Pinoy Buzz: Alan Peter Cayetano

Mocha Uson denies calling Leni Robredo a cheater; explains controversial Facebook post

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Sexy star Mocha Uson made some clarifications about her controversial statement about Vice President-elect Leni Robredo on her Facebook page.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ49DodNGCzmzwMXP-ARSjeWLUJ87ByAytOrYJ62zNyGf1Py4d9YKZGKsjcjaW12x8TYQQ6Xy0aCLJB1VYJxNP-FdChfXXb2OsgaZCGK4wxDy2gRGkXaWyCPQef0mcwvqEIstf6wQlS81/s1600/mocha-uson-leni-robredo.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mocha Uson" border="0" class="img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ49DodNGCzmzwMXP-ARSjeWLUJ87ByAytOrYJ62zNyGf1Py4d9YKZGKsjcjaW12x8TYQQ6Xy0aCLJB1VYJxNP-FdChfXXb2OsgaZCGK4wxDy2gRGkXaWyCPQef0mcwvqEIstf6wQlS81/s1600/mocha-uson-leni-robredo.jpg" title="Mocha Uson" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Mocha Uson Blog</td></tr></tbody></table>The outspoken member of girl group Mocha Girls addressed supporters of the Camarines Sur solon, whom she called “yellow warriors,” after coming under fire for a post on Facebook regarding Robredo. In the controversial Facebook post, Uson warned Robredo that they will be watching over her. <br /><br />Uson also threatened the incoming vice president that Duterte Die Hard supporters (DDS) will be forced to remove her from the office if she will not support President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.<br /><br /><center><iframe allowtransparency="“true" frameborder="0" height="726" scrolling="no" src="https://web.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FMochablogger%2Fposts%2F10154268519826522&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe></center><br />Because Uson was widely criticized for her statement about Robredo, the celebrity supporter of the Duterte-Cayetano tandem clarified some issues concerning her post.<br /><br />“Never ko sinabing nandaya si VP Leni. (I didn’t say that VP Leni cheated.) As a matter of fact I even said I respect the results of this election,” Uson wrote.<br /><br />Uson, who claims she doesn’t support Robredo nor her closest rival Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, repeatedly said her loyalty is with losing vice presidential aspirant Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. She also denied mentioning plan B in her statement.<br /><br />“I am not a supporter of BBM nor Leni because I still believe that Cayetano is the best VP for Pres. Duterte.”<br /><br />Although Uson respects the results of the elections, she said DDS will be watching over Robredo, who is a member of the Liberal Party.<br /><br />“Her loyalty should no longer be with Aquino, Roxas or to her Party. Her loyalty should be to our President Duterte and since you are the VP of our country, dapat ang katapatan mo ay sa bayan din (your loyalty should be to our nation).<br /><br />Towards the end of her post, Uson said that they will support Robredo if she will support Duterte.<br /><br /><center><iframe allowtransparency="“true" frameborder="0" height="689" scrolling="no" src="https://web.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FMochablogger%2Fposts%2F10154271510111522&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe></center><br /><b>--Mini, The Summit Express</b></div>

Mocha Uson denies calling Leni Robredo a cheater; explains controversial Facebook post

MANILA, Philippines - Sexy star Mocha Uson made some clarifications about her controversial statement about Vice President-elect Leni Robred...

Duterte Continues to Select his Cabinet Secretaries

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines – There’s really no stopping Philippines’ Presumptive President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte in changing the whole country. But first he must start it within. Along with his board of advisors, the Davao City godfather has already publicized his whitelist of cabinet members. As of this morning, May 17, 2016, Rody’s wishlist is almost done and complete.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4pli47-H7gHht7102JLP_P-9uxT8eGrHgCCy6_YJa8z7tZYHFoDJBZ9eJXS1348YX3YMLSlmHdwNtn-d3zijBdL6Wtz3K6t_JVEdDrBXjFKguwstytUm2HZ5In535NTieUW0mSpBt8f_/s1600/gibo-teodoro-manny-pinol.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gilbert Teodoro, Mark Villar and Manny Piñol" border="0" class="img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4pli47-H7gHht7102JLP_P-9uxT8eGrHgCCy6_YJa8z7tZYHFoDJBZ9eJXS1348YX3YMLSlmHdwNtn-d3zijBdL6Wtz3K6t_JVEdDrBXjFKguwstytUm2HZ5In535NTieUW0mSpBt8f_/s1600/gibo-teodoro-manny-pinol.jpg" title="Gilbert Teodoro, Mark Villar and Manny Piñol" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The newest additions to Duterte cabinet line-up L-R: Gilbert Teodoro, Mark Villar and Manny Piñol</td></tr></tbody></table>Former Senator and business tycoon, Manny Villar’s son, Las Pinas Rep. Mark Villar is the newest addition to Duterte’s line-up. Villar has humbly accepted the incoming president’s offer to handle the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) early this morning. <br /><br />Many Filipinos, especially the anti-Dutertes, reacted negatively on Villar’s appointment. The Villars, being one of the country’s elite families and Duterte being a simple official and pro-poor, who has also vowed to demolish oligarchy in his term don’t really make sense for the critics. For them it’s a pure irony. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5wMR0Uc1Z8-c9dZE3jZj5676X0_SezlZ5zGrmHMLdvld8SZSEJjsPmoCJv7fsLZAnVif7AYViaj5JWLq63IMqNXeAzbpLjCp2DRw53A91S_JhYxYmjJ0ak3o7fuV5i7Eo9TrTiZmEg7Q/s1600/duterte-continues-to-select-cabinet-members-mark-villar.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mark Villar DPWH Secretary" border="0" class="img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5wMR0Uc1Z8-c9dZE3jZj5676X0_SezlZ5zGrmHMLdvld8SZSEJjsPmoCJv7fsLZAnVif7AYViaj5JWLq63IMqNXeAzbpLjCp2DRw53A91S_JhYxYmjJ0ak3o7fuV5i7Eo9TrTiZmEg7Q/s1600/duterte-continues-to-select-cabinet-members-mark-villar.jpg" title="Mark Villar DPWH Secretary" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Rep. Mark Villars humbly accepts Duterte’s offer to be the DPWH Secretary. Photo Credit: GMA News</td></tr></tbody></table>When the 211 million peso - BPI issue erupted a month ago, it was Atty. Salvador Panelo who faced the media and represented Mayor Rody in clearing all false allegations that Sen. Antonio Trillanes III had thrown at them was also offered a position. Panelo will be the Presidential Spokesperson.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEcVk3pqRhvKekoHOmh1yoynhYa5eXLRYaLlmPR5NQ14mPdYGD09naiENeGXeP68o-CNdFgEVedrmRk9auWNThaxZV1ITcYiCxzzx_LVnEbOCZ87AybumJdTWpQUIIlGjbtHHC-xEX2Cy/s1600/salvador-panelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atty. Salvador Panelo" border="0" class="img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEcVk3pqRhvKekoHOmh1yoynhYa5eXLRYaLlmPR5NQ14mPdYGD09naiENeGXeP68o-CNdFgEVedrmRk9auWNThaxZV1ITcYiCxzzx_LVnEbOCZ87AybumJdTWpQUIIlGjbtHHC-xEX2Cy/s1600/salvador-panelo.jpg" title="Atty. Salvador Panelo" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Atty. Salvador Panelo continue to represent Duterte in court and in media as he accepts the offer to be the presidential spokesperson. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo Credit: news.abs-cbn.com</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Arroyo government Defense Secretary, Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro was seen in Davao City couple of days ago and the public immediately assumed that he was there to meet Duterte. Pro-Duterte netizens rode in the cabinet-selection issue and made their own cabinet roster mock-up. Teodoro, is suprisingly being clamored to handle the Defense Department and the president-elect heard them.<br /><br />Gibo later on admitted that the said division was offered to him but emphasized that he has yet to consult his family before letting his soon-to-be boss know about his decision.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOZtyjPCYS0REgnsFKdE2xS7AX87J0IRg5niNYLXXm5Jsk3V96D95LxydLLP2Hn6kAqhAFBO8GfXv10ELUQtVmvff6xIYWkmRZbsi8OYv3PGPbfLLVRrzKa3ojSrC95FlntwwG_Nrlkbj/s1600/gibo-teodoro-duterte.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gibo Teodoro" border="0" class="img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOZtyjPCYS0REgnsFKdE2xS7AX87J0IRg5niNYLXXm5Jsk3V96D95LxydLLP2Hn6kAqhAFBO8GfXv10ELUQtVmvff6xIYWkmRZbsi8OYv3PGPbfLLVRrzKa3ojSrC95FlntwwG_Nrlkbj/s1600/gibo-teodoro-duterte.jpg" title="Gibo Teodoro" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibo Teodoro who has served PGMA as her Defense Secretary will be rendering his services once again under incoming president Rody Duterte.</td></tr></tbody></table>Ex-North Cotabato Governor, columnist and boxing analyst, Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol will be overlooking the Agriculture department. Piñol is a close friend of the Mayor and an advisor for agricultural programs in Mindanao region.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJOMxSnNZGxum9g9YeNl8WI8jHjD13yLw_mO7mUHJOn6mANRqf6JF6mu_ARrheoQGoxrOeOpmF4zkuRv_7AS_BnpeygkKpUlXuzR5k_63jxKMJp-Ualjkn3AA9DYQdwUHAS-utIt53kLJ/s1600/manny-Pi%25C3%25B1ol.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Manny Piñol " border="0" class="img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJOMxSnNZGxum9g9YeNl8WI8jHjD13yLw_mO7mUHJOn6mANRqf6JF6mu_ARrheoQGoxrOeOpmF4zkuRv_7AS_BnpeygkKpUlXuzR5k_63jxKMJp-Ualjkn3AA9DYQdwUHAS-utIt53kLJ/s1600/manny-Pi%25C3%25B1ol.jpg" title="Manny Piñol " /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">One of Duterte’s close friends and Ex-Governor Manny Piñol will supervise the Department of Agriculture.</td></tr></tbody></table>His vice-presidential running mate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was earlier reported to handle either the Foreign or Justice Department. But, Duterte has to wait for a year before their official tandem happens because Cayetano is curently barred to take any executive position. For the mean time, Former Securities and Exchange Commission chief Perfecto Yasay Jr. will be the acting Foreign Secretary.<br /><br />Duterte made his critics’ eyebrows raised once again for expressing his intent to hire leftists and entrust the departments of: Labor and Employment, Social Welfare and Development, Agrarian Reform and Environment and Natural Resources to them. If ever this happens, this will be the first time in Philippine Government History that leftists will take seats in an administration. It obviously drew a negative connotation for many. But for some political analysts, it is a genius move by the incoming president. For them, Duterte is trying to send a strong message to the public that he is capable of uniting Filipinos from different ethnicity, social status and background.<br /><br /><b>Here’s the rough draft of Duterte’s proposed Cabinet Secretaries:</b><br /><b><br /></b><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Executive Secretary: Salvador Medialdea</li><li>Presidential Spokesperson: Salvador Panelo</li><li>Acting Foreign Affairs: Former Securities and Exchange Commission chief Perfecto Yasay Jr</li><li>Transportation and Communications: Arthur Tugade</li><li>Finance: Former agriculture secretary Carlos Dominguez</li><li>Education: Lyceum of the Philippines Batangas president Peter Laurel</li><li>Agriculture: Former North Cotabato governor Emmanuel "Manny" Piñol</li><li>Public Works and Highways: Las Piñas Representative Mark Villar</li><li>Peace process: Jesus Dureza</li><li>PAGCOR: Former Bureau of Immigration chief Andrea Domingo</li></ul><br />Again, nothing is set and final until Duterte’s official proclamation on June 30, 2016.<br /><br /><b>--Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express</b></div>

Duterte Continues to Select his Cabinet Secretaries

MANILA, Philippines – There’s really no stopping Philippines’ Presumptive President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte in changing the whole country. Bu...

President Duterte chooses his Cabinet members

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines – “It aint over yet, till the fat lady sings.” But in the case of Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte, who has an insurmountable 6 million plus lead in votes over second placer former DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, it’s over, it’s done, he won the presidential race. The tough-speaking Davao City Mayor is the Republic of the Philippines’ Presumptive President.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TZRhkFg17HRl20NWE-336fGJdtOonCUnVSr0fUn0aozfUW6u-spfQHPP3gKNRvJwzzcfx9WPW_E_1hKr1jQmzEmItimuL0tC6tmy0ZxsXjAhi5Tw1tJG3J0Sso6aBW1gUFQNQ5_uRg2h/s1600/dutertes-chooses-his-cabinet-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Presumptive President Duterte chooses his Cabinet members" border="0" class="img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TZRhkFg17HRl20NWE-336fGJdtOonCUnVSr0fUn0aozfUW6u-spfQHPP3gKNRvJwzzcfx9WPW_E_1hKr1jQmzEmItimuL0tC6tmy0ZxsXjAhi5Tw1tJG3J0Sso6aBW1gUFQNQ5_uRg2h/s1600/dutertes-chooses-his-cabinet-2016.jpg" title="Presumptive President Duterte chooses his Cabinet members" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less than couple of months before his oath taking as the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines,  Rody Duterte has already chosen his Cabinet Members.</td></tr></tbody></table>The rest of the presidentiables have already thrown in the towel, Duterte along with his board of advisors, have already started laying out their plans for his 6-year-term. One of the priorities is drafting the administration’s cabinet members. There are now few names on the Mayor’s wish list. But nothing is final as per Duterte’s camp.<br /><br />Common vision (on good governance), integrity, competence and willingness to sacrifice are just some of the major characters that Duterte is looking for his new set of government officials according to his spokesperson, Peter Lavina.<br /><br />Prior to the white listing of the cabinet members, Duterte has already formed his Transition Committee which he parted into six divisions:<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Leoncio Jun Evasco - social development</li><li>Christopher Bong Go - peace and security</li><li>Carlos Dominguez - economic development</li><li>Salvador Medialdea - justice system</li><li>Loreto Ata - government-owned and controlled corporations</li><li>Peter Laviña - infrastructure development</li></ul><br />"These are the six major clusters so that we will be able to hasten the process of receiving... We are receiving lists, nominees, suggetsions of potential members of the Cabinet as well as sub-Cabinet positions and head of various agencies," Laviña said.<br /><br />Known as a brutal-law-enforcer in his turf, Duterte bared during a media interview that he will more likely considered retired military officials like former Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon to take roles in his administration. <br /><br />On one of the ambush interviews prior to the National Elections, Mayor Rody uttered that: “running a government, after all is pure commonsense.” Meaning, an official doesn’t have to have a rocket science university degree to run an effective government. In line with this, he would really love to have his long-time friend and re-known businessman Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez III to handle either Department of Transportation or Finance Department.  Dominguez served as the Agriculture secretary during the administration of late President Cory Aquino.<br /><br />His San Beda College of Law classmate, Arthur Tugade is also highly considered as the Department of Trade and Industries Department. <br /><br />For the Department of Defense, he is still uncertain who he will place in it but one thing is for sure; that he will choose an Ex-General to handle one of the major departments of his administration. <br /><br />To support his propaganda in suppressing the illegal drug trade, Duterte revealed that he himself will handle the DILG because he wants to directly supervise the PNP. He will just hire a “pure manager” as his undersecretary. He will not choose any politician or police general for this department.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ0Qfh0NOsKojBCwro4g61Zs0iew0ronSKgwlHW4-fB4S8sAEEKve5Z4aimkhoxbOiCE4Qa75qZYOCRcjiq1p0P5DDqQ5LGOb1bgUZV909IZNN6Uyfnn4lmxRfBg-w-9Jh8QP6X2nygDT/s1600/marquez-duterte.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Duterte vows to lead the PNP in busting drug-related crimes." border="0" class="img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ0Qfh0NOsKojBCwro4g61Zs0iew0ronSKgwlHW4-fB4S8sAEEKve5Z4aimkhoxbOiCE4Qa75qZYOCRcjiq1p0P5DDqQ5LGOb1bgUZV909IZNN6Uyfnn4lmxRfBg-w-9Jh8QP6X2nygDT/s1600/marquez-duterte.jpg" title="Duterte vows to lead the PNP in busting drug-related crimes." /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Duterte vows to lead the PNP in busting drug-related crimes. Photo Credit: politics.com.ph</td></tr></tbody></table>Known for his peace efforts in Mindanao, Mayor Rody wants someone who he can really trust. Thus, Ramos administration Press Secretary and his high school classmate will play a major role in Mindanao peace process. It was earlier reported that Duterte will continue to work out with CPP-NPA head, Joma Sison for at least a 6-year truce or to possibly end a 30-long-year of rebellion.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8GDNVXEi8MfC5Zh4R1ynaqDhL4t6mrrNbxwRLL2wu4RKsx6rCzVWkIacBrvjAo8WVE_Cya5V8AbOCgpPobGu87EAytQRCXr0cpNOSax3FMWUdzpQwjiljj8BZk1BNutOifbFKrUN1qR7/s1600/duterte-chooses-his-cabinet-members-joma.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mayor Rody talks about peace with CPP-NPA Head Joma Sison" border="0" class="img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8GDNVXEi8MfC5Zh4R1ynaqDhL4t6mrrNbxwRLL2wu4RKsx6rCzVWkIacBrvjAo8WVE_Cya5V8AbOCgpPobGu87EAytQRCXr0cpNOSax3FMWUdzpQwjiljj8BZk1BNutOifbFKrUN1qR7/s1600/duterte-chooses-his-cabinet-members-joma.jpg" title="Mayor Rody talks about peace with CPP-NPA Head Joma Sison" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Mayor Rody talks about peace with CPP-NPA Head Joma Sison. Photo credit: Inquirer.net</td></tr></tbody></table>His vice-presidential running mate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who couple of days has conceded to Cong. Leni Robredo will surely have a post, possibly his foreign secretary. Robredo on the other hand, who is currently leading the vice-presidential race by a little less than two hundred thousand over Sen. BongBong Marcos expressed her gratitude to Duterte. Mayor Rody yesterday said that he is seriously pondering to give a cabinet position to Cong. Leni whether she wins or loses the bid.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfTs0nsitAIqHHoSFW61eyCQORM9alyRSzLI8WifqLi2dcR85k8nLE6PcJmim8OeUavnlYlcAhEMlWS1svwK-F5jV3CzRIoAsYgL1ipC-NErqqH9AD6451NukctWY6LTf0_BbISMP0wFm/s1600/cayetano-robredo.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Win or Lose, both Cayetano and Robredo will have a role in Duterte administration." border="0" class="img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfTs0nsitAIqHHoSFW61eyCQORM9alyRSzLI8WifqLi2dcR85k8nLE6PcJmim8OeUavnlYlcAhEMlWS1svwK-F5jV3CzRIoAsYgL1ipC-NErqqH9AD6451NukctWY6LTf0_BbISMP0wFm/s1600/cayetano-robredo.jpg" title="Win or Lose, both Cayetano and Robredo will have a role in Duterte administration." /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Win or Lose, both Cayetano and Robredo will have a role in Duterte administration.</td></tr></tbody></table>Lavina said, everything is still a wish for the presumptive president. It is still difficult to disclose everything in their raw blue print because they’re not still sure whether the names on the list would love to have the roles under his administration.<br /><br />To sum up, Mayor Duterte is not keen on hiring politicians to support him in his administration, what he really wants is someone who can execute the job well and can  manage all the departments the way it should be. After all, “running a  good government is just a pure commonsense.”<br /><br /><b>--Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express</b></div>

President Duterte chooses his Cabinet members

MANILA, Philippines – “It aint over yet, till the fat lady sings.” But in the case of Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte, who has an insurmountabl...

Duterte maintains wide lead in latest poll; Robredo, Marcos statistically tied in top spot

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines- Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is still the front-runner in the latest Pulse Asia Survey commissioned by ABS-CBN Corp. published on Wednesday, May 4.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dd4fE6WAJd4pA-c1njsucN8MkGqJuM__UQF5THfeE1OEKBK851CsuFcb9gstKu0eWxi_UPP3CgF3GENI5-wVrbelwSZpWyhYMNVpphrcKP0Ut5FzoY4ugMal_gYLI1g49dSGEUNGSG9o/s1600/duterte-lead-pulse-asia.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Duterte maintains wide lead in latest poll" border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dd4fE6WAJd4pA-c1njsucN8MkGqJuM__UQF5THfeE1OEKBK851CsuFcb9gstKu0eWxi_UPP3CgF3GENI5-wVrbelwSZpWyhYMNVpphrcKP0Ut5FzoY4ugMal_gYLI1g49dSGEUNGSG9o/s640/duterte-lead-pulse-asia.jpg" title="Duterte maintains wide lead in latest poll" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Mayor Duterte maintains wide lead over other presidential aspirants in the latest Pulse Asia Survey.<br />PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Rody Duterte</td></tr></tbody></table>The tough talking mayor maintained his lead with 33% rating for the second week in a row in the survey conducted from April 26 to 29 among 4,000 registered voters across the country. The survey had a margin of error of +/- 1.5%.<br /><br />Statistically tied at the second place were administration bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II with 22% and Sen. Grace Poe with 21% ratings.<br /><br />Vice President Jejomar “Jojo Binay” and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago got 17% and 2% respectively. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Camarines Sur Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo surged in the survey and now shares the top spot with Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Robredo has two percentage points lead with 30% of the votes over Marcos who obtained 28%. <br /><br />Former front-runner Francis “Chiz” Escudero ranked third with 18% followed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano who obtained 15%. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV received 3% while Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan got 2%. According to Pulse Asia, 5% of the voters remain undecided.<br /><br />In the senatorial race, Senate President Franklin “Frank” Drilon emerged as the top choice after obtaining 47.8% of the votes.<br /><br />Other senatorial aspirants who have the statistical chance of winning were Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, former senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Panifilo “Ping” Lacson, Sarangani Congressman Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, former Akbayan Party List Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros, former TESDA Director General Emmanuel Villanueva, Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, former Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon, former DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima, Sen. Ralph Recto and Valenzuela Congressman Sherwin T. Gatchalian.<br /><b><br /></b><b>--Mini, The Summit Express</b></div>

Duterte maintains wide lead in latest poll; Robredo, Marcos statistically tied in top spot

MANILA, Philippines- Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is still the front-runner in the latest Pulse Asia Survey commissioned by ABS-CBN Corp...

GMA-7 cancels its May 1 'Hamon ng Bise' VP Debate?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - GMA Network has cancelled its scheduled vice presidential debate for the May 2016 elections dubbed as  'Hamon ng Bise,' various reports have confirmed few days before the supposed live airing.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjb4InyEgQud9IEKqoJikQcd6pc9l62WEecb3cKVT4YklO99c-cKT3z8aSRjvibfOxzFMZg-3GNMqXwIK_OcOKvwyLryN-ShR-QvZEqg3qijWhUS57aX4su9vM_PCoQfTqY6b2THlOgTFF/s1600/vp-debate-cnn.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vice Presidential candidates for May 2016 elections." border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjb4InyEgQud9IEKqoJikQcd6pc9l62WEecb3cKVT4YklO99c-cKT3z8aSRjvibfOxzFMZg-3GNMqXwIK_OcOKvwyLryN-ShR-QvZEqg3qijWhUS57aX4su9vM_PCoQfTqY6b2THlOgTFF/s640/vp-debate-cnn.jpg" title="Vice Presidential candidates for May 2016 elections." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vice Presidential candidates for May 2016 elections. Photo Credit: CNN Philippines</td></tr></tbody></table>The VP debate slated today, May 1, was cancelled as only three of the six candidates have confirmed to GMA-7's invitation.<br /><br />"Out of the six candidates, campaign teams pa lang nila Leni Robredo, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Antonio Trillanes ang nakapagcommit," a report from Media Newser Philippines said.<br /><br />"Hindi na siya magiging debate kung kalahati lang ang lalabas kaya shelved na ang debate," the report added quoting its unnamed source.<br /><br />Meanwhile, GMA-7 has no statement yet regarding the issue of cancellation or possible re-scheduling of the event.<br /><br />"Hamon ng Bise: The GMA Vice Presidential Debate" should have been the second debate to be hosted by the Kapuso Network for the upcoming general elections. In February, GMA-7 hosted the first leg of the "PiliPinas Debates 2016" in Cagayan de Oro City.<br /><br />CNN Philippines has organized the sole vice presidential debate in the PiliPinas Debates 2016 series on April 10 (all candidates were present) while ABS-CBN hosted its own debate called "Harapan ng Bise" a week after (Senator Bongbong Marcos did not attend).</div>

GMA-7 cancels its May 1 'Hamon ng Bise' VP Debate?

MANILA, Philippines - GMA Network has cancelled its scheduled vice presidential debate for the May 2016 elections dubbed as 'Hamon ng B...

LOOK: Netizen reveals Duterte-Cayetano’s strategy to eradicate crime, corruption in 3 to 6 months

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines- A certain Eric Clark Su has revealed the supposed plan of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano for the eradication of crime and corruption in just 3 to 6 months should they win the national elections.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0yQNP5-7N5Y5RQth5T3qDiqMUvY8xGH66KhuQKO5Bme8B00kkmP_6iMh6PhBVyYSRtLPg6geumsUqpPVzKfd4YIVEZatMd3MX18wDqX4X5sb7ObRk02lqvX4GPlkfpqjSBURxKPFWf_K/s1600/duterte-cayetano-masterplan.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Netizen shares the tandem’s supposed masterplan." border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0yQNP5-7N5Y5RQth5T3qDiqMUvY8xGH66KhuQKO5Bme8B00kkmP_6iMh6PhBVyYSRtLPg6geumsUqpPVzKfd4YIVEZatMd3MX18wDqX4X5sb7ObRk02lqvX4GPlkfpqjSBURxKPFWf_K/s640/duterte-cayetano-masterplan.jpg" title="Netizen shares the tandem’s supposed masterplan." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Netizen shares the tandem’s supposed masterplan. <br />PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Duterte-Cayetano</td></tr></tbody></table>Through a note shared on Facebook on Monday, April 11, Su shared how the DuCay plan will work based on three different sources.<br /><br />According to Su, eradication is the tandem’s aspirational goal yet their realistic aim is suppression. The mission will consist of three phases including intelligence gathering, rapid legal case building and arrests.<br /><br />Although Duterte and Cayetano have not been elected president and vice president, respectively,   Su claimed that intelligence gathering had begun last year. Once Duterte becomes the president of the country, intelligence gathering, which is modelled loosely on the prisoner’s dilemma, will gain a rapid component through executive order. The process is expected to finish in a matter of two to three weeks and a short list of critical targets must be the final output.<br /><br />A sizeable team of lawyers and paralegal will be involved in the next phase. Su stressed that both Duterte and Cayetano are lawyers in good standing and that they already have “eager idealistic lawyer leaders” who will be recruited once the operation starts. Legal case building is expected to come up with actionable outputs in 2 to 3 months. Middle-rung people with concrete evidence pointing to the top of the management are the early targets of this operation. Scaring the boss or the management to flee the country is the main goal of legal case building. Otherwise, they will be killed in the third phase of the operation.<br /><br />In the third phase, which will involve executions, warrants will be issued along with arrests done within a tight schedule. Depending on the case, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be involved. <br /><br />He wrote: “Some of the targets will resist arrest, Duterte will direct the executors to defend their lives. Duterte guarantees legal protection and full support should they need to eliminate the bad elements to avoid casualties on the police / military side.”<br /><br />No incentives will be given but there will be a possible salary hike as reward for a successful mission.<br /><br />Furthermore, Su said that Cayetano’s job is to isolate the plan from politics, help develop the legal component and weave out the aftermath of the batches of arrest. In case Cayetano doesn’t win the vice presidential race, Duterte will appoint him to do the job.<br /><br />The DuCay tandem is confident that the operation will work since it has been done numerous times in Davao City.<br /><br />“The goal is not eradication but to form a battlefront with a bi-annual tick-tock of hitting crime and corruption, buy time to strengthen components against crime and corruption, hit crime and corruption again, improve another component of government, rinse and repeat until crime is so low people can walk in the streets without worry.” <br /><br />Interestingly, drug addicts will be given a free rehabilitation program and a monthly allowance of around P4,000.<br /><br />Moreover, other aspects that will help support the mission include: nationwide 911 system, heavy reliance on embedded agents like tricycle drivers and street vendors, more CCTVs in Metro Manila, doubling of police salary, proper use of intelligence funds, upgraded crime labs, and to make prisons more miserable.<br /><br />Read Su’s note here. <br /><br /><center><iframe allowtransparency="“true”" frameborder="0" height="612" scrolling="no" src="https://web.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fnotes%2Feric-clark-su%2Fhow-duterte-and-cayetanos-3-6-months-anti-crime-and-anti-corruption-plan-works%2F10153367840225964&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe></center><b>- Mini, The Summit Express</b></div>

LOOK: Netizen reveals Duterte-Cayetano’s strategy to eradicate crime, corruption in 3 to 6 months

MANILA, Philippines- A certain Eric Clark Su has revealed the supposed plan of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Allan Peter Cayetan...

Duterte’s slip of the tongue reveals his true character as 'anti-labor, fascist thug' - BMP

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>This is a press statement from Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP).</i><br /><br />MANILA, Philippines  - No, militant labor would not be spun around by Duterte’s spin doctors. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpRAFwY1LFUOqrpxoC8wlxFBnkxHxIzQToES-Er6VC5rvycAfPkO2OCLbcYiOc3Xpy0cgXrerS2CmF7PQhD55ES_1bfIXNDRCrtDBxCx-GsLqlHcFGMZ8W1SH1ppre0idGISq6lLzGCvw/s1600/duterte-campaign-starts.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mayor Rodrigo campaigns in Tondo." border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpRAFwY1LFUOqrpxoC8wlxFBnkxHxIzQToES-Er6VC5rvycAfPkO2OCLbcYiOc3Xpy0cgXrerS2CmF7PQhD55ES_1bfIXNDRCrtDBxCx-GsLqlHcFGMZ8W1SH1ppre0idGISq6lLzGCvw/s640/duterte-campaign-starts.jpg" title="Mayor Rodrigo campaigns in Tondo." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayor Rodrigo campaigns in Tondo. Photo Credit: Rody Duterte Facebook page</td></tr></tbody></table>His earlier promise to abolish contractualization is now exposed for what it truly is – a mere electoral gimmick not only to gain the support of the toiling masses, especially the 1.8 million-strong trade union movement but more so to attract the attention of capitalists who may bankroll his campaign. <br /><br />It seems that the “ruse” has worked for Duterte and Cayetano. He now has the campaign kitty to match his well-funded rivals, especially Mar Roxas of the landed Roxas-Araneta clan. And at once, in order to reassure his financiers, he reveals his true character as a fascist and anti-labor thug.<br /><br />May we remind Duterte that workers do not abuse their Constitutional rights to freedom of association and self-organization. It is the employers’ who exploit “management prerogative” when they bust unions, pay starvation wages, and employ cheap and docile labor through contractualization. <br /><br />Mr. Duterte may feign ignorance. As a lawyer, he must know the legal concepts of social justice and human rights, especially the limitations to “property rights”.  Workers form unions, not because they are provoked by radicals. They do so in order to enjoy the rights and standards that are enshrined in the Constitution, yet are wantonly disregarded by employers.  <br /><br />We will not allow Duterte, this time, to hide behind his favorite alibi of “hyperbole”. He had the gall to utter a not-so-thinly-veiled threat to unionism. We dare him to share the same harsh words to abusive capitalists and landowners who violate every letter and spirit of the Labor Code and the Agrarian Reform Law. But he will not. Like every dyed-in-the-wool fascist, he only plays upon popular discontent with trademark demagoguery yet he is afraid to displease the oligarchy – the very minority that oppresses the impoverished majority! <br /><br />However, Duterte’s speech before his proclamation rally in Tondo revealed his bankrupt development agenda. He says, the country needs to entice investments for economic growth. How? By scaring the hell out of the trade union movement, i.e., by making workers surrender their rights to the altar of global capital. Cheap labor policy! It is the same neoliberal paradigm shared by post-Edsa 1986 governments. Yet, the Duterte-Cayetano camp continues to harp on its rhetoric of “change”. <br /><br />Unfortunately for the outspoken mayor, history is not on the side of fascism. Duterte may temporarily reap from the desperation of a people that has not benefit from the so-called democracy that was restored by the Edsa revolts. But soon, the masses will grow tired of his heavy-handed rhetoric and realize that their emancipation from poverty and misery is in their hands, not in the iron gloves of wannabe messiahs.<br /><br /><b>RELATED STORY</b><br /><a href="http://pinoybuzz.blogkorner.com/2016/02/infographic-16-things-you-need-to-know-rodrigo-duterte.html" rel="nofollow">INFOGRAPHIC: 16 Things You Need To Know About Presidential Candidate Rodrigo Duterte</a></div>

Duterte’s slip of the tongue reveals his true character as 'anti-labor, fascist thug' - BMP

This is a press statement from Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP). MANILA, Philippines - No, militant labor would not be spun around b...

Duterte-Cayetano dreams of a drug-free Philippines

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines  - Sharing the dreams of parents and Filipino families of a "drug-free Philippines", the tandem of presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is eyeing on taking down half of the 3-5 thousand drug lords in the country through an "all-out war against drugs."<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUK58L4CLJk2_uZFKh4YoDG5iseB7b6RSteD2IrXuFPw43MnrUU85LjG3J85KtxF15Wk_W3opXmssPOjYscVnba9LlF1O4vENJn79Q5LARioGEz1CBtmYEKFlP7o1dvbFODzhTWI2IwkT/s1600/duterte-cayetano-on-drugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano" border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUK58L4CLJk2_uZFKh4YoDG5iseB7b6RSteD2IrXuFPw43MnrUU85LjG3J85KtxF15Wk_W3opXmssPOjYscVnba9LlF1O4vENJn79Q5LARioGEz1CBtmYEKFlP7o1dvbFODzhTWI2IwkT/s640/duterte-cayetano-on-drugs.jpg" title="Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. Photo: Facebook/Alan <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cayetano</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Speaking in his Sunday television program, Gikan sa masa, para sa masa, Duterte said the drug problem in the country has worsened to such a degree that it has become a threat to national security.<br /><br />"In some places in the country, the drug menace has become so bad that drug users have resorted to paying for drugs not with cash but with goats and livestock," Duterte said.<br /><br />The tough-talking mayor said he will not hesitate to use the military and the police and exercise the extraordinary powers of the president to stop the country's drug problem. "In three to six months, everything has to stop. Corruption, drug, criminality. You are oppressing the Filipinos, and I hate it," Duterte said, referring to criminals.<br /><br />For his part, Cayetano said they have a comprehensive plan and stategy as well as the political will to win the war against drugs. Part of the strategy is the dual task of disciplining and improving the salaries and benefits of the police/Law enforcers.<br /><br />"Under a Duterte-Cayetano government, minimum take home pay for law enforcers will be at P 50-60 thousand plus allowances. We will also impose harsh punishment for 'banta salakay' law enforcers. We will leave no excuses for corruption nor sleeping on the job," Cayetano said.<br /><br />Cayetano said they received reports that big drug syndicates based in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have linked up to put up a united front against their electoral campaign.<br /><br />"We will not be cowed. We will hit them where it hurts the most. We will strike at the belly of the beast. We will bring the war to their doorsteps," Cayetano quoting Duterte.<br /><br />"For the sake of our families' safety and the future of our children, Mayor Duterte and I will end this social menace. Hindi na pwede ang pateka teka. Sawa na tayo sa pamedya medya. Panahon na para sa matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon laban sa salot na droga sa ating bansa. To our growing supporters, stay calm. Change is coming," Cayetano ended.<br /><br />Before Duterte entered the political picture, the issue of illegal drugs was not in the front and center of the electoral agenda. With Duterte running as President many look forward to him to end the country's growing drug problem.</div>

Duterte-Cayetano dreams of a drug-free Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Sharing the dreams of parents and Filipino families of a "drug-free Philippines", the tandem of presidentia...

Digong, the COMELEC and the church: The complications of Duterte’s presidential bid

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The crowd anticipated for it. They longed for his sweet “yes” and he did it albeit late. Nonetheless, the legion of fans that surrounds the famed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte got what they wished for. The PDP-Laban party formally launched the Duterte-Cayetano 2016 yesterday, November 30 despite of the pending issues that Duterte is yet to conquer regarding with the legality of his move to substitute the party’s original contender for president, Martin Diño.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht31eimGbUURe6UwCHkTqqi4DGUra44EJ_hF8dyehw1s3ZkwXSz2VLqQfDmKKZKE2UOjKy2Q57sOfoO8NlxvgoM1kW9KAr8WMGi4n8kqfvsVtrZ_17WqQ7F2Uj0lCfqr9bJG271E40sgdg/s1600/duterte-cayetano-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Digong, the COMELEC and the church" border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht31eimGbUURe6UwCHkTqqi4DGUra44EJ_hF8dyehw1s3ZkwXSz2VLqQfDmKKZKE2UOjKy2Q57sOfoO8NlxvgoM1kW9KAr8WMGi4n8kqfvsVtrZ_17WqQ7F2Uj0lCfqr9bJG271E40sgdg/s640/duterte-cayetano-2016.jpg" title="Digong, the COMELEC and the church" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>From ‘the Punisher’ turned ‘the Pabebe’? </b><br /><br />He gave a very constant “no” but not until the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) affirmed the validity of Senator Grace Poe’s candidacy for president. Right after that, Duterte slammed the SET decision and hinted that he will finally run for the highest post of this land. But his detractors are exclaiming, is it really worth it? Is Duterte’s statement on the decision of SET regarding Poe’s disqualification case weighed more to him than all the rallies, social media clamor and even the act of his children and a number of supporters of shaving their heads for Duterte to finally throw his hat on the ring? His critics seized the opportunity and branded him as a “political pabebe” pertaining to the way he confused the public on his real political plans that irked some of the voters who could have voted for him.<br /><br /><b>Duterte slapped with first disqualification case, COMELEC remains silent</b><br /><br />Duterte was given several months to announce his presidential bid up to the last day of the filing of Certificate of Candidcay (COC) at the COMELEC last October 16, but he refused to do so. While his supporters remained hopeful on the possibility of substituting for another candidate which is in the name of Diño, their bet, however, was as stiff as rock on his previous interviews that he isn’t ecstatic going head on head with the first four presidential candidates. Now the mayor is yet to face the first disqualification case filed against him by broadcaster Ruben Castor right after his announcement that he will finally run.<br /><br /><b>Election experts weighs on Duterte’s substitution over Diño</b><br /><br />Duterte’s ‘pabebe’ move ignited the debate on the legality of his presidential campaign among election pundits. For Atty. Romulo Macalintal, Duterte cannot substitute for Diño as the latter’s withdrawal of COC is not the issue but the error that he made upon filing his candidacy. Diño was reported to file for a Pasay City mayoralty candidacy and NOT as a presidential aspirant. In this case, Macalintal added that Diño made himself as a nuisance candidate and that by using common sense, a COC of a nuisance candidate cannot be considered valid at all. On the Other hand, former COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes approves of PDP-Laban fielding Duterte instead of Diño saying that the mistake made by the candidate should not impede the desire of the party to achieve its cause.<br /><br /><b>CBCP slams Duterte for ‘cursing’ Pope Francis, Enrile </b><br /><br />It was during Duterte’s proclamation event last Monday prepared by the party wherein he<br />pronounced the stong, one-liner statement “Gusto kong tawagan, ‘Pope p*tang ina ka, umuwi<br />ka na. ‘Wag ka nang magbisita dito. (Pope, you son of a b*tch, go home. Don’t visit here<br />anymore.)” That reflected his opinion on road closures that caused heavy traffic during Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines last January.<br /><br />As expected, the profanity uttered by the mayor on his speech against the supreme pontiff was met with harsh criticisms and undesirable reactions by catholic faith believers, who comprise the majority of the voting population in the country. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas addressed the issue, partly giving advice and warning to the voters, “When a revered and loved and admired man like Pope Francis is cursed by a political candidate and the audience laugh, I can only bow my head and grieve in great shame. My countrymen have gone to the dregs.” Meanwhile, Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile, defended Duterte saying that the mayor is just ‘challenging the roughness and smoothness of Philippine society’ and that it is up to the people to judge him.<br /><br /><b>Will PDP-Laban be successful in ‘brewing’ a President Duterte for 2016?</b><br /><br />Either everything that happened over the past months were staged or not, it achieved its intended purpose. Aside from his no nonsense statements, Duterte has now bested Binay and Poe in terms of mainstream media mileage. Santiago will probably maintain the social media citizenry on her side until May 2016 while Roxas and his allies will now have a hard time pleasing the public with the possible entry of another crowd favorite as it was reported that some LP allies from Mindanao had just jumped to support Duterte. Despite his harsh statements, unabashed admission of being a womanizer, as a punisher for scalawags and as a best friend of the communists, Duterte maintained a mixture of his pragmatic yet mysterious character which excites the public. <br /><br />We ain’t seen anything yet. The journey to Malacañan is yet to intensify and by mid-half of the first quarter next year that we will finally get a glimpse of what kind of presidency the Philippines is yet to experience. Will it be a Duterte-like? As of the moment, the chances are high of course. The PDP-Laban is now at its best position to place the next president coming from their own group. Duterte will make history if ever he succeeds as he will be the first Mindanaoan president that the country will ever have and that concept alone of having him ascending the stairs of the Malacañan palace mirrors the possibility of making Mindanao peacefully stable and competitively at par with the other regions of the country.<br /><br />Stay-tuned for the upcoming editorials with other presidential candidates in the coming weeks. - <b>Michael Santiago/TheSummitExpress</b></div>

Digong, the COMELEC and the church: The complications of Duterte’s presidential bid

The crowd anticipated for it. They longed for his sweet “yes” and he did it albeit late. Nonetheless, the legion of fans that surrounds the ...