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. 

(End) 

Erap files COC for Mayor of Manila (photos)

UNA Candidates File Certificates of Candidacy accompanied by UNA "3 Kings"

 At Manila Hotel ...

L-R: Mitos Magsaysay, Ernesto Maceda, JV Ejercito-Estrada, Joseph Estrada, Jejomar Binay, Juan Ponce Enrile, Miguel Zubiri, Gringo Honasan, Richard Gordon, Jack Enrile, Tingting Cojuangco. Front: Manny Pacquiao

At Comelec ...
 

The Three Kings/Kingmakers

Senatorial Candidate Tingting Cojuangco with PDP Laban Sec Gen fmr Cong. Peping Cojuangco

Statement of Mr. Joey de Venecia on Withdrawal from Senate Race

From Joey De Venecia III: Statement on Senatorial Candidacy

During this past month, I have been seriously reflecting on my senatorial candidacy guided by my desire to serve the people and encouraged by my achievements in public governance as Executive Vice President of PDP-Laban and senior advisor to the Vice President of the Philippines. At the same time I have been continuously involved in private business generating investments and creating jobs particularly in the BPO, call centers and technology sectors.

I am humbled in being included in the senatorial line-up of the prestigious United Nationalist Alliance. I am particularly grateful to Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Manong Johnny Ponce Enrile, and former President Joseph Estrada for their support.

I would also like to thank the Filipino people who recognize my contribution in our fight against corruption and acknowledge my capability to bring employment to our workforce. A recent Laylo Research Strategies survey placed me tied for the 13^th position without my having to engage in any form of campaigning or broad public exposure. I thank the Filipino people for indicating in the survey that they want me to serve in the Senate.

I have made a choice.

My efforts in business have resulted to substantial and wide-reaching investment agreements in BPO, call center, technology and other sectors. These investments guarantee numerous jobs for the Filipinos. However, since I am a pioneer in the call center and broadband technology business, my direct involvement in these industries is necessary; which means that if I run for the Senate, I will have to delay these private sector initiatives until I finish my term in office.

Through these businesses, I have the opportunity to provide investments and jobs for our country immediately today. Through these businesses, I have the opportunity to help government realize Filipino aspirations especially among the poor immediately today.

I have therefore decided not to run for the Senate in 2013. Instead, I will pursue these immediate business endeavors bringing investments and jobs to our country. In so doing, I shall have achieved through business what I will only begin achieving through the Senate.

My time in the Philippine Senate will come. It is clear to me that public service is part of my life’s mission. I will continue to work for the prosperity of as many Filipinos as possible  and at the appropriate time in the future prepare myself for the Senate.

I thank everyone for your support.

Joey De Venecia III

-oOo-

UNA senatorial slate for 2013 polls complete – Binay

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday said that the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has already finalized its senatorial slate for the 2013 polls.
In an interview with reporters after he gave his speech at the Liga ng mga Barangay National Convention in Pasay City, Binay said that UNA has decided to include Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Margarita Tingting Cojuangco in its senatorial slate.
“We are including him (Escudero) in the slate,” Binay said when asked about the status of the alliance’s talks with Escudero.
Binay also noted that he was 99.9 percent sure that Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, aunt of President Benigno Aquino III, would be included in the ticket.
Cojuangco is the wife of UNA vice president and former congressman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr.
UNA is the new coalition formed between Binay’s PDP-Laban and former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.
During a press conference last Monday, UNA announced that Senator Loren Legarda had accepted the party’s invitation to run as a guest candidate for the senatorial slate.
Among those who earlier made it in the slate were Senators Gregorio Honasan, San Juan Representative JV Ejercito, Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce-Enrile Jr., former senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Ernesto Maceda and Richard Gordon, Zambales Rep. Milagros “Mitos’ Magsaysay and businessman Joey de Venecia.
Binay and Estrada had also said that Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairman Grace Poe Llamanzares was already an “adopted candidate.”
Binay said that he was not bothered by reports that Legarda had talks with President Aquino, saying that Legarda would campaign with UNA.
“Legarda is UNA’s candidate. She will join UNA’s political activities,” Binay said.
Asked about the campaign arrangements for Escudero, Binay said that it would be like the arrangement for Llamanzares, who he had earlier described as an “exception to the rule.”
Escudero and Llamanzares had both been reported to be likely adopted by the Liberal Party (LP).
However, Binay noted that they would not force Llamanzares to join the campaign if she would not be allowed by the LP.
Llamanzares, in earlier reports, had noted that she had not yet received final instructions from Aquino.
Binay had also earlier announced that UNA candidates would be filing their certificates of candidacies on October 1, 1 p.m.