Aquino proclamation set

The next president, likely Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, and possibly the next vice president of the country are expected to be officially proclaimed on Monday, June 7.

This was revealed Monday night by Speaker Prospero Nograles as he noted that less than 35 percent of the 278 certificates of canvass (CoCs) have not yet been tabulated with the joint national canvassing committee left two days to count the remainder.

Pointing out that Congress has done its part of speeding up the canvassing of election returns for the presidential and vice presidential races and the eventual proclamation of the winners, Nograles said he also expects the Supreme Court, which will act as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to fast-track its decision on electoral protests should there be one.

Aquino s predicted to win the presidential race having led almost throughout the national canvassing of votes by the 18-man committee composed of House of Representatives and Senate members.

Running second to Aquino is former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) who garnered 5,927,990 votes.

With the deferment of tabulation of 14 CoCs as of Tuesday night, a forecast of the vice presidential race winner is not possible.

Aquino’s runningmate, Sen. Manuel Roxas, and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino are still slugging it out for the lead, although the latter has maintained a slim lead as of press time yesterday.

Binay posted 9,048,351 votes on Tuesday night while Roxas chalked up 8,749,968 after the canvassing of 189 of 278 CoCs, or a difference of 298,383 votes.

Lawyers for several candidates appeared headed to the PET as they continued to badger the canvassing panel with objections on various issues that could set the stage for an election protest.

Lawyers for Roxas, together with Senator Jamby Madrigal, sought the deferment of canvassing in cities and provinces where counting were allegedly discontinued to pave the way for the early proclamation of winning local candidates.

They cited a certification issued by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Executive Director Jose Tolentino that the poll body agreed to lower the threshold of counting in areas where there is no possibility that vote margins posted by leading candidates can still be overtaken.

The huge number of null votes for vice president, reaching 800,000 as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, is also expected to be brought to the PET. The number represents nearly 12 percent of all votes canvassed.

“We in the joint canvassing committee are tasked to make sure that all votes cast by our people on May 10 are counted properly. It will be a disservice to our people if we do an incomplete canvass at the national level,” said Camarines Norte Rep. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, an ally of Roxas.

In four days of canvassing, Congress, acting as the National Board of Canvassers, was able to canvass an average of 47 CoCs per day, starting off with the manually transmitted returns from 174 overseas absentee voting centers throughout the world.

Nograles said there remained a possibility that proclamation can be made Thursday but the June 7 schedule is a “safe” prediction.

Earlier, the House leader set June 4 as the target of proclamation of the winners in the presidential and vice presidential race but the closing ceremonies of the Lower House made it impossible for the joint canvassing panel to meet the schedule.

Last Monday, Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who both head the canvassing body, agreed to defer canvassing session on Friday to give way to the closing ceremonies of both chambers.

Aquino won in almost all provinces and cities. Among these are: Surigao del Norte; Bulacan, Catanduanes, Laguan, Benguet, Masmate, Albay, Paranaque City, Sorsogon, Aklan, Bohol, Cebu, Camarines Sur, Agusan del Norte, Compostela Valley, Tarlac, Cavite, Marinduque, Mandaluyong City and Bataan.

On the other hand, Estrada took Misamis Oriental, Cagayan, Occidental Mindoro, Saranggani, Isabela, Quirino, and Zamboanga City.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., who is number 4 in the race, won in Camiguin, Dinagat Island, and Guimaras.

In the vice presidential race, Binay enjoyed the lead in the following cities and provinces: Nueva Vizcaya, Paranaque City, Cagayan, Sorsogon, Occidental Mindoro, Saranggani, Isabela, Misamis Oriental, Bulacan, Manila, Catanduanes, Laguna, Quirino, Compostela Valley, Zamboanga City, Bataan, Cavite and Mandaluyong City.

Roxas won in Negros Oriental, Guimaras, Marinduque, Cebu, Camarines Sur, Agusan del Norte, Tarlac, Surigao del Norte, Benguet, Masbate, Albay, Aklan, Bohol, and Zamboanga del Norte.

Actor Edu Manzano, Teodoro’s running mate, led in Camiguin and Dinagat Island. Like Teodoro, Manzano is ranked fourth.

Official count as of 9 p.m. on June 1:

For President: Benigno C. Aquino III , 9,564,943; Joseph Estrada, 5,927,990; Manuel Villar, 3,333,558; Gilberto Teodoro Jr., 2,480,185; Eduardo Villanueva, 722,857; Richard Gordon, 270,781; Vetellano Acosta, 118,351; Nicanor Perlas, 33,730; Jamby Madrigal, 30,553; JC de los Reyes, 28,297.

For Vice President: Jejomar Binay, 9,048,351; Manuel Roxas, 8,749,968; Loren Legarda, 2,570,103; Bayani Fernando, 582,162; Edu Manzano, 497,296; Perfecto Yasay, 232,135; Jay Sonza, 37,919.

Manny Pangilinan is Meralco's new CEO

Power utility giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is the latest addition to the growing roster of companies business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan heads.

QTV's Balitanghali reported on Tuesday that Pangilinan would replace Manuel Lopez as Meralco's CEO.

The Pangilinan-led Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. control more than 40 percent of Meralco shares.

Pangilinan chairs several other firms such as First Pacific Co. Ltd., First Pacific Tollways Corp. – which handles the North Luzon Expressway – and MediaQuest Holdings Inc., which controls ABC TV-5. —Sophia Dedace/VS, GMANews.TV

Agra reverses ruling on Maguindanao massacre suspects

Justice Secretary Alberto Agra on Wednesday reversed his ruling that cleared two members of the Ampatuan clan of involvement from the November 23 massacre in Maguindanao.

Suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan and suspended Mamasapano Mayor Akmad Ampatuan are once again included in the charge sheet after Agra found "probable cause" to pursue the case against them.

At a press conference at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila, Agra said his reversal was based on the motion for reconsideration filed by the private prosecutors last April 22.

Agra issued last April 16 a resolution dropping murder charges against the two suspects, saying the erstwhile ARMM governor was not in Maguindanao around the time of the massacre happened.

Agra's reversal came some two weeks after Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza ordered the Justice chief to confer with prosecutors to determine if any important evidence had been overlooked when his controversial ruling was made.

'Tarnished image'

Lawyer Nena Santos, legal counsel for the families of the 25 victims, expressed delight over the reversal of Agra’s ruling, saying the "tarnished image of the DOJ has somehow been alleviated."

The motion for reconsideration was filed by families of 42 of the 57 victims in the gruesome massacre. A supplemental motion for reconsideration was later filed on April 30.

With the reversal, Santos said the prosecution can now take their focus back on the court proceedings being conducted by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221.

Santos said they are just awaiting Solis-Reyes' resolution of their two motions seeking to resume the multiple murder trail and strike off the names of several suspects in the massacre from the list of respondents.

The trial was temporarily stalled anew after the defense filed a third motion for recusation, asking Solis-Reyes to inhibit from the case for alleged bias and ineptness.

The prosecution is also asking the court to discharge suspects from the murder case since they would be turned into state witnesses. These individuals include Mohammad Sangki, PO1 Rainer Ebus, Police Inspector Rex Ariel Diongon, Police Inspector Michael Joy Ynes Macaraeg, and PO1 Pia Kamidon.

No change in position

Despite the reversal, lawyer Harry Roque Jr., who represents the 17 journalists, said his group would still push for the sacking of Agra as DOJ chief.

"The damage has been done. We have lost trust and confidence on Sec. Agra," Roque told GMANews.TV in a separate interview.

Roque advised Agra that it would be better for him to just "keep his hands off the case."

He likewise said his camp would still push through with the disbarment case it filed before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines last April 22.

Agra drew flak for his April 16 ruling, a move which also surprised public prosecutors working on the case. The prosecutors also walked out of their offices in protest of the ruling.

They then demanded Agra to take back his ruling, insisting it was "null and void" because the prosecution camp was not furnished copies of the Ampatuans' petition for review — which was the basis for Agra's April 16 decision.

The prosecution said the failure to give copies of the petition for review was in violation of the National Prosecution Service (NPS) Rules of Procedures.

"Since the April 16, 2010 resolution was rendered in gross violation of... complainants' Constitutional right to due process, it is null and void, and should be vacated," the petition read.

Not guilty plea

Hearing of the multiple murder case has been transferred from the Philippine National Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Six members of the Ampatuan clan, including its clan patriarch, as well as more than 40 police officers are currently detained at the Quezon City Jail Annex, inside Camp Bagong Diwa.

Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. and 11 policemen have earlier pleaded not guilty to 57 counts of murder in connection with the mass slaughter in Ampatuan town. — Mark Merueñas and Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMANews.TV

Adam Carolla Says Sorry to Pacquiao

Adam Carolla, US comedian and DJ apologizes to Pacquiao through Twitter.

From his “The Adam Carolla Podcast show”, Filipinos have been heard harsh comments and insults against the Philippines Pound for Pound Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao and its home country last April 1.

Adam quoted in his twitter “Read your comments. Sorry if I offended many of you. I don’t pre-plan my commentary. I try o be provocative and funny but I crossed the line and I’m sorry“.

After the tweet, Adam Carolla quoted again and praised Pacquiao in this way “By the way, I think Manny is a great fighter”.

The following are quotes from Adam Carolla about the Philippines.

“Here’s how you know when your country doesn’t have a lot going for it: When everything is about Manny Pacquiao.”

“Get a fu**in life as a country”

“All you fu**in got is just an illiterate guy who happens to smash other guys in the head better than other people”

“Really, you want some guy with brain damage running your country? Why don’t you get your sh*t together?”

“All they have over there is Manny Pacquiao and sex stores.”

“What happens when Floyd Mayweather beats him? Does your country go into depression?”

Consequently, Filipino-Americans raised an online petition to demand a public apology from Adam Carolla. There are 947 petitioners which declared non-continuity of Carolla’s program.

Adam Carolla also criticize other nationalities, he called Asian Americans a “joke”, while he also called Hawaiians the “world’s dumbest people”

Arroyo calls for unity in last Easter message as president

On the eve of Easter Sunday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appealed anew for unity among Filipinos to work towards a common future for the country.

“As we remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ in our hearts today, let us unite as a nation and collectively work toward a new future for our country—a future rich with hope and possibilities for everyone of us, a future illuminated by the blessing of the Lord," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo also urged Filipinos to celebrate and draw hope from Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

“As we celebrate Easter Sunday, we must reflect on the message in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. May this wonderful story of our Lord’s triumph over death inspire us again with the endless verities of our faith," the President said.

Mrs. Arroyo will end her term as president on June 30.—ACC/JV, GMANews.TV

2 presidential bets face disqualification

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential candidates Sen. Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan Party and Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas are facing possible disqualification for allegedly having oversized campaign posters
and for displaying them outside designated poster areas.

“We took pictures of the posters, dismantled and submitted them to our legal department for appropriate action,” James Jimenez, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman, said.

He said the posters were displayed along ESDA, which is not among the common poster areas designated by the Comelec.

Jimenez said posting of illegal campaign materials is punishable under the Omnibus Election Code by disqualification.

Jimenez also called on other national and local candidates to immediately dismantle illegally posted streamers, billboards and other campaign materials to avoid sanction, including possible disqualification from seeking public office.

“They have to dismantle all illegally posted campaign materials or risk disqualification,” he said.

Jimenez also clarified that the Comelec has not imposed a ban on the posting of streamers and other materials bearing the images of former president Corazon Aquino and the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino.

“There is no ban on posters and streamers of former President Aquino and the late Sen. Aquino. What I have said is we’re contemplating on recommending the removal of their posters considering the state of those materials,” Jimenez explained.

Jimenez pointed out that the streamers were posted along EDSA to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the People Power Revolution as well as the death of Mrs. Aquino late last year.

“They have already served their purposes and those events were already over and if they will not be removed it would give undue advantage to a leading presidential candidate which other bets do not have access to,” Jimenez said, referring to Aquino’s son and Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Jimenez said the Manila City government had already removed the streamers even before the Comelec could submit its request. Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, who is running for reelection, is an acknowledged ally of Sen. Aquino.

The Metro Manila Development Authority, for its part, has started removing the Aquino posters on EDSA citing the “danger” they pose to motorists.

MMDA chairman Oscar Inocentes said he has ordered the removal of the posters because many of them are already in tatters and are slipping off their bamboo frames.

He added the posters “no longer serve a purpose” because the EDSA commemoration has long passed.

Inocentes also stressed that the Comelec has deputized the MMDA to tear down posters or streamers displayed outside designated common areas.

Meanwhile, the MMDA is threatening to go to court to stop the Comelec from repainting footbridges and urinals in Metro Manila from their present green color. Inocentes insisted that green is the color of the MMDA, and is “also cooler to the eyes unlike pink which can easily fade.”

Jimenez was earlier quoted as saying that green is closely associated with Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s standard-bearer, Gilberto Teodoro.

Before they were repainted green, Metro Manila’s footbridges and urinals were colored pink, which was associated with former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando. With Mike Frialde

Pacquiao fails to drive congressional rival out of ring

Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao failed to drive his rival Roy Chiongbian out of the political ring after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division denied his party's petition for lack of merit.

The People's Champ Movement, a party founded by Pacquaio, sought the disqualification of Chiongbian from the Sarangani congressional race in May because he usually takes residence at Muntinlupa City, not Sarangani.

Chiongbian asserted that while he established some businesses in Metro Manila, he continues to live in the Sarangani province, where he is a registered voter and a member of a local political party.

The poll body sided with Pacquiao's opponent, saying that he has satisfied the one-year residency requirement needed to qualify him to run for congressman.

Article VI, Section 6 of the Constitution allows persons to be members of the House of Representatives as long as they are natural-born Filipino citizens and are at least 25 years old on the day of the election.

Candidates for a House seat should also be able to read and write, and except for party-list representatives, should be a registered voter in the district in which they will be elected.

Candidates should also be residents of the area they plan to represent, not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the election, the same constitutional provision said.

The Comelec said a residence may not be his permanent home but where he "eventually intends to return and remain."

Moreover, the Comelec said Chiongbian has proved his “regular presence" in Sarangani, as it is corroborated by witnesses.

The Comelec likewise declared the petition filed by former National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) chief Ralph Recto to disqualify fellow senatorial candidate Richard Recto to be moot and academic because the commission’s law department has already declared Richard as a nuisance candidate last December.

The former NEDA chief said Richard's sole purpose in filing his certificate of candidacy was to confuse the voters by having two candidates with similar names running for the same position. - GMANews.TV

Noynoy's lower ratings prompt LP to change strategy

SOURCE: GMANEWS.TV

Alarmed by their standard bearer's declining survey ratings, the Liberal Party said it will reassess the campaign strategy of Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III to ensure his victory over his closest rival in the May 10 elections.

LP spokesperson and Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada made the statement on Wednesday after the latest Pulse Asia survey results showed that Aquino's lead over Nacionalista Party's Senator Manuel Villar Jr. has been cut down to only two percentage points.

"We are concerned with the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey," Tañada said in an interview with reporters. [See:Noynoy, Villar head-to-head in latest Pulse Asia survey]

He attributed the rise of Villar's ratings from 23 percent to 35 percent – and Aquino's fall from 45 percent to 37 percent – to Villar's frequent TV and radio ads. Tañada noted that Aquino's ads are not as prevalent in the media.

"I think it is time to also re-assess the messaging of Senator Noy," he said. "Maybe it is not resonating, we have to re-assess that, and we will have to look also if there is a need to adjust our campaign strategy knowing for a fact that [the official] campaign [period] is about to start soon."

He said the LP led by campaign manager Butch Abad and other officials will now work on a "clearer and sharper message" about what Aquino actually intends to do if he is elected president.

"Maybe we would now focus more on what Noynoy intends to do for the country, how he plans to improve certain areas as defined in his platform para maintindihan ng taong bayan na meron talagang pinaghahawakan na programa si Noynoy para sa susunod na administration (so that the public will see that Noynoy has specific programs for the next administration)," said the LP spokesman.

Aquino was ushered into the presidential race due to public clamor after his mother, the late former president Corazon Aquino, died in August last year.

The son of martyr Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the LP standard bearer has so far largely banked on the legacy of his parents.

Tañada said the LP acknowledges that the "Cory Magic" that initially propelled Aquino to the top might be wearing off, but maintained that "the symbolism of what Cory stood for is what Noynoy stands for."

Aquino has so far had three TV ads.

The first featured major celebrities including his sister, celebrity Kris Aquino. The second showed a somber Noynoy, with photos of his parents behind him, promising that he would not steal.

The third, which only came out recently, was more lively compared to his previous ads and showed Noynoy rapping.

Tañada said they would be increasing the number of Aquino's ads once the official campaign period starts on Monday, February 9. However, he admitted that they cannot match the funds of Villar, a self-made billionaire who ranked 9th on Forbes' 2009 list of the Philippines' richest.

Aquino, along with his running mate Senator Mar Roxas and the party's senatorial slate, will kickstart their campaign on Tuesday in Aquino's home province of Tarlac. - RJAB Jr./GMANews.TV

Gibo, Noynoy will not contest Comelec decision on Erap case

SOURCE: GMANEWS.TV

Two presidential aspirants on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Commission on Election (Comelec) second division allowing the candidacy of former President Joseph Estrada, saying it would give the electorate more options.

"It's the choice of the people to decide, and it gives the electorate more options, more candidates to choose from," said lawyer Edwin Lacierda, spokesman of Liberal Party standard-bearer Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Lacierda said the LP does not intend to file any petition questioning the Comelec second division’s decision, which said the disqualification cases against Estrada lacked merit.

Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada III, the LP spokesperson, said Aquino "respects the decision of the Comelec and whatever decision the Supreme Court may come out with if ever it is brought to the SC on appeal."

Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. likewise said he would "let the electorate decide on the matter." "Filipinos deserve to have a larger pool of leaders in which to seek their next president," he said in a statement.

Conrado Limcaoco, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Press Secretary, said the Comelec's decision on Estrada's candidacy would not have a heavy bearing on Teodoro since the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer would be campaigning "on his own merits."

Limcaoco said Malacañang respects the Comelec resolution on Estrada, as well as the poll body's decision to dismiss the petition seeking to disqualify President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from running for congresswoman of Pampanga's second district.

“I think that the Comelec as an independent body is made up of extremely capable people and we respect and support their decision on that," Limcaoco said.

Estrada, elected president in 1998, was ousted after two years following charges of corruption. He was tried and later found guilty of plunder by the Sandiganbayan, and was sentenced to reclusion perpetua. His successor, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, pardoned him in October 2007, or a month after his conviction.

Those who filed the petition with the Comelec said Estrada’s presidential bid violates the Constitution, which they said clearly prohibits a president from seeking re-election. - Johanna Camille Sisante/KBK, GMANews.TV

Filipino bomber killed by US missile in Pakistan

ARTICLE AND PHOTO ARE COURTESY OF GMANEWS.TV

(Updated 11:34 p.m.) DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan – Pakistani officials say a Filipino militant wanted by the United States is believed to have been killed in an American drone strike earlier this month.

Two military intelligence officials said Thursday that Abdul Basit Usman was killed on Jan. 14 close to the Afghan border.

They cited militant informers as the source of the information. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of their work.

Filipino officials in the Philippines and Pakistan said they had no information on the attack.

The U.S. State Department's list of most-wanted terrorists identifies Usman as a bomb-making expert with links to the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf militant group and the Southeast Asian Jemaah Islamiyah network.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is fighting for an independent Islamic state in southern Philippines, has repeatedly denied that Usman is their member. It even ordered its forces to hunt down the terrorist and bring him to justice.

Usman was captured in Sultan Kudarat province in 2002, but escaped in the same year. He was tagged as behind deadly in the Mindanao cities of General Santos, Kidapawan and Cotabato that killed and wounded dozens of innocent civilians. - AP with Al Jacinto/KBK, GMANews.TV

Noynoy vows clean gov't, level playing field for biz

SOURCE: GMANEWS.TV

A level playing field, a streamlined process for business transactions, and strong political will to stamp corruption and rebuild the country's damaged institutions.

Presidential bet Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III made these promises to the business community on Thursday, saying the May elections will be a test of the strength of the political institutions of a "fledgling democracy" like the Philippines.

"With the electoral scandals that have stalled our democratic progress as of late, it is not a test that we can afford to fail," he told about 450 members of the influential Makati Business Club (MBC) at the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati.

The son of the late President Corazon Aquino said he would encourage free and fair competition, adding that one need not be a crony of his administration to succeed in business.

"More importantly, the government will not compete with business. Nor will government use its regulatory powers to extort, intimidate and harass," he told the businessmen.

Aquino also promised not to impose new taxes and increase tax rates.

As a forum, the Makati Business Club, which comprises more than 800 chief executive officers and senior executives representing about 450 corporations in the Philippines, seeks to address economic and social issues that affect the country's development.

MBC Executive Director Albert Lim said Aquino is "one of the better candidates" given his track record in good governance.

"If there's anybody who we can believe, I think he has the track record. The lack of evidence or even hint of corruption makes him a good candidate… If it's a question of character, that's his strong suit," he said in an interview.

In his speech, Aquino said there is a widespread perception that success in business depends a lot on one's connections to the powers-that-be.

Because of this, he said, some companies are forced to focus their activities on maintaining relationships to retain state favors.

"While it may work locally for now, it has not enabled these players to become competitive in the world market, where the rules of the game do not take special relationships into consideration," Aquino said.

He promised to encourage "free and fair competition" and streamline the approval process not only for new enterprises but also in day-to-day transactions with the government, including tax payments. "We will do this on a national as well as the local level."

Fiscal strategy

Aquino said good governance and the drive against corruption will be critical components of his strategy to address the looming fiscal crisis.

Instead of imposing new taxes or hiking tax rates, his administration would rather curb and punish tax evasion and smuggling.

"My vision is to transform our country into one where we have lower tax rates enjoyed by all, rather than have some enjoy absolute tax exemptions while we burden the rest of the economy with very high tax rates," Aquino said.

He also noted that with universally low tax rates, the government will encourage enterprises to invest and create jobs. "We will, therefore, pursue the rationalization of fiscal incentives early in my administration," he added.

Aquino cited the need to transform infrastructure projects from sources of waste and scandal into examples of cooperation and efficiency.

He promised to set objective criteria for projects and develop a scorecard that will assess these against benchmarks transparent to the public.

"We are a nation of sacrifice, of diligence, dedication and idealism, because we are a people imbued with compassion even when we have officials who lie, cheat, and steal," Aquino said.

He also boasted of his job as a fiscalizer in both Houses of Congress, having played a major role in probing the fertilizer scam, the allegedly anomalous national broadband network deal, as well as in pushing the impeachment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

MBC's Lim said good governance is the "overarching solution" to the country's age-old problems. Aquino's promises, he said, were very simple, adding that he had given straightforward answers.

A survey of MBC members last month showed that Aquino was their top pick for President, getting 61 percent of their votes. The businessmen also said corruption was the top issue (79 percent) that the next administration should address, followed by peace and order (35 percent) and infrastructure (24 percent). — Norman P. Aquino/YA, GMANews.TV

DFA website triggers antivirus alert, is taken down

SOURCE: GMANEWS.TV

For a few minutes Thursday, a government website posed a potential threat to visitors after one of its links directed them to a webpage that triggered an antivirus alert.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which had taken down its website since late Wednesday for "maintenance," took down its homepage as of Thursday afternoon.

Visitors to the DFA website before it was taken down at 1:39 p.m. would be directed to a specific webpage of the Global Forum on Migration and Development if they clicked on the "More" button under the DFA site homepage's banner photo:



However, clicking on the link in question would trigger a warning from an antivirus program:



The domain of the "infected" webpage belongs to the Global Forum on Migration and Development:



On the other hand, other sections of the DFA website before it went offline again appeared to be incomplete, including the Press Releases section:



The DFA website was taken offline at 1:39 p.m. As of 4 p.m., the site was still offline but a message apologizing to visitors for the inconvenience as it was down for maintenance. It offered links to passport appointments.

It was latest in a series of incidents that showed the vulnerabilities of government websites, five of which had been hacked into and defaced since December.

The defaced government websites included those of the Departments of Labor, Health and Social Welfare; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; and National Disaster Coordinating Council.

Earlier this week, unidentified hackers broke into the website of retailer CD-r King and defaced some of its pages. - TJD, GMANews.TV

Comelec allows Estrada to run for president in May polls

SOURCE GMANEWS.TV

The Commission on Elections on Tuesday allowed former President Joseph Estrada to run in this year's presidential elections.

"Let the people decide who will be the next President," the poll body's Second Division said in a decision junking the petition filed against Estrada last December.

"The two petitions for disqualification separately filed by Evillo Pormento and Mary Lou Estrada against former President Joseph Estrada are both denied for utter lack of merit," the Comelec said.

Incidentally, the decision was promulgated on the same day Estrada was forced by a popular street uprising to step down nine years ago.

The Second Division likewise denied the petition of lawyer Elly Pamatong to cancel Estrada's certificate of candidacy, saying the plea had wasted the poll body's "precious time."

In seeking Estrada's disqualification, the petitioners cited Article VII, Section 4 of the Constitution which says: "The President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time."

Pamatong, who was present during the promulgation, was enraged by what he claimed were corrupt commissioners. He was cited in contempt and detained.


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Estrada elated
"I want to thank the Lord, I want to thank the Comelec commissioners for their sense of fairness," Estrada said, adding that his triumph was a "victory for the Filipino people." If appealed, the division ruling may still be overturned by the Comelec en banc and Supreme Court.

Since Estrada formally announced his intention to run again for President, many have debated whether he would be allowed to do so.

Citing the same Charter provision, Estrada asserts he is still eligible to have another shot at the presidency because he does not fall into two categories banned from doing so: incumbent Presidents and those who have finished their six-year term as President.

In 1998, Estrada was elected with over 10 million votes, the highest vote a presidential candidate ever had in Philippine history. After less than three years in power, he was toppled by the street uprising amid corruption allegations and before an impeachment court could rule on his case.

In September 2007, Estrada was convicted by the Sandiganbayan, the country's anti-graft court, for plunder, sentenced to a lifetime in jail and disqualified from seeking public office.

A month later, however, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo granted him executive clemency, thus restoring his political and civil rights, including his right to seek public office. He has since reiterated his eligibility to run, saying he was not covered by the reelection ban under the 1987 Constitution.

Election lawyer and Arroyo supporter Romulo Macalintal, however, contests Estrada’s argument, saying any Chief Executive is covered by the clause.

He also said the four-year cap under Section 4 applies only to those who have succeeded the President, not those who were elected to office.

Wrong forum
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court junked a petition by the Vanguards of the Philippine Constitution Inc. to disqualify Estrada.

The high court said the case should have been filed with the Comelec, the government body that has first jurisdiction over disqualification cases.

Estrada filed his certificate of candidacy last November 30 under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino party. His running mate is Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

He is running against Vetallano Acosta (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan), Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III (Liberal Party), John Carlos "JC" Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), Joseph M. Ejercito Estrada (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino – UNO), Sen. Richard J. Gordon (Bagumbayan), Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" A.S. Madrigal (independent), Nicanor Perlas (independent), Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr.(Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Eddie C. Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas), and Sen. Manuel B. Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party) in the May polls.

A recent Pulse Asia survey said that although Aquino is still leading among the presidential bets, Estrada was slowly catching up.

From 11 percent, preference for the deposed leader rose to 19 percent, tying him with Senator Manuel Villar for second place. — with reports from Sophia Dedace/RSJ/NPA, GMANews.TV

Enrile: Erap not backing out of presidential race

(Updated 2:18 p.m.) There is no turning back for former President Joseph Estrada.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Sunday belied rumors that the standard bearer of his political party, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), is bowing out of the presidential race.

“Hindi aatras iyon (Estrada). Kung inaasahan ng iba na aatras iyon, eh nagkakamali sila. Tuloy na tuloy si Erap (Estrada is not backing out. Those who expect him to back out are mistaken. Erap will push through with running for President)," Enrile told dzBB radio.

Enrile will run for reelection in the May 10 polls under the PMP banner.

Enrile also disclosed that in separate instances last year, presidential contender Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr. of the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the siblings of Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino had asked Estrada to give up his presidential bid. He did not say when the talks took place.

Sought for comment, Aquino’s spokesman Edwin Lacierda quoted the Aquino sisters – Ballsy Cruz, Pinky Abellada, Viel Dee and Kris Yap – as denying that they asked Estrada to back out of the presidential race.

"The sisters categorically deny that. There was never any discussion that they were asking President Estrada to withdraw from the race," Lacierda said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV.

He added that the Aquino siblings met with Estrada thrice: when time former President Corazon Aquino was still confined at the Makati Medical Center, during Mrs. Aquino's wake, and during a dinner where the Aquino family thanked Estrada for "the fruits he sent during Mrs. Aquino's confinement."

Lacierda however could not say if the dinner occurred before or after Aquino announced that he will be seeking the presidency in May.

NP's Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was mum on whether Villar had indeed asked Estrada to give up his presidential ambition.

Cayetano only said Estrada and Villar had rarely spoken even as they “resumed being friends" after the NP's standard bearer was ousted as Senate president in November 2008.

“The friendship resumed... at ang alam ko, di ganun ang contact nila since nung filing (The friendship resumed but as far as I know, they have not been communicating frequently since the filing of certificates of candidacy)," Cayetano said in a separate interview on dzBB radio.

Estrada was accused of having a hand in Villar’s ouster because at the time, the latter was leading in surveys on most preferred presidential bets. Estrada has since denied the allegations.

Following his poor survey ratings last year, Estrada had clarified that he would not back out to support Aquino’s candidacy.

Estrada officially announced his bid for the presidency last October despite legal challenges and objections to the idea of his political comeback.

Legal question
Section 4, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution states that "the President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time."

Estrada insists he is eligible since he failed to finish his term. At the height of his impeachment trial in January 2001, he was ousted via a popular street uprising. He only served as President for roughly two years and seven months.

In September 2007, the Sandiganbayan, the country's anti-graft court, convicted him for plunder and sentenced him to a lifetime in jail, as well as disqualified him from seeking any public office.

But a month later, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo granted Estrada executive clemency. — LBG/NPA, GMANews.TV

Slay suspect Jason Ivler in critical condition, doctor says

FROM GMANEWS.TV


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(Updated 11:14 a.m.) After engaging authorities in shootout before his arrest, slay suspect Jason Ivler is in critical condition at a Quezon City hospital, a GMA Flash report said on Monday.

As of posting time, Ivler was undergoing an operation at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, according to a report by GMA News’ Joseph Morong.

"He is in critical condition because of slight blood loss. His large intestine was hit and feces have spread to his stomach," Quirino Memorial Medical Center’s Dr. Fernando Lopez said in Filipino.

The report said Ivler, who had to undergo blood transfusion, sustained gunshots on his right shoulder and the left portion of his belly. His spleen and large intestine were also injured.

Ivler is the suspect in the killing of Renato Ebarle Jr., son of Presidential Chief of Staff Renato Ebarle Sr. — LBG/RSJ/NPA, GMANews.TV