Political promises

The three-month presidential and vice presidential election campaign started Tuesday, with five presidential candidates who are standing a genuine chance of succeeding President Benigno Aquino Jr.

Topping the estimated attendance was United Nationalist Alliance presidential aspirant Vice President Jejomar Binay’s proclamation rally, with 30,000 in attendance in Mandaluyong.

In his first year of presidency, Vice President Binay pledged four things: he will exempt from Income Tax Return (ITR) all persons earning P30,000 or less; free uniforms, books and school items for 20 million public school students; free medicine for the poor; and expansion of conditional cash transfer (CCT).

Binay took a swipe at President Benigno Aquino Jr. for the high unemployment rate, the number of poor people had grown, lack of education, and the lack of money to buy medicine.

Binay’s proclamation rally was hosted by Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos, with father Ben and wife. It lasted six hours, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Also attending the Binay rally were senatorial candidates Rep. Martin Romualdez, Susan Ople, Miguel Zubiri (represented by wife, Audrey) Richard Gordon (represented by his wife, former Congresswoman Kate Gordon), Rep. Manny Pacquiao, the most applauded senatorial candidate, Gen. Leo Napeñas, Alma Moreno, Allen Montaño, Jacel Kiram and Rey Langit.

With an estimated 10,000 in attendance, including Conditional Cash Transfer recipients, next came the proclamation rally of Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas in Capiz, with a battlecry: “No one can stop us. We’re going to win.” Sharing the stage with President Aquino, Roxas made a statement of ensuring “three freedoms” for all Filipinos – freedom from hunger, freedom from fear and freedom from poverty.

Independent presidential candidate Grace Poe-LLamanzares gathered 8,000 Manileños, with a campaign slogan of “Gobyernong may Puso,” at Plaza Miranda. Poe delivered an irritated speech, using the criticism her opponents have thrown at her by saying her life is just too full of drama, which Roxas alluded to her in his recent political advertisement. She said that her life may be full of drama but she rose to fight against each battle. As a person who has been oppressed and belittled, she knows how to fight bullies and oppressors. She hasn’t given up. Armed with these qualities and values, Poe said she stands to fight with people whose lives are full of drama. She will fight for each one’s right to food, jobs, education and protection.

People’s Reform Party presidential candidate Miriam Defensor-Santiago held her rally in Batac, Ilocos Norte, hometown of the late dictator Marcos, with 6,000 in attendance. She promised that all people who stole the people’s money will be sent to brand-new jails, which will have economy, business class and first class accommodation. She also affirmed full support for Independent vice-presidential candidate Senator Bongbong Marcos.

Police estimated Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte’s meeting in Tondo was attended by 5,000 people, with his senatorial candidates Rafael Alunan, Sandra Cam, Dionisio Santiago, Dante Liban and Levito Baligod. Seeking to sell to voters at his Tondo rally, Duterte offered his political will as his best asset. He again reiterated his pledge that he will have “all criminals killed” and will also “eradicate the illegal drug problem.” If elected, he would allot the biggest budget to three sectors: education, agriculture, and health services.

Political updates

On Wednesday, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Gringo Honasan barnstormed San Pedro, Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao, and Calamba in Laguna, accompanied by former Gov. E.R. Ejercito and Congresswoman Sol Aragones.

Grace Poe and Francis Escudero campaigned in Toledo, Cebu while Mar Roxas was in Sultan Kudarat.

Senator Bongbong Marcos was in Ilocos Sur.

On Thursday, Poe visited Ilocos Norte. Binay was in Cavite.

Marcos was in La Union. Duterte cancelled his schedule due to a migraine attack.

Slow hearings

Senate President Franklin Drilon called on the Supreme Court to expedite its hearing on the disqualification case of Poe.

“The case cannot be left hanging. The case is posing serious threats to fair and credible elections in May and only the Supreme Court can eliminate the threat by resolving the case at the soonest,” Drilon said.

Drilon feels frustrated because the Court could hasten the process by conducting marathon hearings but it has chosen not to do so.

The Supreme Court refused to comment on Drilon’s statement.

Tidbits

A national survey, with 131,000 respondents, conducted by an executive office, reported Binay in first place, Poe in second, Duterte in third and Roxas in fourth.

Senator Grace Poe attended the birthday party of President Noynoy Aquino at the Bahay Pangarap.

Vice President Binay announced in Cavite that if he wins, Gov. Jonvic Remulla will head the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Polytechnic University of the Philippines associate professor Isagani Sta. Maria was stabbed to death in his Pasay condominium.

Happy birthday greetings to Rep. Gina de Venecia. Also to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.