Pinoy voters in US register for Halalan 2016

A record number of Filipinos in the United States registered to vote in the 2016 elections here in the Philippines. - ANC, The World Tonight, October 22, 2015

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Chito Miranda: My integrity cannot be bought

MANILA - ''I'm pretty sure that my opinions aren't worth P2M. But my integrity is intact, and people are aware of that, and that is worth a lot more than 2 million bucks.''

These were the words of Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda after he revealed that he was offered money to endorse a presidential candidate.

On Friday, the 39-year-old Miranda took to Instagram to air his thoughts on the twists and turns that surrounded the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) for president for the upcoming 2016 elections.

A total of 130 submitted their COCs for president, which included Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas, and independent candidate Grace Poe.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was urged to run but reiterated that he never had any intentions on becoming president moments before the deadline.



Miranda started his post by admitting that Binay's son-in-law is a good friend of his and that Roxas is a friend of his uncle.

"They both understand, however, that this is not simply about friendship. It is about who I think is most capable of improving the current state of our country," he wrote. "Gusto ko sana si Duterte pero di naman tumakbo."

"Pero honestly, mas trip ko sana si Miriam pero pinag-aaralan ko pa why she chose Bongbong. She must know something that I don't and I'm pretty sure that she's a lot smarter than I am."

"She wouldn't have chosen him if she felt that he wasn't the right choice. I've read about his accomplishments and modernization projects, and I must admit, they are very impressive regardless kung pro or anti-Marcos ako."

"Pero sa ngayon, parang mas trip ko si Cayetano or si Robredo."

"Cayetano seems to know all the right questions to ask whenever may ginigisa sila sa Senate. While si Robredo naman, seems super matino and trustworthy, and sa panahon ngayon, for me, that may be enough."

Miranda concluded: "Anyway, since wala si Duterte, tingin ko it's time for Plan B. Goodluck sa ating lahat! God bless the Philippines."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Duterte-Marcos in 2016?

MANILA - Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was the first national politician to appear on a radio show in Davao City that frequently features Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, raising speculations of a possible tandem between the two in 2016.

Appearing on the "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" show, Marcos said he is a big fan of Duterte, noting they both support federalism.

“Sumusunod lang ako kay Mayor Duterte… He is my mentor when it comes to politics. Ako’y tagahanga lang niya,” Marcos said.

Duterte, who have not been outright in his plans for 2016, joked: “Hindi ko tuloy malaman dito kung ako ba ang presidente o siya.”

Marcos said it would be best to leave the speculations to commentators, but noted his options will always be open.

Both said the movement of politics these days is different and that many obvious candidates have yet to disclose plans.

As for a possible tandem with Panfilo Lacson, Duterte said the former senator can carry his own banner sans a running mate.

“He is a class by himself, meaning he can run carrying the issues of the day. Hindi na ako kailangan diyan. Ngayon, kung magsama kami [at] masusunog, well mahirap yan, baka ako pa ang mapaso dyan... I said wala naman akong ambition talaga ... He is a class by himself,” Duterte said.

Lacson earlier said he is not open to a tandem with Duterte.

"[Una] baka umusok kaming dalawa... Pangalawa, eh parang isa lang ang dimension, ang core competence namin, parang nalilinya sa iisang aspeto lamang – ito ay sa larangan ng peace and order," Lacson had said. – from a report by Rodirey Salas, ABS-CBN News Davao

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Groups want Poe-Francis tandem, bares Grace

MANILA - Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday revealed that there are groups pushing for a Poe-Francis tandem in 2016.

In an interview after the 13th anniversary celebration of the the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Poe reiterated that she is more comfortable running with Senator Francis Escudero in case she eventually decides to run for president in next year's elections.

Poe also noted that running as an independent candidate with a coalition has its benefits, saying it will always be the interest of the Filipino people and not of the party that will be prioritized.

In the 2013 senatorial elections, both Poe and Escudero ran as independent candidates but under the banner of the Liberal Party (LP)-led coalition Team PNoy.

Following the recent attacks and questions on her citizenship and residency, Poe reiterated that she is qualified to run in 2016.

She pointed out that she came back to the Philippines in 2003 to campaign for her father, the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., who ran for president.

She renounced her dual citizenship in 2010.

Meanwhile, ABS-News spotted in Metro Manila several Grace Poe stickers for 2016. Many of her supporters say that Poe is honest and has genuine concern for the poor.

In her address to PDEA personnel during their anniversary celebration, the senator said out of the five requests of the leadership of the agency, one has been granted, which is to amend the three-witness rule in the Dangerous Drugs Act.

With the amended law, only two witnesses are needed for PDEA agents to operate against drug pushers.

Poe said she is still working on the hazard pay and additional reward money for informants.

PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac, meanwhile, admitted that based on their survey, 92 percent of barangays in Metro Manila are affected by illegal drugs.

Cacdac said the fight against drugs should be a multi-sectoral approach which starts with the family.

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