De Lima: I am here, I am ready

MANILA - Former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Wednesday said she is now ready to take on the tasks of a senator.

De Lima, accompanied by some members of her family, arrived at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Intramuros, Manila to file her certificate of candidacy. She is part of the senatorial slate of the ruling Liberal Party (LP).

De Lima said she would like to continue her advocacies when she was chair of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) under the Arroyo administration and when she was Department of Justice secretary under President Benigno Aquino III.

“Wala na pong urungan, tuloy na tuloy na po ako sa aking paglalakbay,” she said. “I am here and I am ready.”

De Lima said as senator, she would fight for the rule of law, fight corruption, and champion human rights. She said she would also like to simplify the justice system in the country.

“Panahon na para simplehan natin ang sistema ng pag-iimbestiga at pag-uusig ng mga tiwali, yung mga may kasalanan sa batas,” she said.

“Panahon na rin na meron tayong panibagong opensiba laban sa korupsyon sa pamamagitan ng pagpaptibay ng mga sistema ng proseso para di na po makapagtago at makapaggamit ng mga nakaw na yaman. At tungkol sa human rights, ipaglalaban natin ang mga karapatan ng mga bulnerableng mga sektor ng society.”

The justice secretary ranked 7th in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

In the Pulse Asia survey, she was also included in the list of probable winners, landing in the 9th to 14th places.

De Lima has been admired by some for her role in filing corruption charges against powerful individuals under President Benigno Aquino III’s “Daang Matuwid” program, but this has also earned her enemies who believe the administration is practicing selective justice.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Old, new names in 'Team Daang Matuwid'

MANILA - A mix of old and new names are in "Team Daang Matuwid," the administration's 12-man senatorial slate for the 2016 elections.

The Liberal Party (LP) announced the 12-person senatorial slate at the LP headquarters in Balay, Cubao, Quezon City Monday.

The slate is composed of three women and 9 men who are veteran senators/former senators, former Cabinet members, Aquino appointees, and sectoral representatives.

The 12 are:

1. Senate President Franklin Drilon
2. Senator Ralph Recto
3. Senator Teofisto Guingona III
4. Former senator and former food security czar Francis Pangilinan
5. Former senator and former Yolanda rehabilitation chief Panfilo Lacson
6. Outgoing Justice Secretary Leila de Lima

7. Former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla
8. Former TESDA Director General Secretary Joel Villanueva
9. Outgoing TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid
10. PhilHealth Director and former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros
11. COOP NATCCO Party List Representative Cresente Paez
12. DILG Assistant Secretary for Muslim Affairs and Special Concerns and former Maguindanao officer-in-charge Nariman Ina Ambolodto

Lacson was absent at the LP event but he already filed his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections main office on Monday.

Drilon, dubbed the "Big Man sa Senado," introduced his fellow candidates of the coalition during the event. He drew laughs after he described De Lima as the "woman with balls," and said Lapid is more handsome than his father, action star and incumbent Sen. Lito Lapid.

Of all the candidates, only Paez's and Ambolodto's names come as a surprise. Drilon described Paez as a dynamic civil society leader who is passionate about fighting for marginalized sectors.

On the other hand, Ambolodto is described as a "bakwit" or internally displaced person from Kabuntalan who had to flee to the riverbanks of Cotabato City.

She attended Notre Dame High School for Girls and Notre Dame University where she received a degree in banking and finance. She also received a Master of Arts at the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies.

House Speaker Sonny Belmonte, who was named general campaign manager of Team Daang Matuwid, said it is his hope that the 12-man slate will sweep the elections next year. Congressmen Miro Quimbo (Marikina) and Barry Gutierrez (Akbayan) were named spokespersons of the campaign.

In an interview before the event, Ambolodto, a surprise senatorial candidate and a newbie in national elections, said she will push for women's rights, continue the peace process in Mindanao and improve lives of the poor.

For her part, De Lima said her agenda is to focus on human rights, electoral reform and equal justice for all.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Palace lauds Tolentino for 'delicadeza'

MANILA -- Malacañang on Wednesday lauded Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino for his ''delicadeza'' in apologizing over the performance of the group, Playgirls, in Laguna, as well as for asking his name be withdrawn from being considered to become one of the administration's senatorial bets.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the incident should not define Tolentino, adding that the MMDA chair has done a lot for Metro Manila, including being "in the forefront" of disaster response.

Lacierda could not say for sure if Tolentino would indeed be stricken out of the slate ahead of the expected official announcement on Friday.

"We welcome the statement of Chairman Francis Tolentino. It is a recognition of valid concerns of the women's sector and, moving forward, it is also a reminder to all those who are participating in the political process of the need to be always be mindful of how we treat… the dignity of everyone including the womenfolk," Lacierda said.

"Malaki na rin ang nagawa niya: the flood control projects. You would always see him in the forefront of all the disaster response. We have seen him always there, front and center pagdating sa mga kalamidad, pagdating sa mga problema ng Metro Manila. So huwag sana po ito maging defining moment kay Chairman Francis. Marami na ho siyang nagawa and certainly this is something that he has recognized and something that he has already issued a statement for," he added.

"Kung ano man ang desisyon niya hindi ko pa po alam… Pero ito na rin ang isang magandang halimbawa sa atin, sa isang public official na nangingilala ng delicadeza."

Tolentino apologized for failing to stop a raunchy dance number at a Liberal Party member's birthday party.

He also appealed to the Liberal Party to remove him from its possible lineup of senatorial candidates for 2016.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'PNoy had no idea about sexy dancers at LP event'

MANILA -- Malacanang on Saturday said President Benigno Aquino III had no idea about the controversial performance involving sexy dancers during a Liberal Party (LP) event in Laguna last Thursday.

In a radio interview, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said: "Again, can I be allowed to emphasize that that particular event-hindi 'yung event, 'yung performance--the President had nothing to do with it. The President had no idea that it was happening. He did not condone it."

"So, at this point, siguro po importanteng klaruhin po natin 'yon. Hindi po… The President will never condone, nor will he give approval, to any act that would denigrate our women, that would debase them or would have...would contribute to such an indignity," she said.

"You know, I think there are many ways to entertain. I think certain places, certain times... But, as I said yesterday, you know women are not objects that you can surprise people with, that you can give away at birthday parties. I think it's been fairly clear to us where the President stands on this particular issue. I think in the past five years that the President has been in office, I think you've...his record will bear it out. His respect for women ay talagang mataas at alam mong mataas ang respeto ng Pangulo sa kakayahan ng mga kababaihan. You know, I can say that personally. I have worked for the President for the past five years and he has not given any reason for people to think otherwise na he condones acts like that," Valte added.

According to Valte, Aquino has been informed of the incident. She, however, does not know how the President reacted.

"Nakarating na po 'yan sa ating Pangulo. Unfortunately, I wasn't there. I'm not quite sure if he has seen the video, but I'm quite sure that it has been, he has been updated on the situation. Unfortunately, hindi ko nakita talaga 'yung reaksyon ng ating Pangulo."

Valte added that it is better to wait for what the Liberal Party (LP) will do regarding the issue.

"Nagpatawag ho 'yung mga nakatataas na opisyal ng LP para doon sa imbestigasyon-'yung mga, sabihin na po nating, mga 'women stalwarts' ng LP ay nagpatawag na po ng imbestigasyon. Alam ko po si Senator Frank Drilon mayroon na rin po siyang naging statement as well as Speaker Sonny Belmonte. Siyempre, kasama ho diyan si dating Secretary Mar Roxas. So tingnan na lang po natin 'yung kanilang magiging aksyon," she said.


The ruling party, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino, and Laguna 4th District Rep. Benjie Agarao, received flak for the "raunchy" dance performance during LP's oath-taking ceremony and Agarao's birthday party.

For Valte, it is better to wait for the results of the investigation to determine whether the issue will affect Tolentino's senatorial bid in 2016.

"I will not be in a position to answer for Chairman Tolentino, lalo mga-hindi naman po sa personal, pero siya po 'yung pinararatangan. So siguro po mas magandang siya po 'yung makasagot 'nung mga bagong sinasabing… 'Yung pagko-connect sa kanya ng grupong 'yan," she said.

"Iwanan na lang rin po natin 'yan siguro doon sa mga political analyst, but titingnan po natin, let's see. It's fairly new and, so far, hindi pa naman po tapos 'yung imbestigasyon. Tingnan po natin 'yung magiging dulo nitong usapang ito," she added.

LP vice-chairman and Senate President Franklin Drilon has also expressed his view on the issue, condemning the incident as unacceptable.

LP standard bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II, who was also in Laguna on Thursday, said he did not see a raunchy dance number performed during the LP event. He also said he has banned all such gimmicks deemed degrading to women in his campaign.

Other members of the ruling party have, likewise, expressed their views on the issue.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Australia to get new PM as Abbott loses out to rival Turnbull

CANBERRA - Australia will get its fifth prime minister in eight years after the ruling Liberal Party on Monday voted out Tony Abbott in favor of longtime rival Malcolm Turnbull following months of speculation and crumbling support from voters.

Turnbull, a multi-millionaire former banker and tech entrepreneur, won a secret party room vote by 54 to 44, Liberal Party whip Scott Buchholz told reporters after the meeting in Canberra.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was elected deputy leader of the party which, with junior coalition partner the National Party, won a landslide election in 2013.

Since then, the popularity of the government and Abbott in particular has suffered from a series of perceived policy missteps, destabilizing infighting and leaks.

The opposition Labor Party has consistently led opinion polls, while Turnbull has been consistently viewed as preferred prime minister.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Dingdong Dantes won't run for public office

MANILA – Although he is being considered to be part of the senatorial slate of the Liberal Party (LP) for the upcoming 2016 elections, Dingdong Dantes categorically said he has no plans of running for any elected post.

In an article published on Pep.ph on Thursday, the actor was quoted as saying he is honored to be part of LP’s list but he has other important things in his plate as of the moment.

“Well, it’s their right to make a draft and have their initial choices. Ako, kumbaga I’m honored to be part of that list. Sino ba naman ako para malagay dun, ‘di ba? Pero nakapagdesisyon naman po ako na wala talaga sa plano ko na tumakbo in any elected post,” he said.

Dantes said he wants to focus on his career while being a husband to actress Marian Rivera and a father to their coming baby.

“Kaya wala po sa plano ko ‘yan and there are lot of things to do. I’m categorically saying that I’m not running in any electoral post this 2016,” he reiterated.

Dantes said he also has his responsibilities as a commissioner-at-large of the National Youth Commission (NYC).

“Para sa akin, mahalaga na magampanan ko muna ang tungkulin ko sa NYC. It’s not an easy task that’s why we really need lots of attention, commitment. And hindi pupuwede siyang madagdagan pa as of this moment,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LP bet in hot water over online contest

A senatorial candidate of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) slate is now under investigation for possible illegal campaign activities.

Commission on Elections Chairman Atty Sixto Brillantes said the candidate has been using social media accounts in Twitter and Facebook to give away prizes to lure voters.

"May pa contest, pag nanalo bibigyan ka ng iPad," he said.

The Comelec chairman refused to name the candidate and merely hopes that his pronouncement will serve as a warning.

"It will fall under illegal campaigning. Pwedeng pwede sya madisqualify," he said.

The game, he said, is a fill-in-the-blank type of contest where the voters would simply add a statement to the online question of "corruption is bad because...?"

This is similar to a promo posted on senatorial candidate Jamby Madrigal's Twitter account.

The promo, which was removed from Madrigal's official Facebook account as of 4 pm Tuesday, said a person can win a free iPad if they like Jamby's Facebook fan page and then complete the sentence "Corruption is bad because..."

Speaking to ANC, Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez confirmed receiving that the poll body's social media monitoring team received the image about the online contest but would not confirm if it was the same one being referred to by Brillantes.

Asked if the promo violates Comelec rules, he said: "Well it's not the vote for me aspect that would be problematic with this particular image. It's the idea that a contest or game is being staged in support of the candidate. Under the Omnibus Election Code, it is wrong to stage contests that will offer prizes to support a candidate. That is what this ad is purporting to do."

He said the contest is attached to a "fan page which is being maintained by the candidate."

Brillantes said the poll body is now studying the possibility of filing charges against the candidate.

source: abs-cbnnews.com