24 days to E-Day: Pacquiao, Bro. Mike under fire

The nation’s focus shifted on Friday (24 days to Election Day) from the grisly killing of Julia Campbell and the brutal execution of seven workers in Sulu by the Abu Sayyaf to the pre-election fanfare. Politicians remained in suspense over their chances of getting the endorsement of the influential El Shaddai group while administration candidates scrambled to be at the side of boxing hero and politician Manny Pacquiao also to get his support. But their dream of getting a miracle could soon backfire. Teachers on Friday petitioned the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to stop charismatic leader Mariano “Mike" Velarde from issuing a list that he would endorse to his followers to vote for in the May 14 elections. Party-list group, Abakada Guro, an educators' group, said Velarde would be violating the mandated separation of Church and the state if he pushes through with his endorsement. “Where votes are cast because of religious fervor or fanaticism, provoke or inspired by endorsements by a beloved and influential religious leader, it cannot be said that the election is free and credible," said Abakada Guro president Samson Alcantara in his three-page petition. “The votes would be cast because of undue influence." Comelec, according to Alcantara should rule on the suit as part of the poll body's constitutional duty to ensure free, credible and honest elections. Velarde, servant leader of the charismatic group El Shaddai, is set to come out with a list of 18 candidates to guide his over five million followers. Aside from Velarde, leaders of other churches such as Iglesia Ni Cristo and Jesus Is Lord Movement openly endorsed candidates in local and national elections in the past while the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines maintains that it is not endorsing any candidates. Alcantara argued that the religious groups exercising partisan politics “poses a clear and present danger of serious erosion of people's faith in the electoral process and reinforces their belief that religious leaders undermine the ultimate result of elections." Should the “command vote" or bloc voting persevere, he is convinced that this would in the future have negative implications because they could dictate to the President adding “the government then becomes one big religious institution." Meanwhile the Comelec extended the deadline for the inspection, verification and sealing of precinct book of voters from April 14 to 30 due to manpower shortage. In Resolution No. 7860, dated Apr. 18, the Commission en banc said the extension was the result of the problem of inadequacy of teachers raised during a recent meeting attended by officials of Comelec, Department of Education, Philippine National Police and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Pacquiao factor On Friday news broke out that Pacquiao has expressed confidence his popularity will deliver votes here for the 12 candidates of Team Unity senatorial ticket. Pacquiao hosted a dinner at his mansion in the city for administration's senatorial candidates before joining a campaign rally Wednesday night at Freedom Park, where an estimated 15,000 people attended the political gathering. In an interview, Pacquiao also said the lack of significant developments in the city and the obstructionist politics of his opponent, re-electionist Rep. Darlene Antonino Custodio, forced him to enter politics even if his family and fans dissuade him from doing so. "I believe that [my popularity will translate into votes for Team Unity]. I am giving them my full support; I campaign not only for my own candidacy but for all candidates in our lineup, from senators to councilors," Pacquiao said. TU grateful but… Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay said they are grateful for Pacquiao's endorsement but he pointed out that the Team Unity is not exploiting the popularity of the boxing champion. "Manny's endorsement is definitely a big boost on us. But we don't want to exploit him, we are just thankful for his support," Pichay said. Sen. Edgardo Angara earlier made a similar statement. Both were with Pacquiao during the champ's interview with the media. Other members of the TU who joined the dinner at Pacquaio's mansion include Sen. Ralph Recto, former senators Vicente Sotto III and Tessie Aquino Oreta, Zambales Gov. Vic Magsaysay, Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri and actor-producer Cesar Montano. "You know, I would not enter politics had I seen development here. I was a young boy when I left here 20 years ago and nothing changed much. The only thing that changed was that I was able to build a house of my own," he said. Pacquiao promises If elected, Pacquiao said he would work, among others, to build a larger terminal for the General Santos City airport and to build a circumferential road to declog the traffic going to and from the airport, as well as to establish a national hospital and build more classrooms for the school children here. Antonino-Custodio whose family ruled politically here for 20 years denied the charges, saying she has been dedicatedly doing her job in Congress and for the people. She added that the boxing's champ's statement is "not a fair remark." Pacquiao also chided his rival for supporting impeachment bid against President Gloria Macapagal Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He this posture had a negative impact on the people of South Cotabato. "When we elect a leader, we are looking for somebody to help us. I don't want to denigrate anybody but, if for example quarrel (with the administration) everyday, I would still eat three times a day. Who will suffer--my constituents?" he said. He said a leader should be like a father or a mother, who would do what is necessary for the welfare of his constituents. Custodio insisted she acted on what she believed was right in supporting the impeachment bid against the President. Pacquiao said his advantage over his rival is that Malacañang has already hinted that he would have no difficulty asking for important projects for his district if he is elected into office. Likewise, Pacquiao said he could bring in investors to his area to create more jobs and spur development. ’Politics is like boxing’ Despite his political difference with Custodio, Pacquiao said the May 14 election should be like a boxing match where opponents embrace or shake hands after pummeling each other for several rounds. "After the elections, all of these should be over; let's respect the decision of the people," he said. The Mindanao caravan of Team Unity this week made its first stop at Cotabato City and proceeded to Maguindanao, Sharif Kabunsuan and Sarangani provinces. In a rally, late Thursday afternoon's at Alabel, Sarangani where an estimated 5,000 people joined the affair, Sarangani Gov. Migs Dominguez pledged 12-0 support for Team Unity. Pacquiao endorses Lapid; Binay unfazed Pacquiao also endorsed Friday Lito Lapid who will challenge incumbent Mayor Jejomar Binay. Aside from Lapid, Pacquiao also raised the hands of other administration candidates in Makati. Pacquiao led the motorcade held in the afternoon from Guadalupe to the J.P. Rizal. Joining the motorcade were administration Makati district II congressional candidate Erwin Genuino, movie actor Monsour del Rosario and singer Nonoy Zuniga, who are both running for councilors under the administration party. King Yabut was also seen with Lapid’s group. “I thanked you all for your continuous support for me," Pacquiao said while throwing T-shirts bearing the face of Genuino while their motorcade passed through the old building of the Makati City hall. Employees of the Makati City Hall went out to see Pacquiao and Lapid’s entourage. For his part, Lito Anzures, Binay’s political adviser assailed the sudden power outage seconds before Pacquiao and Lapid’s entourage passed through J.P Rizal Avenue near the old Makati City hall. Anzures said the timing of the power outage was unusual. “It was not a coincidence that there was sudden electric outage while Pacquiao and Lapid’s entourage is passing through J.P. Rizal Avenue in front of the old City hall building," Anzures said. He admitted that he is among the group of Filipinos who admired Pacquiao for his successful bout against the Mexican boxers, the latest of which was his knock out in the eight round of Mexican boxer Jorge Solis that brought fame and honor to the country. “We belong to that group of Filipinos who idolized Pacquiao as boxer. Right now, he is the sports icon. However, you have to differentiate between sports and politics. Even his closest friends are advising him not to run. A lot of people told him not to run," Anzures said. Anzures said it is a pity that Pacquiao, who is running for congressman in General Santos City against Darlene Antonino, has allowed himself to be used as a political pawn of Lapid and his other co-administration candidates in Makati. “It should not have any impact or bearing. It is not a fight of how many endorsers you have. In the final analysis, people will judge the candidates according to their track records," Anzures said. Anzures said Lapid is also popular in his own right. “Lapid, in his own right, has an impact of popularity. That is why he won as governor in Pampanga and later became a senator. So, I don’t see how an endorsement from a more popular athlete like Pacquiao would boost his chances," he said. “Pacquiao does not know anything about Makati. He did not know anything about the system in Makati or the record of the performance team of Mayor Binay," Anzures added. Anzures said he is among those who idolized Pacquiao for what he did to the Philippines. “But his endorsement of Lapid and the other administration candidates was off tangent. Lapid’s cheap publicity stunts, with Pacquiao’s help, will not work," Anzures said. TU cries foul over new 'seditious' GO ad Team Unity leaders Friday lashed out at the new campaign ad of the Genuine Opposition, saying this clearly shows the only agenda of the opposition is to overthrow President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In their latest television advertisement, GO used the acronym "Plan Co Revolt" to represent their senatorial ticket and improve voter recall of their names. The acronym presents a marked change from the benign sounding "Plant A Lover" that the opposition first used. Reacting to the latest GO ad, TU deputy spokesman Tonypet Albano said this could not mean anything except to incite destabilization and trigger a revolt. "The Opposition has a genuine knack for black propaganda and destabilization. Clearly now, they're up to something genuinely destructive and seditious," Albano said in a statement. "They really want a revolution. Unconstitutionally again, they're trying to unseat the president if they will not have the numbers in the House of Representatives or in the Senate, which they don't," Albano said. At the Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrat national convention early this month, TU candidate Sen. Joker Arroyo said GO has no agenda except to seek the ouster of Mrs Arroyo. "Have you ever heard the opposition say what their program is? None…the idea is to propel the people to grab the power short of elections," Sen. Arroyo had said. "They want to get the Senate because they want to paralyze the government. They've done that already in the 11th Congress. They tried to impeach the President twice, they failed. They tried to overthrow the government in Feb. 2006, they failed." Sen. Arroyo warned that had the attempts of the opposition succeeded, there would be no elections because a military junta would likely wrest the reins of government power from civilian leaders. Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone and TU media director said GO's new acronym for their candidates is "incendiary, revisionist and theatrical, and a disgrace to the national effort to elevate politics into a civil and enlightened discussion of national issues." "It is a fact that former President Estrada does everything in extreme but the ad exceeds even the worst expectations of what divisive and bitter politics is all about," Evardone said. He said that Estrada, who is in jail on plunder charges, is writing his own version of history in the ad, by accusing the present administration of corruption but not his own. Estrada is facing charges for plunder. Evardone said that instead of closing the ad with the call "Revolt against corruption and poverty," the former president who is under house arrest on plunder charges in his Tanay vacation mansion, should have said "Huwag ninyo akong tularan (Don't do what I did). Congress bet's aide killed in Compostela Poll violence heightened in Mindanao anew after a driver-aide of a congressional candidate was shot dead in Monkayo in Compostela Valley Thursday. Sun-Star Davao (www.sunstar.com.ph) reported Friday that police described the incident as the “first-ever" election-related violent incident in the region. Police regional director Chief Supt. Andres Caro II initially identified the victim as Joven Lonoy, a resident of Sitio Liboton in Monkayo town. Lonoy was the driver and close-in aide of Joselito Brillantes, who is running for congress under Liberal Party, representing Compostela Valley’s fist congressional district. Brillantes is running against incumbent Rep. Manuel “Way Kurat" Zamora of Lakas-CMD and independent candidate Francisco “Franco" Tito. Citing initial reports reaching him, Caro said at least two unidentified gunmen shot Lonoy inside his house at around 8:30 a.m. Thursday. The gunmen left immediately after the shooting. The gunmen allegedly approached the victim, and without provocation shot him at close range. Three empty shells of a cal-.45 pistol were found at the crime scene. Compostela Valley provincial police are trying to dig deeper into the incident. It said it has recorded no other election-related violence so far. - GMANews.TV