STATEMENT OF UNA SECRETARY GENERAL TOBY TIANGCO ON THE CALL OF LP SPOKESMAN BEN EVARDONE FOR RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW IN THE SUSPENSION OF CEBU GOVERNOR GWEN GARCIA

Liberal Party spokesman Rep. Evardone used to be one of Mrs. Arroyo's most loyal defenders and used to insist that Mrs. Arroyo was on the right side of the law each time her regime abused its power.

He now speaks of "letting the legal process prevail” and “respect for the rule of law” in the suspension of Governor Gwen Garcia, UNA’s provincial chair for Cebu and congressional candidate. These words sound very familiar. These are the same words used by Rep. Evardone and other former Arroyo defenders to justify the harassment of the opposition led by Vice President Binay in 2006 and 2007.

Like other Arroyo defenders who shifted loyalties en masse to the ruling party, the LP spokesman is recycling the same excuses meant to justify political harassment. Harassment is harassment. You cannot invoke “respect for the rule of law” and “daang matuwid” to justify a patently illegal act and the abuse of power. Those who are now invoking the rule of law and the righteous path should first examine their tainted political and moral backgrounds to avoid embarrassing themselves and their new masters.

Nothing can justify abuse of power, especially not the recycled statements from defenders of the discredited former regime. No matter what the LP and its apologists say, the people of Cebu know that Martial law has been imposed in their province.

For UNA, respect for the rule of law also means extending courtesy to a co-equal branch of government. Since a case has already been filed before the Court of Appeals, the administration party should allow the courts to decide.

The LP claims that party members are treated in the same manner as Governor Garcia. We want to remind the LP that in the case of Caloocan Mayor Recom Echeverri, an LP member, his suspension was not effectively served and his followers were allowed to camp out in front of City Hall with the least intervention from the police. We did not hear the LP or the administration asking him to follow the suspension order while waiting for the Court of Appeals to decide.

In the case of Governor Garcia, there are glaring violations of the law and clear abuse of power. The LP-affiliated Vice Governor closed down two media outlets on flimsy grounds. The police erected barricades and deployed armalite-wielding policemen to the capitol. Supporters of the Governor and even employees were prevented from entering the grounds.

The leaders of UNA visited Governor Garcia to show their support for a beleaguered member and to make sure that the authorities respect the law. This is hardly a controversial move. It cannot be compared to DILG Secretary Mar Roxas attempting to influence the Sandiganbayan when he accompanied his party mate Grace Padaca when she posted bail for a graft case.

The LP gubernatorial candidate for Cebu has also said that the people of Cebu will render the ultimate judgment in the 2013 elections. This is precisely our point and this is what makes the suspension order nothing more than a power grab by the LP, a desperate and blatant attempt to overturn the decision of the people of Cebu in the 2010 elections. #

UNA BETS DOMINATE PULSE ASIA POLL

Candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) dominated the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia.

The survey conducted from November 23 - 29 involving 1,200 respondents showed UNA could win seven out of the 12 senatorial slots in 2013.

Sen. Francis Escudero led all senatorial bets with a score of 74.1 percent, while Sen. Loren Legarda got 68.3 percent. Both Legarda and Escudero are guest candidates of UNA.

The survey results showed at least five other UNA senatorial bets landing in the Magic 12. San Juan Representative Jose Victor Ejercito is currently in 4^th place with 57 percent and Rep. Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr. is in 5^th with 53.2 percent.

Incumbent Sen. Gregorio Honasan is in 8^th with 44.9 percent while Vice President Jejomar Binay’s daughter Nancy Binay jumped to 9^th place with 41.3 percent.

Former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri rounds out list in 12^th with 40.5 percent.

Other UNA candidates in the top 20 are former Senator Richard Gordon in 14^th, Grace Poe – Llamanzares in 17^th, former Senator Ernesto Maceda in 19^th and Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco in 20^th place.

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Tiangco: No UNA CONAs issued to Ampatuans

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) today refuted reports that it issued Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) to some members of the Ampatuan clan.

“We did not issue CONAs to any member of the Ampatuan family,” UNA Secretary General Toby Tiangco said, responding to the Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report that 34 Ampatuans are running under the coalition.

The Ampatuan clan, headed by former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, Sr., is facing 57 counts of murder for the so-called Maguindanao massacre.

“I am asking PCIJ to furnish us with the CONAs of the Ampatuan family so we could validate them with our records,” he said.

“If indeed an Ampatuan charged in the massacre had been given an UNA CONA, we will withdraw it immediately,” he added.

Tiangco questioned how PCIJ was able to obtain the CONAs from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) when UNA itself did not receive the documents.

He said UNA wants to validate the COMELEC’s copy of CONAs with the coalition’s records.

“There are candidates who supposedly seek UNA’s endorsement but they do not use our CONA. They do this to prevent us from putting our own candidates,” he said.

“This is why we want to know who are those who just want to use UNA’s CONA but are not sincere to run under the coalition’s banner,” he added.

Nancy Binay visits Cavite

Nancy Binay gives away bags of candies to public school elementary pupils in Bacoor City, Cavite while her father, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, looks on.

The Vice President earlier distributed 1,560 certificates of lot award (CELA) to housing beneficiaries living along the Philippine National Railway tracks in Tanza; 57 titles in General Trias; 1,100 CELAs in Kawit; and 644 CELAs in Bacoor. #

Legarda Congratulates President Obama for Successful Re-election

Senator Loren Legarda, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, congratulated US President Barack Obama on his successful bid for a second term as the chief executive of the United States of America.

“I warmly congratulate President Obama for his re-election. The citizens of the United States have once again placed their trust in their incumbent leader to advance the causes of the nation and its people. As a leader of a powerful nation, other countries, including the Philippines, also hope that President Obama will champion vital global issues,” said Legarda.

The Senator also expressed optimism that President Obama’s second term will be more productive and beneficial not only for the people of the US but also for the whole world as the US is one of the most powerful nations.

“I trust that in the next four years, he will be at the forefront of disaster risk reduction politics by further strengthening the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) not only to respond to disasters but also to enhance preparedness and build back more resilient communities. Disaster risk reduction agencies, such as FEMA, are important as the economic crisis that is experienced in many parts of the world is exacerbated by climate change, which leads to loss of lives, homes and livelihoods,” she said.

Legarda, the United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, stressed that President Obama should be a leader of the world and set an example by reducing USA’s fossil fuel consumption, promote use of renewable energy, provide better support for agricultural workers and vulnerable sectors, and assist developing nations who bear the brunt of disasters caused by climate change.

She also cited Obama’s commitment to provide affordable quality healthcare for all Americans and stressed that it is an inspiring flagship program that should be emulated by leaders worldwide.***

MACEDA: ALMENDRAS APPOINTMENT TO CLIP OCHOA POWERS

Statement of former Senate President and former Executive Secretary Ernesto Maceda on the Appointment of Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras

Former Senate President Ernesto Maceda today warned Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa to beware of becoming irrelevant, following the appointment of Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras. 

 

He said that Palace Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte does not know what she is talking about when she said that Ochoa's powers will not be clipped. "That (Ochoa's powers will not be clipped) is not true. The job description for Almendras' post is definitely transferring powers and authority from the Executive Secretary to Sec. Almendras. The main job of Sec. Almendras is to oversee the implementation of the president’s projects. In that role, Sec. Almendras becomes the deputy president," Maceda explained. 

Maceda added that Executive Order 99 signed on October 31 even gives Sec. Almendras the authority to realign targets; as well as the power to implement the president’s 16 point agenda and the Philippine Development Plan (PPP).  "Almendras will hold office in Malacanang and will report directly to the president. With his reduced responsibilities, Exec. Sec. Ochoa becomes literally only the little president," Maceda added. 

Nevertheless, Maceda believes that the appointment of Almendras is a good move on the part of PNoy. "As a former executive secretary I can tell you that the job of an executive secretary is too big for one man. I used to work at least 18 hours a day to do the work usually ending past midnight in Malacañang." Maceda was Executive Secretary of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Maceda noted that decision-making by the president may become faster now that Almendras has been appointed, because of Almendras' closeness to PNoy. "On a personal basis, Almendras is closer to the president than Ochoa," Maceda observed. "Their friendship dates back to college days at the Ateneo de Manila. With his closeness to the president, Almendras can expand his powers easily. Hopefully, with Almendras as facilitator, decisions in Malacanang will move faster."

Maceda also believes that Almendras is more qualified that Ochoa to be a senior adviser to the president. "Almendras has the advantage of being an experienced corporate manager. He is more qualified than Ochoa to be the president's senior adviser with a wider perspective," Maceda said. 

MACEDA URGES CONGRESS TO PASS LAW AGAINST POLITICAL DYNASTIES

Former Senate President Ernesto Maceda today called on members of Congress to go beyond their personal interests and pass the anti-dynasty law as prescribed by the Constitution. 

"The constitution is clear in saying that political dynasties are prohibited and it is brazenly a violation of the Constitution not to pass an anti-dynasty law," Maceda said. 

Maceda said the proposal of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago could be a start, with the minimum requirement being the prohibition of relatives within the second degree of consanguinity from running in the same province, city or municipality. 

He clarified, however, that it should not be extended to all relatives like nephews and nieces, cousins, uncles and aunts. He also said there must be exceptions, for example, if the politician's father served many, many years ago.

Maceda said that this is to give other candidates who are not as powerful as the incumbent an opportunity to serve the people as well. "It is also a valid point that just like the rationale of the party list law, all citizens should be given an equal chance to win in public office," he said. 

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