05/11/2010 | 04:26 PM
Gibo admits defeat to cousin Noynoy
CARMELA LAPEÑA, GMANews.TV

Administration bet Gilberto “Gibo" Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday afternoon joined the ranks of presidential aspirants who conceded defeat to his cousin, Liberal Party’s Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III.

“Bagama’t hindi pa official, mukhang si Senator Aquino na (Although it’s not yet official, I think Senator Aquino is already the winner in the elections)," Teodoro said during a press briefing at the Lakas-Kampi-CMD headquarters in Greenhills, San Juan.

“I am so far happy with the results [of the elections]," he added.

Partial elections results showed Teodoro at fourth place behind Aquino, former President Joseph Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) and Sen. Manny Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party).

As of 4:15 p.m., the GMANews.TV partial and unofficial tally on presidential aspirants showed Teodoro with 3,470,136 votes compared to Aquino’s 13,036,271; Estrada’s 8,345,826; and Villar’s 4,680,580.

Before Teodoro, Villar, Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan) and JC de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran) had also admitted their defeat to Aquino, son of the late President Corazon Aquino and slain Sen. Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

Teodoro, a former lawmaker and Defense secretary, said he has no plans of staying in politics, adding that he would rather return to being a family man. “Malaki ang utang ko sa kanila (I now owed a lot to my family). I will go back to being a good husband, a good father," he said.

“I have served my country the best I could. I don't think anyone can ask more of me," he added. He also dismissed calls for him to run for senator in the 2013 midterm elections.

Teodoro thanked his supporters whom he said did not support him but his idea of national unity and positivism. He said he is not blaming anybody for his defeat.

“I did not fight for a political position for myself but for an idea. What can we do right for the country? Winning or losing is secondary. We fight for an idea—an idea of competence. Basic education reform, college graduate opportunities for every family, food security, genuine sustainable agrarian reform, localized peace processes, strong foreign relations, and several others," he said.

He also thanked the media which he said was mostly supportive of him. “Those in front of me, you have been fair. But those not here, I’ll have to reserve my judgment."

Teodoro said he has not spoken with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo about his plans after the elections. —KBK, GMANews.TV

05/11/2010 | 03:44 PM
Gordon concedes to Noynoy

Bagumbayan standard-bearer Richard "Dick" Gordon on Tuesday became the third presidential aspirant to concede defeat to Liberal Party’s Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Gordon congratulated Aquino on his “spectacular victory" and called upon the nation to unite and support the new administration.

“We accept the will of the people," said Gordon who, as of 3:40 p.m., ranked 6th (446,203 votes) among nine presidential aspirants in GMANews.TV’s partial and unofficial tally.

“I ran a very truthful, straightforward and candid campaign and thought we could run on the basis of our platform, track record and volunteerism," he added in admitting his defeat.

He also said he would like to congratulate all the winners and pray that they serve the country well.

Gordon thanked his supporters, especially his volunteers and “those who gave up their limited resources as a manifestation of trust in his brand of leadership and track record."

Above all, Gordon expressed exhilaration that the country’s first nationwide automated elections on Monday went well despite glitches in the machines used.

“Today, we have a victory for democracy with the successful exercise of our first nationwide automated election despite naysayers and doubters," he said. —Carmela Lapeña/KBK, GMANews.TV

05/11/2010 | 01:08 PM
Ang Kapatiran's JC de los Reyes concedes to Noynoy

Ang Kapatiran Party Presidential candidate John Carlos de los Reyes has conceded to Sen. Benigno"Noynoy" Aquino III of the Liberal Party, a day after the historic nationwide automation was held.

"I conceded as to the electoral count but not as to the platforms I was tasked to push," de los Reyes said in a text message sent to his party's media officer.

"Sen. Aquino is not one with us in these radical reform we need for our country, but I will support his government in other reform efforts we have in common," the text added.

De los Reyes is the youngest among the nine presidential contenders.

His party, which promotes the social teachings of the church, has been supported by several bishops all over the country.

De los Reyes lagged behind pre-election surveys conducted by pollsters Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV

Aquino still tops survey; opponents catching up

LIBERAL PARTY (LP) standard-bearer Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" C. Aquino III is still the first choice among presidential aspirant if elections were held today, according to a recent noncommissioned survey conducted by Pulse Asia, Inc., but his opponents are starting to advance in the ratings.

Results of the Pre-Election National Survey held Dec. 8-10 showed that the rating of the only son of democracy icon the late former president Corazon C. Aquino was virtually unchanged at 45% from 44% in October.

Second-place Senator Manuel B. Villar, Jr. of the Nacionalista Party (NP) had 23% from 19%, followed by deposed president Joseph "Erap" E. Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) at 19% from 11%, the biggest gainer with an eight-point jump.

Administration bet former Defense secretary Gilberto "Gibo" C. Teodoro, Jr. of the Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian Muslim Democrats had 5%, up three points, while Senator Richard "Dick" J. Gordon (Bagumbayan-New Volunteers for a New Philippines Party) and Eduardo "Eddie" C. Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas Movement) were tied at 1% from 0.3% and 1%, respectively.

A percentage preferred other candidates whose names were not provided in the survey, while 4% either did not give or refused to answer or were undecided.

The survey also found that being pro-poor (27%) and having a clean record (21%) were the top reasons for the respondents’ choices for president. Other qualification are good person (12%); can do something, is doing something or will do something and helps or helping others (11%); governing or has experience (8%); knowledgeable or intelligent (6%); listens to people (3%); and other factors (2%).

"The survey results validate our belief that the Filipino people continue to support our campaign for an honest government," said Edwin Lacierda, spokesman of Mr. Aquino.

Speaking on behalf of Mr. Villar, NP spokesman and former Cavite Rep. Gilbert C. Remulla said they are "confident" that the trend "will continue and the gap [between Messrs. Aquino and Villar] will close in the next few months."

"The situation is very volatile," he added.

Former Senate president Ernesto M. Maceda, spokesman of Mr. Estrada, said: "This confirms what we have been saying before that the reason Erap’s ratings were low is because there was a notion that Erap was not running," referring to legal questions on the ex-leader’s eligibility to run due to a constitutional ban on reelection.

"If and when it [disqualification against Erap] is finally ruled by the Commission on Elections and the Supreme Court, his ratings would peak," said Mr. Maceda.

For Mr. Teodoro, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary B. Olivar said: "This is not yet the basis for the actual elections. We are confident that the more people see them, the more they get popular."

Mr. Gordon said the survey "really favors those who have announced much earlier and those who have been spending a lot of money already and it does not favor those who tried to follow the law."

"However, I am not discouraged, but encouraged. It is a fact that the others have gone down; we intend to go up, and we will go up."

Tight VP race

Meanwhile, LP bet Senator Manuel "Mar" A. Roxas II and Senator Loren B. Legarda of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) were virtually tied at the top in the vice-presidential survey, with 39% and 37%, respectively.

Close to four out of 10 Filipinos are supporting Mr. Roxas and Ms. Legarda, running mate of Mr. Villar in the 2010 polls, Pulse Asia said. Mr. Roxas gained two points from the previous survey while Ms. Legarda 14 points.

The polling firm added that Ms. Legarda is the "only vice-presidential candidate who registered a significant change in voter preference since October."

Makati Mayor Jejomar "Jojo" C. Binay, Mr. Estrada’s running mate, placed third with 14% from 13%. He was followed by former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani F. Fernando, running mate of Mr. Gordon; and newcomer actor/game show host Eduardo "Edu" B. Manzano, running mate of Mr. Teodoro, at 2% each.

Other vice-presidential bets (names not provided) obtained 1%, while 4% did not give or refused to answer or were undecided.

Mr. Roxas, former Trade secretary, said he was "thankful" to the people who preferred him and added that the survey will serve as an "inspiration to continue to work hard for our people."

NPC spokesman and Valenzuela Rep. Rexlon T. Gatchalian said they "expected" the survey results, seeing as improvement the "timely platforms of governance" of Ms. Legarda such as climate change and protection of the environment.

In response to Mr. Binay’s ratings, Mr. Maceda said: "We are still hopeful that in due time, he will get the chance of winning."

Senate race

In the same survey, Senator Jose "Jinggoy" E. Estrada led the senatorial aspirants with 55.1%.

Following closely is Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. (52.7%); Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (51.4%); former Senate president Franklin M. Drilon (48.4%); Senator Pilar Juliana "Pia" S. Cayetano (43.1%); former Socioeconomic Planning secretary Ralph G. Recto (43.1%); Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (42.7%); former senators Sergio "Serge" D. Osmeña III and Vicente "Tito" C. Sotto III (both with 40.2%); Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr., 31%; and Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto "TG" L. Guingona III, 28.6%.

The statistically probable winners are businessman Jose "Joey" P. de Venecia III, 24.3%; Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid, 23.1%; and Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino "Ruffy" B. Biazon, 22.9%.

Eighty names were provided based on the official report of the Commission on Elections of those who filed their certificates of candidacy as of midnight of Dec. 1.

The survey had a sample of 1,800 adults.

The significant events that occurred during the conduct of the survey were the declaration of martial law in portions of Maguindanao, the joint session of Congress to discuss the proclamation, and the filing of petitions at the Supreme Court assailing martial law, among others. -- Bernard U. Allauigan

Source

MANILA - Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon and former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando on Tuesday announced that they will be running mates for the 2010 elections under a new party.

Dubbing themselves the "transformers", the two filed their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila past 2 p.m.

Gordon, who is running for president, said the tandem was formed Monday night after finding out that he and Fernando have similar views on issues.

"Walang tamad sa tambalang ito. Wala rin tanga sa tambalang ito. Hindi kami kapos. We may not have much money but we have enough. Besides we already know what happened to leaders who love money too much," Gordon told reporters.

Fernando said he decided to run for vice-president and give way to Gordon because of the senator's longer political experience. He said he approached Gordon Monday with the intention of asking him to be his running mate.

"I wanted to convince him to be my vice-president but he was the one who convinced me. Lumabas na mas magaling pala siya sa akin," Fernando said.

The surprise tandem said they will run under a newly-formed party Bagumbayan for a New Philippines Party. They said they will run without a senatorial slate.

The two called themselves "transformers" as a result of the changes they made in Subic bay and Marikina City as local government officials.

Fernando also joked that their tandem color -- blue and pink -- makes them look like the MMDA's footbridge.

Gordon also took potshots at his political opponents' penchant for using money and popularity to win votes.

"You cannot hide behind money and say you're going to win because of money. You cannot hide behind a birthright or pedigree because it is not enough to become president. Money has never been enough. You need proven leadership, proven tasks that have been fulfilled," he added.
as of 12/01/2009 4:16 PM

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