The news that we may have to go back to manual elections spread like wildfire last night as the local partner of Smartmatic, Total Information Management Corporation, backed out of the deal with COMELEC. According to the TIM President, they had irreconcilable differences. Varied reasons for the back out have been floated by several news articles in print/online and on TV. Some say that TIM didn’t have the necessary money to fund the activity, or that they had problems with the revenue-sharing model with Smartmatic. However, another angle that we can look at is corruption. (more…)

According to the latest Pulse Asia survey, the battle for the 2010 Presidential Elections is too tight to call. Vice President Noli De Castro leads at 18%, followed closely by Escudero 17%, Estrada 15%, Villar 14%, and Roxas at 13%. Senator Loren Legarda dropped out of the top 5 list. The biggest winner for this survey is Senator Roxas, who surged 5 points. It looks like his Padyak campaign combined with his public engagement to Korina Sanchez brought him closer to the masses. (more…)

I took a cab today since I was color coding. I enjoy cab rides a lot especially if the driver is talkative and is in the know when in comes to local politics. I had this fierce debate with the taxi driver I rode with today and I can’t help but blog about the experience. As most of you guys know by now, I’m a critic of MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando. When I was talking with the driver on who he was going to support for 2010, I was really surprised to hear him say the MMDA Chairman’s name. I immediately asked why and he said one line that almost left me speechless - “Bayani will change this country.” (more…)

As more and more names are entered into the Presidential race, it’s no wonder that politicians are also starting to eye the 2nd highest position in the country. Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno threw his hat in the nomination process for the Vice-presidency of the about-to-merge KAMPI-LAKAS party. Complete press release after the break. (more…)

I found this video on Youtube about Senator Mar Roxas. It’s an interview about his plans should he win the Presidential elections in 2010. In this video, Mar goes on to explain his agenda for the Philippines and does so with confidence and passion. This is exactly the reason why I support Senator Roxas. He knows what needs to be done and he’s willing to go the lengths to implement the laws and reforms needed to move this country forward. Watch the video after the break. (more…)

The latest SWS survey results are out and it looks like there’s a change of momentum. Buoyed by his aggressive leadership against the pre-need debacle of Legacy, Senator Mar Roxas surged with +5 rating points for the month of February. Note that majority of the media came out on March so we can expect him to soar even further when the next results are out. Another big gainer is Senator Escudero, who has also been harping on the same issue. (more…)

Pampanga Governor Panlilio has been charged with several cases in the past few months by various groups. One of the pending ones is a Perjury Case which stems from the campaign contributions he received when he won the previous election with a slight margin against the alleged Jueteng family dynasty of Pinedas. According to an interview with one of the proponents of the case, Panlilio’s camp didn’t recognize a significant amount of contributions which were given to them by various sources from Manila and overseas despite signed receipts issued by Panlilio himself. When they declared the campaign fund sources in the COMELEC, a lot of people who gave varied sums were left out. Let me share with you a video interview of Former Congressman Willie Villarama who explains in this interview the entire story. Watch it after the jump. (more…)

I know people find that Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay has slim to none chances of winning the top position of the country in 2010. However, based on recent developments, he actually may assume the Presidency sometime after 2010. As most of you know, Former President Erap Estrada has been making the rounds together with Mayor Binay. I think it’s no secret anymore that Former President Estrada will be running again in 2010 and that Makati Mayor Binay has the highest chance of being his Vice President. “Erap” has already also said that if he were to win, he would only serve out the “remaining years” of his previous administration - then passing on the Presidency to the Vice President. (more…)

I have been a staunch supporter of Governor Ed Panlilio since he declared his bid to run in Pampanga. I’ve always taken his side when I’d have discussions and debates with my friends. But after reading today’s paper, I draw the line. He presented himself as a possible 2010 candidate in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer and that’s when I knew that he’s finally “bitten the apple”. The good priest-turned governor has finally succumbed to one of the most subtle and deceiving deadly sins - Pride. (more…)

PULSE ASIA recently released their latest survey results on the upcoming 2010 Presidential Elections. It’s very interesting to note that the gap between the candidates have been shrinking for past months. If we were to trust the survey, then there is no clear winner at this point and it’s really anyone’s ballgame. Vice President Noli De Castro still leads at 19%, closely followed by Senator Chiz Escudero at 18%, Former President Estrada at 16%, Senator Manny Villar at 14%, and Senator Loren Legarda at 12%. (more…)