang sinabi. Talagang makatotohanan.

Ang galing nitong ad ni Alan. Pinapakita ang video clip ni Arroyo na buong yabang na nagsabi, “It’s none of your business” (Wala kang paki-alam).

Opposition’s duty to the people

Published by Ellen on March 4, 2007

The senatorial campaign is going on its fourth week. Both sides are fine-tuning their organizations based on realities on the ground after their initial salvos.

Team GMA has brought in Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, who is supposed to take over the media and logistics aspect of the campaign, according to campaign manager Reli German.

Team GMA probably thinks Evardone, being a former reporter, could make media sing more praises to their candidates. Although, I was thinking, what can Evardone give to media that Ike Gutierrez, media operator of former President Joseph Estrada who is now deputy to German, has not given? Probably as in -charge of “media and logistics”, Evardone will have a bigger budget.

Turning the tables on Mike Arroyo

Published by Ellen on March 4, 2007

This is a bright idea.

Update on “That’s none of your business” political ad: Mike Arroyo’s aide says they will sue. Click here.

Following article is by Volt Contreras in the Inquirer.

“That’s none of your business!’’ says a peeved First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, cueing the start of a 30-second political TV ad.

It features a brief footage of Arroyo snapping at Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano during the House committee hearing on the First Family’s alleged hidden wealth abroad. It also shows Cayetano insisting: “No, it is the business of the Filipino people!’’

Category: Election 2007