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 3rd 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.

 

BTOB Philippines: Statement of Support for the Presidential and Vice Presidential bid of the Incumbent Vice President Leonor “Leni” Gerona Robredo and Incumbent Senator Frances “Kiko” Pangilinan (27.04.2022)

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP): Expose AFP units campaigning for Marcos-Duterte tandem (27.04.2022)

Philippines: Kabataan Partylist – Supreme Court affirmation of Terror Law cements state terror for future generations beyond Duterte regime (26.04.2022)

Kabataan Partylist condemns the Supreme Court’s denial with finality of the motions for reconsideration of its December 7, 2021 decision affirming the constitutionality of most parts of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

The high court cites that there is no substantial issues and arguments raised by petitioners. This is a disappointment given observable intensifying redtagging and terrorist-labelling that has led to more human rights violations and even massacres in the past months including the Bloody Sunday massacre in 2021 and the New Bataan 5 massacre in 2022 nearly one year apart from each other.

Worse, among victims of attacks were actual petitioners against the Terror Law including Atty. Angelo Karl ‘AK’ Guillen who was stabbed by a screwdriver and Chad Booc, a volunteer Lumad teacher and Computer Science graduate of UP Diliman killed along with his companions while in a community visit in Mindanao. Are not mounting dead bodies a substantial issue?

Even amid the 2022 electoral campaign period, opposition candidates, supporters and bystanders alike are deprived of free speech with threats of actual violence from redtagging and terrorist-labelling by state forces. Clearly, voiding some provisions of the Terror Law is not enough. A revised Terror Law does not mean that the rabid and bloody track record of state forces attacking innocent civilians in the name of counterinsurgency or on behalf of the sitting regime will suddenly change for the better.

President Duterte may step down but what is definite is that the Supreme Court in this decision is set to prolong his bloody legacy of brutal rule far into the future. The Terror Law needs to be scrapped altogether as we pursue a peace based on human rights and social justice. The youth fight will back for the freedom of newer generations and our nation until this draconian law and all political remnants of fascist dictatorship are striken down into the trash bin of history.

Kabataan Partylist

April 26, 2022

Philippines: National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) – Power and authority should not be weaponized against the people (25.04.2022)

Opinion: “Doy” Laurel’s legacy soiled in this election

The United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO), is now backing the UniTeam on the May 9 National Election and their call for unity. UNIDO formally reemerged as a regional political party on Saturday, around two weeks before the May 9 polls. In an event at the Manila Yacht Club, it announced its support for Marcos and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Senator Francis Tolentino, one of the party’s honorary trustees, said UNIDO’s revival is an answer to the call for “unity,” which is the main theme of the Marcos-Duterte duo’s campaign” (ISIP Pilipinas 2022, 24.04.2022).

It is hard to imagine, but one man who worked for years to overthrow Marcos would allow his party and coalition to endorse the son of the dictator. However, that is now official, because the UNIDO is endorsing the UniTeam and Presidential Candidate Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. and Mayor Inday Sara Duterte. So, here we are and the current UNIDO is betraying it’s existence.

It is really striking and tragic that both PDP-Laban and UNIDO have both endorsed the UniTeam in the upcoming polls. The parties of the EDSA, Aquino and Laurel are now behind the son of the dictator, which they fought in the 1980s and chased from the office in 1986. Now, they are backing the son and this shows how times are changing.

I just want drop some of his own words and the reason for the UNIDO in the first place. “Doy” Laurel should be remembered and what he stood for. His now long gone and is late, but his legacy will live on.

Just read this:

Scene I: On June 12, 1985, I was unanimously drafted presidential standard bearer of the United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO) in a national convention attended by 25,000 delegates held at the Araneta Coliseum. Cory subsequently threw her hat into the ring and announced that she had heard “the voice of God” and that she had been presented a “million signatures” urging her to run. Her announcement threatened to splinter the opposition. To prevent such a split — which could have only entrenched the Marcos regime — I accepted Cory’s written offer and settled for the vice presidency” (Dr. Salvador H. Laurel – ‘THE UNPLANNED SHOWDOWN AT EDSA’ – Salvador H. Laurel Museum and Library, 06.01.2021).

Also this:

At the last minute, Laurel, looking at the example of his father who stepped aside for Ramon Magsaysay in 1953, gave way to Cory Aquino and ran as her vice president. The event moved the Archbishop of Manila, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, to say upon Laurel’s death: “He gave of himself so completely to the quest and helped recover freedom for the people, not by forwarding himself, but by volunteering to slay his own personal ambition.”” (Fernando del Mundo – ‘Doy Laurel: Forgotten patriot of Edsa I’ 23.02.2013, the Philippine Inquiry).

That’s why I am writing this today, as the one who has inherited the party or coalition of UNIDO is not carrying the Laurel legacy well. They are forgetting the reason for its existence and why it was a force to reckon with. The ones who is running UNIDO is banking on the fact that UniTeam will be the next administration and have good favours, but they have sold the soul of the party by doing that.

UNIDO is now a shell of what it used to be. The “Doy” Laurel era is long gone and been for a moment forgotten too. Maybe, the leaders of UNIDO hopes people are forgetful. Nevertheless, there will always be someone who can remind you and tell the honest truth. It is distasteful and disgraceful… “Doy” Laurel legacy had deserved better… but we know that influence and power corrupts. The current leadership cares more about their future, than about the legacy of the party. It is sold on the altar of possible power and be in proximity of Malacañang Palace. Peace.

Philippines: A Commandment of Love for God and Country – Statement of Individual Support from Clergy and Religious of the Diocese of Kalookan (24.04.2022)

Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL): ANFREL Launches International Election Observation Mission to the 2022 Philippine National And Local Elections (23.04.2022)

Opinion: Duterte goes soft on vote-buying…

With regard to vote buying, you cannot control that because it involves the distribution of envelopes. But if you terrorize, you send goons, that’s a different story. We will clash. Whether you belong to my party or not, you know, behave” (…) ”Do not terrorize the people, the elections must be free and it must be credible” – President Rodrigo Duterte (19.04.2022).

Now that the term is soon over and the successor is soon elected in a few days. The Filipino President Duterte in the a recent rally went very soft on a common trick. The trick is that the richest campaigns and such is going around with envelopes and buying voters. They are coming with a few thousands pesos, if not lesser depending on the region and what office, which is at stake. The various of campaign teams has couriers who are walking around in the Barangay’s and ensuring the voters get paid.

However, the Omnibus Election Code of 1985 is very clear. Even if it is a “common” practice, which is why even I know about it from people I know in Mindanao. How it just occur and is a feature of any election. Where there is even talks of the amounts and which side that possibly gives the most to the electorate. Therefore, for a man who wanted to rule with “rule of law” and with “justice” as his program. It is sad to see that his defeatist to the code and not wanting to stop the election offense and practice, which is harming “free and fair elections”. Hard to be credible and to justify it when candidates are trying to out perform each other with pesos, instead of policy and political programs…

Just read the law here!

Sec. 261. Prohibited Acts. – The following shall be guilty of an election offense:

Vote-buying and vote-selling.

1. Any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party.

2. Any person, association, corporation, group or community who solicits or receives, directly or indirectly, any expenditure or promise of any office or employment, public or private, for any of the foregoing considerations.

b) Conspiracy to bribe voters. – Two or more persons, whether candidates or not, who come to an agreement concerning the commission of any violation of paragraph (a) of this section and decide to commit it” (Omnibus Election Code, 1985).

Its really striking that Duterte isn’t going hard on that. The man who worked so hard against the “pork barrels” and against “hidden budgets” for representatives and government officials. To ensure there was less bribes and streamline government entities. That has been done in his term.

So, it is sad to see him go out like this. Go so soft and mellow. Maybe his tired and looks forward to retirement. Nevertheless, it wasn’t as expected. Because, he goes hard on election violence and such. He won’t have any of that or intimidation of voters. However, his cool and doesn’t see a big problem with the spending, buying and indirectly bribing the electorate. Since the money cannot be traced and whatnot. By saying that… there is no real oversight over the campaigns, the donations or the transactions made by them. That is really weak and shows there is a need to put strings on that, if this election offense was to ever cease to exist.

Duterte going mellow. Who knew? That wasn’t anticipated… but it has happened. It is tragic, but life goes on. I expected more of him, but that’s maybe to much to ask. He rather take a step back and let bygones be bygones. Peace.

Opinion: Isko Moreno is sinking [and without a Plan B]

[Leni] whatever you are doing is not effective against Marcos” Isko Moreno

That the Presidential Campaign of Isko Moreno Domagoso is clearly not going after plan. The Easter Sunday is usually the day of celebrating that Jesus Christ resurrected on the third day after the crucifixion on Long Friday. Therefore, this Sunday and following days should have been golden. However, for Isko Moreno its been a tragic downfall of an abysmal campaign.

The Mayor of Manilla and former Vice Mayor should be lucky to create headlines and be part of the conversation. Isko Moreno asked for the biggest challenger in the race, Leni Robredo to step down or withdraw her candidacy. Which is very ironic, because his nowhere close to popular or have a reach to go against “Bong Bong” Marcos at this point of time.

That’s why he really thinks the electorate is stupid when he calls the Robredo camp to “Stop the bullying”. This is the guy who tried to bully, called a press conference with joint Presidential Candidates and called for her to end her campaign. It is now 48 hours since the Presser and his not serving any good purpose now.

Isko Moreno is playing the victim after being sexist and showing token masochism…. It is really despicable and doing a fools errand. The Mayor should reflect on his own actions, but right now he rather die on this hill. Even if it is a hill, which is not worthy to cross or too take a selfie on the top of. Since it is just a transgression and political blunder of epic proportions.

The former actor should be concerned. Yes, his not willing budge or show character. That he stepped out of line and actually was terribly wrong. Instead, his doubling down and playing the victim.

The one has been attacked and asked to do his bidding was Robredo. It was she who was asked to sacrifice herself and her campaign just mere weeks ahead of the polls. At a time of her momentum and possible last voter reach in the final stages of the campaign. Isko Moreno should ask himself, would he sacrifice himself or his own career for someone else?

Would he go on the altar and confess his sins to the general public?

After what he has shown of late. His ego is so huge and his own self belief is beyond anything you can recognize. Especially, when he was the man who flaunted the idea and tried to force the execution. Didn’t he think it could come a backlash or a retort in return?

Or does he that his that special and unique of man. That everyone should just obey and listen. The King Kuya and the big man of the clan. Because, that is how it looks and his not that great. He says she’s not effect against Marcos Junior, but what has he done? What does he has to offer or could prove to be an alternative to BBM? Nothing, none and nada.

Isko Moreno better get into method acting or something. He better get his act together and bravely apologize. This is beneath him, but he intends to double down. If he thinks this make his campaign any better. His terribly wrong and failing at it. There is no redeeming qualities and lack of finesse is obvious.

Isko Moreno is a lost one. He is so out of bound and out of class. That there is nowhere for him to go from here. He should reconsider himself and his stances. However, don’t count on it. He prefers to be screwed and that is very clear by his approach to Robredo in this here instance.

We could hope the Mayor found his way and could show some humility, but at this point. We all know that is too much to ask. He rather play this one all out and think he can win some brownie points. However, his only loosing more and more. Without recognizing the blunder, which he created all by himself. Peace.