Halalan2022: A memo on the top 4 Presidential Candidates 10 days to the polls…

A teddy bear, a son of a dictator, a soft-core actor and a boxer. What do these all have in common? Well, they are now a part of the final stages to the polls in the Philippines. The stage is now getting set and COMELEC is preparing things. The final preparations are in order and the last part of the campaigns are happening too.

Now, the ones who haven’t made up their mind …. they got and should. The teams are already there. The Front-Runners have been clear for month. Two candidates have run high and mighty. This being Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Junior and Leni Robredo. They are stark contrasts and very different.

Former Senator BBM or Bong Bong isn’t very transparent or accountable. No, he is very selective and defensive. Not the sort of fella that you can interview or question. By any means… he prefers prefixed questionaries and puff pieces. The sort of man who is arrogant and entitled to return to the Presidential Palace like his father did in the past. The son of the dictator who has never supported or been part of EDSA. You can wonder if he will do that in office or dismiss it. As he remembers that as the time the Republic fought his father’s tyrannical reign and the agony of the marshal law. Alas, the son might be different, but he shows utter arrogance that would linger in office.

While Vice-President Leni Robredo is open, participating and answering. You might not agree with her or every political stance she has. However, everything isn’t scripted prepared or even published as fluff. No, she is pushed, dragged and belittle all over. Not just for the colour scheme of her campaign, but for whatever she does. She has even been asked to sacrifice her candidacy for others. Therefore, Robredo has stood tall.

Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, the mayor of Manila has created a storm and been in the wind. His campaign has never taken off and neither has his Duterte-Light approach to the campaign either. Isko is just one of those guys. He is the man who asked Robredo to sacrifice her role and called her a “bully” for standing tall. That just shows how he is a brat.

Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran Pacquiao the senator and well known boxer. A man who has gone up the ranks and become an established politician. Nevertheless, his own party dismissed him and the PDP-Laban threw him out, as he stood for Presidency. While they instead have endorsed “Bong Bong” much later. That just shows how weak the PDP-Laban was into this election. While Manny is far from totally seasoned or had a powerful team behind him. He has fought and sells himself a people’s champ. However, he will not switch to southpaw and win this one. No, this is going down for the count and he is not close to the 3^rd position even. Though his doing it by showing his true cadence and character, which is more than “Isko” and “Bong Bong” ever did.

I don’t know how this will go, but my prediction of the whole machinery behind Bong Bong Marcos was justified. That Robredo would be second or a front-runner was expected too. It wasn’t without a reason she was able to become the VP in the first place. So, now the question is… how will these two fare. That is something I don’t know and cannot tell.

What I do know… is that these will be ones to follow. The margins of error is slim. BBM haven’t really tested the waters and he will not do it now. He will continue his onslaught of prepared and prepaid content. While we can wonder what the others will do. Nevertheless, what ever Manny and Isko is doing will become more and more meaningless. It might help their next run or campaigns. But right now? Well… it won’t amount to anything. Not because they are no good, but because their reach aren’t close to BBM or Leni.

They have to fight a cute teddy and a dynasty. These two cannot match that. Neither can anyone of the not mentioned here. Since they are so far from the four mentioned. That I don’t even care to say their names. Even if one is a long standing Senator and other took a noble stance after the Withdrawal Party. Still, the facts remain…

It is a two horse race and we can just wonder who finish first at the finish-line. Peace.

 

Halalan 2022: The PDP-Laban ticket process has been a total mess…

Yesterday, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Tesoro Go or “Bong Go” stepped down from his candidacy as a Presidential Candidate on the PDP-Laban ticket. Since 15^th November 2021 the PDP-Laban had written on their resolution no. 16 to support the candidacy of Bong Go – Duterte tandem ticket. This was supported and stated by the National Executive Committee of the PDP-Laban. Therefore, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) is now without candidates in the highest offices.

The President has announced during November that he suddenly would be a candidate for the Senate. Meaning he will not stand as a Vice-President and compete with his daughter Sara Duterte who is standing on another ticket as a VP. Therefore, “Bong Go” and Rodrigo have both backed off and ditched the main tickets of the PDP-Laban ticket.

Yes, this is also following the Ronald “Bato” Del Rosa who first stood as the Presidential Candidate, because he was available and that got changed to “Bong Go”. Now, all three is gone and the PDP-Laban is a lot of wasted space.

The PDP-Laban could just have fielded Manny Pacquiao, but they rather run with none or run on empty. They practically don’t have an VP or a Presidential Candidate for 2022 at this late stage. Yes, COMELEC have no official withdrawal letter from “Bong Go” so it’s not official, but the message is already out.

PDP-Laban is total chaos with this… Just the announcing of “Bato” and dropping him for “Bong Go”. Rodrigo Duterte went from VP to be come a senator. While the PDP-Laban lost Pac-Man as well, who is running on another ticket. This is all showing how the party have done it and it have been hectic.

If this is all done to support Bong Bong Marcos – Duterte ticket. It is really foolish of them, if that is the end game. Because, what worth is the party? If they can easily trade it all away for political alliances and family members who is participating for others? Is the PDP-Laban party that easily traded away?

Because, Inday Sara is running elsewhere… the PDP-Laban have to be crucified on the national level? That’s how it looks like and it’s just weak tea. Who knew they lacked so much character and finesse to give up in this way.

Not like “Bato” or “Bong Go” was any good as Presidential Candidates. They are both side-kicks and loyal token soldiers of Duterte. These two doesn’t have the spine to stand-up for themselves. This is why they can be so easily shelved and not mattering. It is tragic that they make “Isko Moreno” look smart… which isn’t supposed to be a thing. However, that is what they are up to and it’s not looking good.

Who knew the PDP-Laban would be this sort of circus and be this chaotic…. This is supposed to be the parties who supposed to run a republic and have certain measures to secure things runs in order. PDP-Laban should be run better, but that is clearly to much to ask…

“Bong Go” dropping out is just showing why he was the side-kick and the water-boy of Duterte all these years. His the enforcer and the ones who deals with the decrees of the President. He isn’t a man to carry his own. That is why it’s right for him to back-off. However, why was the party believing in this man in the first place?

That just shows the foolishness … and how dumb this process has been. There is nothing in this that you can take as a smooth or a wise move. Unless, it is to strategically give BBM-Duterte an easier way into 2022. If that is the case… the trade-off better be golden and the treasury chest promised should cover all expenses for decades to come. Since, the “Bong Bong” Marcos still has plunder money to pay for his politicking. Peace.

Opinion: Duterte won the Midterms 2019!

The Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte can be acclaimed the victor of the 13^th May 2019 Midterms, as his candidates all across the board is sealing their victory. The preliminary results within the 24 hours after the polls was already making it look like a landslide and that was all on unofficial results. Now, that more and more results is out. The proof is in the pudding.

There is no denying it, the magic twelve, the 12 Senators of these Midterms is people in favour and associated with the President. All of them is on board and the Opposition Candidates are not able to get in. Not as its only small canvassing left of the votes. Even with the glitches and the problematic SD-Cards, the results are still the same. The ones whose blessed with endorsement from the President has all become part of the magic twelve.

There are also the knowledge of the local governments where allies, associates and former workers of the President have won seats, mayoral or positions of representatives. This is all across the board. They have been announced and the truth is out.

What we have seen is some questionable things, what is more defining is the lack of value of the ballots, as this is prolonging suspension, as the Senators are not finalized after 48 hours. Tomorrow, it will be a week since the 13^th May to 20^th May 2019.

Because, it is rare, that the official results takes this long time. That we’re on the 6 day since the polls and the COMELEC is not able to issue the Official Results. As they are still partial for the Senators. Still, these results are showing that the President is getting his endorsed candidates.

This seems also likely in the local governments all around. By all means, there districts and towns, where mayors are in opposition, but these are either retaining their place or a minor victory. As there are several of others in the area, where the ones in association of the President are getting positions. Therefore, this is a slam dunk.

The results, the victories been made on both local level and national level is a sign that the President and his associates got a strong grip on power. That the politicking and bargaining will continue, as the dynasties, the plunders and others are still in the realm of power. These people are in and around the President. He might speak vile about corruption, but some of the people he has endorsed are plunders and been charged for that.

President Duterte has won this one, nothing else to say and that the opposition are wiped out. They are really hit hard, even as the COMELEC haven’t delivered proper polls, because the announcing of official results has taken so long. This jeopardize the results and also the credibility of the polls. This is well-known facts and also is a worrying sign. It should have been done quickly and not over this long time.

Duterte should be worried about COMELEC, unless he wants that to stain his victory and possibly next election. As the Commission needs to be revamped and secured enough funds for the up-coming elections.

The President have won now, but if they want to look totally good. The COMELEC needs something, the system needs upgrades, as the days goes by, the strength of the election dwindles. Since, it shouldn’t be this hard to count the ballots. Peace.

Philippines: NAMFREL – Preliminary Findings and Observations on the 13th May, 2019 Midterm Elections (18.05.2019)

Philippines: NAMFREL reacts on ballot pre-shading video (17.05.2019)

Opinion: Seems like Duterte wins the 2019 Mid-Term Elections!

Well, if I understand the results I have seen so far, as they are only preliminary, they are in favour of the ruling party, their allies and of most of their well-wishers. Seemingly, this election is solidifying the position of President Rodrigo Duterte, not only in the Senate, but in local government too. As the wards I have seen its been all positive for him.

I might be that I am just checking in the right corners of the Republic. But he seems like winner now. That the PDP-Laban and the other allies are victors. The Independents and the Opposition many places are losing their steps.

Therefore, as this election goes, it seems that the President is just getting stronger. That is how it seems as off now, but when the official results are out. It might change, but this election seems like his.

While National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) own statement earlier today have sent stern warnings from their volunteers on the way the elections was conducted in various of areas. As there was technical glitches in the voting machines, there was acknowledged of buying votes and so on. Therefore, these elections aren’t perfect, as there are certain things that still needs to be addressed. This was from their statement of 2100H Filipino Time 13th May 2019. There will be surely more statements from them and the likes. Showing the other side of the Election too.

We have to see how this goes, but by now, the results are going in favour of the President and his allies. Unless, there is a lot of unverified results hidden somewhere. This seems like a giant haul for him and nothing else.

By the time I wake up, the results might be different. But as I go to sleep, the results are surely a vindication of the Presidency, as he has more of his people in positions, not only in the Senate, but also elsewhere. Peace.

Philippines Senatorial Mid-Terms: 12 Slots Open, Duterte is gunning for 11!

On Thursday 14^th of February, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced his endorsement of 11 Senatorial Candidates in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. As there are up 12 Senatorial Slots in the Mid-Terms Elections on May 13^th 2019. This is a clear sign, that the President are willing try to take a landslide of the senatorial position. So, that he gets more favourable Senators. Whose on his side.

What we do know already because of the release of list of Senatorial Candidates for the re-elections. The Senate will lose the like of Sen. Antonio “Sonny” F. Trilianes IV, Sen. Loren B. Legarda and Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” B. Honasan II are not running for re-election this season. Therefore, their time in the chambers are now over. Surely, they have served, the biggest enemy of Duterte is leaving his role. As Trilianes is not going for re-election. In that regard, the President has a victory already before the polls starting.

Also, the President have endorsed the likes of Christopher Lawrence Tesoro “Bong Go” Go , Aquilino Pimentel III (re-election), Francis Tolentino, Zajid Mangudadatu, Freddie Aguilar, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (re-election), Allen Peter “Pia” S. Cayetano (re-election), Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito (re-election), Imelda “Imee” Marcos (re-election), Cynthia A. Villar (Re-Election) and former senator Jose Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada.

Surely we’re seeing that Duterte is picking people loyal to him whose already in the Senate like Pimitel, Aguilar, Ejercito, Marcos and Villar. That is why his trying to get 5 people in again. What are seeing also, is that Duterte really are endorsing the political families of the Republic. Because in this midterms alone he is supporting a Marcos and an Estrada.

What is special about Jinggoy Estrada is that his been out of jail just for a short time before this election. He has been indicted and served time on plunder charges, as there been cases going back a decade in time on him. Therefore, the President endorsing him isn’t a strong sign in fighting corruption and such, more a validation of a political dynasty.

The same can be said by the Imee Marcos, the daughter of Fernando Marcos, also has some questionable things in her past. Like in November 2018 a civil forfeiture case on her was seeking to recover the amount of P200 Billion, which was a 31 year case. She was supposed to serve several years in jail over this, but still is able to run for senatorial run now. With the blessing of the President. This is the second candidate, whose part of a political dynasty. Also, that she was also know for corrupt behaviour.

We can clearly see, that this is strategic manoeuvrers of the President. Not only to get loyal people in the Senate to further his agenda and get his will there. Out of the 12 Senate Slots, 6 are for re-election within his coalition. There are many other who wants to run for these open positions. Also, in the opposition, but the ones here are people to look out for. Because of the popularity of Duterte in the Philippines. His endorsements means something.

Seemingly he is gunning for 11 out 12 slot directly. Surely, he doesn’t think he can sway people away from Sen. Grace L. Poe and Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay. But that means one of them got to go. Either Binay or Poe, if the ones that Duterte wants in. Surely, the public will decide and go to the polls. No matter what the stats or the polling is saying now. It is a long time to May 2019. However, that Duterte will get a stronger grip over the Senate is most likely. Since some stark opposition senators are not running. While there are friendlier faces, that is up- and coming.

Surely, the Mid-Terms will be interesting, but the Presidency has really put his stakes in it and have his people within the Senate. Peace.