But he shouldn't hang his head down.I'd rather see him run for governor or mayor. Or Congressman, where he will probably win at makatulong ka pa.
-- Lacson: Fielding common Senate bets seen as pointless
SEN. Panfilo Lacson yesterday described as redundant and pointless a move of the so-called Third Force to field the same candidates as the United Opposition (UNO) in the coming May election.
"What’s the point of Third Force if six to seven candidates are common candidates (of UNO)?" he said.
He said the best formula still is to have a unified ticket.
"Between now and the filing of certificates of candidacy, marami pang discussion na mangyayari. Maaring magbuo ng iisang senatorial slate," he said.
He also advised "weak" opposition candidates to give way to strong candidates.
"Kung ilahok mo at mabubutasan ka at makakapasok ang kabilang candidates, medyo sayang nga," he said.
He also said the label Third Force is "divisive."
-- Neal Cruz offers his advice to the opposition on who to pick for their senate slate.
The United Opposition (UNO) is finalizing its senatorial slate. San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, son of former President Estrada, the moving force behind UNO, said that one criterion for inclusion in the slate is that the candidate should be "anti-Cha-cha and anti-GMA." May I suggest: the candidate should also be "pro-impeachment."
.....
From JV's statements, I think, however, that the ticket of the UNO (which is supposed to be a coalition of opposition parties) is in danger of becoming the personal ticket of Erap. Some of those mentioned as likely to be included in the Senate slate are personal friends of Erap. Yes, they are anti-Cha-cha and anti-GMA and, most likely, pro-impeachment, but their performances were disappointing.
I am referring to former Senators Tito Sotto, Tessie Aquino-Oreta and Gringo Honasan.
.....
This Erap ticket should be praised, however, for having former Vice President and Senator Teofisto Guingona in it. The irony here is that it was Guingona who demanded the resignation of Erap in his "I accuse" speech that started the concerted efforts to oust Erap from the presidency. Now Erap himself has forgotten his hurts and the past by choosing Guingona to lead the UNO ticket. That is statesmanship.
If old man Erap himself is willing to make sacrifices, shouldn't son JV do the same and step aside to give others a berth? Ditto for the others. Three years is a short time to wait. JV will win reelection as San Juan mayor against anybody hands down.
Loren Legarda, the unproclaimed vice president, a proven vote-getter and topnotcher in senatorial elections, is an excellent choice. So are Senators Ping Lacson, Manny Villar, Ralph Recto, Francis Pangilinan, Joker Arroyo and Rep. Chiz Escudero.
-- Sabi ni Ellen Tordesillas namamangka sa dalawang ilog si Villar and co. And the Tribune is skeptical and suspicious about the so called "Third Force" group.
-- Maraming chismis at election related news itong si Ernie Maceda:
This year the United Opposition (UNO) has a different but “better” problem. More than 30 individuals are available for the senatorial slate. Now whittled down to 16, it is undergoing extensive consultations. The “semifinalists” are Vice President Teofisto Guingona, vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda, new faces Representatives Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Mayor J.V. Ejercito and Aquilino Pimentel III and veterans Tito Sotto, John Osmeña, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Gringo Honasan, Manuel Villar, Ralph Recto, Francis Pangilinan and Joker Arroyo. Richard Gomez is still trying to get in.
Former Sen. Nikki Coseteng has been persuaded to run for Congress. President Erap is arbitrating the rival aspirations of Noynoy Aquino and his aunt, Tessie Aquino-Oreta.
On the administration side, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Mayor Lito Atienza, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, Representatives Ace Barbers and Majority Leader Prospero “Boy” Nograles have turned down suggestions to run for the Senate.
At this point, they only have three sure candidates: Palace Secretary Mike Defensor, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Surigao Rep. Prospero Pichay.
DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes has already announced that he is not running for the Senate, preferring to stay in the Cabinet.
Rep. Ace Barbers is considering running for governor of Surigao del Norte.
Edu Manzano is considering running for Congress in Iloilo.
Tarlac Rep. Gilbert Teodoro is keeping his cards close to his chest.
Davao City Mayor Rudy Duterte snubbed the wedding of Karlo Nograles, son of Majority Leader Prospero Nograles. Duterte is fielding his daughter Sarah as his vice mayor, a post Karlo Nograles is aspiring for, too...
In Davao del Norte, Vice Gov. Anthony del Rosario will run for governor against former DoTC Secretary Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez.
Anton Lagdameo, husband of Dawn Zulueta will run for Congress for the seat to be vacated by graduating Tony Floirendo Jr...
In Davao City’s 2nd District, Rep. Vince Garcia will be opposed by Councilor Jimmy Dureza, younger brother of Secretary Jesus Dureza and Leo Magno, an FPJ supporter...
Broadcaster Ricardo “Dong” Puno is running for Congress in Muntinlupa City against Rep. Rufino Biazon...
-- More maceda tidbits:
Definite. Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. has announced that he and other Nacionalista Party (NP) senatorial bets are not accepting Malacañang’s invitation to join the GMA senatorial ticket. He also said an Erap endorsement would boost a candidate’s chances of winning. This NP decision further ensures that GMA and JdV cannot field a “powerfully strong” Senate slate for the May 14 elections.
With DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes deciding not to run for the Senate and Bukidnon Rep. Mike Zubiri not inclined to run, it looks like at this time, that the only probable administration candidates are Secretary Mike Defensor and Francisco Duque, Representatives Prospero Pichay and Gilbert Teodoro. They are probably drafting Sen. Edgardo Angara as a guest candidate and maybe Edu Manzano and Richard Gomez.
People are now waiting for Sen. Frank Drilon, Liberal Party president to announce his plans.
-- Any group but GMA camp; Erap OK vital — Villar
Any political party to align with for the May 2007 elections will do except for any Malacañang-led coalition.
In practically rejecting the Arroyo administration’s “invitation” for him to join its senatorial ticket for the mid-term polls, Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. yesterday said his group — Nacionalista Party (NP) — will not allow itself to be placed under the helm of the ruling Lakas-Kampi alliance even if “we may be a small party.”
“We have our own principles and the NP can stand on its own,” Villar, also the NP president, added.
Moreover, he said, even being identified with detained President Joseph Estrada’s camp suits the NP fine.
“I don’t see any problem if we will be with President Estrada. It would not pose a problem as well if we would be with the Liberal Party (LP). There’s no debate about that. This is something that our party would have to discuss although we all have a common understanding to stand for the good of the country,” Villar added.
He admitted that Estrada’s endorsement, especially during elections, would boost any candidate’s chances of winning.
The Senate president, during a radio interview, welcomed reports that he, Sen. Ralph Recto and Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano are being considered for the 12-man senatorial line-up of the opposition on the recommendation of Estrada.
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