Lakas Standard Bearer Pick: Gibo!

Ruling party Lakas-Kampi (Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino)-CMD (Christian Muslim Democrat) has chosen its standard bearer for the 2010 elections. It looks like Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. takes the cake as Lakas-Kampi-CMD executives has voted for the Defense Secretary to present the party for next year’s elections. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando was Gibo’s contender for the position of standard bearer.

The party secretary-general and presidential political advises Gabriel Claudio noted that Teodoro and Fernando were both capable of being presidential candidates. He added however that in the end, “…one man alone had to be chose and the standard bearer to the election for 2010…The candidate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD for the presidential elections…the honorable Gilberto Teodoro Jr.”

It seems that the difference was a big one as word comes out that the voting results were 44 to 5, in favor of Gibo. According to party vice president Prospero Pichay Jr. the decision was made through a secret voting, as this was agreed to by the members. For Teodoro’s running mate, the party is eyeing DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

According to House Speaker Prospero Nograles and the party’s executive vice chairman, Teodoro was supported by at least 3,000 officials of the country. Teodoro was a bar topnotcher and Ronaldo Puno expressed that the National Executive Committee has made the right move in proclaiming Teodoro as the standard bearer.

However, Teodoro is still up against opposition standard bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino who seems to tote with him the magic of his parents, former President Corazon Aquino and martyred Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino. Aside from that, other personalities have declared their intention to run for the country’s highest post, amid the speculations that there will be a “No Election” scenario next year.

After exactly 40 days of his mother’s death – former President Cory Aquino – Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III formally announced his willingness to run for President of the Philippines on the upcoming 2010 elections. The announcement was made at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Some of those who witnessed the announcement were Manuel “Mar” Roxas, former Senator Franklin Drilon, Senator Francis Pangilinan, singer-composer Jim Paredes, former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz and Noynoy’s sisters, Pinky, Viel, Ballsy and Kris.

Before this much awaited announcement, Noynoy has first gone to a spiritual retreat to Zamboanga City. During the retreat, supporters were even then taking steps to convince the male Aquino to run for presidency.

Prior to this, a number of presidential aspirants have already announced their support to Noynoy, yielding their political ambitions to give way to what they believe to be the country’s best hope. In his speech last week, Mar has emphasized his support for Noynoy in the event that he pushes through with the presidency, saying “To you Noy, I say, I began the campaign to sow the seeds for change and reforms. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership”.

Priest turned Governor Ed Panlilio has also expressed this thought, following Mar’s declaration. With the opposition’s seemingly united front starting to take shape, Estrada’s campaign for the presidency might also be stalled. The former President has declared that he would probably run for his vacated position if the opposition does not come together for one leader. In the event that they do, Estrada will graciously withdraw from the race.

As it stands, the administration is yet to be heard. However, with two candidates clearing the way for Noynoy Aquino, there are still a handful of presidential aspirants vying for the position.

The Commissions on Elections has been making the necessary steps in preparing the Philippines for the much awaited 2010 elections that will fill the topmost positions – including the presidency. After spending billions in order to adapt a computerized voting system, the Comelec has spent another 1.6 billion pesos to cleanse the voters list. The Computerized Voters List Cleansing Project was awarded to the Unison Computer Systems Inc. and Japan’s NEC. The Cleansing Projects objective is to uncover multiple registrants, flying voters and other irregularities that would render the 2010 Elections vulnerable to fraud. The project includes Validation of Existing Registration Records Using Biometrics and Data Capture System, Online Data Submission and Synchronization System, Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Matching and AFIS Server Applications and the Generation of Voter ID Cards.

So far, the Comelec has eliminated close to 6 million voters due to irregularities. Mainly, the 6 million is comprised of people who have failed to vote in two consecutive elections. As revealed by the Comelec-Election and Barangay Affairs Department (EBAD), more than 5,600,000 Filipinos have had their registrations deactivated. Other reasons include those excluded by court orders, those considered insane or incompetent and other understandable reasons.

However, quite a number might be lost but the country has gained close to three million new voters, most of them comprised by teens. Registration is available up until October 31.

As the Comelec prepares the country for the all-important elections on 2010, the public is still torn on who to vote. As a handful of presidential aspirants have declared their intentions, some are even now backing out of the race in order to make way for someone new. As of late, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas and priest turned Governed Ed Panlilio have declared their support for the same candidate: Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino.

Early Sunday, SuperFerry 9 sinks along the seas near Zamboanga, prompting dozens of people with relatives boarding the ship to a panicked frenzy. On the same day, Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Adminstrator, Marina Elena Bautista announced that the victims will be compensated for by the owner of the ship.

Bautista added that reasons for sinking of the ship will be explained by the Aboitiz Transports System, the owner of the SuperFerry lines as ordered. According to Marina regulations, compensation for victims and their dependents by shipping companies run from P200,000 to P500,000.

More than 800 passengers have been fortunately rescued prior to the sinking of the ship while rescue operations are still continuing. Three fatalities have already been found while dozens more are being searched for. The Philippine Army has already sent a helicopter to assist in the search as well as the United States Air Force Assistance Group.

Families of the ships passengers have already deployed in the WG&A Office waiting for results and updates regarding their families. The SuperFerry 9 carries about 900 passengers on it, the trip destined to Iloilo from Zamboanga.

According to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro at the National Disaster Coordinating Council headquarters, the ship’s captain Jose Yap was already rescued. A reconstitution of the Board of Marine Inquiry was already called for by Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo. This was revealed by Coast Guard Vice Commander for Operations Vice Admiral Ramon Liwag. The Board is responsible for investigating the cause of nautical mishaps. As of yet, the authorities are unsure of the reasons for SuperFerry 9’s sinking. However, the tropical storm Dujuan has already added to the weather problems that may or may not have contributed to the ship’s sinking. As of now, families and friends of still missing passengers are still waiting for updates on the state of their loved ones.