Chiz Escudero Favored by Iskolar Ng Bayan

In a Philstar report today Chiz Escudero is favored over Villar and Aquino. UP Alpha Sigma fraternity sponsored moc election from Sept 8-15 result:

1. Escudero -690 votes - 21 percent
2. Villar - 365 votes - 11.6 percent
   
3. Aquino - 278 votes - 8.8 percent
4. Madrigal - 258 votes - 8.2 percent
   
5. Legarda - 237 votes - 7.9 percent
6. Fernando - 226 votes - 7.2 percent
7. Binay - 162 votes - 5.1 percent.

On the otherhand, look at the left side of this blog, I have provided a poll survey over readers of this blog for presidentiables. You may cast your votes and be counted lets have a diverse population from any sector to cast votes over this survey after this poll ends I will post an article about it.

Source: Philstar

Can AFP Eliminate the NPA?

In an article in Philstar entitled "Defeat of NPA By 2010 Imminent, Says AFP" have some new revelations over AFP's leadership untamed tongue, this implies many things for me positive and negative and to cite a few hear this:

AFP Leaders would like to Demoralize the NPA
If this is intended that way the NPA's know for a fact how well or bad they are doing.

AFP want to smell good over a Promotion before PGMA leaves office
Hhhmmnn... I smell something. PGMA has always make Generals seated in the Top offices in the country, why not?

AFP wants to display good public image
I believe the public always have high regards for the AFP. It is always there, what makes the public shun them are the people like Garcia (baka nandun ang budget para sa bala) or officers like the Euro generals, and perhaps many others who hides in the cloak of a snappy uniform.

What the public need is an action than a bubbly mouth.

Cousins: Gibo Teodoro Against Noynoy Aquino

For the public's information Aquino and Teodoro are second cousins, their mothers Corazon and Mercedes being first cousins in the Cojuangco family. Mercedes is the youngest sister of business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

We are all aware that the expected happens yesterday when Teodoro beats MMDA chair Bayani Fernando to be the Party's standard bearer. The two presidential aspirants took turns answering questions on

their respective positions on issues, including the Mindanao peace process, communist insurgency, climate change, youth, housing, agrarian reform, and graft and corruption. “

In the end, however, one man alone had to be chosen as standard bearer to lead the party in the elections of 2010 and, with God’s grace, to lead our country to its rightful place of dignity, unity, peace and prosperity,” Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs and Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary general Gabriel Claudio said in announcing to the media the selection of Teodoro.

On the other hand, Noynoy Aquino by far reaches more than 50% by a survey conducted recently. Aquino, standard bearer of the Liberal Party, said “I wish him well,” Aquino said, even as he admitted that he was not really close to Teodoro.

They had always been on opposite sides of the political fence but respected each other’s positions. “(Our differences) never became personal. Maybe, we both were trying to understand where we were coming from, our backgrounds are different,” Aquino said.“Just like what my father, the late senator and national hero, Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr., always used to say, everyone should be running scared so as not to be complacent, “ he said.

sources: Philstar

Bob Arum to Baguio City

Once the training of the pound for pound king Manny "PACMAN" Pacquiao starts in Baguio City Bobo Arum will visit the summer capital of the country to witness its beauty.

Philstar noted in the article that Bob Arum hasn't been to Baguio and he won't miss the opportunity to be there once the training of Manny starts. He was even asking what he should do once landed in Manila but Manny assured him to booked a private flight going to Baguio. The Top Rank big boss will be staying in Baguio for afew days before going back to the States.

Pacman at the New York Times Main Office

New York - our own boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was invited at the New York Times main office for a 45 minute round table disccussion with sports editor to discuss about his fight with Cotto, how he started as a boxer and his political plans.

The fight with Cotto could make him a P 1 Billion richer said Arum. He is guaranteed purse of $13 million in the upcoming fight but could reach $20 million.

Pacquiao earned close to $15 million each in his last two fights against Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton, and there’s just no other way but up for the one widely considered as the face of boxing today.

Pacquiao said he was gunning for a seventh world title in different weight classes, but said that’s as far as he can go. He was asked how many more fights is he looking at, and he said, “I don’t know. It’s up to him (Arum).”

Freddie Roach -It was in 2001 when he “walked into my gym looking for a trainer, and one month after we won the world title against (Lehlo) Ledwaba.”

“Guys like him come once in a lifetime. He’s the Muhammad Ali type. And I think we will never see another Manny Pacquiao at least in our lifetime,” said Roach.

Otherwise, what’s Pacquiao doing in the main office of the New York Times on a very busy day?

Source: Philstar

For Auction: 2010 Presidential Bid is now Open! Who's Interested?

We are all aware that Noynoy Aquino is joining the race for presidential bid in 2010. This has somewhat resulted in withdrawal for some (Mar Roxas, Ed Palilio, and others) and a declaration to maintain their stand in running for president (Loren Legarda and others).

What surprises me is the stand of former Pres. Joseph Estrada. He is very determined and has a strong conviction and even said that if the opposition cannot unite for 1 president to run. He is maintaining his declaration and not giving up to pursue 2010 presidential bid. Isn't this action inflict more damage than good to the opposition? or allow me to say its illogical. What's the relationship of his bid against the unity of the party? If he decides not to run will it have impact to unite the opposition? I would rather believe him saying "I will run for President -PERIOD!!!" I think that will be enough, but forgive my tongue because I would say it is not right... All have their individual rights to declare and pursue and I hope there would really be someone from among our candidates that truly fight for genuine politics. Our country needs leaders who really have the heart for the people and not for themselves. There is Ping Lacson, Jejomar Binay, Chiz Escudero, Mike Velarde, Bayani Fernando, Noli De Castro, Gilbert Teodoro, and others that might have yet to declare...

Here are the following problems they faced once they'll win:

1. Ballooning Debt with interest on it's neck.
2. Aggravating Fiscal budget deficit that PGMA promised to balance; Lol!
3. Increasing Poverty situation, contrary to "Ramdam ang Kaunlaran" (feel the improvement/development) I would say "Ramdam ang Kaunloron" (feel the sinking/hardship).
4. Population growth
   
5. Economic instability
6. Peace and Order
   

Lastly, "ATTITUDE". Unless we do something, unless we take out greediness, unless we change... everything will just continue in an unending loop. I don't know what's next... famine? deep poverty? war? riots? people power? inflation rise? economic turmoil?

In all these things I still believe and hope for the best in our country... I'll try to believe.

JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVES MEETING

JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVES MEETING: Senate Majority Leader & Committee on Cooperatives Chairman Juan Miguel Zubiri (center) gestures as he stresses his point while Taguig 1st District Representative Maria Laarni Cayetano (left) and House Committee on Cooperatives Chairman Ernesto Pablo (right) wait for their turn during the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Cooperatives meeting on August 17, 2009 held at the Senate. Zubiri also said that the oversight committee will ask Finance Secretary Margarito Teves to issue an order to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) not to collect taxes from the cooperatives until after the Joint Implementing Guidelines between the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and BIR have been approved.

Gov't Grant Co-ops Amnesty from Back Taxes

A joint resolution by the Department of Finance (DOF) and Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) granted amnesty to cooperatives from back taxes that have not yet been assessed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

So what initially are covered under this resolution? According to the report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer the following are covered:

1. Basically, back taxes that have not yet been assessed;
2. Transaction with banks and insurance companies;
3. All investments in the cooperatives are virtually tax free;
4. Income taxes from members interest on share capital

The above however, is not conclusive as it was written on the PDI report, I still have to verify whether these are true. I will post an update once I obtain the joint resolution.

See article from PDI. here

$500 Million ADB Loan

Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monetary Board approves the $500 million loan from Asian Development Bank by the PHilippine government. The amount is said to be alloted by ADB as part of its $3 Billion for the developing country such as ours to assist from the uncertain impact on the global recession.

Further, the amount loaned will be used to finance year ender budgetary support.

Originally the government has already borrowed 276.23 Billion from Jan to Jul this year.

Source: Philstar

US Firm to Invest 50 Billion

This is a very outstanding headline to post in our daily newspaper than the very sad Ferry sink. I'm not saying I don't care about the negative things happening in our country I am however concerned by the level at which how we can really care for the "Yanong Juan" or should I say "Every Juan".

On the other end, Pres GMA will attend the funeral of ka Erdie Manalo to pay last respect of the leader of the Iglesia Ni Kristo. How I hope this action will not add any color to us because the group delivers a vote rich and solid straight from its millions of members throughout the country. I least expect a working day for this as an exchange considering the groups help frm the last election.

The US-based Swiss Global Connect USA will invest $50 billion to develop priority projects in tourism, real estate development, infrastructure, agricultural research, indigenous power supply and mineral enhancements in Zambales. Consider this a very big achievement if no ZTE like transactions for the greedy then no problem, I will be the first to praise the government.

Opinions were based on the Philstar issue. here