21 presidential candidates so far- Comelec

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) legal department accepted seven more candidacies for presidency on the fourth day of filing Monday, including that of Ang Kapatiran’s John Carlos Delos Reyes.

Delos Reyes, nephew of Senator Richard Gordon, is a councilor in Olongapo City.

Overall, the Comelec legal department has accepted 21 candidacies for president, two for vice president and 10 for senators since Friday, said Comelec legal chief Ferdinand Rafanan.

Aside from Delos Reyes, Comelec accepted the candidacies of seven new presidential aspirants including Valeriano Dante Reloj, 48, lawyer from Sta. Ana, Manila; Enrique Rueda Sadiosa, 46, a businessman and an overseas voter registered in Hong Kong; Maria Magdalena Apura, 81, from Trece Martirez City in Cavite province; and Simeon Paz Jr., 69, a retired post master turned preacher from Pillila town in Rizal province.

Marcelino Donato, 52, a herbalist and therapist from Vigan, Ilocos Sur, who filed his candidacy for president was also accepted as the twentieth presidential candidate. He was followed by Felix Baling Jr,. 46, a retired engineer from Zamboanga City, who filed his candidacy just before Comelec’s legal department closed office Monday.

Comelec also accepted the vice presidential bid of Dominador Chipeco Jr., 66, along with seven Ang Kapatiran senatorial candidates.

Delos Reyes said Ang Kapatiran party's local and national bets received the blessings of Manila Archbishop GaudencioRosales before they headed to the Comelec office for the CoC filing.

The party’s seven new senators include social scientist and consultant Rizalito David, lawyer Jo Aurea Imbong, professor Zosimo Jesus Paredes, journalist and consumer advocate Adrian Sison, councilor and professor Reginald Tamayo, Hector Tarrazona and former UN executive Manuel Valdehuesa Jr.

Candidacies for local and national positions may be filed until 12 midnight of December 1.

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List of presidential bets for 2010 polls nears 30—Comelec

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has accepted close to 30 presidential candidates for the 2010 elections, two vice presidents and 17 vice presidents, records from the law department showed.

On Wednesday, the legal department accepted the candidacies for president of Jose Voltaire Manadis, 60, a mining engineer from Quezon City and Rafael Clarete, 57, farmer and business man from General Santos City, as the 26th and 27th prospective candidates for president.

Also on Wednesday, the Comelec accepted four more bids for the Senate, including that of 54-year-old incumbent Senator Manuel Lito Lapid; retired Philippine National Police (PNP) general Romeo Maganto, 61, who now lives in Bulacan.

Other senatorial bids accepted include that by Rummel Pinera, 41, an entrepreneur from Laguna, and Arman Manahan, 30, a barber from Cavite.

Early bids
Rigoberto Madera, who identified himself as a “Messiah” and a member of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, was the first prospective candidate for president that filed his CoC at 8:40 a.m. Friday.

More known candidates who filed candidacies for president include lawyer Oliver Lozano, 69, of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, who filed a petition before Comelec to disqualify former president Joseph Estrada from seeking re-election as president; and Olongapo city councilor John Carlos “JC” Delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran Party, who is also the nephew of Senator Richard Gordon.

Other candidates for president whose candidacy were accepted on November 20 are: Gilbert Garcia, a quantum physics instructor from Biñan, Laguna; Wendell Hanopol Lope, 34, a taxi driver who claimed he was cheated in the 2004 presidential elections; Vicente Fabella, 46, businessman of Oriental Mindoro; masseuse Josefina Murillo, 56, from Quezon City; Peter Peligrino, 70, a retired teacher; Carmelo Carreon, 63, an insurance agent; Vetellano Acosta, 52, a financial consultant; Daniel Magtira, 49, a barangay (village) chairman in Tondo; retired teacher Ernesto Balite, 64, from Bulacan; Sultan Min Balad Villaflor, 52, from Negros Occidental; Eduardo Fernandez, 58, businessman; Noel Aguirre, a former overseas Filipino worker from Jeddah.

Valeriano Reloj, 48, lawyer from Manila; Enrique Sadiosa, 46, businessman from Camarines Sur; religious missionary Maria Magdalena Apura, 81, from Cavite; Simeon Paz Jr., 69, preacher from Pillila, Riza; Marcelino Donato Bhen Navarro, 52, herbalist from Vigan; David Alimorong, 70, retired soldier and entrepreneur from Antipolo Rizal; Gregorio Canlas Samia, 61, who earned the moniker “Manok” for imitating the coos of rooster; Nancy Megio, 44, housewife from Tanauan Batangas; Orlando Abitona, 71, from Cainta, Rizal;

Alicman Usodan Ali, 38, a businessman from Manila, was first to have his candidacy for vice president approved on Sunday afternoon. He was followed by Dominador Chipeco Jr., 66, who is running under Ang Kapatiran Party on Monday.

Meanwhile, Victorino Inte, 55, a political science graduate from Loboc, Bohol, was the first to file his CoC for senator and was approved, followed by Micomi-i La-Lawquero, who claimed to be Metro Manila’s House representative and a majority floor leader from 2007 to 2008 and Eduardo Sion, 67, who claimed to be nominated by Senior Nazareno party.

Comelec also approved seven senatorial bets running under Ang Kapatiran party, which include social scientist and consultant Rizalito David, lawyer Jo Aurea Imbong, professor Zosimo Jesus Paredes, journalist and consumer advocate Adrian Sison, councilor and professor Reginald Tamayo, Hector Tarrazona and former UN executive Manuel Valdehuesa Jr.

Other senatorial bids accepted by the legal department came from: Aeric Bernandino. 44, civil engineer, from Novaliches; Alex Poyatos, 60, banker from Nueva Vizcaya; Rogelio Poblete, 70, businessman from Manila.

Candidacies for local and national positions may be filed until 12 midnight of December 1.

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Mar, Loren welcome Edu's entry in race

MANILA - Politicians from other political parties on Friday welcomed the entry of actor-TV host Edu Manzano in the May 2010 elections.

His opponent in the Liberal Party, Senator Mar Roxas, wished Manzano well.

"Best of luck to Edu in 2010. Welcome to national politics. He is a worthy opponent," Roxas said.

"Tiwala tayo na ang mga Pilipino ay pipili ng karapat-dapat at may mahusay na programa para sa tunay na pagbabago (I trust that Filipinos will choose their candidates based on a strong platform for real change)," added Roxas.

Roxas leads the vice-presidential surveys, according to the latest one conducted by the independent polling outfit, Social Weather Stations (SWS). (Read: Mar, Noli, Loren are top VP choices )

Roxas pointed out that Lakas-Kampi-CMD had sought but failed to get Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, among others, to be Teodoro's running mate.

"The administration tried everything to get Vilma as Gibo's running-mate, but he now has to settle for Edu," Roxas said.

Loren not surprised

Senator Loren Legarda, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nationalist People's Coalition, told ANC on Friday she was not surprised to learn that Manzano has accepted the ruling coalition's offer to run for vice president next year.

Legarda said Manzano mentioned to her that he was being wooed by the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.

She said she even encouraged the former Optical Media Board chairman to accept the offer.

Legarda added she will soon announce which presidential bet she will support.

Meanwhile, Manzano's ex-wife, Gov. Vilma Santos, said she supports Manzano's decision to run as vice president.

For his part, Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar also welcomed the entry of Manzano in the race, saying it will make the vice-presidential race more exciting.

Villar has reportedly reached an agreement with Legarda to be his running mate.

Villar refused to disclose who his vice-presidential bet will be but hinted that the politician is an advocate of climate change, which is Legarda's popular advocacy.

In a press conference on Friday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno announced that the administration party had picked Manzano as running-mate of Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro. -- with reports from Anthony Taberna, ABS-CBN News; ANC

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Edu enters VP race

Accepts offer to be Teodoro’s running mate

By BEN ROSARIO

IT’S EDU FOR VICE PRESIDENT. Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro (left) enjoys a light moment with former Optical Media Board Chairman Edu Manzano shortly after the latter was named the party’s vice presidential bet in the 2010 elections Frida

Former Optical Media Board Chairman and television host Eduardo “Edu” Manzano Friday accepted the offer to be the vice presidential candidate of the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, ending weeks of speculation as to who will be the running mate of Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro.

Teodoro, the administration party’s preferred 2010 standard-bearer, raised Manzano’s hand to affirm his decision to accept the actor as his partner during a press conference in a Makati hotel.

Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, party vice chairman, made the announcement during the press conference, saying that he was authorized by Teodoro to make the offer to Manzano.

Puno, who had announced earlier his desire to run for vice president but later changed his mind, is reportedly set to act as the campaign manager of the Teodoro-Manzano team.

As vice presidential bet, Manzano will be facing an old political nemesis in Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, who has been drafted by former President Joseph Estrada’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino as its vice presidential candidate.

Manzano, a popular TV host, had ran and lost against Binay in the Makati mayoral elections.

His entry doused speculations that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be fielded by the country’s most dominant party as Teodoro’s second.

Aside from Puno, three other Lakas-Kampi stalwarts have declined offers to be Teodoro’s running mate: Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Juan Miguel Zubiri and Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Batangas Governor Rosa Vilma Santos-Recto, with whom Manzano has a son, had also turned down invitations to become Teodoro’s VP bet.

Manzano was recently replaced as host of the popular ABS-CBN quiz show “Game Ka Na Ba?”, a program that used to be hosted by actress Kris Aquino. The actress is the youngest sister of Liberal Party presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Aside from Manzano, another ABS-CBN talent who sought the vice presidential post in the country was Sen. Loren Legarda, who lost her 2004 bid to incumbent Vice President Noli De Castro, also an ABS-CBN talent.

Puno said he felt it his obligation to help Teodoro find a partner because he was also instrumental in pushing for his Cabinet colleague’s nomination as Lakas-Kampi presidential bet.

"I would like to introduce to all of you this morning someone whom Secretary Teodoro has accepted to be his running mate and a person who has accepted the challenge of standing beside Secretary Teodoro in the quest to become the next president of the Republic of the Philippines and him the next vice president of the Republic of the Philippines.

“No other than former OMB chairman Edu Manzano," Puno announced at the press conference.

Teodoro responded by thanking Puno for helping him find a highly-qualified candidate for vice president. The Teodoro-Manzano team will still have to be confirmed at the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party national convention on November 19.

Manzano, who was earlier reported to be eyeing a senatorial post, said he reached a decision to run for vice president only last Thursday although Puno first broached the idea to him several months ago.

In a later interview with cable television station ANC, Manzano said he made the decision after conducting a series of talks with Teodoro.

“After a meeting with Secretary Teodoro, I found out we could harmonize a lot of our ideas and advocacies, and platforms,” Manzano said. “I express my respect for Secretary Teodoro and I believe he possesses all the necessary qualities (to become president)... Siya ang magsusulong ng kinabukasan ng mga Pilipino.”

Manzano said he hopes his collaboration with Lakas-Kampi-CMD would boost the party’s ailing reputation.

“The idea in joining with Secretary Teodoro… we would be able to excite the political arena to the point where in the people would listen to us,” Manzano said.

Asked if he has enough experience in public service to qualify him as vice presidential candidate, Manzano referred to his experience as former OMB chairman. He also served as Makati vice mayor before running against Binay.

“I’ve taken public service for quite a while now and this is what I could take to the office of the vice president,” Manzano said.

Senator Zubiri for his part said the Teodoro-Manzanao tandem is force to reckon with, saying that Manzano has that star appeal that could draw crowds in political campaign. He said Teodoro himself looks like a matinee idol.

Three potential vice presidential candidates in the coming national elections all come Panay Island, Zubiri pointed out.

Manzano is from Iloilo, Legarda of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) is from Antique while Sen. Manuel ‘’Mar’’ Roxas II of the Liberal Party (LP) is from Capiz. Both Roxas and Legarda sent their best regards to Manzano.

‘’Best of luck to Edu in 2010. Welcome to national politics. He is a worthy opponent,’’ Roxas said. ‘’I trust that Filipinos will choose their candidates based on a strong platform for real change.”

A brief statement of Legarda read, ‘’God Bless and Good Luck to Gibo and Edu.’’

But according to Binay’s spokesperson, Lito Anzures, Manzano’s entry as running mate of Teodoro has tainted the actor’s image. (With reports from Mario Casayuran, Kris Bayos and Sam Medenilla)

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Attachment	Size
IT’S EDU FOR VICE PRESIDENT. Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro (left) enjoys a light moment with former Optical Media Board Chairman Edu Manzano shortly after the latter was named the party’s vice presidential bet in the 2010 elections Frida	16.37 KB

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Reports from the Tropics: Desperation Breeds New Lows for Philippine Campaign Advertising

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—In the aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana, every school, NGO, and company did what they could to bring relief goods to the thousands of victims whose lives had been devastated by the storm. Numerous medical missions went out everyday, as did missions to deliver relief goods to people who had lost their homes, food, and clothing. Philippine and U.S. military troops were also involved in the relief efforts.

The people I spoke with during my trip said that in the first few weeks this was no easy task. Despite the major efforts of people at home and abroad, victims were still struggling to get the resources they needed to survive the flood. Desperate survivors often swarmed missions in the most affected areas. Even volunteers required bodyguards, as victims shook their vans and cars, attempting to steal relief goods for their own starving families.

What did some Philippine Presidential hopefuls of 2010 see in this heartbreaking situation? As some of my readers might have noticed, I have hardly expressed much optimism when it comes to the current Philippine administration. Honestly, when this typhoon hit, I thought politicians were more likely to pursue a photo-op than a substantive effort to demonstrate their preparedness for dealing with natural disasters.

But apparently, Philippine politicians have reached a new low. Viewing the hopeless desperation that had plagued thousands, candidates such as Senator Manny Villar and former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada found a new avenue for campaign advertising!

Former President Estrada, ousted from power in 2001 facing corruption charges, quickly returned to the political scene after current President Arroyo (his former Vice President) granted him presidential pardon. After the typhoon, the “Erap Relief Good Tickets” were released. These coupons—branded with Estrada’s photo so that they almost resembled money—allowed victims to collect a relief package.

Villar’s packaged relief goods have raised even more outcry. Immediately, water bottles and noodles branded with Villar’s name and picture were handed out to victims. A few weeks later, a whole line of Villar relief good/advertising merchandise was delivered with the letter “V” written on an orange sticker.

Most people I spoke with during my trip to Manila were absolutely disgusted, as I was, by this new method of personal advertising. Yet it does reveal something about Philippine psychology that I’m happy to see is slowly changing.

The success of Villar and Estrada’s “relief goods” as advertisements depended heavily on the fact that many of the poorer classes of Filipinos have lacked any sense of entitlement. That is why politicians have stamped their names and faces on every public work or project for decades. Many people did not recognize that such projects were a part of their elected officials’ jobs. Rather, poorer Filipinos were expected to feel grateful that any work had been done at all, and politicians made sure they never forgot every tiny little project they had ever completed when the next election came around.

While these outrageous relief goods have made me feel absolutely disgusted, it’s much more inspiring to me that they have been received by the same disgust by those desperate for help. In the upcoming election, my country requires not only a leader that will help change the system of corruption, but also a change in mentality. Filipinos must be willing to recognize that they are entitled to some things, and that the price of receiving help in the midst of tragedy shouldn’t have to be their vote.

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GMA DEFENDS HER ROLE IN ZTE DEAL / ERAP RUNNING TO 'REPAY THE POOR

(STAR) By Paolo Romero - President Arroyo defended yesterday her role in the canceled $329-million national broadband network (NBN) contract with ZTE Corp. of China even as the Office of the Ombudsman was set to review the Senate report recommending the prosecution of nearly everyone involved in the deal, including First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

The report said Mrs. Arroyo had �a lot to answer for.�

In her speech at the management conference of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) in Tagaytay City, Mrs. Arroyo detailed how she had the scandal-tainted contract canceled even if the investigation she had ordered on the alleged corruption proved inconclusive.

She said the cost-effective buildup of the country�s information and communications technology (ICT) was the reason why the Philippines sought financing from China to set up an NBN project.

Mrs. Arroyo said when then socio-economic planning secretary Romulo Neri informed her of a bribery attempt �involving a constitutional officer not under the administrative supervisory jurisdiction of the President of the Philippines,� she immediately ordered Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno to have the matter �discreetly investigated.�

The constitutional officer she was referring to was former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos. Neri testified at a Senate hearing that Abalos insinuated that he had reserved P200 million for him (Neri).

The President said Ermita ordered National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales to investigate the allegation while Puno conducted his own.

�The findings reported back to me were inconclusive. Nevertheless, for the sake of propriety, I moved to cancel the project,� Mrs. Arroyo said.

�Unfortunately, there are a lot of unsubstantiated allegations, gossip and innuendoes mixed up with the facts of the case. This is part of our immature political system; it�s part of our immature institutions. And this immaturity hurts the growth of the nation,� she said.

She said the media could help clarify the issues and ensure greater accountability.

Mrs. Arroyo said the Philippines badly needs an ICT network that would help fuel its growth.

�If centuries ago, there was an agricultural revolution, then there was an industrial revolution, now we have an ICT revolution. And there�s no stopping ICT from becoming the wave of our future whether in your industry or in any other industry. Our country should use it to enhance competitiveness, and I know you use it to enhance yours,� she said.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the Palace was not worried by the move of the Ombudsman to review the Senate report even if it had earlier cleared the First Couple of any wrongdoing.

�But whatever their (Ombudsman) decision might be, then we would be ready. President Arroyo�s lawyers or legal advisers would be ready to defend her. But we have very little time left already, so I think it would be better for our officials, particularly our lawmakers, if we could adjust our priorities in Congress, like the passing of the budget for 2010,� she said.

Meanwhile, several senators are withholding their signatures on the Senate Blue Ribbon committee�s report on the NBN deal anomaly without close scrutiny of the President�s role in the approval of the project.

Sen. Joker Arroyo said the NBN project was doomed to fail from its inception because it had been found that it would be best left to the private sector because the government could not effectively implement it.

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Manuel Roxas II and Benigno Aquino III said they would have to check first the contents of the report and see if it would be useful to prosecute those liable even under the next administration since the current one could block their prosecution.

Cayetano said he would come out with a minority report by next week as he pointed out the overpricing must be established, whether the project was really needed and why Mrs. Arroyo allowed it.

Roxas said it was very clear that Mrs. Arroyo did not protect the interest of the nation even if the bribery was reported to her.

�Nobody was fired. There was no investigation,� Roxas said.

Roxas also said Mrs. Arroyo used her executive privilege to conceal how the approval of the project was arrived at. He said records from the National Economic and Development Authority should have been made available to the public for scrutiny.

Roxas and Aquino said the President must explain why a project under a build-operate-transfer scheme became an executive agreement between the Philippines and China.

�There should be no sovereign guarantee, why was this overturned? I don�t know what�s in the report. I think the press release came out before the report,� Aquino said.

Senator Arroyo said before the imposition of martial law, the government already implemented a communication project involving a telephone system to connect government offices in the country but it turned out to be a colossal failure. With Aurea Calica

Erap running for re-election to repay debt of gratitude to poor By Jose Rodel Clapano (The Philippine Star) Updated November 14, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada said he is seeking anew the presidency in the 2010 elections to repay his debt of gratitude to the poor.

�I want to serve the people. I want to repay them. Erap is nothing today without the poor. The poor were the ones who lined up in theaters, during my stint as movie actor, to pay me. Whatever assets that I have came from the poor,� Estrada said in an interview with ANC yesterday.

Estrada said he would dedicate the last days of his life to lift the poor Filipino people from poverty.

He vowed that he would not allow another popular uprising that removed him from the presidency in 2001.

�I want to live my life to the fullest. I want to leave a legacy as a defender of the causes of the poor Filipino masses before I leave for the second life. I learned from my mistake and it cannot be repeated again,� he said.

Estrada said the reason he decided to leave Malaca�ang during the EDSA II uprising was to prevent further violence from erupting and spare the lives of innocent people.

�I left Malaca�ang because I know the blood of the poor will flow there,� he said.

In the same interview, Estrada said his removal from office was unjustified, citing the legal opinion of the late Supreme Court justice Cecilia Munoz-Palma.

He said the late former president Corazon Aquino even apologized to him for joining the EDSA II popular uprising.

Estrada also promised to fight back and would never allow himself to fall victim to another plot by big businessmen and politicians.

�I have forgiven everybody. I�m already a senior citizen. I will live my life to the fullest. I have to continue serving them. I have unfinished business for the poor,� Estrada said.

�Next time, it will be a different story. I need the big businessmen. So, I have to court them again. I will just show my sincerity and (that) of my government. They cannot accept the fact that I�m a college dropout. I will just show that I will run after grafters in government; improve the peace and order in the country and the food security,� he said.

Estrada admitted the country could not move the economy forward without help from big businessmen.

The former president also denied insinuations of poor health and inability to run a grueling campaign for the 2010 elections.

He said he had more experience in running a campaign than the other presidential candidates.

�My certificate of health is available at the Cardinal Santos Hospital. It�s perfect. I told the director of Cardinal Santos to give it to my reporters. I have general check-up. I do some calisthenics,� he said.

Estrada said he would humbly accept if he loses in the elections next year. �If I lose, that is destiny,� he said.

Credibility, not popularity

It was a different story, however, for former Public Works secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.

Undaunted by his low popularity rating among the declared presidential wannabes, Ebdane expressed optimism that he would emerge the winner.

�Whenever I fight, I fight to win,� said the former national police chief before the Pangasinan Press Club forum.

�I know that the Filipino voters had matured,� he said.

Ebdane, who traced his career as former police chief of Dagupan City and later became the provincial police commander of Pangasinan, said the election is not a fight among those who are popular.

�Not necessarily one who is very popular but more on who is credible. There are many factors,� he said.

Ebdane said popularity goes up and down while credibility is a steady factor.

Despite the attacks hurled against him about projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways, particularly the controversial Road User�s Tax, Ebdane said he is ready to face the allegations and show everything was legal.

�It�s now with the Ombudsman finally. That�s the best thing to do,� he said.

Ebdane lamented that he was frequently attacked in the front pages of newspapers but his replies are buried in the inside pages.

He said this had forced him to come out with paid advertisements and leave it to the people to decide on the issue.

�Can you tell me anybody in this country who is clean? Nobody is clean. Nobody has the moral ascendancy to say he is clean,� Ebdane remarked.

He said candidates must not boast they would remove corruption in government. �Do something like what we did in the Public Works,� he said.

Ebdane also told the forum that he had already completed his senatorial lineup under the ticket of Lapiang Manggagawa.

He said he would announce in due time the candidates, as well as his running mate.

Ebdane said he had already assumed the leadership of the party with a pending petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to change it to Workers and Peasants Party.

According to Ebdane, the party already had five or six senatorial candidates, with other parties expressing interest to join and form a common senatorial ticket.

Ebdane added it would not be possible for him to be the running mate of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro since he is not a member of the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

�With regard to Gibo (Teodoro�s nickname) and me, we respect each other professionally,� Ebdane said.

�But if they (Lakas) want to join us, they will have to go through a process,� he said.

Ebdane said he had already laid out the campaign plan that would launch his presidential bid.

�For me it�s the presidency or farming, nothing in between,� he added. �There is no more turning back.�

He boasted of a wide grassroots organization and volunteer groups that would help him during the campaign.

�What I can be proud to say, for every peso that they will spend (in their campaign), I will spend only 25 centavos. In spending, I cannot match them but for people on the ground, they cannot match me,� Ebdane said.

Meanwhile, a militant lawmaker warned farmers would unleash more black propaganda against Sen. Benigno �Noynoy� Aquino III in the effort to neutralize the senator�s presidential bid.

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita Inc. would appear before the House oversight committee to testify on the alleged �brazen swindling� of the Aquino and Cojuangco families, owners of the hacienda. � With Eva Visperas, Delon Porcalla

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National security adviser named defense chief

TJ Burgonio

Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has tapped National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales to replace outgoing Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., Malacañang said Saturday.

Teodoro, who is stepping down as defense chief to attend to his presidential campaign, will hand over his post to Gonzales on Monday in Camp Aguinaldo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

"He has served as acting defense secretary. He's capable of doing that job. He knows national security and he knows defense matters,'' Ermita said in a phone interview.

Gonzales will serve in an acting capacity until Arroyo steps down in June 2010. Malacañang is still studying whether he will retain his current post in a concurrent capacity or yield it to somebody else, Ermita said.

Gonzales was designated interim defense secretary in July 2007 pending the assumption of the post by Teodoro the following month.

The announcement of his designation came a day after the ruling Lakas Kampi CMD named actor-TV host Edu Manzano as Teodoro's running mate for the May 2010 presidential elections.

Gonzales will be overseeing the defense department at a crucial time when the country gears up for next year's vote that will pick the successor of Ms Arroyo after a nine-year stint.

The elections will make or break the administration which is facing threats of lawsuits against Arroyo after she steps down in June 2010 for her alleged role in irregularities, according to analysts.

"Considering that he has been publicly advocating for the establishment of a revolutionary transitional government, I wonder what his marching orders are from GMA [Arroyo’s initials],'' former Secretary Teresita Deles said by text message.

Gonzales pushed for a transitional government composed of the Executive, Congress and Judiciary, civil society, Church and the Armed Forces, and headed by Arroyo to effect real reforms. Malacañang distanced itself from this.

Gonzales could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

Gonzales is expected to carry out ongoing programs like the AFP Modernization Programs, and Arroyo's order to crush the insurgency by the end of her term, according to Ermita.

"There are no marching orders yet. All he has to do is carry on with the programs of the DND which he is not a stranger to, such as the AFP modernization program. He's from NICA [National Intelligence Coordinating Agency]. He knows we have to finish the insurgency in a much shorter time,'' Ermita said.

While he has yet to warm his seat, Gonzales' appointment has come under a storm of criticism from militant groups that accused him of mounting a campaign against activists.

"This is a step back for human rights considering Gonzales is an unrepentant promoter of Oplan Bantay Laya and has gone on a crusade against legal and unarmed activist groups during his stint as national security adviser,'' Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said.

The militant groups Pamalakaya, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Amihan peasant women federation and Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura whose representatives are now in Rome to attend the Peoples Forum on Food Sovereignty initiated a signature campaign opposing Gonzales' appointment.

"The appointment of Gonzales to the defense post reflects the long-running criminal policy and program of the Macapagal-Arroyo government. How can you entrust the security and human rights of 92 million Filipinos to an incorrigible person like Norberto Gonzales who champions the doctrine of national security terror and state brutality?" Pamalakaya information officer Gerry Albert Corpuz said in a statement.

Teodoro's resignation is seen as the start of the mass departure of Cabinet secretaries who are expected to file their certificates of candidacy on or before December 1 to run for national and local positions next year.

Some of the Cabinet men, including Secretaries Ace Durano of tourism, Francisco Duque of health and Margarito Teves of finance, are being eyed as administration senatorial candidates.

Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto, Avelino Razon, presidential adviser on the peace process, Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. had quit to prepare for their plans to run for senator, mayor of Manila, and for President, respectively.

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