Philippine 2016 Presidential Elections

[Aepsilons]

The problem with Binay is that he is corrupt. However, his strength is that he can be malleable.

 

[Pinoy]

Jejomar “Jojo” Binay

If Jejomar Binay is known for his reputation as a distinguished statesmen, having been the longest standing mayor in the history of Makati City, then he equally is notable a personality for the corruption allegations he has amassed during that tenure. Binay is a quintessential Philippine clansman of controversy. He, like many of the political dynasties in the country, has groomed a powerful offspring of politicians: his daughter, Nancy Binay, is in the senate, and his son, Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., is his successor, the current standing mayor of Makati City.

With the Makati constituency as their camp, the Binay family will prove a potent force of populism in the upcoming election year. But first, Binay must smartly unshackle himself from the corruption case(s) being built against him by President Aquino; no president hopeful can reasonably expect a winning campaign when they are facing graft and plunder charges.

His net worth increased from 2.5 million pesos ($55,400) in 1988 to 60 million pesos ($1.33 million) in 2013; official public salaries don’t measure up to these gains.

Platform:

Binay has stated, on the record, his aspirations to keep in toe with the inclusive developmental economic policies created by the Aquino administration. Amending the so-called pro-Filipino provision of the 1987 Constitution has also been part of his platform. By lifting the 40 per cent-limit ban of foreign ownership on land and local companies, Binay hopes to begin to address such “policy and infrastructure misalignments,” which he says continue to stifle the development of tourism and energy infrastructure, among other sectors.




Grace Poe

Grace Poe was discovered abandoned at a cathedral in Iloilo City by a single nanny when she was an infant. There, the parish priest gave her the game “Grace,” saying that it was by the “grace of God” that she was saved. The nanny, Sayong Militar, passed on Grace to sugar heiress Tessie Ledesma Valencia; later, she was adopted by Susan Roces and Fernando Poe Jr., then one of the most popular showbiz couples in the country.

Grace was educated in the Philippines and the US, where she would remain for most of her adult life, becoming a teacher and later a product manager after graduating Boston College with a degree in political science. It wasn’t until her celebrity father’s disputed election bid in 2004 that came back to the Philippines, which she did to campaign for free and fair elections after her father died later that year.

In 2013, Poe won a first-time seat in the senate, running as an independent affiliated with Aquino’s Liberal Party; surprisingly, she obtained more votes than any other candidate. Her swift rise to prominence aside of the Aquino administration and relatively little experience has made her a target of conservative opponents, who claim that because she has no documental proof of her biological parents, she may not be Filipino, and thus cannot run for president. To date, the campaign to discredit her has been largely deflated.

Platform:

Grace Poe established a platform for her 2013 senate bid by associating herself with her late celebrity father, Fernando Poe Jr., who made a failed run for president in 2004. Like her father, her political platform builds on three core areas: poverty alleviation, opportunities for all, especially the children, and, most pertinent for her family’s historical legacy, electoral reform.




Manuel “Mar” Roxas II

Mar Roxas is the grandson of Manuel Roxas, the first president of the Third Philippine Republic (1946-65) and proud face of the 100-peso bill. A Wharton School graduate, Roxas forged a reputation as a “Man of Markets,” having established himself as an intuitive investment banker with a gift for luring venture capital to fund small and medium companies. This profile led him to be appointed as the Secretary of Trade and Industry for two former presidents – Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He resigned from both posts: first, during the height of the second EDSA revolution in 2001; second, in 2004, to pursue a seat in the Senate.

The first mention of his presidential ambitions came during campaigning for the 2010 general election, when he eventually decided to step down to allow for then-Senator Benigno Aquino III to run, both of them belonging to the Liberal Party (LP).

Then, in a highly contested poll, he lost to Jejomar Binay in the race for vice president. The two have balanced an odd relationship, at times inclined toward voicing vociferous distaste for one another, and they continue to exchange barbed words in Philippine-style mudslinging.

A top man of President Aquino’s cabinet, Roxas has served as both Secretary of Transport and Communications and Secretary of Interior and Local Government, proving to be a loyal member of the administration and party. However, analysts now interpret that the shared party line will not guarantee an official endorsement by Aquino for Roxas’ bid; Aquino may choose Grace Poe instead.

Platform:

Belonging to the same political party as President Aquino, Roxas has molded a platform that promises to carry the legacy of the LP leader, as well as its shortcomings. Most pointedly, Roxas’ position as the head of interior government made him a high-profile target during the fallout following the blundered military operation in Mamasapano, now considered by analysts to be proof to the electorate that Aquino’s administration is still seriously lacking in its security credentials. But Roxas would also bring together the status quo of economic inclusiveness and clean governance; a visible, long-term political player, he is known as one of the cleanest politicians in the country. If Roxas decides to step down again, allowing Poe to run for president, he could instead side himself with her – the Poe-Roxas ticket – and run for vice president instead. This “is not only a serious proposition, but a more desirable and likely to be advantageous one for the country in the long term,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said in May.




Rodrigo Duterte

Like so many political heavyweights of the country, Duterte was born into a family of political prestige. His father was a previous governor of Davao, a role that Duterte later occupied.

A lawyer by profession, Duterte’s name has become synonymous in the country with the fight against crime and drugs. Yet, his name also conjures up the extremist vigilante tactics he condoned. The Davao Death Squad – as the media has dubbed them – allegedly conducted extrajudicial killings of criminals, drug dealers and anti-government insurgents for over a decade; their activities were supported by Duterte, giving him the distinction of controversially creating the “ninth safest city in the world” and a condemnation from the UN.

Today, Davao is noted for having maintained a coveted sense of peace and order in an otherwise raucous nation, with an enforced citywide speed limit of 30 kph, public smoking ban and omnipresent rule of law.


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Presidential Election Campaigns In The Philippines Kick Off – Six Candidates Get Ready




The countdown has started for the 2016 Philippine elections slated for May 9, with six candidates for the highest post in the state getting ready for their campaigns. While there were more than 130 people filing their application to run in the polls with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Philippines’ election body, the commission narrowed the list to only six candidates.

Contenders are current Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party, Senator Grace Poe as an independent candidate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippine Democratic Party-People’s Power (PDP Laban), Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago of the People’s Reform Party and lawyer Apolonia Comia-Soguilon of the Workers’ and Farmers’ Party (PMM) who replaced initial PMM candidate Roy Señeres who withdraw his candidacy on February 5 and died three days later of cardiac arrest.

Comelec declared that the 90-day campaign period for the election starts on February 9. At least Roxas and Duterte wre expected to kick off their respective drive on that day.

In a latest survey, Grace Poe maintained her lead over other presidential bets while Binay and Roxas were tied at the second place. Poe got 29 per cent, a 1-per cent increase from her December rating, while the other two shared a 22-per cent rating. Duterte came in fourth with 20 per cent, while Santiago was far behind at fifth place with two per cent. Other polls showed similar results, with Poe in the lead and the other three competing for second to fourth place.

Contenders for the vice precidency are: Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator, independent (formerly Nacionalista), running mate of Duterte, Francis Escudero, Senator, independent, (formerly Nationalist People’s Coalition) running mate of Grace Poe, Gregorio Honasan, Senator, United Nationalist Alliance, running mate of Binay, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Senator, independent (formerly Nacionalista), running mate of Santiago, Leni Robredo, Representative, Liberty Party, running mate of Roxas and Antonio Trillanes, Senator, Magdalo Party (formerly Nacionalista), who supports Grace Poe.


Presidential election campaigns in the Philippines kick off - six candidates get ready | Investvine

The problem with Binay is that he is corrupt. However, his strength is that he can be malleable.

 

[Aepsilons]

He is your Vice President is he not? Why the rudeness to your own VP?

 

[Pinoy]

He is your Vice President is he not? Why the rudeness to your own VP?

He wants to tie-in with China to get more money for his pocket.

As you know all our country's hopes resting on UNCLOS. Once he becomes President that means it is time to kiss those territories goodbye.

 

[Aepsilons]

He wants to tie-in with China to get more money for his pocket.

As you know all our country's hopes resting on UNCLOS. Once he becomes President that means it is time to kiss those territories goodbye.

I don't think so. Del Rosario even said recently before his last press meeting that ultimately Manila wishes to compromise with Beijing. This shows an intent to assuage China.

Not everyone in Pinas is anti China. You should know that.

He wants to tie-in with China to get more money for his pocket.

As you know all our country's hopes resting on UNCLOS. Once he becomes President that means it is time to kiss those territories goodbye.

Lol, and you think Duterte , Miriam or Po don't line their pockets ? My friend , we all know of the vote buying paradigm in your country. Come on , you know as I do of this "Hari Hari" system!

 

[Cossack25A1]

Looks like Duterte is anti-AFP Modernization in strategic terms...

-----

Duterte calls new fighter jets ‘waste of money’
by Ben Rosario
March 15, 2016

The squadron of FA50 fighter jets acquired by the government at P18.9 billion will have little use under a Mayor Rodrigo Duterte presidency in which national defense will be a lesser concern compared to education, health, and agriculture programs.

Duterte, the PDP-Laban standard bearer, made this clear as he described the first two FA50s delivered to the country as a “waste of money.” He said those jets and the 10 others still pending delivery may have little or no use at all in addressing the insurgency problem.

Duterte said allocating government’s meager financial resources to prepare for war against China is just illogical since the 12 FA50 fighter jets will be confronted by at least 3,000 units of state-of-the-art Chinese airpower.

“You know we cannot go to war. We cannot join a force that is being planned by America,” the Davao City mayor told students of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños City, Laguna.

“There is posturing right now. It would be for the best interest of the country just to avoid participating in it,” he said.

In his earlier discussions about the Philippines and China’s quarrel over the West Philippine Sea areas, Duterte said that he is open to joint exploration of the contested territories in a bid to settle the dispute.

He said military defense should be used to address local insurgency.


SOCIALIZED HOUSING

Meanwhile, Duterte’s program to address the housing backlog was explained yesterday by PDP-Laban spokesperson Paola Alvarez. He said that socialized housing for homeless Filipino families will be part of his priority.

However, Alvarez stressed that Duterte will also push for strong measures that will put an end to illegal activities of land grabbing syndicates which have been foiling government programs to provide houses for the poor.

Alvarez said Duterte has vowed to dismantle land grabbing syndicates who have targeted properties of overseas Filipino workers.



LAND GRABBING

“OFWs are the most vulnerable to the nefarious activities of illegal settlers with ties to syndicates, according to reports reaching the office of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III,” Alvarez said in a press statement.

“Our OFWs work long years on foreign soil only to find out that the properties they’ve bought with money earned from their blood, sweat and tears had been taken over by illegal settlers,” added Alvarez.

-----

Duterte calls new fighter jets ‘waste of money’ | mb.com.ph | Philippine News

 

[Desertfalcon]

In a latest survey, Grace Poe maintained her lead over other presidential bets

Given her age, relative lack of political experience, lack of big party backing, her American connections and citizenship, I was surprised by the fact that she is the leader in public opinion polls.

BusinessWorld | Poe, Duterte climb up in new Pulse Asia survey

 

[Cossack25A1]

Given her age, relative lack of political experience, lack of big party backing, her American connections and citizenship, I was surprised by the fact that she is the leader in public opinion polls.

BusinessWorld | Poe, Duterte climb up in new Pulse Asia survey

Because her name (surname that is) carries weight in Philippine society

Philippine general election, 2004 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Presidential elections, legislative elections and local elections were held in the Philippines on May 10, 2004. In the presidential election, incumbent president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo won a full six-year term as president, with a margin of just over one million votes over her leading opponent, highly popular movie actor Fernando Poe, Jr..

 

[Zero_wing]

Po is the only one who said stuff that people need to hear

 

[Abacin]

Filipinos have hope on each election because each election is useless. Philippines are just a collection of landlord family with their servants plus Chinese Filipinos. While Philippines's fundamental problem is land reform, Chinese Filipinos are just the scapegoat of those landlord family. Almost all East Asian countries, Japan, Koreas, China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia have finished land reform to adapt to industrial era, Philippines is the only country, who is still resisting land reform. You see no sign of industrialization in Philippines at all. All the industrial tracks in Philippines are made by foreign investors or former colonial masters. A hopeless country.

Election guarantees no strongman to carry out land form in Philippines.

Philippines dream to become another Japan. But Japan has two land reforms, one by Meiji, one by MacArthur. If Philippines were still occupied by United States, land reform might be possible. If you want those presidents from landlord families to do land reform, it would only happen in the heaven.

 

[Zero_wing]

Filipinos have hope on each election because each election is useless. Philippines are just a collection of landlord family with their servants plus Chinese Filipinos. While Philippines's fundamental problem is land reform, Chinese Filipinos are just the scapegoat of those landlord family. Almost all East Asian countries, Japan, Koreas, China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia have finished land reform to adapt to industrial era, Philippines is the only country, who is still resisting land reform. You see no sign of industrialization in Philippines at all. All the industrial tracks in Philippines are made by foreign investors or former colonial masters. A hopeless country.

Election guarantees no strongman to carry out land form in Philippines.

Philippines dream to become another Japan. But Japan has two land reforms, one by Meiji, one by MacArthur. If Philippines were still occupied by United States, land reform might be possible. If you want those presidents from landlord families to do land reform, it would only happen in the heaven.

Troll

I don't think so. Del Rosario even said recently before his last press meeting that ultimately Manila wishes to compromise with Beijing. This shows an intent to assuage China.

Not everyone in Pinas is anti China. You should know that.




Lol, and you think Duterte , Miriam or Po don't line their pockets ? My friend , we all know of the vote buying paradigm in your country. Come on , you know as I do of this "Hari Hari" system!

Po is different she is new and binay is full bull the rest cando on thing but not presidential material

 

[Desertfalcon]

Looks like Duterte is anti-AFP Modernization in strategic terms...

Its so hard to see how he can hold that position. I know the Philippine has plenty of domestic concerns that need money but the air force has really declined in combat capability. It was not that long ago that the Philippines Air Force operated squadrons of F-5's & F-8 Crusaders. Now her only jet combat aircraft is just two FA-50s. Any country can pretty much violate her airspace and the Philippines has nothing to respond with.

 

[Zero_wing]

Its so hard to see how he can hold that position. I know the Philippine has plenty of domestic concerns that need money but the air force has really declined in combat capability. It was not that long ago that the Philippines Air Force operated squadrons of F-5's & F-8 Crusaders. Now her only jet combat aircraft is just two FA-50s. Any country can pretty much violate her airspace and the Philippines has nothing to respond with.

Man i miss the F8s thanks for the pic anyhow the Man is just good as mayor again not good for being President

 

[Cossack25A1]

Its so hard to see how he can hold that position. I know the Philippine has plenty of domestic concerns that need money but the air force has really declined in combat capability. It was not that long ago that the Philippines Air Force operated squadrons of F-5's & F-8 Crusaders. Now her only jet combat aircraft is just two FA-50s. Any country can pretty much violate her airspace and the Philippines has nothing to respond with.

The F-8s were decommissioned due to 1991 M.t Pinatubo eruption while the F-5s were decommissioned back in 2005.

Back in 2012, the Philippine government tried to procure second-hand F-16As but the cost in maintenance (and upgrades) were too much, thus the FA-50 was selected.

In the future, the PH government is eyeing the JAS 39 for its future, unless a good deal with the F-16 materializes.

 

[Zero_wing]

The F-8s were decommissioned due to 1991 M.t Pinatubo eruption while the F-5s were decommissioned back in 2005.

Back in 2012, the Philippine government tried to procure second-hand F-16As but the cost in maintenance (and upgrades) were too much, thus the FA-50 was selected.

In the future, the PH government is eyeing the JAS 39 for its future, unless a good deal with the F-16 materializes.

Gripens are the way to go but again we need a good President no duterte please